TJHS CHRIS SEFCHECK, PRINCIPAL est Jefferson Hills WEST JEFFERSON HILLS SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
MESSAGE FROM
Scott Milburn, Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education
COMMUNICATION, COLLABORATION AND COOPERATION
In 2018, the new Thomas Jefferson High School will open and welcome students and the community into a new, state-of-theart high school complex. Over the past several years, the West Jefferson Hills School District has gathered feedback, input, and ideas from all stakeholders in the community through surveys, focus groups, and public meetings. To prepare for opening the new school and it’ s daily operations, instruction, and safety of all students, the West Jefferson Hills School District has assembled staff members to form the New TJHS Steering Committee. The members of the committee volunteered to work with their colleagues to research best instructional practices, innovative approaches to educating high school students, the use of learning spaces in schools, and how to maximize the use of the new facilities in the building.
Committee members and administrators visited other high schools to talk to students, teachers, and administrators about how they are changing their school culture and instruction to include 1:1 technology devices and flexible classroom seating configurations. During these school visits, staff gathered information on student schedules and facility usage, and observed students and teachers using classrooms and collaborative spaces in new and innovative ways.
Additionally, members of the steering committee participated in“ Shadow A Student Day” at TJHS. All of the committee members shadowed students throughout their entire school day to“ walk in their shoes”. The goal for the day was to observe a typical day for a student at the high school to document the good parts of the school day, areas that need to be improved, and to understand the needs of all of our students. The event was a huge success and students took the opportunity to share ideas of how we might improve the learning culture and classroom environments throughout the school.
The steering committee members will continue their research and planning meetings over the next several weeks and will prepare and present a list of recommendations to the district administrators to help guide and inform the development of the new policies, procedures, and routines at Thomas Jefferson High School. We are looking forward to implementing new ideas and programming to support all of the learners throughout the West Jefferson Hills School District.
50 West Jefferson Hills
With the leaves falling off the trees and the temperatures starting to fall, that can mean only one thing. Winter is coming! Here we are in the first week of December and already the winds of change are sweeping through our hallways. There are so many things to be positive about here at TJ. So far this year, we have seen a higher number of students taking a record number of Advanced Placement courses. Additionally, every 10th and 11th grade student was provided the opportunity to take the PSAT in October at the district’ s expense. A steering committee also was established to help provide guidance and vision in laying the groundwork for the new TJHS.
Three intensive sessions of Common Sense Media have been presented by our faculty to our students to help them adjust to the ever-changing world of technology. This Digital Citizenship Curriculum is intended to help students make better decisions when conducting themselves online, and encourage positive interactions to reduce harassing or bullying behaviors. We also completed our first Fall season of implementing Drug and Alcohol Screening for students suspected of being under the influence. The addition of School Police Officer, Jim Modrak, has provided an extra level of safety and security for the building as well.
A big buzz around the building among students is the talk about“ I can” statements, which are teacher-led objectives that place ownership of learning targets on the kids. By looking at these“ I can” statements, students can literally and figuratively be able to complete what is asked, or figure out what they can’ t do and find a way to get the supports to redirect.
The Administration has also taken to social media to spread the word of great things happening around our schools. Head to Twitter and press that“ Follow” button for @ PrincipalSef to get my posts and important news. You can also follow our associate principals by clicking @ MrsMerwin or @ PWareTJHS. Be the first to get“ what’ s happening” at TJ tweets around the clock. After all, you know what that means since winter is coming?
Planning for the 2018 final commencement ceremony at this facility will begin shortly after our winter break, so please email me at csefcheck @ wjhsd. net if you are interested in helping to plan a prestigious and memorable event. Wishing all of you a safe and happy holiday season!