The Rotary 4 Way Test: It applies in our every day life

On Friday, January 23rd students from all three high schools were recognized for exemplifying the tenets of the Rotary Club Four Way Test. Fairfield High School had the honor of  recognizing six students: Brandisha Wynne, Molly Eichenberger, Destiny Akin, Erika Chuatakoon, Jerrick Hall, and August Johnson. These students have made an impact in their world and to many people around them.

THE FOUR-WAY TEST

The Four-Way Test is a nonpartisan and nonsectarian ethical guide for Rotarians to use for their personal and professional relationships. The test has been translated into more than 100 languages, and Rotarians recite it at club meetings:
Of the things we think, say or do

1. Is it the TRUTH?
2. Is it FAIR to all concerned?
3. Will it build GOODWILL and BETTER FRIENDSHIPS?
4. Will it be BENEFICIAL to all concerned?

Keynote speaker, William Wesley, had some very inspiring words for all to hear. "If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go with others." It emphasized the importance of role models for our youth. We as the adults need to be the role models for what we want to see in our youth of today. We also need to encourage the youth that are making the sometimes difficult choices to do the right thing. Each day reflect on your choices and see if they stand up to the Four Way Test. The more each and every one of us models the expectations of what it means to be a good citizen the more examples our students have to emulate. 

The Great Kindness Challenge, January 26th-30th, couldn't have come at a better time. Let's keep paying it forward day in and day out. 

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

Collaboration: It works for students and for adults

Merriam-Webster's Online dictionary defines collaborate as, "to work jointly with others or together especially in an intellectual endeavor." We at FHS recognize the importance so much that it is built into our weekly schedule every Wednesday. We are finding new and different ways to collaborate. Many of us are now collaborating using technology via Google Docs, Google +, and Twitter. Students are also collaborating using Google docs. This does not mean that traditional face to face communication is gone. In fact, it is increasingly important for us to find time for our students to work together and collaborate in person. So many business leaders today comment that one of the "soft skills" that are needed to be successful in today's job market is the ability to collaborate and work in a team. "Employers want employees who play well with others -- who can effectively work as part of a team. That means sometimes being a leader, sometimes being a good follower, monitoring the progress, and working with others across the organization to achieve a common goal," says Lynne Sarikas, the MBA Career Center Director at Northeastern University.

The more that we are developing situations within and outside of the classroom for our students to collaborate, the better prepared they will be for their futures. We need to not only encourage students to communicate and collaborate, but we need to model and facilitate what successful collaboration looks like. I have seen this work well in classrooms with a "fishbowl" approach. The fishbowl works with one group in the center of the classroom working through a task out loud while the rest of the students are circled around listening and taking notes. 

Additional collaboration is occurring with our teachers as well. The English Department just finished the second Plan, Observe, Debrief cycle of the year with Tammy Hall. The math department just completed their third full day of training with Tremain Nelson. The English department is working on their Four Phase Lesson planning while incorporating student interactions. The math department is focusing on creating a Data Driven Instructional Approach. 

Below is a great example of students working collaboratively in Ryan Clemenson and Lynn Bocca's co-teach English class. These pictures capture the culminating day of the lesson where members from each of the smaller groups joined to form larger units. Students were now "experts"on their information and were sharing that with the larger groups. Students had to "teach" each other.  (Notice how easily our new furniture lends itself for group work.)

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

Forging Bonds Across the Globe and Within our Own School

What an AMAZING first week back from winter break. The energy was high, staff and students were excited to be back to school, and we had some life altering experiences. Bonds were forged with our Japanese visitors and bonds were forged with our Safe School Ambassadors.

Nirasaki, Japan and Fairfield, California have had 43 years of cultural exchange as Sister Cities and have conducted student and adult exchange visits for 27 years.  Six students from Nirasaki, Japan visited Fairfield High on Thursday and took an all day tour of the campus. Kalea Kaloi, 2013 Fairfield Student Ambassador to Nirasaki, acted as campus tour guide along with Colonel David Avery. Mrs. Shari Patterson planned the entire visit as she has for many years. Bonds were formed and friendships were created despite language barriers. Both the students visiting and the students of FHS were able to learn many things from each other. We even had an impromptu dance lesson lead by the ultra talented Kyree Scott. It was a day that will never be forgotten. Bonds will continue to grow between the two cities when six students from the city of Fairfield journey to Japan in July of this year.

Thursday was also the kickoff to our Safe School Ambassador training. We had over 100 students that were interested in participating and we had a difficult task of narrowing the group to 40 students. The students and teacher/staff advisors worked from 8:00-3:00 both Thursday and Friday to forge their Family Groups, role play, share, communicate, and learn how to be change agents on campus. The feedback from the students was more than POSITIVE! It was unanimous that these were two of the best days they have ever spent on campus. A BIG Thank You to the following staff members that are now SSA advisors: Lisa Burke, Val Quijas, Shannon Balthazor, Myrna Baylis, Will Cushman, Shari Patterson, Ryan Clemenson, Brian Swetland, Jeannie Mena.I am looking forward to the many positive outcomes that will come from our Safe School Ambassadors this year and in years to come.

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

Live EVERY day with NO Regrets

As 2014 came to a close I was able to spend two amazing weeks with my husband and two girls. However, we were struck with a loss the day after Christmas when our dog of 11 years passed away. It was a hard moment, but something has stuck with me that I will never forget. In Renthal's final moments he was still being the best companion he could be. Even with his hind legs paralyzed he still attempted to stand and be our protector. He was living every moment to the fullest. He was providing his unconditional love and protection no matter what. I am going to take that with me forever. Why shouldn't we live every day with no regrets?  Why wait for tomorrow; there is no guarantee that tomorrow will come. I challenge all of you, including myself, to take on 2015 with the unwavering passion to live EVERY day with no regrets.

One of the best parts of the new year is the feeling of hitting the re-set button. It is a brand new year which means it is an opportunity to be a new you. It is the time to reorganize your files, clean out your closet, review your goals, and re-evaluate your perspective on life.  It is a fresh start.

I want to make the best out of every interaction with every employee, parent, and student. I know that I only truly have "today" to make the best first impression or attempt to solve any problems that may exist. I know that if I don't take risks I won't know what my true potential is. I will continue to motivate each of you to push yourselves further than you think possible. I will continue to support you in new endeavors in  your educational careers. I will not rest and be complacent with anyone that complains or makes excuses. I will praise the problem solvers and innovative thinkers. I will rally together the team builders and thinkers among you.

This will be an AMAZING 2015!! I can confidently say that because we create our destiny. As the Fairfield High Family WE WILL make 2015 one the best years yet. 

Take a minute and smile right now. It will make you feel better and will brighten the moment of anyone that catches a glimpse of you.