FEATURED STORY
10 Steps to a More Successful Parent, Student,
and Teacher Conference
Supporting families during conference time is crucial for fostering relational capacity between parents, students, and educators. AVID's Jamie Sandoval and Stacey Bush teamed up to create 10 helpful steps that incorporate SMART goal setting for elementary and secondary audiences. Collaborative goal-setting with parents and students is a powerful way to foster a successful academic journey. When educators and parents work together, everyone wins! Here's a step-by-step plan for implementing this approach. Read More
Secondary SMART Goal Setting
Elementary SMART Goal Setting
- Communication in Advance
- Send a letter or email to parents and guardians informing them about the upcoming parent-teacher conferences. Mention that you will be sharing a SMART goal-setting outline for discussion during the conference.
- Provide SMART Goal-Setting Materials
- Prepare the SMART goal-setting outline and distribute it through various channels, such as:
- Physical copies sent home with students.
- Digital copies shared via email or a dedicated online platform.
- Your school's website or parent portal.
- Prepare the SMART goal-setting outline and distribute it through various channels, such as:
- Explain the Purpose
- In your communication, explain the importance of setting SMART goals. Highlight that goals help students align their focus, track progress, and achieve a sense of self-mastery.
- Multiple Goals Are Okay
- Emphasize that it's perfectly acceptable to have multiple goals for different subjects or areas of improvement. Encourage students and parents to think holistically about their academic journey.
- Supporting Resources
- Provide additional resources to help parents and students understand how to set SMART goals. For example, sharing a video can be helpful.
- Encourage Home Discussion
- Give parents and students ample time to discuss and set goals together. Suggest that they schedule a dedicated time for this conversation, as it can be a valuable bonding experience.
- Positive Reminders
- Send periodic reminders to parents and students about the importance of setting and revisiting SMART goals. These reminders can be in the form of emails, texts, or notices through your school's communication channels.
- Conference Discussions
- During the parent-teacher conferences, use the SMART goal-setting outline as a starting point for the conversation. Encourage parents and students to share the goals they've set and discuss strategies for achieving them.
- Feedback and Follow-Up
- After the conferences, provide feedback to parents and students on their SMART goals. Offer guidance and suggestions for achieving these goals and be open to questions or adjustments.
- Tracking Progress
- Throughout the quarter, semester, or year, periodically review and update SMART goals to assess progress. Share progress reports with parents and celebrate achievements.
By implementing this approach, you create a proactive and collaborative environment that empowers students to take ownership of their learning and encourages parents to actively support their children's academic goals. It also promotes positive interaction from the beginning of the conference, enhancing the overall educational experience. We hope you approach this conference season with confidence, armed with these strategies. Here's to a year of thriving education and shared accomplishments!
SPOTLIGHT
Holbrook Junior High School
Grit. We often use this term to describe students’ persistence and ability to work through the many challenges of life. But what does grit look like when applied to a school consisting of students, educators, systems, and parents? If you ask Principal Cheri Grau at Holbrook Junior High School (JHS), she’d likely tell you it’s moving up from a D rating and being on a School Improvement Plan to achieving a B rating for the first time ever—all within 3 years—an accomplishment Holbrook JHS recently achieved. But to fully comprehend Holbrook JHS’ accomplishments, we must also understand their journey. Read More
“Here We Go Again”
School improvement status was not a new concept for the staff at Holbrook JHS. “Sixteen years ago, we were in school improvement, just like we were last year or the last few years,” explained teacher Elizabeth Baloo. “We never seemed to get out of it, like we’d just get up high enough, and then we’d go back. It seemed like for the longest time, every single year, we implemented something different.” In the 2019–2020 school year, when the Arizona Department of Education assigned Holbrook JHS a D rating, the staff recognized that to get different results, they needed to take different actions.
Planning an Exit Strategy
What Holbrook district and school staff wanted was clear: to exit school improvement status. When deciding how to achieve that, they included AVID in their Integrated Action Plan and focused on the following goals:
- Align staff’s thinking and actions to get them working toward the same goal.
- Transition to student-centered learning.
- Create rigorous learning experiences for every student.
One Step at a Time
To avoid overwhelming staff and students, Cheri Grau led Holbrook JHS in a gradual approach to AVID implementation rather than trying to implement every component at once. She began by:
- Engaging educators in AVID professional development.
- Sharing instructional strategies to implement in each classroom.
- Evaluating strategy implementation progress and providing support.
Lasting Change, at Last
In the 2022–2023 school year, Holbrook JHS successfully exited school improvement status, elevating its rating from a low D to a high C. And now, as of November 2023, they have attained a B rating and are one of the highest-scoring schools among those in surrounding districts. What made this most recent effort different? AVID empowered educators to address the root causes of challenges, fundamentally transforming the school culture and systems. The use of AVID strategies revolutionized the learning environment, fostering trusting relationships between educators and students, encouraging students to think critically, engage in their learning, and make connections between what they’re learning and their future. Now, students are engaging in discussions about careers and opportunities they had not previously considered and have begun to set meaningful goals and take concrete steps to achieve them. The staff’s decision to persevere and try something new yet again—after numerous setbacks—is a testament to Holbrook JHS’ grit and one that has created lasting, positive change for students and educators alike. To learn more about Holbrook Junior High School’s journey, read their AVID Success Story or watch the video.
SPOTLIGHT
Celebrating AVID Students and Educators
Join AVID’s CEO, Thuan Nguyen, in celebrating the good happenings throughout the AVID world by nominating students and educators for the AVID CEO’s Educator or Student of the Week initiative. This is a wonderful opportunity to recognize and celebrate the outstanding contributions of our educators and the remarkable achievements of our students.
Read More
Use the Student and Educator of the Week Nominations form to nominate educators and students from your district. Your nominations will help us highlight the incredible stories of positivity, impact, and AVID goodness happening in our community every day.
Be sure to follow AVID on social media and stay tuned for these inspiring stories. Together, let's celebrate the brilliance of our students and the incredible impact of our educators!
Nominate Yourself or Others to Be Featured in the AVID Spotlight!
Each AVID Community Newsletter will feature a Spotlight Story, highlighting the amazing anecdotes out there in the AVID world from educators just like you! These stories are intended to inspire, make you smile, celebrate the good happenings among AVID students and educators, and more. Nominate yourself or others to be featured in the AVID Spotlight by completing the form to tell us your story.
What’s New?
Dell Scholars Application Open Now
The Dell Scholars Program, which provides high school seniors with a $20,000 scholarship and personalized, multifaceted support in college, is currently open and accepting applications until December 1. AVID has a wealth of informational resources available around the program, including two upcoming Q&A webinars in partnership with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation: one for educators and another for students. Learn more about these resources and an exciting pizza party competition! Read More
Application Info
The application is open to students participating in select college readiness programs, including AVID. The initial application only takes approximately 10 minutes to complete. Please encourage your AVID Seniors to apply!
Upcoming Webinars
Do you or your students have questions about the Dell Scholars Program/application process? Attend a Q&A webinar where the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation will provide an overview of the program and answer your questions live!
- Webinar for Students: Monday, November 13, at 6:00 pm CT
- Webinar for Educators: Wednesday, November 15, at 6:00 pm CT
Pizza Party Competition
Once again, the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation is hosting a competition to encourage more Dell Scholar applicants. The foundation will provide $500 per school toward a pizza party for AVID Elective classes at up to 10 schools! To participate, one representative per school (e.g., AVID Elective teacher, counselor, etc.) should review the eligibility requirements on the form and complete and submit the form by December 1. Winners will be selected by the Dell Scholars program from the schools that meet the eligibility requirements.
Resources
- Scholarship Criteria and Key Dates
- Sample Application Questions
- Overview PowerPoint to Present to Students
- Video: "Meet Kevin, Dell Scholars Alum"
- Video: "About the Dell Scholars Program"
- Flyer: Dell Scholars Application Information (for AVID students specifically)*
*Flyers are available in additional languages. Please contact Cindy Ayala with any questions.
Calling All AVID Alumni and Their AVID Educators!
The inaugural AVID Alumni Legacy Summit is coming to San Diego on November 29 from 3:15–6 pm. This two-part event takes place at the Manchester Grand Hyatt during the AVID National Conference. Register today and help spread the word with your network of AVID alumni. If you are already attending National Conference and would like to attend this amazing summit as well, please register! Read More
Participants will have the opportunity to learn from the experiences of AVID alumni during the concurrent session (3:15–4:30 pm), The AVID Alumni Journey — Trailblazers Return to Share Learnings. Participants will also engage in a unique opportunity to reconnect and network with peers and make a positive impact on the future of AVID students during the AVID Alumni Reunion (4:30–6:00 pm).
This complementary event is open to all AVID alumni, their AVID Elective teachers, AVID District Directors, and AVID Site Coordinators who have completed their profile in the Community of Champions portal. We recommend registering early, as space is limited. AVID alumni and the educators who supported them along their journey do not need to be registered for National Conference to attend the summit.
Please reach out to Jonathan Grant Brown or Adriana Buelna with any questions.
Save the Date for Our Next AVID Instructional AI Webinar
Join us for the next dynamic discussion in our AI webinar series. Details coming soon!
Date of Live Webinar: Thursday, December 7
Time: 12 pm PT/3 pm ET
Duration: 60 minutes
Are You an AVID Elective 9–12 or AVID Excel Elective 7–8 Teacher?
- You get access to AVID Instructional AI! Sign up for a 1-hour training session.
- For more information, visit avid.org/ai.
Know Someone Whose Story Should Be Shared on the AVID Stage? AVID’s 2024 Speaker Contest Opens November 17
Mark your calendars! AVID is gearing up to launch its 2024 AVID Student Speaker Competition, an incredible platform for students and educators to share their voices at AVID Summer Institutes next year.
All the details, prompts, directions, and prizes will be revealed in just a few weeks. Stay tuned and start brainstorming. We can’t wait to hear inspirational voices from the AVID community!
2024 National Instructional Leader Academy Applications Are Now Open!
District leaders, are you ready to take your leadership skills to the next level? Join us for the 2024 National Instructional Leader Academy (NILA) brought to you by AASA and AVID. This transformative program is tailored for district leaders who want to redefine the future of education. From January 22 to May 1, 2024, immerse yourself in three dynamic in-person institutes designed to refine your instructional, cultural, and systemic expertise. Read More
NILA is not just an academy; it’s a community where leaders collaborate, innovate, and inspire. By participating, you'll develop into a stronger, more effective leader and build invaluable connections with district leaders and AVID experts nationwide.
Don't miss this chance to earn an esteemed AASA/AVID certification of completion, a symbol of your commitment to educational excellence. Spaces are limited, so act fast!
Applications close on January 1, 2024. Secure your spot today and make 2024 the year you redefine what's possible in education.
AVID National Conference Is 3 Weeks Away! See You in San Diego?
This is the last call to register and join us for 3 jam-packed days of inspiration at the Manchester Grand Hyatt in downtown San Diego! Don’t forget to attend our new AVID Elective/Excel Elective Teacher Forum and get inspired and connect with our AVID family! Read More
What Awaits You
- Dive into a world of knowledge with our diverse session options! Choose from three flexible formats to tailor your conference experience.
- AVID National Conference Concurrent Sessions: Choose from nearly 100 sessions!
- AVID Path to Schoolwide® Professional Learning: Explore a diverse array of enriching Communities of Practice.
- AVID ElevateXP Virtual Professional Learning: Perfect for partners not joining us in person!
- Attend our two AVID NatCon networking forums:
- EDUCATORS: Network in the AVID Elective/Excel Elective Teacher Forum community to lean in, connect, and learn together.
- SCHOOL & DISTRICT ADMINISTRATORS: Network in the pre-conference Leadership Forum and address topics specific to administrative roles with hundreds of fellow leaders.
- Meet our inspirational keynote speaker, Dr. Manny Scott, a scholar, speaker, and author, who will share his remarkable story and insights.
- Network with experts, collaborate with fellow educators, and learn from AVID alumni.
- Enjoy the fun and connection all with the backdrop of downtown San Diego’s beautiful marina!
Register today, and let’s shape the future of education together! Don’t miss this chance to transform your teaching approach and prepare your students for a limitless future. See you soon!
AVID in EdWeek! How AVID Helped A Principal Launch the National Supervisor of Principals Academy
Learn how AVID helped Adrienne Battle, Director of Metro Nashville Public Schools, support and coach principals in her district. Read the Article
What’s Changed?
WEEKS AT A GLANCE (WAG)
New Units in the AVID WAG
for Term 2
November’s revised WAG units are accessible through the new WAG website and include a unit on Tutorial closure, grade-level units on Reading for Disciplinary Literacy, and essay writing units with instructional AI! Read More
- A new tutorial unit on Step 9: Tutorial Closure will be posted for all grades 6–12 on November 1.
- AVID 12/senior teachers! Looking for FAFSA updates and college financing information for your students? Access the Pathways: Financing Higher Ed With EVERFI: 12th Grade Unit in the new WAG.
- Reading for Disciplinary Literacy grade-level units will post during November, enabling teachers and students to use the momentum from the Introduction to the Critical Reading Process units posted in October.
- Thematic essay writing practice with AVID’s instructional AI tool is also on the horizon for November! Pair the appropriate writing unit with your grade level by using the AVID Elective Standards as a guide:
- 9th grade use the Descriptive Essay unit
- 10th grade use the Persuasive/Argumentative Essay unit
- 11th grade use the Expository Essay unit
- 12th grade use the Narrative Essay unit
Throughout this transitional year, both the new and existing WAG terms will remain accessible in MyAVID, ensuring teachers have the flexibility to choose between both WAG options. This approach guarantees minimal disruption in the delivery of AVID Elective instruction and allows districts time to adapt to the revised standards. As a reminder, the new WAG units are aligned with our revised AVID Elective Standards, which take effect in 2024–2025 and include Google formats for most unit resources.
To guide you through implementing the new WAG terms, view our WAG one-pager for recommendations designed for AVID educators at every experience level.
AVID SCHOOLWIDE ADVISORY
Empower All Students
With AVID Strategies!
AVID Schoolwide Advisory is your key to empowering all students with AVID strategies! Dive into our flexible content, meticulously designed to expose every learner to core AVID processes like focused note-taking, collaborative study groups, and relational capacity. Read More
Explore these resources during your advisory or homeroom periods to get other students involved with AVID strategies and provide structured, intentional time together.
Community Archive
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