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 !