FULL CIRCLE
Taking the Ohio Graduation Test is not something that most students look forward to, and it's certainly not something most would describe as "fun." It's challenging, takes a lot of time and a failing score can mean not receiving a diploma.
The last week of school at Metro, our students re-took the Ohio Graduation Test. (They took it the first week of school too.) It didn't count or anything; it was just for fun. OK, maybe not "fun." But really, the results will help us measure students' academic growth this year. (And we certainly hope the scores are HIGHER!)
The students also participated in individual roundtable sessions that included their advisory teacher, one or both of their parents and a professional community member (many were Battelle volunteers). The students analyzed their habits and learning styles, academic progress this year and strategic plans for next year. They used examples of their work to demonstrate progress in math, science, language arts and Spanish.
Then (finally!!) some fun and relaxation! It began with a dinner for students, parents and staff. The kids were having a dance afterward, so many of them showed up in formal attire. What a great looking bunch of young ladies and gentlemen!
At the end of the dinner, the students gave a PowerPoint presentation for the teachers and Mrs. Raymond, our principal. They used the Photoshop program to put each student's face onto Star Wars characters. Mrs. Raymond was Yoda, and if you have met her, you know that was perfect typecasting! "Mind what you have learned. Save you it can!"
Each teacher was invited to light a candle in an emotional ceremony, and then Mrs. Raymond was approached by every student, one by one, who handed her a single red rose. She had so many she could not hold them all! They brought her cards with messages of their appreciation for all that she has done for them this year.
Just think about that for a minute... teenagers who feel this way about their high school principal!
--- Posted June 28, 2007---