It is all about FAMILY

Webster's dictionary defines family in several different ways. The one definition most fitting for Fairfield High is, "A group of people united by certain convictions or a common affiliation." At FHS we are a family as we are united to educate ALL our students and ensure that all FHS students graduate high school and are prepared for college and career.

Over this Thanksgiving holiday we have all had an opportunity to relax and spend quality time with our own families. For me, the time spent with my family always renews my sense of purpose and passion for what I do in education. I send my two daughters off to school every day to get the best education possible. They come home each day with new stories to tell. Many of the best moments aren't out of a textbook, but the anecdotal stories their teachers have told them. The connections they make with other children and the adults on campus will stay with them for a lifetime.

As this week long break comes to a close, I will miss the quality time spent with my immediate family, but I am looking forward to the time I will be spending with my FHS Family. We have only three weeks left in this semester before we leave for our winter break. That means we have only fourteen days with our students to bring them one step closer to graduating and being college and career ready. Make every minute of every day count. Cherish your students as your own children and pass to them the knowledge and wisdom that has been bestowed to you through your years of experience.

Our ONE goal: To graduate every Fairfield High Student and to ensure that they leave FHS college and career ready!!! Inspire, Engage, Excite, Lead, Foster, Create, Empower!!

Many more great things are in store for Fairfield High!

Continue to be innovative, creative, and a model of excellence! 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK

Tournament of Champions

Saturday was the 26th Annual Tournament of Champions hosted by the Fairfield High Scarlet Brigade. The day lasted from early in the morning until late at night. Despite the event being named "Tournament" the feeling all day long was Camaraderie between all the schools. The awards show was outstanding. We were all packed into the stands in Schaefer stadium. We were literally shoulder to shoulder, schools side by side. As each award was announced for each category, everyone cheered and students from other schools were giving high fives and support to the winning teams. It was enlightening to see students from all over the state of California unified under the umbrella of music. A common interest and passion provided a bridge for communication and support. Saturday, November 15, 2014 was a Showcase of Champions!!

There is truly something special about music. It can pump you up before a big event, it can provide a calming effect through mood and tone, and it can conjure up memories of times past. A song that is dear to me and my family is Amazing Grace. When the Scarlet Brigade Pipe Band began to play Amazing Grace on Saturday I was filled with emotion. The song, as always, brought me back to my memories of my dear grandmother. I want to truly thank Brian Swetland, band director, and the Scarlet Brigade Boosters for sustaining an amazing music program. The benefits for our students and community as a whole are endless. http://youtu.be/VfkEPE6Td3g

Our ONE goal: To graduate every Fairfield High Student and to ensure that they leave FHS college and career ready!!! Inspire, Engage, Excite, Lead, Foster, Create, Empower!!

Many more great things are in store for Fairfield High!

Continue to be innovative, creative, and a model of excellence! 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK

Igniting Genius.....Lighting the Spark for All

I had the pleasure of participating in the 4th Annual Conference of Integrated Computing and STEM Education at UC Davis on Sunday. The theme of the conference was, "Igniting Genius Lighting the Spark for All." 

Dr. Harry Chen, professor and C-STEM center director had this to say, "The successful implementation of the Common Core State Standards and the Next Generation Science Standards hinges on the creation and integration of authentic, project-based learning experiences that require students to engage in real-world problem solving. Join us in meeting the challenge of closing the achievement gap, and preparing all students to be college and career-ready." 

This is a very exciting time in education. Gone are the days of multiple choice standardized tests. We are in the midst of disruption. Let's capitalize on the disruption. We don't have the "standard" curriculum to fall back on which can be frightening for some. But, take a moment and ponder the amount of autonomy that provides you as an educator. You have the opportunity to be innovative and deliver instruction in a format like no other. For example, you can tackle mathematical concepts through a real world project. Darryl Royster had his Math 1 students work on a project where their company was tasked with designing a lobby for a high end hotel chain. Students had to use multiple mathematical practices to engage in this project successfully. Students were not only developing and applying mathematical knowledge, they were developing real world "soft skills" that are so necessary in today's job market.

Our ONE goal: To graduate every Fairfield High Student and to ensure that they leave FHS college and career ready!!! The steps to get our students to this end goal do not have to look like a cookie cutter high school. If something isn't working, let's not keep doing it that way and instead find an alternative that DOES work. If something IS working, let's continue to move in that direction. We need to continue to share good ideas. We need to continue to collaborate. We need to continue to be risk takers with the students' success as our guiding force. What excites and inspires you? Find that inspiration and led it DRIVE you!!!

My final thought for today. We took our daughter's to see Big Hero 6 today. When we got home my 7 year old began designing a robot on paper and said to me, "Mom, this is what I am going to build. Maybe I can ask for a few micro chips for my birthday." To me that is PRICELESS and speaks volumes to allowing our children (our students) to find what interests them and allowing that interest to DRIVE them!!

Many more great things are in store for Fairfield High!

Continue to be innovative, creative, and a model of excellence! 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK

Turn your Challenges into Opportunities

All of us have challenges in our lives, no one is exempt. It is not what the challenges are that matters, it is how we deal with them and how we adapt and adjust. Can we see through the struggles, and focus on the opportunities? Can we learn from our mistakes and do things better the next time around. Just as we expect our students to do this, we need to remind ourselves that we too need to support our colleagues in these endeavors.  We are the models of excellence for our students. Therefore, we need to ensure that we are working through our own challenges and struggles to find the solutions.

As I was on my run yesterday I continued to think about the staff and students at FHS and how all of us are so interconnected. What happens to one impacts another and the cycle of reciprocity occurs. The more that we are able to not only support each other, but help each other problem solve and make situations better, the stronger our school will become. If you see a colleague struggling and you have a solution to his/her problem, reach out and provide that solution. We all know the age old saying, "You are only as strong as your weakest link." Let's work together to strengthen each other.

If you have a fantastic lesson, share it. If you have a great classroom management strategy share it. If you have a struggle and you need suggestions, ask for help. We can and will continue to build our Culture of Universal Achievement each and every day.

On my run several songs impacted me as well...Here is just a piece from one song. You can listen to the entire song here on YouTube: http://youtu.be/qq1nS-4obDo

From the Nico and Vinz song Imagine 

"I met an old man once, and he said to me

The only thing that matters is what you believe

If you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything

In case you're wondering I'll be here for you"

Many more great things are in store for Fairfield High!

Continue to be innovative, creative, and a model of excellence! 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK