MISSION-BE A LEARNER, BE A LEADER, BE A TARPON VISION- Promote a culture where Tarpons do their best, do what is right and treat others the way they wish to be treated.
Fo rT
he
4 2 Decembe 0 r 3rd , 2 Parents, Staff, S
tude nts
t And Communi
Charlotte High School
1250 Cooper Street School Hours: 7:10 am - 2:10 pm Punta Gorda, FL 33950 School Mascot: Fighting Tarpons Phone: (941) 575-5450 School Colors: Royal Blue and Gold Attendance Extension: *7000 Fax: 941-575-5464
http://chs.yourcharlotteschools.net
tte High School harlo C f yO
A MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Hello, CHS Family: I hope this message finds you well! I want to share some exciting insights about the incredible work our faculty and staff are doing to enhance student learning right here at Charlotte High School. Research consistently shows that regular attendance, accountability, and engaging, rigorous learning experiences are key to student success. That’s why our dedicated team is hard at work during our Early Release Days and Professional Learning Days, even when our students are off campus. These Professional Learning Days are not just a break for students; they are vital for our teachers’ growth and, ultimately, for your child’s learning experience. Recently, we had the privilege of working with a Model Schools Trainer who guided us through several important objectives aimed at elevating our teaching practices. Here’s a glimpse into what we focused on: 1. The Importance of Rigor: We delved into why it’s crucial to intentionally incorporate components of rigor into our lessons. 2. Creating Engagement: Our discussions centered around how thoughtful work, high-level questioning, and academic discussions can create opportunities for every student to engage deeply with the material. 3. Aligning with Best Practices: We connected our learning with Marzano’s Instructional Strategies, ensuring that our evaluation model supports our teaching goals. 4. Practical Engagement Strategies: Teachers learned a plethora of new engagement strategies that they can implement in their classrooms immediately. 5. Developing Meaningful Learning Experiences: We collaborated to design upcoming lessons that incorporate engagement strategies, thoughtful work, and high-level questioning. Throughout our training, we kept asking ourselves some essential questions: • How does rigor guide our teaching practices and contribute to student learning outcomes? • How can we create high expectations for ALL students? • How do we engage ALL students in high levels of thinking? These questions sparked vibrant discussions among our faculty, leading to a wealth of ideas that will make learning more relevant and engaging for our students. Our goal is clear: we want our students to go home more exhausted from thinking than our teachers are from teaching! As we strive to enhance our students’ learning experiences, we’ve noticed that our attendance rate is currently one of the lowest in the district. This is concerning because when students miss school, it’s nearly impossible to recreate the rich discussions and learning that occur in the classroom. I kindly ask for your support in ensuring that your child attends school every day. While I understand that illness can’t be avoided, it’s crucial for students to be present when they are well. Even missing just 5-10 minutes of class can significantly impact their learning. Your partnership in prioritizing daily attendance is vital to your child’s academic success. I am incredibly excited about the rigorous learning that lies ahead in our classrooms. With your continued support and our faculty’s commitment to professional growth, we can create an environment where every Tarpon thrives. Thank you for being such an integral part of our CHS Family and for your ongoing support!
Sincerely, Angie Taillon
To download a PDF version of this newsletter, go to http://academypublishing.com/schools/charlotte/charlotte.php