CFHS focus on student growth

The high school is off to an excellent start for the 2008-09 school year. As summer came to a close the custodial staff put the final finishing touches on the school and after a summer of hard work they had the school looking great for the return of the students. Freshmen students were welcomed to high school on Aug. 25 during the freshmen orientation. CFHS Assistant Principal, Scott Gaiser, continues to seek new ideas to assist freshmen in their transition to the high school and the success of the program was demonstrated by a turnout of approximately 94 of the freshmen students! Mr. Gaiser is also working to establish an Academic Coaching program where faculty members volunteer to assist freshmen students with organizational skills and tracking their progress in classes. A successful freshmen year is foundational to a successful high school experience. The total enrollment for the freshmen class is 200 students, making it the smallest freshmen class we have seen in years. The current enrollment at CFHS is 825 students, down from 872 students at the same time last year.

This school year we are focusing on continued improvement in student academic growth and the demonstration of progress toward district goals. Within the school, a teacher leadership team is focusing on identifying improvements that will have a positive impact on our graduation rate. The fall AYP (annual yearly progress) report shows a graduation rate of 75 percent for the class of 2007, falling short of the 80 percent target.

Two areas that are being investigated are the creation of additional clubs for student involvement and early academic intervention to support student success. During the Wednesday Early Release, departments will be working to develop goals and action items that will enhance student learning and success. As the year progresses, I will share details about the work in each of our departments and how their efforts will help students at CFHS.

This week I will briefly mention the Science Department's work on a new Integrated Science class for sophomores. The class includes a semester of Earth Science and then introductory units in Chemistry, Physics, Zoology/Physiology and Forensics. The purpose of the class is to align the 10th science instruction with Montana Content Standards and to provide the introductory units to assist students in selecting upper-level science classes. In the past, students selected from a variety of science classes for an elective during their sophomore year.

Fall activities are in full swing and we have 225 students participating in fall extra-curricular activities. The homecoming game against Ronan is Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. The groups and clubs are busy planning the events for the week which include Spirit Week Dress, a pep assembly and the homecoming dance. During homecoming week, Rachel's Challenge will be presented to all junior high and high school students. Rachel, the first student killed at Columbine High School, was a remarkable young lady that believed her life would have a great impact across the world. The program presents stories from her life and how she impacted her fellow classmates and how her story continues to have a positive impact in schools throughout the world. The Rachel's Challenge program is a national campaign to help create safer and more productive places to learn. The program is powerful and practical, and provides a positive approach to impacting students and the culture at the school. Please join us for a community presentation at 7 p.m. in the high school Little Theatre on Sept. 23.

Alan Robbins is the principal of Columbia Falls High School.