MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Mrs. Maria Osborne
Principal, Cosumnes Oaks High School
Hello Wolfpack Community and welcome to the 2016-2017 school year! This past year the teachers and staff have been hard at work on several site initiatives that center on student achievement and engagement. This region continues to grow; although growth can be a challenge it also provides opportunities to expand programs which can only benefit our college and career focus.
COHS was awarded an opportunity this past year to pilot Get Focused, Stay Focused: a freshman transition course developed by George Washington University’s Freshman Transition Initiative. A successful transition into high school is critical to academic and social success and timing can mean everything. This nine week course focuses on creating a 10-year education plan. Previous career education initiatives can point a student toward a career, however little focus is placed on how to actively plan for the education, training, and experience necessary to follow through with realizing that goal. Not only was the pilot successful, COHS was awarded a Bronze Medal from Academic Innovations for their efforts. No other pilot program has ever been awarded a medal; however the following statement by a student who excelled in the course is a testimony to its impact on her. When asked about the course, she stated, “I used to miss school on purpose, now I come to school with a purpose.” The skill building aspects of the course will also be embedded into Advocacy lessons for grades 10, 11, and 12. The course is digital as well and every student’s plan can be viewed by parents and teachers. This plan will follow each student until he/she graduates and will also connect students with post-secondary education options that ‘fit’ their education plan profile. Watch the website for updates and success stories.
PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention and Supports) has a new name at Cosumnes Oaks High School: I AM CO! Our preliminary rollout this year kept us focused on the four founding, site developed tenets: Honorable - Respectful - Responsible – Engaged. Monthly staff trainings guided us in developing the I AM CO! frame work which helped us establish evidence-based behavioral interventions in order to maximize academic and social outcomes for all students. In addition to teacher training, all site support staff participates in trainings as well: paraeducators, custodial, clerical, security. PBIS will expand to full implementation this year with continued staff development. The following are some of the metrics we will utilize to determine the program’s effectiveness: parent contacts, attendance, suspensions and referrals to include disproportionality, academic achievement, the culturally responsive classroom, and school climate.
The 2016-2017 school year has already started for us as we prepare for students on August 11th! Mailers will be sent in July for Freshman Orientation as we welcome new students to the Den. Information will also include the schedule for student sample schedule pickup. Senior Package information will be forthcoming in September from the COHS Activities Director. Be sure to check our website for even more information about upcoming events and reminders.
From all of us to all of you: GO WOLFPACK!
Sincerely,
Maria Osborne, Principal
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