What's Hot at Envision Newsletter
Issue #3
- Welcome
- What's Hot at Envision!
- Spring Conferences are Here
- March 19: Billy Frank Jr. Annual Celebration
- Middle Schools - Here We Come!
- Clubs and Activities Update
- Attention! Road Construction on College Street
- From the Counselor and Career Center
- Principal Check-In Survey
- Upcoming Important Dates to Calendar
- Important School Phone Numbers
Welcome
Dear Envision Families,
I hope this finds you all well. Approximately once per quarter, I send out a “What’s Hot!” Issue to give you some highlights and reminders of things going on and to come. This can always be found in the For Families link on our Envision website. So, without further ado. . .
In this issue, you will find:
- What’s Hot at Envision!
- Spring Conferences Are Here!
- Billy Frank Jr. Annual Celebration – Come All!
- Middle Schools – Here we come!
- Clubs and Activities Update
- Attention! Road Construction on College Street
- From the Counseling and Career Center
- Principal Check-In Survey
- Upcoming Important Dates to Calendar
- Important School Phone Numbers
What's Hot at Envision!
As some of you know from attending the presentation during Open House in the fall, Envision is embarking on a journey toward Mastery-Based Teaching and Learning. Thanks to a significant grant from the State Board of Education, Envision was invited to join 40+ schools around the state to launch Mastery-Based Learning (MBL).
What is MBL?
In short – MBL is a way of teaching and learning that supports individual needs and learning styles through project-based learning in a way that focuses the conversations on where students are at in their learning and meeting state standards, as opposed to how many assignments they might be missing or what their grades are. The focus in on meaningful, transferrable learning that elevates student voice and choice. The learning is grounded in standards and those standards are aligned to our portrait of a graduate.
What is a Portrait of a Graduate (POG)?
In short, Envision’s POG synthesizes the of the skills that are detailed in our Common Core State Standards in English, Social Studies, and Math; Next Generation Science Standards; 21st Century Skills; CTE Skills; and those articulated by the Waters Center. Envision staff analyzed the language from all of these domains and found common skills across them all, creating a draft POG. We then shared the draft of 11 skills with students (during advisory) and families (at our open house night) for feedback. We also received input from local business leaders, members of our BIPOC community and from members of our Nisqually partners. With all the input, Envision’s POG is ready to launch! Students in advanced
marketing are working together to create a visual representation. In the meantime, our POG below will drive the focus on learning at Envision for the coming years. Please note, the descriptive language defining the skills, will continue to be refined over time as we implement this in our building and classrooms.
| Shared Outcomes | Definitions |
|---|---|
|
Explore |
I can design strong inquiry questions, make action plans, self-assess, and persevere in order to complete an inquiry or achieve goals. |
| Collaborate | I can contribute positively to group efforts by sharing ideas, listening to others, and working together to achieve common goals. |
|
Communicate |
I can communicate ideas and information clearly by adapting my language and approach to suit the audience, purpose, and context. I use precise and accurate language to explain my reasoning and support it with relevant evidence. |
| Innovate | I can create products for expression and design original and helpful ways of looking at opportunities, challenges, and problems. |
| Discern | I can question, analyze, synthesize, contextualize and draw meaning from information and experiences. |
| Impact | I can work to create positive change or to inspire a call to action. I can recognize the impact of actions and events. |
| Reflect | I can reflect on my learning, the effectiveness of activities, the quality of my work, and my response to obstacles using evidence. I can reflect on my experiences and how they affect my personal development and wellness. |
Spring Conferences are Here
As a follow-up to the communication that went out two weeks ago, conference week is coming up the week of March 24-28. Spring conferences are student-led and our way of helping our 9–11 graders prepare for the demanding High School and Beyond Plan Portfolio Presentations required to graduate. If you are able to make it, PLEASE! PLEASE! PLEASE! Sign up to attend conferences. You only come to one, which is with your student’s advisor.
Process for 9th–11th Graders: The conference signup process for 9th–11th graders will be the same as in the past, through Skyward Family Access. The difference is that you sign up for only one conference slot, and it is with your student’s WING Time teacher/advisor.
Process for 12th Graders: Our 12th graders have already booked their times and should have communicated these to families and other invited attendees. If your student has not communicated their day and time with you, please check in with them.
What if I can’t make it?
Your student will still need to sign up for a time to present and will present to their advisor and other staff members. If they cannot make it during the conference times after school lets out, they will need to make arrangements with their advisor for an alternate day/time to present.
Conferences Days, Dates, and Times
Spring Conferences take place the week of March 24–28. School releases every day that week at 10:10 am. Conference days take place on:
- Tuesday, March 25th – 11:00 am–2:25 pm
- Wednesday, March 26th – 11:00 am–6:30 pm
- Thursday, March 27th – 11:00 am–2:25 pm
Conference sign-ups went live Monday, March 3rd and will close Friday, March 14th at 3:00 pm. Please check Skyward Family Access to sign up. We look forward to seeing you during Student-Led Conference week!
March 19: Billy Frank Jr. Annual Celebration
Come one, come all this Wednesday evening to the Billy Frank Jr. Annual Celebration co-hosted by NTPS and the Nisqually Tribe! See educational displays from every school in the district, experience hands-on learning activities, feast from local food trucks, and take in some excellent presentations that honor the life and legacy of Billy Frank Jr.
- Date: Wednesday, March 19, from 5:00–7:30 pm
- Location: Timberline High School
Middle Schools - Here We Come!
It is that time of year when Envision student representatives head out to the middle schools to present about all things awesome at Envision! Each day we visit a different middle school. If you know families at these schools and want to encourage them to attend Envision, let them know we will be at:
- Chinook MS on Tuesday
- Salish MS on Thursday
- Komachin MS on Friday
- We just visited Aspire Friday and Nisqually today!!!
In addition, our Family Info sessions for prospective students and families are calendared for April. Pass on our website information to anyone you know who would benefit from the Envision Experience!
Clubs and Activities Update
Our Career Technology Student Organizations (CTSOs) are Fyre! Students have been traveling far and wide to compete in FBLA, DECA, and HOSA and doing great! If you aren’t already there, check out and follow Envision’s Facebook page. The great Laurel King is sharing some fantastic work going on here. Like! And Share!
Attention! Road Construction on College Street
As many of you know, road construction on College Street near Envision has commenced and will continue for approximately one calendar year! Students who walk and ride bikes need to be extra cautious of equipment and detours. Students and families who drive, expect traffic delays and detours that change on the daily. I will try to keep folks updated about anything new to expect.
From the Counselor and Career Center
Our amazing counselor and Career Center specialist, Jackie Foster and Charlene Sandifer (respectively) have teamed up on a Canvas course to share counseling and career info with students. This includes field trips for college visits, industry visits, volunteer opportunities and more. And our awesome 12th grade advisors, Sarah Furtick and Matt Monnastes, have joined them on this course to make sure our graduates have all the latest and greatest about upcoming events and deadlines related to graduation. Families, be sure to ask your students about this and check it out!
Principal Check-In Survey
Upcoming Important Dates to Calendar
- March 18: Aurora Institute and State Board of Education Visit Envision
- March 19: ACT Day – Students dismiss at 12:25 pm
- March 19: Billy Frank Jr. Celebration at THS 5:00–7:30 pm — Come All!!!
- March 24-28: Conference Week — Students dismiss at 10:10 am — Student-Led Portfolio Presentations – Sign Up on Skyward
- March 31-April 4: No School — Spring Break!
- April 9: ACT Day – Students dismiss at 12:25 pm
- April 11: End of 3rd Quarter