Freshmen Transitions Program

21st Century Summer Institute Participants Sally Bimrose, Principal Jose Castro, Student Achievement Resource Specialist Mike Erickson, Computer Teacher Pam Sorenson, Computer Teacher Barry Sullivan, Counselor Advisors: Dan Blake, SCOE Jessica Parker, SSU

Current Freshmen Transitions Team Sally Bimrose, Principal Maureen Cecil, English/French Teacher Mike Erickson, Computer Teacher Joni Falkenberg, Computer Teacher Jenna Jewel, English Teacher Bianca Rosario, RSP/English Teacher Amy Schleuter, English Teacher Tony Slaten, English Teacher Barry Sullivan, Counselor

Influence of Summer Institute Coordination of various aspects of the students’ educational needs A 21st Century classroom needs to be different Cross curricular collaboration with Piner staff working as a team Enhanced use of technology in classroom assignments

Influence of Summer Institute Our guiding question: What do we need to do to make the transition from 8th grade to 9th grade more successful for our students?

Implementation Quarterly Freshmen Transitions Team collaboration meetings Regular communication among Team members Creation of cross curricular assignments Strategies for enhancing critical thinking in the classroom

Implementation PHS Secondary Support Life Works of Sonoma County Padres Unidos Crisis Assessment, Prevention, and Education Parent Institute for Understanding Education Choices Program Peer Tutors Career Day, Volunteer Center of Sonoma County

Implementation PHS Secondary Support Life Works of Sonoma County Padres Unidos Crisis Assessment, Prevention, and Education Parent Institute for Understanding Education Choices Program Peer Tutors Career Day, Volunteer Center of Sonoma County

Student Response Positive response to peer tutoring Awareness of teacher collaboration for their benefit Greater sense of community within the freshman class Realization concerning the importance of grades and credits

Student Response The students’ attitude reflects our attitude; they know we care. Students demonstrate teamwork; they care about each other. They know there is a safety net to catch them if they fall.

Measurement of Success Attendance Discipline Grades Campus Culture/Climate End of year student survey

Measurement of Success Response from WASC visiting team: “Your students like each other and they like you.”

Lessons Learned Keep the standards high. We must work together.

Lessons Learned Use early warning signs to trigger intervention.

Lessons Learned The program needs to be visible to the entire community.

Continuing On Add Science, Math or PE Keep quarterly release days Maintain team effectiveness

Continuing On Infuse 21st Century learning in the classroom Provide team members with hands on technological training Expand/continue Peer Mentor program

Changes Underway School-wide effort in re-visioning Piner as a 21st Century School! Shifting our paradigm for teaching and learning.

Changes Underway New science building

Changes Underway Using new technology collaboratively Connections with Sonoma State University & Sonoma County Office of Education

Time’s Up! About your speaker: Name: Freshmen Transitions Program Team Company: Piner High School Tel: (707) 528-5245 Email: sbimrose@srcs.k12.ca.us Website: pinerhigh.com Quick bio: Piner High is a comprehensive public high school located in Santa Rosa, California. We are re-visioning ourselves as a 21st Century school.