Our baseball team
is ranked #1 in the state and several
of our track athletes are reigning state champions
looking to defend the crowns they won last year. Our tennis and golf teams are
very competitive and representing the school well.
Mr. Dees, Mrs.
Williams and Mrs. Goodwin are preparing a large contingent of students for the
state science fair to defend their unprecedented streak of a top three finish
in the state 19 out of the last 20 years. Our students took the MAIS Academic
Betterment Competition (ABC) test last week, and we look forward to another
outstanding report on our results. MHS has consistently outpaced all other
schools in our district and accounted nicely for themselves on the statewide
level.
Despite all this extracurricular activity, day-to-day instruction carries on. This morning as I walked down the secondary hall, I saw students presenting their group projects in Computer Applications II. They had embedded videos into their powerpoints and demonstrated the thoroughness of their research. They were being graded on not only their use of technology but also their written and oral presentation skills, their degree of collaboration, their creativity, and content. These are all vital skills needed by a 21st century student as they finish their secondary education and transition into college and their careers beyond. Many of these skills are also linked to the core competencies of the Common Core Curriculum which is in the process of being implemented nationwide in many of our public schools.
That, however, was only one example of the quality of instruction taking place. I also observed math teachers using their document cameras to explain problems, and history and economics teachers utilizing the internet to supplement their lessons. English and science teachers were also actively engaged, taking advantage of the few instructional days left in our second semester.
And although I only went down the secondary hall this morning, my previous visits to the kindergarten, elementary wing, middle school and junior high halls were no different. There I also saw active teacher-student engagement at all levels and numerous examples of utilizing technology, collaboration, and creative thinking in all areas. It is without question that as these students move to high school, they will be prepared for the next level.
I am so proud of our school, faculty and students. It is always a great day to be a Chief!
