The ending of an A-W-E-S-O-M-E #ShadowAStudent Challenge Day!

...my Camouflage SuperWoman shoes are worn out as the day comes to an end and I realize even more how fortunate I am to work at Worthington Kilbourne High School and just as important, how fortunate our students are to learn and grow at 

Worthington Kilbourne High School.  

I'm not so sure there was actually a "winner" in Mr. Patch's History class, but I do have a better understanding of Blitzkreig.  And just in case you were not so sure either, here is a quote from Google to help you better understand; 

"A German term for “lightning war,” blitzkrieg is a military tactic designed to create disorganization among enemy forces through the use of mobile forces and locally concentrated firepower. Its successful execution results in short military campaigns, which preserves human lives and limits the expenditure of artillery."

A "Shout-Out" to Mr. Patch for giving reason to student learning, planning for different activities to promote student engagement and for modeling your own personal joy in learning.  We are so fortunate to have you as a part of our Wolf Pack.  

On to our FINAL class and one of Liam's favorite...HEALTH!

I certainly wasn't expecting to walk into a dimmed lit room with relaxing music playing, but I could not have been more pleased.  I followed Liam's lead and sat next to him on the floor while Ms. Lewis started class in a soft-spoken and calm voice.  Yes, we were preparing for a little yoga.  I am certainly not as flexible as I used to be in my younger years, but I am appreciative of Ms. Lewis and her desire to help our students understand the importance of planning a routine to always take care of yourself regardless of your age. 

As I sign off, I want to thanks Liam and all of his friends for welcoming me into their world for the day.  I am re-energized and will certainly plan to continue this practice in the future.  I appreciate the initiative set forth by School Retool and our Worthington City School District and encourage my fellow educators to take the challenge, even if you cannot make it happen this week.  

Want to learn more about your schools culture...

engage with students and you will find out!

And the "Shadow A Student" Challenge Continues...

I'm Back...

It's now 11:20 a.m. and I am starving.  I should have bought a snack at our "Wolfeteria" at the start of this class when Liam advised me to do so.  He obviously knows best!

Have to make a quick locker stop and off to Honors ELA I.  

We are now studying Romeo and Juliet and I am amazed at the energy Mrs. Hemmelgarn has for making "R & J" FUN!  The students are answering questions, asking questions, listening to the play on tape, completing guided notes, sharing personal reflections while connecting vocabulary words, completing a class storyboard and are having FUN all at the same time.  Our teachers at Worthington Kilbourne H.S. ROCK!

The bell rings and it's now time for lunch.  

Our lunch periods are a full class period (50 minutes).  This is a great time for our students because they have a few choices they can make that will best meet their needs.  Certainly, they can take the time to eat, relax and socialize with their lunch table or they may choose to receive individualized academic help from our Academic Assistants in The Teaching and Learning Center (TLC - Room 209) or they may schedule to work with one of their classroom teachers.  Much of my lunch table today chose to go to the library to work after they ate lunch.  Either way, our students appreciate this freedom to choose.  

I am now reflecting on my day in Academic Prep with Mr. Meeks.  Students are very quiet and focused on learning.  Some students are reading, others are on their laptops and a few are completing assignments.  My belly is full and I'm starting to feel a bit sluggish and this is the part of my day where I may begin to struggle. 

However...

As I begin History class with Mr. Patch, I am presented with the following task, 

"You are the commander of a European country and your orders are on your desk...read through them and strategize.  May the best commander win!" 

Looks like I will be staying alert and on-task!  

"Adios!" for now as I must begin to strategize with my classmates.

"Shadow A Student Challenge"

Follow @aadrean on Twitter to experience my "Shadow a Student Challenge" Day!

For the past 40 years, I have started every week day (and some weekends) in a school setting, but it has been a long time since I have lived "A Day In The Life Of A Student".  Today, I am taking that challenge and it's now only 9 a.m. and already I need my morning snack and my water bottle.  So while I am attempting to pay attention in Spanish class, I can only think about making it down to my office to get my almonds and water bottle and making it to Honors Physical Science on time...

A "Shout-Out" to WKHS Freshmen Student, Liam Pierce, for allowing me to shadow him for the day.  Already I am amazed at how much he has challenged himself to a rigorous schedule and course load.  My brain is already at capacity after learning from Mr. Warinner in Honors CCSS Math II, Mrs. Gerhardt in Honors Spanish II and Mrs. Chase in Honors Physical Science.  I appreciate the teachers in these first three periods because of their focus on student relationships and specific individualized feedback with their students.  All three teachers were prepared with learning activities prior to the bell and students were focused and on-task from the start to the end of the class period. Mrs. Gerhardt even continued teaching after the bell and quickly I realized that I was the only "student" standing when the bell rang, I quickly sat down and realized I am dismissed by Mrs. Gerhardt and not the bell.  (Smile!)

Since I am currently in Honors Physical Science learning about inertia and crash test safety features, I must exit by blog for now.

Do you make your own "Happiness?"

Do you make your own "Happiness?"

...A good 'Snow Day' read!

(A letter to our WKHS Family)

Good Afternoon,

I'm absolutely sure you were all wondering why I hadn't sent your Monday Message out yet.....Well, thanks to Kevin for sharing the magazine, Live Happy, we have a "Monday Message" on Tuesday.

I just read this article about Good Morning America's Anchors:  Trust Us...We Love Our Jobs!  The anchors shared their work while enduring early start times, long hours and a rigorously demanding pace. Yet, they all say there's no place they'd rather work.  Several were asked to comment on how positivity in the workplace can be infectious and here are some of their quotes;

"By the time I get from the door to my office, I've said, 'good morning' to no less than 15 people who aren't unhappy or complaining about being at work at 4 a.m. The place is humming and alive, and you can't help but be glad to be here."  

-Amy Robach

"These aren't my co-workers, they're like my brothers and sisters.  And having not just the other four people in front of the camera, but an entire team who won't let you stumble or that's there like a loving family members when you're having a bad day, make the good days al the more special." 

-Ginger Zee  

"Mutual respect" is one of the team's strongest assets."  

-George Stephanapoulos

"I'm a positive person at heart because of the example set by my mother.  She was the pied piper, and our house was always full of neighbors.  Some are drained by people, but I love being around them."  

-Robin Roberts

"I've been blue and without having to say a word, the cast and crew are there for you.  That comfort instills the utmost confidence in the people you work with every day."  

                                                           -Lara Spencer

• Do you choose to be HAPPY ?  
• What would you say about your HAPPINESS at Worthington Kilbourne High School? 
• What role do you play in HAPPINESS ?
  

"Happy people are more productive, and having a job you love - or even like - spills over into every other area of  your life."  - Gallup

THOUGHTS?

Parent Involvement Matters!

To Our Kilbourne Family, February 2016

Just one year ago, I was writing about the frigid cold weather we were having and today, the sun is out and it is suppose to be a balmy 58 degrees.  You may think differently, but I’d much rather have this sunny, warm weather than the latter.  As I stand at my new “standing desk” to write this newsletter and look out my window at the beautiful ravine and blue skies, I am reminded how fortunate I am to have the opportunity to serve as the building principal at Worthington Kilbourne High School.  An even bigger reminder occurred on Monday, January 25th when our Auditorium was packed with incoming 8th grades students and families and current 9th through 12th grade students and families for our 2016 8th Grade Transition and 9th-12th Curriculum Night.  Your genuine interest and involvement to our school adds to the positive culture and climate we all get to work and grow in each and everyday.  

This involvement was also apparent on Saturday night at The Shops at Worthington Mall for our annual 2016 Evening in Support of Excellence sponsored by our Worthington Education Foundation.  It was wonderful to see so many of you there to support our school community and honor the value we all have in building positive relationships that will ultimately impact the success of our youth.  It’s amazing to me the sustainability of our WEF after 25 years in operation and raising over $405,000 in contributions and awarding over 400 grants totaling over $310,000 to Worthington teachers and staff to fund exciting and innovative educational projects for our students.  As a school, we are fortunate to have been honored a diverse variety of these grants, including Computer for Digital Art On-Line Class, Something for Everyone at the WKHS Library:  A Multilingual Library, Digital Danger: Keeping Our Students Safe in the World of Social Media, Celebration of Black History Month, Suicide Prevention and more.  So much of what we have been able to accomplish as a school is attributed to this exact interest and involvement I have already made reference to.

Please continue to stay connected to our WKHS Family.  As many of you know, we are in the midst of Registration for the 2016-17 school year and at times, this can cause some stress on students and parents.  Please do not let this be the case.  Encourage your child to talk with his/her teachers to assist in this process and make recommendations.  Counselors and Administrators are also available to talk with both you or your child.  We are “All In This Together” and want to be sure your child’s college and career pathway is clear and free of unnecessary roadblocks.  

Continue to “Take Care of Each Other!”

#StrongerTogether

-Principal Adrean

Follow us on Twitter @WKHSWolves @wcsdistrict and @aadrean

"A Simple Phrase"

"A Simple Phrase..."

At Worthington Kilbourne High School, "taking care of each other" is more than just a simple phrase - it is a way of life!  Students, staff, and parents all work together to help those in need throughout the year, but never is this more evident than during the holiday season.  The generosity is kicked off during Thanksgiving when Worthington Presbyterian Church donates full Thanksgiving feasts for some of our families in need.  Activity Club provides ongoing backpacks of food for families that need a little extra assistance.  The WKHS boys basketball team supported the Activity Club community cares program by allowing fans to attend the season opener free of charge if they donate 3 non-perishable items.  Many staff members contribute to the Adopt-a-Child campaign that student council coordinates by donating money, meeting student contributions, providing baked goods, or other challenge goals.  This year our student council raised over $10,000.00.  One of the five hallmarks of our girls basketball program is servanthood, meaning one of the goals is to serve others. They do this in simple ways, such as a summer basketball camp at the Helping Hands Center in Clintonville.  They also have a foundation game with proceeds going towards scholarships for the HHC.  During the season, they host a Coaches v. Cancer game sponsored by the American Cancer Society.  In the game of lacrosse, the term "man-up" refers to one team having a player advantage due to an opponent's mistake or misfortune.  In the game of life, Kilbourne lacrosse players have chosen a different meaning for the term.  "Man-up" now means stepping up and taking advantage of the opportunity to "pay forward".  Kilbourne lacrosse players donate their time to various community service projects such as, Children's Hospital, the Mid-Ohio Food Bank, Read Across America Children's Book Drive, WYB, and the Dowd Center After School Program.  The WKHS girls volleyball program started their season with the Volley for the Cure.  7th through 12th grade athletes compete in the decorated gym while everyone wears the color pink.  The booster group runs a 50/50 raffle, a bake sale and a silent auction while all proceeds benefit the Komen Foundation.  This year, the event raised $6,665.20.  The WKHS gymnastics team has worked at the Christmas Cares program at St. Stephen's Community House for many years. The team volunteered on the Sunday before Christmas to help pack and organize donated good for the people in the Linden community.  Our GirlTalk Chapter made blankets for the Choice Women's Shelter.  

Knowing that holiday needs don't end when students enter high school, some high school students in need are also able to be "adopted" for gifts by staff and community members.  The WKHS staff took on the role of holiday elves and excitedly shopped for gifts to help our own wolves and were joined in that effort by the employees and customers of Park National Bank.  St. Andrew Christian Church and a compassionate group of Worthington Moms also generously adopted families with kids of various ages. 

And the list goes on and on...

Worthington is a special place to live and work and we are thankful for all of the ways that our students, staff and parents join forces to try to help make the holidays a little brighter for those in our community.

Happy Holidays from the Wolves of 

Worthington Kilbourne High School!

An Announcement of Love and Gratitude to our WKHS Family #Blessed

Good Morning Worthington Kilbourne High School,                           Tuesday, November 24, 2015

As we prepare for our Thanksgiving Break, I wanted to take just a minute to express my personal thanks to all of the people who work and volunteer to make our school a great place to learn and grow.  I truly love my work and I want you all to know that.  There is nothing better in this world than being the principal here at Worthington Kilbourne.  I have the privilege of waking up every morning with the opportunity to make a difference.  I get to spend every day talking about things that matter in the lives of our students.  I get to work with teachers, support staff, volunteers and administrators who come to school prepared to provide the best learning experiences for our students.  I get to work with the best students in central Ohio.  Our students care about their school and represent the Worthington Kilbourne Wolf with much pride and dignity.  I am thankful for creative teachers and staff members who look for ways to motivate and encourage student to take risk and keep moving forward.  We are so lucky to have the moms and dads, grandparents and aunts and uncles who support our Wolf Family each and everyday.  I could go on and on.....

I challenge each and everyone of  you to express your thanks and gratitude with friends and family this Thanksgiving Day break.  Take a deep breath and realize what an awesome life you have and let those around you know how much you appreciate and care about them.

Thank you for giving my life purpose.  Thank you for trusting me to guide you as we make our way in this world.

As I know you will, please continue "to take care of each other" out there.  Much love and gratitude to all of you.

-Principal Adrean