NEWSLETTER - Palos Verdes High School

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AROUND CAMPUS How does the block schedule work Does it really make that much of a difference These are questions that the faculty and administration of PVHS feel are important that 8th grade students ask before they make their choice of high school. While unique to PVPUSD, the PVHS is not the only school to use a block schedule. When used effectively, the block schedule enhances instruction, provides students with more opportunities for teacher interaction and better prepares students for the rigors of college classes. So how does the block help In subjects like science, the block is the teacher’s best friend. Laboratory science classes (required for admission to universities) require students to perform laboratory experiments that demonstrate certain scientific concepts. The longer periods of the block schedule allow science teachers to introduce a concept through a lecture or demonstration with the class, lead the students in independent practice of this concept and check that all students have fully grasped what is needed before moving on. Students then perform laboratory experiments that reinforce the concepts learned. This all takes place in one class period allowing teachers to significantly vary their instructional methods and to reinforce important concepts in a multiple learning modalities. THE BLOCK Students attend 3 block periods per day that last 114 minutes and alternate between A and B days. Over any two week period, students attend class for the same number of minutes in each period as on a traditional bell schedule. A major difference between PVHS and Peninsula High School is the block schedule. While it is agreed that both schedules have their benefits, it is hard to grasp the possibilities of the block schedule until one has experienced it firsthand. With three 114 minute block periods per day, PVHS teachers are able to use a number of strategies to convey content knowledge to their students. English teachers and students state that the block schedule actually forces the teacher to vary his or her instructional methods more often than on a traditional schedule. Lectures can be broken up into three 15-minute sections, with reinforcing activities in between instead of an unbroken 45-minute lecture, followed by less than ten minutes of getting started on the homework. The change in activities keeps students and teachers engaged and allow teachers to check for each student’s understanding of the subject matter. PVHS standardized test scores support this claim, with over 90% of students scoring proficient or advanced in English and Biology in 2011. Visit our website for a four year summary of PVHS standardized test scores.
CHALLENGE Day ‘11 Be The Change When PVHS started talking about hosting Challenge Day over a year and a half ago, it was difficult to gauge the effect it would have on our campus. When it finally came to PVHS this fall, we knew instantly that Challenge Day would be a part of the PVHS culture for many years to come. Students and staff alike stated that Challenge Day was amazing, incredible, draining and “the most powerful experience I have ever had.” While the goals of Challenge Day were to heighten students’ awareness as to how their actions affect others, the full outcomes of Challenge Day are yet to be seen. At the very least, Challenge Day was successful in bringing 100 students and 25 adults closer together for three days and spreading that message to the other 1,750 students at PVHS. So what exactly was Challenge Day Those who experienced the program firsthand report that there was a lot of dancing, hugging, crying and getting to know each other. In total, more than 300 students, from all walks of life participated in Challenge Day. 75 adults took part and came from all three PVPUSD middle schools, Peninsula and Redondo High Schools in addition to PVHS staff. Students that participated in Challenge Day learned of their peers’ feelings and had a chance to reflect on their own actions. The theme of Challenge Day was “Be the Change” - asking students to “notice, choose and act” upon the everyday interactions they see at school. Of the 300 students that participated in Challenge Day, 50 students will be selected to participate in the Be the Change leadership group, tasked with making the lessons of Challenge Day a part of the PVHS culture. It is important that Challenge Day does not become a passing fad or brief assembly, but rather a cornerstone of PVHS. Students are already trying to sign up for next year’s Challenge Day and PVHS is committed to keeping this powerful program in place. Did You Know… PVHS students have been accepted to every Ivy League and UC school all PVHS fall athletic teams made it to CIF playoffs 6 senior members of the PVHS Girls Volleyball team have committed to play in college next year we send the fifth highest number of students to USC in the country WASC surveys show that 99% of students feel safe on campus and 87% report that they enjoy coming to school everyday 98% of PVHS students passed the Math and 99% passed the English section of the CAH- SEE on their first attempt 2011-2012 Issue 2
Page 1: PVHS NEWSLETTER The transition from

NEWSLETTER - Palos Verdes High School

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