Teacher Workdays: It's Not REALLY a Day Off

So, what do teachers do on their "day off"? Believe it or not, teachers are actually working on workdays and early release days. Early release days are often used by teachers as a time to finish grading assignments and finalize grades. Many teachers work up until the last minute in order for grades to be a true representation of each student's ability and commitment to the work in the class. 

Teacher workdays can be used as meeting times for Professional Learning Communities (PLCs) or a time for teachers to complete necessary professional development. This Monday, October 30, will be used as a day for teachers to complete Digital Learning Competencies. Approved in 2016, the Digital Learning Competencies are a requirement for teachers in North Carolina and must be completed in order for a teacher to renew his/her teaching license. These competencies are intended to improve a teacher's practice and drive student learning within the classroom. Teachers will spend time on Monday reflecting on their own practices and evaluating their personal goals for incorporating digital learning into teaching. 

Why is professional development for teachers important? Because students deserve the best. Teachers are committed to continual growth and improvement. 

Important Updates from the Counseling Center!!

NC RDS

Residency Determination Service must be completed through CFNC before applying for college. Any undergraduate student applying for admission, readmission, or transfer to a state supported college or university and claiming residency must use RDS for residency determination. 

E3 Thursdays

E3 Thursdays will be taking place in the computer lab of the Media Center for the next 3 Thursdays (Oct 26, Nov 2, and Nov 9) during Smart Lunch. School counselors will be available to assist students and answer questions about college applications, resumes, scholarship applications, FSA ID, FAFSA, RDS process, etc. 

FAFSA Completion Event

Do you need help completing the FAFSA? On November 3, from 8:30-4:00 pm, help will be available in the Counseling Center. Parents and Seniors are invited to contact Joyce Gilreath in the Counseling Center to schedule an appointment for November 3. 

All 10th through 12th graders interested in taking the ASVAB (Military Aptitude Test) on October 27th need to come to the Counseling Center and register before October 24th. There is no cost to take the test. 

The Money Maker Newsletter is now posted on the Counseling Center website and has been emailed to all seniors. Almost 3 pages of Scholarship opportunities are listed. Take a look and start applying! 

Vive le francais!

At a special ceremony on Thursday evening, a group of French students were inducted into ACHS's new chapter of the French Honor Society. 

La Course du Flambeau

During the "La Course du Flambeau" portion of the ceremony, students formed a circle and a lit candle was passed from student to student. This tradition dates back to Ancient Greece where citizens transmitted the flame from one to the other, thus keeping the practices and progress of the group moving forward. 

The group will hold monthly meetings during SMART lunch and will participate in service opportunities such as tutoring beginning level French students. Thanks to Madame Greiner for organizing ACHS's chapter of the French Honor Society. Congratulations students! 

Students inducted into the French Honor Society

SMART Lunch Collaboration

The semester is up and running, and students are working diligently to learn the material. For many students, a concrete grasp of the material comes through attendance at multiple SMART lunch tutorials. During math tutorials, teachers are encouraging students to work together to practice the concepts and procedures. Educational experiences that are active, social, contextual, and engaging lead to deeper learning. 

Peer tutoring in Ms. Cox's classroom

Peer tutoring is a term that's been used to describe a wide array of tutoring arrangements. Most of the research on its success refers to students working in pairs to help one another learn material or practice an academic task. Often, students will be asked to switch roles so that the tutor becomes the one being tutored. If a student can explain how to complete a task, then the student has a clear conceptual understanding of the process. Two students can work together to help each other understand difficult concepts, while deepening their own knowledge of the subject. The teacher works as a facilitator, circulating throughout the room and helping and supporting pairs of students, while informally assessing student learning.