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The Next Generation: Our Kids, Our Community
Community Forums
Floyd Dryden Middle School
February 5, 2007
Question #1:
Describe the learning environment that you don’t want in the high schools:
One principal. One sports team for both schools. Students commuting from school to school to take different courses. Different subjects at each school. Do not want to bus my student.
I do not want a “power” feel where one school feels superior over the other. “The New School Rules” feeling. Don’t want sports to be main focus.
The same, inflexible, overly structure, no choices environment. No dark, no excitement to learn.
I don’t want a house atmosphere like DZ. I don’t want one school to be a tech type school and one to be focused on academics. I don’t want sports to be a deciding factor.
I do NOT want to see complete heterogeneous grouping. Kids need to be able to perform at their level. I do not want to see big difference. I do not want to see a school where our decisions are based on sports. I do not want to see schools that have different programs. I do not like that this started with something so negative! Set a strange tone w/folks.
I do not want the schools to be so different that kids do boundary exemptions to go to the “good schools” or the “jock school.” On the other hand, an increased vo-tec program would probably be a good thing.
Do not want to have 2 different schools where one school is offering for example music and shop, and the other high school without either program. Do not want sports program where one school offers just football and the other does not.
Not to call the new school—Valley. Not to create a US vs. THEM climate in Juneau schools. Overcrowding. I don’t want to see two schools that have totally different opportunities for children in our community, no matter where/what they live, their income or race. Equal sports options at both schools—not different sports at different schools. Separate competing teams would be okay.
Students with no desk or place to sit. Expectation that after some kids quit coming to class, there will be a place for all. Situation in which teachers can’t get to know all their students because they have too many in their classes. No ability to participate because limit has been reached—sports, choir, band, etc.
I do not want kids to be unhappy with stuff at school. Like teachers…(how boring they are). I don’t want everything crowded. I don’t want kids to have classes they don’t want.
I do not… want: Crowded, large class size. Unhealthful, confusing, one size fits all, limited class choices, disrespectful behavior in all directions. Large classes- which means enough teachers. Lack of attendance- which means I don’t want an open campus.
The drug problem…get better control. The school to have to have different program (equal opportunities). A school where sports are more important than academics.
Don’t want an unstructured environment. Don’t want a school which is segregated due to income, race, etc. Don’t want a “factory style” of learning environment. Don’t want an environment which promotes the dropout rate.
No connection to poverty kids/parents. Kids who are “checked out.” A staff lacking a team spirit and work together. A weak leader/principal who cannot make decisions or create a team. Negative “feel” to schools. Students not wanting to go to school.
I do not want an atmosphere where the youth cannot learn due to disruptions and disrespect in the classrooms. I don’t want large class sizes where the individual is lost.
I don’t want to see drugs, violence, overcrowded, factory like, cog in the wheel environment that intimidates kids, overemphasis on sports→ education is why we’re here, getting so creative that the basics are omitted.
I don’t want to see students moved on to the next grade when they still don’t know the content of the grade they are currently in. I don’t want to see special programs that are not designed for all students. I don’t want to see extracurricular activities be a priority over academics. Don’t want the drug issues.
One that teaches only to tests. One that confines “learning” to the classroom. Also one that is permissive, has no discipline or any sense of rigor in the students.
Don’t want the teaching environment be totally different, so that the kids will want to go to one school because one offers something the other doesn’t. That there is one day’s schedule of periods, then the next day it is different. Separate sports—don’t want Valley vs. downtown, etc.
Avoid over-emphasis on any particular group’s needs—college prep/tech/at risk. (Do want balance and attempts to integrate.) Don’t want isolation/division of valley/town groups. DO want lots of exchange and sharing of facilities to mix students and offer options. Don’t continue digital divide! Do make access to technology easy/universal/encouraged!
I do not want high schools without high expectations. I do not want less than a “reformed” comprehensive high school. I do not want the same number of opportunities for participation in athletics/activities that we have now (I want opportunities to be expanded.) I do not want best practices in what achieves best results in terms of student performance ignored in this process. I do not want to see “classroom learning” only, but want to utilize community resources beyond the high schools walls. I do not want to see “state championships”/sports funding drive the end result. I do not want a big difference between schools in terms of programs offered.
I don’t want: Any child to fail the qualifying exam. Peer pressure to force kids to quit. Want same opportunities. Where music and art are not regular requirements.
Not more than 25 kids per class. Not to have student creativity be more important than learning “the basics” (reading, math, etc.) Avoid bussing to downtown—have our child attend school of his/her community. Classes to start at a reasonable a.m. hour—not super early and get off in early afternoon. Consistent class schedule with less long days vs. short days.
I do not want to see kids getting pushed thru, given only the minimum, only to pass the AK grad test. I want to see kids being equipped to go on to further education or the job force.
Peer socialized, “value neutral,” overly structured, authoritarian, building-based (few off campus opportunities), $$ drive. Parental involvement. Not voc tech town.
Overcrowding. I do not want kids to take classes that they have no clue what the expectations are.
I do not want students to have fewer educational and social opportunities than they have now.
I do not want an environment where there are kids who don’t want to be there (in an academic environment) and bring down the group—there needs to be vocational training offered at one or the other high school for those who are not college bound. And for there to be respect shown for those who don’t choose the college route and not a stigma attached.
Rudeness: students, teachers, administrators. Snobbish: singling out individuals so that they don’t have opportunity for development, education, and advancement.
Too often do I see busy work provided in these classes provided by the high schools. It is SO easy to “drift” through the high school, without boundaries, without structure. Going to school has become a routine, something that is NOT exhilarating, not engaging. I would like to see a school that is creative, enthusiastic. If at all possible, minimize drugs. More counseling structure—As a senior, I noticed that when I got to my senior year, they were so focused on getting me to graduate, in the end, it was like what’s next. Electives! Have a bigger schedule—not just lunch and then 6th period.
I do not want social engineering. I do not want teachers teaching a certain or standard for all. Teach the test rather than the subject. I do not want sports to be the major drive of the school. I do want subjects limited as currently is.. I don’t want two schools where kids are bussed back and forth to get certain subjects. School←→ Business partnership for vocational students.
Do not want isolation or no team work. No discipline. Few restrictions or guidelines. No community involvement. No options—cookie cutter curriculum. No teacher, counselor, or parental support. No vocational choices. No career testing. No lifelong learning No problem solving skills learned.
Question #2:
Describe the learning environment that you do want in the high schools:
An open environment class size 25-30 at most. College prep/AP classes for students wanting to go to the next level. Voc tech for the students who want to go into tech field. Computers, software, mechanics, etc. No zero hour—classes start at 8:00 a.m.
Manageable class sizes. Variety of class choices: academic, vo-tech, sports, arts. Respect for others.
Where parents are welcomed any time of day. A place where parents feel their children are safe. Smaller class sizes. Where “the basics” reading/writing/math have an importance along with creativity. Strict dress code (no revealing outfits and violent graphics) w/consequences if not met.
Vo-tech—hairdressing, candy-striping; office. I’d like to see classes at night too—for parents too. I’d like to see uniforms. I’d like to see more opportunities for students to be teacher’s aids, helping, etc. 9th and 10th at one school, 11th and 12th at one school. I’d like to see students to be allowed to participate in independent study if they want. Parent involvement.
Class size 1:20 (teacher:student). Opportunities to take classes when and where wanted. Guidance counselors geared to all students’ interestes. Rewarding good teachers, removing bad ones. Preparing students for “Life” on their own.
I would like to see small classrooms (not physical). Small learning environment. AP Program expanded to make our kids competitive. Relationships between students/teachers. Enforcement of rules. Kids taking leadership role in their education. Community involvement. Vo tech a challenge educational based program. Counseling (not just guidance). Parental involvement. Support groups for kids—Al-Anon/AA, Eating Disorders. Transition between middle to high school smoother.
Smaller class sizes. An environment where peer pressure is minimized. Ability to plug in other courses for credit from outside—other schools, internet, colleges—the Juneau school system. Cooperative/collaborative relationship between parents and teachers.
Small class sizes. The thought has come up of maybe 9th and 10th at one and 11th and 12th at the other. Tech classes for those fields.
Small class size, many classes offered so that students’ class schedules can be accommodated.
A college and vocational program for those who want to go to college and those who want a trade/skill. School/business partnerships for both vocational and college bound students. Advanced programs for kids who want and can achieve. A more open learning environment that is flexible letting kids learn at their own pace with a minimum standard, student and teacher set learning program. High school should be 10-11-12 vs. 9-10-11-12.
I would like to see more focus on class choices that fit the child’s academic level. I would like to see an environment where there is no rivalry between the three schools.
I would like to see many options as far as class choices for the students. Smaller, more intimate class sizes. Equality between all the high schools—sports, academics, clubs. I do want diversity among the students.
Choices, flexibility. Something for all students to feel successful and achieve. Each child challenged and prepared for life.
An environment which provides students with as many options as possible; tracks for college bound, vo-tech, trades, military, etc. An environment which provides extra-curricular activities to as many students as possible. An environment which provides a great education while building a positive, healthy community.
Choices on academics. Choices on vo-tech classes; sports-more variety; college, counselors; teachers. Staff “cohesiveness” Partnerships with community.
Strong support staff. Where kids are excited to be there. Class and learning opportunities will be available at both schools or a chance to take a class at another school if it is not offered at their primary school.
Lots of activity-choices. A strong cohesive staff who always keep the focus on kids when making decisions. A welcoming environment , both facilities and adults, for kids. High academic performance. Kids proud to be part of the school.
Instructions—basic life skills—how to achieve good credit scores—help them for life, budgeting. Team building techniques to pull students together as a close community wherever possible (smaller school closeness). Decrease the dropout rate! However, recognize the kids that are doing well. So much money and focus is on the dropout rate. Opportunities for extended learning classes at both schools ad votech. Careful counseling—help for college or vocational students.
Excited students want to go. Full array of opportunities. Class size mall, 25 or less.
Where kids look forward to going to school and are excited about their opportunities to gain knowledge.
I would like to see more students involved in class and more kids to be asking questions and making sure all the kids are happy to be there too, and they know what is going on. Small class sizes.
I’d like to see a learning environment that makes students feel welcome, safe, challenged, and excited about being there due to rigorous standards and exemplary instruction. I’d like to see the learning environment expanded beyond the school house walls- i.e. into the community, apprenticeships, internships, co-op, UA’s cooperation. I’d like to see students well-prepared for what lies beyond high school—able to look things up and find things out; able to ENJOY LEARNING—and to pursue careers/technical training/ or college with self-assurance. Small learning environments within a “reformed” comprehensive high school. I’d like to see twice as many students be able to participate in extra-curricular activities.
I would like to see different programs—more opportunities, possibly voc/tech and higher ed. Controlled environment (closed campus) “community environment.”
Connection with each student continually—through advisory or counseling contacts and outreach for all. Focus on guiding student to recognize/experience future directions (vocations/career options).
In vocational interest—an apprenticeship program and job on the outside if necessary. Real involvement in a meaningful level—in student in community. More courses with the university. More class discourse. More parent involvement.
Ability for students to participate in classes that interest them—not just if they’re the best. Time and place for students to study and get extra help if needed. Ability for students to get into the classes they need. Healthy nutritious food.
Curriculum specialized to each student’s goals. This would involve life and career counseling to determine what their interests ar now and where they see themselves after high school. Lots of networking with community businesses, government, and organizations. Excited kids.
Performance-based (competency) rather than time-in-service. Character First or similar. Opportunities for self-directed meaningful apprenticeships and community service.
Academics a priority. Sense of community within all schools. Student success (individual) not how the school performs. Strong sports program to continue (worry about funding issues). Students have a say about courses they take.
Shared vision between all three schools by all stakeholders. Shared goals, rigor, relevance, relationships by all students, family, community, partners. A community that is proud and promotes all three schools. Excellence in program and curriculum innovative, flexible, kids future. High standards for all. Equitable, all have access to programs, offerings, opportunities. Equal access.
I’d like to see an even distribution of academic and vocational offerings—they could be different… choices to be determined by planners.
A bright, exciting school (what’s on the walls). A school that can find a way to cater to different academic level. A school where teachers know the kids; they’re not just a number. Teachers to be forced/expected to communicate better with parents. Strong discipline which can lead to more respect which means teachers not spending a lot of time disciplining student.
Healthy environment, I believe that we need to not ignore our statistics. WE know we have a drug problem, WE know we have attendance problems. With these issues in mind, I would like to see the high school system start later, be more accommodating. Get into the minds of students. Too often do we create these programs and not follow through. I would like to see not just graduation requirements of gym. High school is life! Uniforms!! Healthy food… no vending machines. (People operate better on better food.) Teaching NOT discipline. There is not a one-size fits all. PHD counselor. Affordable UAS classes.
Questions #3:
Describe your student when he/she graduates from high school:
Positive, confident, well-mannered, feeling good about their h.s. education for their college opportunities.
I would like our students to be well prepared for either college or the careers of their choice. I would like them to feel good about the education in which they received from high school to better prepare them for future endeavors.
Well educated and ready for college. Self-assured, confident, and not lost in the higher academic world. With the help of the school environment, the will to know how to study and work hard whether it be in college or the work force.
I would like to go to college and achieve in my career.
Ready to be able to function in the real world. Ready for college or work, or votech or whatever. Able to pay bills, balance a checkbook, interview for a job. Proud of accomplishments and excited for his/her future.
Driven, college bound, very engaged in the community. Living life to the fullest.
Uncertain of preparedness to meet challenges of college. Eager to try and meet those challenges.
Excited about the prospect of continuing her education in a field that will lead to work that she enjoys. Not go to college just because it’s the next step, but knowing what she wants and sees and is excited about the path she’s taking to get there.
My graduate will be ready and able to attend college, experienced many subjects, knows all options available, and ready to be an artist or doctor.
Confident, competent for life, have self esteem, know how , and are excited to continue with learning. Learning skills that lead to continuous challenges. Certainly life survival skills.
I want my child to be squared away. I want him to make work/education/learning his priority. Do what is expected and asked of him. I want him to have confidence in his abilities and look toward college and further learning and be prepared. If not ready for college, then know himself well enough to decide something else worthwhile.
Someone who is self-confident. Someone who is ready to go into the community and be an integral part of a community no matter what they feel called to do in life. Well rounded (variety of experiences in high school). Good skills in presenting themselves at job interviews, writing a resume, and have a work ethic! A student who has learned to set goals.
Self-sufficient- having had the opportunity to learn from their mistakes or bad choices as children and students. Know where they are going career-wise. Feeling that they are OK and that they have a contribution to make to society. Knowing the hidden rules of the society in which they can have success in. Glowing and healthy and self confident.
Happy. Diverse. Well educated. Multi-cultural acceptance. Make connections. Smart choices of their own. Good life skills.
Well educated. Lots of options (doors opened) for the future. Happy, healthy, proud, strong interpersonal skills.
Self-assured, confident, excited. Scared to death. Not sure what he will do or what he can accomplish. Undecided, but capable.
A self-sufficient adult who has the skills and knowledge to take away career or education path she wants. My student should also possess the habits needed to lead a healthy life and to build healthy relationships.
Has a good foundation in basics, good idea of his areas of aptitude and the options open to him, and a desire to keep learning. Good memories.
Student that is self-assured and self-confident. Student that has basic life skills as well as academic—such as budgeting, avoiding credit card debt, filing income tax, buying something on credit—interest charges, interviewing for a job, etc. Student that is inquisitive—has several options for future. Has understanding of other people/lifestyles open mind to new things, people, places, experiences.
He will have choices. He will remember a great teacher. He will remember a class he liked. He will be prepared to move forward—choices and opportunities available to him based on what he got out of his 4 years at JDHS.
Leaves K-12 with skills in all academic areas that lead to: Confidence in his/her ability to succeed in chosen vocation. Ability to “find things out/look things up.” Getting along with range of other community members. Respect for democratic institutions. Recognizes the opportunities that education has brought—and future. World view—responsibility to others.
Character: honest. Financially responsible (knows how to manage money). Work ethic. Can converse and associate well with peers, adults, and children. Expresses him/herself coherently.
Well educated, prepared for her future. Jazzed about her future opportunities. Creative with the way she thinks, writes, communicates. A good person with a compassion for others.
I hope he’s prepared. I hope he’s confident. I hope he has the drive to succeed. I hope he’s prepared and knows how to deal with parents.
Adding value to their community. Engaged in public discourse. Courageous to pursue and live by rationally acquired convictions, regardless of peer pressure to the contrary. Good character.
Responsible. Takes initiative. When she sees a need, to offer help without hesitation. To have self confidence. To have a direction or goal and an idea of how to reach it. To have “the basics”/ the skills to enter college without having to redo high school subjects (for ex., having to redo calculus because she didn’t “get it”/ understand it/have the help she needed in high school).
A good feeling that she has learned and been prepared to face a challenging world market and the knowledge she can and will succeed. Ready for college, the world, and adulthood.
Enthusiastic about life. Understanding how to take the next step. Understanding their responsibility to the community and world. World view. Confident but receptive.
My child will be a life long learner, responsible global citizen, confident, a creative problem solver, empathetic, risk taker (within safe, healthy parameters), a thinker!
Excited, confident, prepared for life outside school, love of learning, has community contacts, attitude’s good
I hope I would be creative, questioning. Wonderful feeling about life. Innovative. Strong, brave, inspired, hopeful, diverse, culture-aware, responsible, It’s a big step!!
Confident, responsible, urge for lifelong learning, financially savvy, has a work ethic, is creative. Cares for other people Problem solver.
Question #4:
What advice do you have for making the best learning environment happen?
Keep the classes exciting. Size of classes. Mandatory teacher/parent communication. Environment to minimize peer pressure. Listen to the students too! Look at other schools. Close campus.
Smaller classes. Positive teachers. Expectation in advance. Kids making choices on the classes and teachers and counselors. Accountability of teachers and what they teach. Consistent discipline plan with fairness.
Focus on core academics/votech. Variety of class choice and availability of that class. Small class size—teacher know students. Equality throughout the district—not one school better than other. Address the drug issue in schools Keep a strong sports program (this keeps some kids attending). Program open to all students.
Adopt, implement, track, adjust a character curriculum (CharacterFirst.com; ASSETS). Resist temptation to reduce planning to budgeting, only. Adopt performance-based evaluation system. Embrace home-education options for those who can.
Be flexible. Keep class size down. Provide as many choices in curriculum as possible. Forge partnerships with the community. Keep and value diversity.
Small classrooms were each child has a relationship with each student and each student is individually challenged. Accountability and responsibility. A bright, cheerful, cohesive environment and staff.
Equitable in all class offerings, programs. NO MATH as a GATEKEEPER ever!! Algebra for all Science for all! Do not use math as a barrier for access to science courses. Electives are also content offerings. Skill development classes, tech classes. School to work programs. Use innovative class structures and delivery models—meet all student needs. Trained staff—team teachers—content area with ELL, ESL. Career programs that partner with university—collaboration. Trained staff, school within school program, support programs.
Short travel time to and from school. Dress code upheld consistently. Small class sizes. Reasonable and consistent class schedule.
Offer the same choices at each school. Offer sports programs in a community format that each school participates in as a whole. Offer voc tech to all students and commute the students to the current high school center if voc training is not available at the school in which the student attends. Smaller classes.
Use this opportunity to reduce the size of the learning environment while increasing the number of opportunities for students to become involved. Community schools = schools with community.
Consider: what works- what doesn’t work- Pray or mediate or try just to be open minded. Understand that everyone deserves an opportunity. Do NOT look at what is good for the union, but what is good for the student—they are not always the same, i.e, hours. Include the parents in teaching the children. Remember that some will make it no matter what—especially those that have all the assets. Remember those that don’t have the assets of support systems.
Look at what works and apply it to Juneau’s high schools. Look at the top schools of comparable size in the nation—or in other countries—to see what they do.
Don’t reinvent the wheel—get the community involved (already done). Give our kids a good overall education with diverse opportunities. Get kids excited about their education. I strongly feel that the open campus at JDHS is NOT working. We need to close the high school campus.
Listen to the input from the involved community members. There are a lot of good ideas and input being thrown out there—listen to it. Look at different schools in the state and country that are successful and gleam ideas from them.
Keep parents involved in process. Keep opportunity available. Keep good teachers and staff. Committee: Be prepared to change down the road if the plan doesn’t work.
Wow- we have a wonderful opportunity! Listen to the parents’ comments—try to choose the ones that you feel are the most important. You won’t be able to please everyone. Take into account the students’ needs first and foremost. Look at other communities with a similar situation –what works in those communities? Keep the opportunities for all!
Be considerate to listen to the ideas of others. “The Golden Rule”—Disruptions are NOT allowed. Accountability. Make sure students understand the learning expectation and have them follow through.
Create a climate/environment that attracts and rewards teachers who have a passion for teaching and a desire to motivate their students.
Get absolutely the best staff possible and small staff to student ratio. Longer school day to provide more class options, instead of semesters, maybe quarters so an elective could be taken w/o requiring entire semester.
With strong support staff, administrators, and counselors, fewer children will fall through the cracks. The smaller school will keep the students from losing interest and will lower the drop out rate.
Make sure there are strong educational leaders with excellent interpersonal skills at the high schools Safe environments (physical, emotional). Fair and consistent practices. Kid focused decision making. Stress that every interaction with a student either builds a relationship or breaks down a relationship. Small learning “communities” and not a departmentalized instructional model.
Expand the listening/counseling contact with students. Hire/retain best teachers available. (Increase the benefits and resources given to them!) Give widest range of opportunity and choice to students.
Teachers given the freedom and supplies to be open and creative. Students have jobs and can directly relate school subject to practical tasks. (thus, apprenticeship programs). More designing—on personal basis—to fit some students’ life experiences.
Welcome and get to know all students. Show respect to all and enforce discipline. Employ really good teachers, and incorporate a feedback process. Increase the number of counselors and guidance counselors. Have voc ed programs that target boys and girls. Rigorous classes with expectations for all students. Nutritious school lunch program for all—not just targeting low income students—so all will participate.
Please remember to keep the focus on all kids! Remember that everyone has an opinion and that we must do what’s best within the parameters and limitations of public schools for ALL kids.
Do not allow bullying. There are effective strategies to control bullying, learn them, apply them. Dress code, but not uniforms. No violent messages or sexually suggestive messages/clothing styles. Encourage abstinence. Early pregnancy is one of the greatest predictors of poverty. Encourage academic excellence w/each student encourage to the best of his ability. Each student should be challenged to his/her ability. Allow independent study, course from outside. Enforce justice. Sometimes school policy is not justice. Injustice breeds bitterness. Enforce justice. Closed campus.
I would like the schools divided up into 9th & 10th in one and 11th & 12th in the other because this would be easier for the school district I think. OR JDHS has the swim team, basketball, football, and all the active sports when Thunder Mtn. High will be the chess team, student council, etc. etc. If you guys will choose the 9th/10th in one school and 11th/12th in the second school, 9th graders will probably not get annihilated.
The teacher/student creating a learning problem that challenges the student but gives the student a stake in the academic future. Flexible and progressive programs of learning.
Have schools with equal opportunities in academics and extra-curricular activities. Pay attention to the data and research about what works, but don’t sacrifice our “southeast” uniqueness.
Career counselors and career testing. Community job programs. Support groups that stay together all through high school (teacher and small diversified group of students). More parent involvement in designing the student’s curriculum.
Respect the students, with that a lots of the other things (discipline, excitement to learn, respect from them) will fall in place.
There is a difference between entering a classroom where teachers are enthused compared to grumpy. It makes a world of difference entering a creative, colorful classroom where teachers are CONFIDENT, enthused. Cater to the needs of our people. “Do what you love, love what you do.” How is this going to relate? Beautiful culture. Behind closed doors, no one knows what really happens.
Charismatic staff. More counselors. Educational courses. Day in the life of student. Take risks. Listen. Integrate ideas of everyone to best of extent. Later hours. Update CORE (curriculums). Extend learning options.
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