Cougar Campus News

January 2007

 

Important Dates:

 

 

From the Desk of Dan Goggins:

The old adage; “time flies when you’re having fun,” certainly applies to our first semester here at Plainfield South.  Without question, from all indications, it was enjoyable yet fast. You have helped to make it so.  The commitment and support of our parents and community continues to grow.  As a result of this and other factors, student achievement is on the rise.  The following is a synopsis of improvements in student achievement from the 04-05 school year to the 05-06 one as we successfully implemented our school improvement plan.

     In our efforts to create smooth transitions from middle to high school and high school to the post secondary world, we initiated a freshmen / new student orientation with over 500 participants out of an incoming class of 580.  We also established a college career center, staffed it with counselors, and had 2,060 students utilize the center.  The 2006 graduating class had 640 students in it. Of the 80% of students responding to our survey, 84% of those students are currently attending college, 6% are at tech / trade schools, 2% are in the military, and 5% are working. 

     To ensure all students are receiving a common articulated curriculum and to determine the percentage of students meeting or exceeding the standards of that curriculum, we developed and administered common assessments on a quarterly basis. The following are some highlights from the first semester final common assessments comparing the 2004 – 2005 school year results with 2005 – 2006 results: in the class of physics we went from 37% of kids meeting or exceeding standards to 66%, in algebra we went from 27% to 39%, in U. S. history we went from 38% to 67%, in Spanish I we went from 86% to 91%, in English 10 we went from 74% to 82%, in junior PE we went from 66% to 81%, in computer applications 86% and in Fundamental English III 70% of the students met standards.  To serve as a safety net for raised student expectations, we provided an intervention in the form of a learning lab that not only served students looking for help but also mandated help for those struggling in English, Math, and Science.  Student progress was monitored every three weeks and in our first grading period we saw total number of failing grades go down 23%.  Additionally, a math diagnostic test was administered to all students with specific focus on those students we were concerned would not make AYP (Annual Yearly Progress).  We used those results to implement interventions that increased our percentage of Hispanic students meeting or exceeding math standards on the PSAE from 28% to 38% and our overall results from 43.1% to 47.2%.  ACT results also have improved from 2005 to 2006.  Junior composite scores went from 18.7 to 18.8 and we tested 83 more kids in 2006.  Senior composite scores went from 19.2 to 19.3 and 16 more kids were tested in 2006.

     In the area of literacy, we eliminated the at-risk freshmen team concept as it showed negative results in closing the achievement gap for all students and most specifically minority students in the area of reading.  We eliminated some stifling prerequisites and recommendations from the curriculum guide to open honors and AP courses to more students.  As a result of our efforts, the percentage of students entering English honors went from 10% to 18%, the percentage of students entering science honors went from 17% to 32%, and the percentage of students getting out of the remedial track of algebra part one went from 27% down to 14%, and into algebra went from 59% to 74%.  Advance Placement (AP) test scores have also improved.  In 2003, 2 different AP tests were taken and 41% of students taking the tests scored a 3 or better.  In 2006, 15 different AP tests were taken and 52% of students scored a 3 or better.  Furthermore, we utilized DRA (developmental reading assessment) results with our freshmen team teachers to focus instruction and improve reading levels of incoming freshmen.  We implemented a class entitled P.O.W.E.R. focused on improving reading, study, and technology skills of incoming freshmen.  We trained new and veteran teachers in the use of reading strategies across all curricular areas.  We promoted reading through Teen Read Week, Book Clubs, and DEAR (drop everything and read).  We held ACT and PSAE (Prairie State Achievement Exam) prep in our English and social studies classes.  As a result of our literacy efforts, the percentage of black students meeting or exceeding standards on the PSAE went from 21.6% to 35.7%.

     To improve parent and community involvement and communication, we developed the school newsletter in both hard copy and web site format filled with a variety of information for parents.  We advertised and provided a variety of parenting programs and classes.  We provided staff development opportunities where they learned successful approaches to engaging parents in their students’ learning.  We created a freshmen / new parent handbook.  We held the Cougar Caravan twice and invited parents to view a typical day of school.  We offered day care services during curriculum night and parent teacher conferences.  All teachers created and maintained a webpage with contact information as well as curriculum information.  As a result of these efforts, the percentage of parents attending curriculum night went from 25% to 35%, the number of parent teacher conferences went from 1100 to 1400, the number of parents attending the program “Surfing for Success” went from 35 to 260, and the overall number of families belonging to our parent organization went from 268 to 314.

     Lastly, in order to maintain a positive environment, we continued diversity and respect initiatives with both students and staff.  We incorporated concepts of diversity and respect into lesson plans.  As a result of those efforts, there was a 52% reduction in the number of physical altercations between students.  In addition, we saw a reduction in serious offenses of 22%.  We also experimented with both traditional (detentions, etc.) and non-traditional methods (removal of privileges) to work with students in improving their attendance to school.  Qualitative data collected shows an atmosphere, culture, and climate conducive to student achievement and school spirit and pride at all time highs.

     There is nothing a cougar can’t do and it is always good to be one.  Have a great second semester.

 

 

FAML Department:

v      Plainfield South High School's French Club will once again be selling Mardi Gras beads on February 20th during all lunch hours as a fundraiser for club activities.

 

v      Guten Appetit!  German II students will do a project about food and restaurants in Germany.  They will create their own menus, write and perform skits using authentic props and costumes, and bring in German food to share with the whole class.  Some of the dishes they will share are Rouladen (beef rolls), Gulaschsuppe (goulash soup), and Spätzle (homemade noodles).  Several of the students are of German heritage and will bring in a dish that has been a tradition in their families.  Thus, it will be a great opportunity to share traditions, enjoy homemade German food, and learn about the German culture as well.

 

v      The Spanish Honor Society is sponsoring an introductory after school Spanish program for third through fifth graders from the Blue House elementary schools.  Students that participate in the program will be learning basic words and phrases in Spanish including greetings, colors, numbers, and more. 

 

v      The art department is gearing up for the annual Scholastic Art competition.  Over 30 artists from PSHS will compete against other area schools for local, state, and national awards.  In addition, the new faces are almost ready to grace the halls.  This year's foundations classes created portraits of Michael Jordan, Melissa Ethridge, Frida Khalo, Thomas Edison, and Walt Disney.  This year’s batch is better than ever!

 

v      The Music Department is proud to announce that senior oboe player Jaimie Duff, and Choir members Emily Seymour and Krysten Vega have been accepted into the IMEA All-State Festival in Peoria held in late January.    Band and Choir students will again have the opportunity to perform at the Plainfield Solo & Ensemble Festival on February 17th to be held this year at Plainfield North High School.  Students will perform and receive a short clinic from highly qualified adjudicators in this festival.  The Mid-Winter Band Concert will be held in the auditorium at 7:00 p.m. on February 22nd, while the Choir Concert will be on February 27th.  Spring Musical auditions have been held and students are now rehearsing and working on building the set.  Interest has been high and this group is one of the most talented to come through PSHS.  The musical performances will be March 16th-18th.

Applied Arts Department:

v      In an effort to promote the Applied Arts department and different athletic programs around the school, Mr. Clark's product marketing class put up window displays around the school.  After learning about visual merchandising, and display design and preparation the students planned out displays for the Applied Arts department as well as the Plainfield South wrestling, girls’ basketball, and bowling teams.  The product marketing students then set up the displays in the front of the school as well as down the athletic hallway.

 

The project was a great success.  The displays looked great and the kids learned how to work together to accomplish a real-world business project.

 

v      On December 19th Mr. Clark’s Product Marketing Class and Miss Steinke’s Desktop Publishing class collaborated to complete a unique assignment.  Mr. Clark’s students had the assignment to create an idea for an ad for toothpaste, cereal, or an energy drink.  Using the “marketing money” they had earned during the semester the students in Mr. Clark’s class were able to hire Miss Steinke’s Desktop Publishing to create either a magazine ad or newspaper ad to promote their new product. Miss Steinke’s students had all of their work on display to show the students in the Product Marketing class.  Based on what the student’s previous work the students from Mr. Clark’s class shopped around for the best ad they could find.  Once the students got hired they were required to negotiate a price with each other and had to complete an advertising contract.    All of the students worked together to reach an agreement on a price and what type of ad would be completed for the “marketing money” exchanged.  The students in Miss Steinke’s class worked on the advertisements for a few days and then had them delivered to Mr. Clark’s class.  All of the students did a very nice job and had a great learning experience.

 

v      In the Foods classes, we have had some excitement with the wonderful guest speakers who have come to speak to our students.  We have had three guest speakers from the Harrington Inn, Robert Morris College, and Illinois Institute of Art come into each of our classrooms and explain their job and college.  These speakers each gave a culinary demonstration.  We saw demonstrations of garnishing, knife skills, and a simple appetizer easy enough to bring to any get together.  The chefs also talked to the students about different careers in the area of culinary.  They explained that there are many more career choices in this field other than just being a chef.  You can specialize in different areas as a chef, become a restaurant manager, or teacher, etc.  They also explained other majors at their colleges in order to reach the students who are perhaps interested in another area at their school.    

 

 

Science Department:

v     The science department is proud to say that the first semester of the 2006-2007 school year has shown a definite growth in student performance on Final Exams as compared to the first semester of 2005-2006.  As a whole, the department gave exams to 9% more students and saw a 5% improvement in average score.  Ninety percent of courses that gave exams last fall saw an improvement in average score this year.  Highlighting this success were the courses Investigations of Matter and Energy and Environmental Science.  Each course saw an improvement greater than 15% in average score while nearly maintaining the number of students who took the exam. In addition, we have increased our percentages of students enrolled in honors classes as freshman and sophomores in order to expose a greater number of students to more challenging curriculum.  Both Honors Biology and Honors Chemistry grew by nearly 60 students and yet each showed an increase in average test performance.  We are optimistic that this trend will continue not only for second semester but also in future years as we continue to analyze data and instruction collaboratively. 

 

 

Social Studies Department:

v      The Social Studies department is very excited to announce that we will be offering two new Advanced Placement courses next year.  AP Government and AP microeconomics will be included in the department curriculum.  The department members are currently working on developing the curriculum for these courses as well as selecting a textbook. 

 

 

English Department:

v      As the PSAE rolls around, Junior English teachers are spending extra time during instruction preparing for the PSAE and, even more specifically, the ACT portion of the assessment.  Mrs. Allen, the reading specialist, will spend concentrated time in English classes alerting students to a variety of test taking strategies such as: time management, reading versus skimming, and various how-tos.  Students interested in further preparation should enroll in the ACT course offered by the Student Services department and they should use the tests provided online at www.act.org.

 

 

Math Department:

v      Members of our Math team will be competing at the Lemont Invitational Math Meet on Jan. 24th with the help of their coaches, Ms. Hahn, Ms. Norco, Mrs. Baima, and Mr. Acevedo.

 

Teachers of Juniors have begun to work with math students to prepare for the PSAE.  Teachers have made use of the computer lab where students are able to take practice timed math tests and see their results immediately.

 

Members of the Computer Club, along with Mr. Hillegonds and Mr. Millar, will be competing in the Joliet Junior College Robotics Competition on Jan 26.

 

 

Students of the Month: (November)

Applied Arts: Jake Weber, Dan Dziedzic, Arlington Hoadley, Nick DiStasio; FAML: Ashley Maki, Ashley Mytnik, Carmen Calvillo, Miranda Sullivan; Math: Abilene Rodriguez, Marissa Catalano, Mikaela Gissy, Rebecca Cancino;  PE/Health/Dr. ED.: Andrew Simek, Melissa Reyes, Jessica Cantuncan, Roula Abou-Lebde;  Science: Adam Conwell, Teresa Agron, Lauren Gadzinski-Nach, Steve Sherill;  Social Studies: Kristen Killian, Ryan Hegler, Stacey Furmanski, Alejandra Gutierrez

 

Cougar Boosters:

 

Dear Cougar Families,

 

We hope everyone had some time to relax and enjoy the holidays.  Over the break, current Cougar Boosters received a membership card that included a 10% discount on all our Cougar Wear items.  For those of you who haven’t had time to join, please take this opportunity to complete the form below – membership is only $10 for the second half of the school year.  After we receive your form and payment, we’ll send you a membership card so you can take advantage of the 10% discount.

 

One of our two major fundraising events is coming up and it’s definitely going to be an exciting event you won’t want to miss!  Bowling Bash 2007 is February 24th at Town & Country Lanes with check-in beginning at 8:30pm.  Tickets are $30/person and $50/couple and are on sale in the PSHS Athletic and Main offices.  There will be prizes, raffles and tons of fun.  This is an adult only event, so mark your calendars and come out and join us!

 

Cougar Boosters Membership 2006-2007

 

Please complete the information below and submit with $10 if you would like to help the Cougar Boosters make a difference at PSHS!

Name:

 

Address:

 

 

 

Home Phone:

 

Cell Phone:

 

Email:

 

 

äCougar Booster members receive the PSHS daily announcements with important school information.ä

Student(s) Name(s):

 

 

 

Please return completed form and $10 to:  Cougar Boosters, 7800 W Caton Farm Rd, Plainfield, IL  60586

 

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING PSHS!!