The 24-25 school year has started out strong and positive for La Grande High School Tigers. Chelsea Hurliman, in her second year as Principal at the school, said the start of school has gone well. She and Assistant Principal Eric Freeman recently talked about their goals for the year:
1. Create a positive school culture
2. Improve attendance for all students
3. Use instructional strategies to increase academic engagement
For goal one, Hurliman said the ASB and Leadership students, under the direction of Kim Westenskow, PE/Health/ELL Teacher/Cheer Coach, have been a driving force in having a positive kick off to the year. They have a planned activity, such as dress-up days or decorating for certain holidays, almost every week. “They have really taken hold of the idea of spreading positive vibes and run with it,” Hurliman said. One fun thing they did is High Five Zones, with mini high-five hands worn by staff encouraging high fives from students.
Attendance incentives have been a creative opportunity this year, too. There have been giveaways of popcorn and candy to students with good attendance. At a home football game, LHS leaders arranged for a couch to be on the sidelines. Students with good attendance were entered into a drawing and a lucky winner got to eat pizza with friends on the couch while watching the LHS game.
Freeman said they are also working with the school’s PLC (Professional Learning Communities) teams and Jennifer Teeter, Instructional Coach from InterMountain ESD, to use the most effective instructional strategies and best practices for classroom instruction. “We’re rolling it out with PLC leaders to work on consistency from class to class, so no matter what subject they teach there are similar strategies across the board for students,” Freeman said.
Keep up the good work, LHS Tigers!
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