Verdugo Voice (VV): What are your goals for VHHS? How can we improve?
John Plevack (JP): Build upon the good things
going on - block scheduling, 6 year accreditation, 9th
grade house program, API scores.
Areas to improve - getting to class in a timely manner;
higher achieving 9th graders.
John Ralles (JR): My very first goal is to get
to know the school, its programs and the people who make
up the VHHS community.
Areas to improve - I don't have a magic answer for this.
Large changes have been implemented with much success
and some people seem to be looking at the next level,
I think part of my job is to facilitate those changes.
I also think that VHHS can serve as a prototype for the
District in many ways and deserves the positive publicity
and support for its efforts. I would like to make that
happen.
VV: Tell us about your background and why you
decided to come to VHHS.
JP: I went to John Burroughs HS in Burbank, received
a BA in history from CSUN and an MA in administration
from Pepperdine University. IÕve taught at Nobel
MS: was a A.D. dean and administrative assistant at Chatsworth
HS and the magnet coordinator at Holmes MS.
I prefer the dynamics of high school. VHHS has become
one of the upcoming high schools in the District. There
is a focus on direction, change, and improvement, growth,
and innovation. The school respects and understands its
part, but is seeking an identity for the future.
JR: I was a math teacher and coach (cross country,
track and soccer) at Lincoln HS for many years and eventually
became the LEARN lead teacher (and later the technology
and professional development coordinator). This led to
involvement in the Lincoln LAAMP Family governing board
and the DELTA (teacher support) Board of Governors. Basically,
although I enjoyed what I was doing (including Students
Run LA, Close Up, etc.), I just outgrew being in the school.
I then spent 1 1/2 years in the LEARN/School Reform Office
as a teacher advisor, 7 months (shortened due to the restructuring)
as a Specialist in the Grants Assistance Unit and nearly
a year as a Administrative Coordinator in School Initiatives
(what was left of centralized school reform in the District).
I chose to come to VHHS because it showed the courage
to implement the Copernican schedule, because I was becoming
more isolated from people and because I was ready for
a new challenge. I don't have any real professional ambitions
except to continue my own growth and, hopefully, to make
a difference.
VV: Tell us a little bit about yourself.
JP: I am married with a six year old daughter.
My spare time (both minutes) includes traveling, reading
and my favorite latest fetish is The Food Channel.
JR: I am an aging runner, always recovering from
injuries, determined to stay active. I enjoy black and
white photography. I am divorced with two grown daughters
who I love more than anything. I listen to all kinds of
music (except opera and rap) and I go out to hear music
in small venues when I can. I like to go to the movies
and my favorite foods all cause cancer and heart attacks.
VV: Any interesting summer plans?
JP: Summer school, trip to Las Vegas - that's
it. Thanks!
JR: Well, I took a pay cut to return to a LEARN
calendar so I'll be a three week A.P. at Lincoln HS for
the summer to make some money. Since I haven't had more
than a week off since leaving school, I'd to enjoy time
to do nothing! I do plan on visiting New Mexico because
I was born there but haven't really seen the area. I said
I would try sky diving when the year started and it remains
a slim possibility.
VV: VHHS is very fortunate to have Mr. Plevack
and Mr. Ralles as part of our team.
NEXT YEAR!!
Verdugo will continue in its quest to be the forward
thinking school in the district. For many years we have
known that we must do something special with the ninth
graders so they don't slip through the cracks. Next year
the Smaller Learning Communities will focus on the ninth
grade by setting up a ninth grade house which will give
the ninth graders extra attention in their core subjects.
Very exciting indeed.
Our staff development Tuesdays will focus on data. Lets
find out what we are doing right and what needs improvement.
Lets look at student work together and establish department
standards.
Co-Nect will continue to explore the possibilities of
project based learning. How can projects create enthusiasm,
increase retention, and prepare students for post VHHS
life?
One thing is for sure, no matter how much we accomplish,
there is always a lot more to be done. No time to get
bored.
Thanks to everybody for another great year.
Charlie
TITLE ONE
Still not a lot to tell you. Even though we got Title
One funds by having 67% of the student population eligible
for lunch tickets, these are not especially the students
that will be identified as a Title One student. Title
One students are students who are achieving below "grade
level"or at risk of being below "grade level."
We need two methods of identifying these students, I plan
on using this year's Stanford 9 scores and this year's
report card grades. Below 50% on the Stanford 9 test and
below C on the report card should indicate that the student
is below or at risk of being below "grade level.".
Once the students have been identified, the parents are
identified and informed of the program. There will be
an election to create a Title One Committee with the majority
of members being parents. This committee must approve
the Title One budget.
We have about $370,000 to spend. 5% must be spent on staff
development. 1% must be spent on a parent liaison. Some
will be spent on Mr. Noyes who will be working this summer
identifying and meeting and working out the budget. Some
will be spent on aides to help our present aides with
security ( Assuming the committee agrees to this.)
Title One money is supposed to target the "below
grade level"student and increase their achievement
math and literacy. According to most nationwide studies,
Title One money is spent and there is no noticeable increase
in the targeted student's achievement. Maybe we can do
better at VHHS.
The Title One program is for a minimum of two years. If
the federal government doesn't fund the program next year,
the state will fund it.
So, try to think of ways money could be spent that would
actually cause your low performing students to improve
in literacy or math. Leave your ideas in Mr. Noyes box
and we will see what we can do.
