In this letter I will emphasize a few highlights and describe some of our goals and challenges for the upcoming year. I want to personally thank all of you who have been and continue to be involved in the Miller family. We appreciate the many ways you contributed; attendance at the fall festival, alumni party, payment of buses to the State Basketball Tournament games, attending our first musical, and various other financial gifts. Your continued support is crucial.
The school year ended with students, staff and community proud of the myriad of accomplishments. Athletic teams and individual students continued to excel (State AAA basketball champions). The Miller music, theater and visual art performances (“The WIZ”) drew in our community and new student participation (Robotics team to nationals). We are proud of the academic successes for individual students (increase enrollment in honors and AP courses) and the overall improvements in the state tests (MCA’s; 13.3 point increase in reading in 10th grade and 5.75 point increase in Math for 11th grade).
The driving force behind our success is not any particular program, it is the enthusiasm, drive and creativity of the people who make all the programs work together. Throughout this past year and into the summer, 100% of our staff have been engaged in staff development to learn new strategies and technologies in order to enhance learning and motivate students. As I have said repeatedly throughout the community, it is the staff that will make the difference. When we see ourselves working with the students and parents, we become the solution. Throughout this year and in the years to come we intend to retain and attract staff who love their work and are committed to helping students achieve their full potential. The high level of staff commitment is obvious when you walk through our doors. Along with the beautiful new paint in the hallways and strategic areas around the building, abundant examples of student work are displayed and students are ever present in the building. WHS students are proud of their school and are eager to succeed,
Our belief is that all students and staff are expected to meet high standards through a rigorous curriculum. Therefore, this fall all entering 9th grade students will be enrolled in Honors English and Honors Geography. These students will be on collaborative teams that include English, Geography, and Fine Arts/Fitness for Life. A challenging curriculum for all students will be promoted at Washburn by the policy of open access to Advanced Placement (AP), College in the Schools (CIS) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. To give more students access and to accommodate the varying paces of students some AP and CIS courses will be taught over the entire year and or in conjunction with AVID strategies.
The staff at Washburn understands that a great high school opens a world of opportunities for all students and we are committed to providing the necessary knowledge, skills, and experiences to meet future challenges.
I look forward to more times together this year!
