I will be GRATEFUL for this day....

        

I will be GRATEFUL for this day...

        Gratitude according to Wikipedia states;  “Gratitude, thankfulness, gratefulness, or appreciation is a feeling or attitude in acknowledgment of a benefit that one has received or will receive.”

While agreeing with Wikipedia’s definition, my question is, “How often to we pause, think and remember why we are grateful?” I challenge each of you to schedule a time in your day to reflect on the things, the events or the people you appreciate.  Better yet, if it is a person, let them know how thankful you are for their role in your life. 

                                                               

            I like to reflect with my morning cup (or two) of coffee.  Just this morning, after grumbling about doing “school work” on a Sunday morning, I had to pause, reflect and be thankful for the mere fact that I have “school work” to do.  I have a job and not just a job, a job that allows me to work with others who place kids first on their list of priorities.  How can I grumble about such a thing?  I’ve had the opportunity to be a part of Worthington Kilbourne High School for 2 and almost ½ years now and I could not be happier.  I have the love and support from my family and friends.  Speaking of my family, I get to see them very soon as we approach the holidays.  What more do you need in life?  During this holiday season, please take the time to pause, think and remember for what and for who you are grateful.  Slow down and take the time to let them know how you feel and the difference they make in your life.  Thanks to our students, our parents and relatives, our teachers, our administrators, our counselors, our classified staff, our district administrators, our board of education, our business partnerships and our Worthington community for your support, your guidance and your care for making our school system a great place to learn and grow.

Be thankful that you don’t already have everything you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?

Be thankful when you don’t know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.

Be thankful for the difficult times.
During those times you grow.

Be thankful for your limitations,
because they give you opportunities for improvement.

Be thankful for each new challenge,
because it will build your strength and character.

Be thankful for your mistakes.
They will teach you valuable lessons.

Be thankful when you’re tired and weary,
because it means you’ve made a difference.

It’s easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who
are also thankful for the setbacks.

Gratitude can turn a negative into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for your troubles,
and they can become your blessings.

~Author Unknown

Leadership Worthington

     Worthington Kilbourne High School Administrators had the opportunity to meet with and share the highlights of our high school with members of Leadership Worthington www.leadershipworthington.org on Thursday, October 31st, 2013. This meeting was scheduled to last just 2 hours but our conversations were so rich that we could have collaborated all afternoon.   

     Just in case you are not already aware, Leadership Worthington was established in 1989 and is a nonprofit organization with programs offered to those who live or work in the Worthington School District.  The program goal is to enhance the understanding of leadership qualities for individual or group leadership which will ultimately enhance our Worthington community.  WKHS would like to give a “Shout-Out” to our Worthington leaders for their time and commitment to our school.  Below is a link to the Worthington Kilbourne presentation we shared with our Leadership Worthington partners.

http://prezi.com/5fhtjh05sr7t/worthington-kilbourne-high-school/?utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy

2013 Worthington Kilbourne Homecoming

WKHS Homecoming 2013

The big dance is just 2 hours away for our Kilbourne students and this will close our week long Homecoming Celebrations.  Each class set the spirited climate at WKHS by displaying creative window paintings in our commons last weekend.  Our week was then filled with a spirited theme week, including a Super Hero, Pajama, Preppie and Red, White and Blue Day!  The rain held off for our Bon-Fire and spirited contests such as a pumpkin throwing, truck pushing, tug-o-war and an egg toss took place.  Thursday's events included the coronation of our Senior King and Queen and of course, Friday night was our football game vs. Olentangy.

As always, our Kilbourne Krazies created an atmosphere of excitement and energy that assisted our football players and coaches in a victory over Olentangy with a score of 33-0.

A "Shout-Out" goes to our Class Advisors, Student Council Advisors and all of our student leaders involved in making this event possible.  Your spirit and your energy is contagious.  Thanks for all that you do to make Kilbourne an exciting place to learn, grow and have fun!

As I type, our students are either smiling for pictures while praying for it to be the last picture taken or they are already out to dinner.  I know this is an exciting time for you and for those that love and care about you. "Please, please, please 'Take Care of Each Other' out there and be safe!"

Can it get any better?

Is it possible that the opening of a new school year can get better and better every August?

 

I am pleased to announce that our opening day on Monday, August 19th was a huge success. A big “Shout- Out” to our LINK Crew Advisors Nancy Smith, Lauren Glaros and Ellen Clark and to our Student Mentors for their leadership and passion in making sure that all of our freshmen and new students felt connected during their transition to Worthington Kilbourne High School.

Our freshmen began the first day with WKHS all to them­selves as they engaged in community building activities and in tours of classrooms and other important facilities. Thanks to our parent volunteers and kitchen staff, our ninth-grad­ers enjoyed another first—a Kilbourne lunchtime cookout.

When the upperclassmen arrived at 10 a.m., they engaged in three breakout sessions, including “Digital Danger,” a presentation on the importance of creating and maintain­ing a safe digital footprint on the Internet. Dr. Tim Conrad and Officer Don Stanko, the authors of Digital Danger, have agreed to partner with our high school throughout the year to keep the entire Kilbourne community cur­rent on the appropriate uses and safety of social media. Dr. Conrad and Officer Stanko initiated the conversation with our staff on August 15th and continued with our parents and Worthington community on September 11th. Throughout the year we will keep you informed about additional opportunities to explore this important, rel­evant topic, including a community book talk this winter.

As you know the summer months are busy for educators as we prepare for the upcoming school year and this summer was no exception. In addition to revisiting our mission statement, we also created five goals for our work this year, which include: implementing Formative Instructional Practices (FIP) as a consistent and natural part of our instruction and planning; structuring improvement of our traditional use of assessment data to improve instruction, understanding and learning; implementing English Language Arts (ELA) and Math Common Core State Standards and Science and Social Studies Ohio Standards; creating a single Student Learning Objective (SLO) focusing on Vocabulary Acquisition of Academic and Content Vocabulary; and continuing to build relationships by providing a safe and welcoming Culture and Climate where learning is rigorous, relevant and engaging.

As you can see from our goals, we want all of Kilbourne academics and co-curricular activities to grow our students to think critically and creatively. We want them to think globally and to make authentic connections to their learn­ing each day. Preparing our students for the next level -- college and career -- is our ultimate goal. During foot­ball game conversations with recent graduates, I have been encouraged to hear how well they were prepared and ready for college. One young man shared with me that several of the projects he is assigned to complete in his freshmen engineering class were projects that he had already completed in our PLTW program at Kilbourne. On the other hand, here is some advice several graduates shared with me: strengthen your skills in taking notes. Some of them also spoke of the importance of attentive listening in class and of not giving up when the going gets tough. I have a plan (a Dream Big idea) to bring back some of our recent graduates this year to begin conversation with our current students especially about academic preparation. Nothing like hearing it from someone you know who’s living the reality.

I hope you are pleased with what Kilbourne has to offer for your child. Our teachers and staff are some of the hardest working professionals I know, but we also know we can’t do it without your support. Thanks for all that you have done and continue to do for our school. There is probably no substitute for passion and commitment, which you give every day to your children and to our school to make it a great place to learn and grow.

Enjoy the fall weather and thank you for “Dreaming Big!”

---

“Dream Big!”
Angie Adrean, WKHS Principal (Please follow us on Twitter @WKHSWolves)

Welcome! You are about to enter a very special place: Worthington Kilbourne High School!

Welcome to Worthington Kilbourne High School

...FROM THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE

 

Welcome!  You are about to enter a very   special place: Worthington Kilbourne High School with approximately 1,200 students and 140 staff.  My name is Angie Adrean and I am proud and fortunate to serve as your building principal.  Because I am passionate about teaching and learning, I want to make this the best possible educational experience for you and your student.  Our entire staff strongly believes that “No significant learning takes place without a significant relationship.” At Kilbourne, we believe every child must build a trusting relationship with at least one adult in the building.  I can promise you that we will work hard to make this happen for your child and for you as well.  Our team of educators offers evidence that high standards and academic rigor blended with compassion produces  results. 

Another commitment we take seriously is our partnership with you in communication, which is  essential for the success of our students and our overall school environment.  We believe     parental involvement is essential since you are the first and most important educator of your child(ren).  There is strength in our working  together, especially with your participation in our many parent organizations.  We will be posting monthly newsletters on our website at www.worthington.k12.oh.us  (Click on the Select a School drop down and choose Worthington Kilbourne High School).

Our website also provides a way to learn more about processes, procedures, dates and highlights of our accomplishments. You can also follow us on Twitter @wkhswolves

As you have probably already noticed, our high school is a very busy place throughout the year, including the summer months.  Our  teachers, administrators and staff work very hard to grow as professionals so they can   provide the most rigorous and current        educational opportunities for all students.  We    expect 100% of our students will achieve one year’s growth with accelerated growth for those who are behind.   You can count on our staff challenging your student to achieve at high levels.

I am confident that you and your student will quickly become a Kilbourne Wolf, if you are not already!

GO WOLVES!

“Dream Big!”

Angie Adrean

 

 

P2P

                     P2P

Peer 2 Peer Student Tutoring Program (P2P) has a simple purpose...

To allow students to help each other and make a difference in the lives of other student's. 

       Thanks to student leader, Joey Cipicchio and our Principal's Advisory Council, Worthington Kilbourne High School will begin a new initiative during the final quarter of the 2012-13 school year.  Student tutors will work collaboratively with our Academic Assistants in the Teaching and Learning Center (Room 209).  Student tutors have been assigned to a class period throughout the day and students who need assistance may work with their study hall teacher to go to our TLC for the necessary help.   Student may make an appointment with the tutor but this is not necessary.  This schedule will be posted outside the doors of our TLC (Room 209) and all teachers will have the weekly schedules to share with you.  Please take advantage of this opportunity.  Our P2P tutors are looking forward to "making a difference" by assisting you with your academic knowledge. 

College, Career and Life Readiness

Worthington Kilbourne High School builds partnership with STUDENTPATHS to enhance 

"College, Career and Life Readiness" initiatives!

Student Paths is a national program, founded by Mr. Chris Wills, whose passion is to better prepare students for their future in college, career and life readiness.  Student Paths provide supplemental classroom materials to students in classrooms throughout the nation at no cost due to post-secondary institutional sponsorship. Student Paths is working closely with a number of Ohio universities, including Mount Vernon Nazarene and Ohio Dominican, and Worthington Kilbourne is 1 of only 10 high schools (including Westerville North, Amanda Clearcreek, Clear Fork, Jonathan Alder and Bexley) in the state they are offering to entirely fund.

  

Our English and Guidance Departments will be working collaboratively with Chris Wills (starting next Fall) to be sure our students gain an awareness of all choices and options after high school.  

To learn more about STUDENTPATHS, please visit the following websites;

www.studentpaths.com and the following videos from educators and students:  www.YouTube.com/watch?v=FiyFRSxp0el

www.studentpaths.com/blainehs

www.studentpaths.com/grace

"Dream Big!"

Angie Adrean, WKHS Principal

The Worthington Education Foundation makes learning and leadership possible...Link Crew!

The Worthington Education Foundation

makes learning and leadership possible!

            Ellen Clark, Lauren Glaros and Nancy Smith, three teachers at Worthington Kilbourne High School, took the initiative to reach out to our WEF by writing a Grant for our students.  On Friday, March 22^nd we received the news that the Grant was honored for the approval of an enhanced freshmen mentor program titled, “Link Crew”.  “The Link Crew program is a yearlong orientation and transition program that helps gear up our freshmen for high school success and creates positive whole school culture and climate change.”  This program will provide Kilbourne a sustainable structure to experience success both academically and socially during the middle to high school transition.  Junior and Senior level students will be extensively trained to be positive role models, motivators and teachers who will guide the freshmen to discover what it takes to be successful in high school.   This WEF Grant will financially support one teacher advisor to attend an intense 3-day training session this Spring.  The most effective Link Crew programs work in collaboration with one another and I believe we have the perfect teacher leaders to run this dynamic program for our students at Kilbourne.  Thanks to Ellen Clark, Lauren Glaros and Nancy Smith for your commitment to our students, families and school community.  Our students are lucky to have you!

Link Crew Statistics

For over 20 years Link Crew has been making an impact at high schools across the nation; following are some examples of the many positive changes schools have experienced because of Link Crew.

Craig High School, Janesville, WI

After one year there was…

48% reduction in failing freshmen

37% reduction in freshmen referrals

Terre Haute North, Terre Haute, IN

After seven years there was a …

53% reduction in freshman tardies

26% reduction in freshman suspensions

28% reduction in freshmen Ds and Fs

52% reduction in freshman referrals

Notre Dame Academy, Toledo, OH

After four years there was a …

60% reduction in referrals

San Lorenzo Valley High School, Felton, CA

Before Link Crew:

40% of freshman did not feel safe

With Link Crew, the following year:

97% of freshmen felt safe

 Of the top 1000 high schools named in US News & World Report’s 2012 ranking, 181 have Link Crew programs, and one of those schools was ranked #8.

  "All the activities and workshops we did in high school with Link Crew are easily translated to real-life situations, not just within the classroom but also in living situations and after-school activities and in the workplace.  I just wanted to send a big THANK YOU to all of the administrators and staff involved in Link Crew (and whoever it was who nominated me to be a Link Leader) for everything you’ve done and everything you’re doing with the Link Crew.  You are truly creating leaders who will change the world.”

We are excited about this new opportunity for the Fall of 2013 and will continue to communicate more information as we grow and develop the program. 

We will continue to “Dream Big” at Worthington Kilbourne High School.

-Angie Adrean, WKHS Principal

  

WKHS Registration/Curriculum Night

Good Morning WKHS Family and Friends,

As I sit at the Tampa International Airport after a wonderful visit with Ma and Pa Adrean, I must share my thoughts....Although I had a great visit over our President's Day weekend, my expected return to WKHS yesterday ended suddenly after an immediate outbreak of food poisoning after a final "early Florida" lunch/dinner with the folks.   I call those early Florida dinner's, "Linner", a combination of lunch and dinner.  Smile!

I had to change my flight (a cost I was not prepared to pay) and return a day later thus, missing a very important evening of celebration at WKHS...Registration/Curriculum Night.  I kept in close contact with my colleagues who informed me that the evening was well-attended and quite a success.  Thanks to all of you for attending this special evening and I hope you had all of your questions answered.  Registration is an exciting time, especially for our incoming Freshmen.  Some of you may be feeling a bit anxious or maybe unsure of what to expect.  Please keep in mind, all of those feelings are normal.

This is just my second year at Kilbourne and I can't imagine being anywhere else.  Working with our teachers,counselors, staff, administration, parents, students and community gives me strength and fulfillment.  Your sense of connectedness and overall transition to Kilbourne is very important to me and our entire staff.  As you may hear me say from time to time, "No Significant Learning Takes Place without a Significant Relationship!"  These next four years of your child's education is very important to us and we are committed to assisting in the academic growth and development of your child.  For those of you who have a child(ren) currently at WKHS, you already know this to be true.  To all parents, I challenge you to stay connected with your child's teachers, view Infinite Campus weekly and call or email if you have any questions.  Students, I challenge you to get involved in athletics, intra-murals, clubs, music and/or art programs...find your PASSION and CONNECT with the something bigger than yourself...GET INVOLVED!

Again, my apologies for missing the Registration/Curriculum Night last evening.  I hope you enjoyed the program and are excited about a new school year at WKHS.

GO WOLVES and "Keep Dreaming Big!"
Angie Adrean
WKHS Principal