C2+Narrative

C2 Narrativetoc

Narrative Introduction
Below you will find Draft 1.0 of the narrative that was created by the WCEA-WASC Core Team, temporarily formatted in this Wiki. All comments and edits should be included at the **bottom of the document** below the narrative. In order to allow for continuity of the document and clarity of revisions, all focus group members should write bulleted notes below the narrative.

Category C: Support for Student Spiritual Personal and Academic Growth

C2: Student Connectedness Criterion

To What Extent... Are students connected to a system of support services, activities and opportunities within the school’s community of faith that meet the challenges of the curricular/co-curricular program in order to achieve the expected schoolwide learning results?


 * __Focus Group Findings__

In their four years at Moreau Catholic, students are supported by a variety of personnel, programs, and opportunit ies to ensure their academic success as well as their ongoning social and spiritual development.

Curricular Support Services
Students have access to a wide range of support services throughout their years at Moreau Catholic High School. Teachers are at the forefront of providing academic support through a variety of interventions including mandatory tutoring before school, after school, or during collaborations. Using technology, teachers provide additional support to students through the use of Moodle, Blogs, Skype, iChat, or online forums for additional teacher-student interaction outside of class time. Students can also utilize the services of peer tutoring through the academic support center for additional assistance with homework and class material from other successful students. Beginning in 2011, the mathematics department offered a daily "math lab" to assist identified struggling students additional support and tutoring from teachers, peers, and an online support program, CatchupMath. At the end of the first semester, students are encouraged to adequately prepare for their final exams. Cookies, Cocoa, and Cram is an annual fall event sponsored by the school’s Link Crew program that provides time and space for evening group study prior to finals week with teachers present for additional help.

In addition to their classroom duties, teachers and staff generously give their time to support students in a variety of ways through including their presence at athletic, social, spiritual and performing arts events. Teachers attend and participate in all aspects of the student retreat program, providing support and role modeling in students' spiritual development. Through outside speakers and field trip opportunities, student learning outside the classroom is fostered. In US government classes, students are exposed the inner-workings of the legal system by observing county courts in action, speaking with judges and attorneys about their roles in the criminal justice system. In visual arts courses, field trips to local museums and art exhibitions allow students to gain ideas from current and relevant artists. An opportunity to explore community garden programs gave both Catholic Social Teaching and AP Statistic students insight into the complex problems of urban food security and timely data to explore the issue and propose solutions. All of these experiences give students the opportunity to observe the world around them and think critically and creatively about the lessons learned in the classroom.

Academic Support
Beyond the level of the teacher providing the first level of support, additional layers are available to students throughout the school. The Counseling department organizes services for students based on an alphabetical assignment, grades 9 through 12. It staffed by four counselors and one secretary. Each counselor also coordinates a program to serve the the student community: Saints and Scholars program for students with documented learning differences; Career education, helping to organize periodic alumni career day presentations with the Director of Alumni Relations and Annual Giving; college & scholarship coordinator--organizing and hosting speakers/presentations from a variety of colleges and universities from around the country; and testing coordinator. All students work with the same counselor throughout their four years as well as for academic and personal support as well as for college planning. The Counseling department coordinates the California Scholarship Federation program and yearly testing of 9-11 graders using the Explore, PLAN, and PSAT tests, respectively. The department also hosts information evenings and breakfast events for parents throughout the year on college planning, student scheduling, and honors/AP course selection. The department logged approximately three thousand student visits in 2010-2011. For students with documented learning needs, the Saints and Scholars program provides additional accommodations to assist students in maximizing their success across all academic courses. The program coordinator, a member of the counseling department, works closely with teachers, the student, and family on developing self-advocacy skills and providing ongoing support throughout the school year.

In addition, all students work with and alphabetically assigned one of three Assistant Principal throughout their four years, who provide academic and personal support across all areas of the school. Beginning in the 2010-11 school year, the Assistant Principal of Student Support has been designated to specifically works and assist students who are struggling academically in line with the goals of the 2010-15 Strategic Plan goals. The AP of Student Support works closely with the International Student Program (ISP) Coordinator and the Saints and Scholars Coordinator to insure constant attention to the specific needs of our international and special needs students, in particular

Technology
Beginning in 2007, the school's one-to-one laptop program has placed technology resources directly into the hands of students for collaboration, creation, and 24/7 access to academic content. Through the use of Moodle, an open-source course management system, students have constant access to course curriculum and resources. Teachers supplement courses with media, additional resources, and notes/handouts to provide additional supports for student learning. Additional technology tools are available to ensure that all students are on track to meet the school’s expected school wide learning results. For example, through the application, Curriculum Mapper, teachers reflect on their instruction and do monthly updates to monitor that their curriculum is on pace, covers the agreed upon standard(s), content, and skills, and that student learning is meaningfully and critically assessed. All students and parents also have access to two communication/data tools that provided ongoing access to student academic progress and goals: Powerschool and Naviance Family Connection. Through Powerschool, students and parents can track academic progress through real-time access to grades and attendance. Family Connection provides an academic and college planning resource as student explore their transition from Moreau Catholic to higher education.

At the center of the school's technology support, the Library and Instructional Technology teams provide ongoing, on-demand training, research tools, curriculum guidance for both teachers and students to help insure the effective use of technology to further community wide learning. As as result of these services teachers are able to constantly improve their craft through the use of 21st Century Learning Tools. The plethora of tools and resources available to the student, teacher,and parent community is evidenced by the Libray's webpage which warehouses a variety of databases, links, tools, and resources. Through it's infusion of on-demand technology and research support, the library staff has transformed the school's library into a learning commons; providing numerous spaces for student collaboration and creation. As a result, the library has become the primary gathering place for students before, during, and after school. Through on-demand support and training, software and hardware support services are available to the entire community through the Tech Support office to ensure that student and teacher technology tools and the school’s infrastructure are functioning at optimal levels. Together, the Library and Instructional Technology Teams have created and two significant student support programs: Tech Camp and the Online Academic Integrity Tutorial. Tech Camp is a mandatory, muti-day workshop for incoming students to acclimate them with the technology tools, environment, and expectations at Moreau Catholic High School. Evolving from a simple "care and feeding" workshop centered around the hardware, the curriculum has expanded to include student-developed units on tools, appropriate use, and time/task management. In addition, the Library team was instrumental is creating a online course to address first-time violations of the schools academic integrity policy. Reframed as a learning opportunity rather than an behavioral consequence, the course provides student violators with support and knowledge to avoid future breaches of academic integrity through multi-media, examples, and student-generated content. This course was modeled on similar courses at Clemson University and the University of San Diego.

Co-curricular Opportunities
From the moment a prospective student visits the school, Moreau’s co-curricular programs are featured prominently alongside academics. In this way the school fulfills the vision of our founder Blessed Basil Moreau, the balance of educating the heart and mind. The function of social and spiritual activities in the context of the school help to form and transform students to achieve the ESLRs.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Beginning on the day of freshman orientation, the school’s Link Crew program provides year-long peer social support to 9th grade students. The program, initiated in 2003-04, trains junior and senior students as peer mentors for new students. One goal of the program in addition to providing academic support is to engage new students in the life of the school, from athletics, to clubs, to the arts. Ongoing survey and feedback garnered from new students confirms the impact of Link Crew on easing the transition and acculturating of new students to Moreau Catholic. Throughout the 9th grade year, Link Crew provided events and programming to socially connect students to their peers and provide peer-support around topics like respecting differences, managing friendships,and balancing the stresses of school.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Moreau Catholic High School boasts a comprehensive activities and athletics program. Under the leadership of the Assistant Principal of Campus Life and Associated Student Body officers, the school offers a wide array of choices of clubs, dances, and school wide activities. For 2010-11, the school offers forty-seven student-run clubs and organizations that are designated as service, cultural, social, or spiritual in nature in order to address the wide range of student interests at Moreau Catholic. A Club Fair offered at the beginning of each year provides students the opportunity to create new clubs and sign up. Opportunities for student leadership are accessible to all students and are cultivated through elected and appointed ASB and student government positions, club leadership, or through selection and involvement in either Link Crew or Campus Ministry. Currently fifteen percent of our student population is involved in this elected and selected leadership positions.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">The addition of the Co-Curricular Committee in 2011-12 will include an even greater number of students in leadership, and will provide new opportunities for students to participate actively in club and athletic activities. Additionally, student leaders are provided with multiple opportunities for growth and development throughout the year. Student government members attend a zero period leadership class twice a week, and also attend an annual three-day retreat to focus on planning for the school year. Link Crew leaders attend a two-day retreat over the summer. Campus Ministry students attend the Holy Cross Immersion program every summer. Also, every summer eight student leaders are selected to attend the Holy Cross Conference for Student Leaders in Austin, TX, where they devote five days to leadership training, community service, and sharing best leadership practices with the fifteen Holy Cross high schools around the country. School leadership continues to evaluate new ways to address student connectedness on campus. In 2010-11, speaker Keith Hawkins presented an assembly on student connectedness to the entire student body, as well as conducted a four hour leadership conference with Campus Ministry, Link Crew, and student government members. In addition, a week-long examination of bullying took place in November 2010, marked by prayer, student forums, and classroom discussions focused on anti-bullying measures.

<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">For the majority of Moreau Catholic students, the school's co-curricular programs provide critical formative opportunities in the areas of the arts and athletics. Moreau Catholic is proud of a comprehensive Visual and Performing Arts Program. The school's visual arts program provides students with experiences working with digital media, drawing, painting, and sculpture culminating in AP Studio Arts. Student work is prominently displayed around the school and is highlighted in installations in the Brother Steven Walsh Memorial Art Gallery, created in 2011. In the area of the performing arts, the school boast a four year instrumental program, a four year dance program including the only high school honors dance program approved by the University of California, a three level choral program, and a theater arts program that offers a fall play and spring musical in addition to regular course offerings. All of the visual and performing arts faculty are practicing professionals in their fields and provide students with ongoing collaborative opportunities with university programs, professional artists, and competition with other programs, state and nationwide. The school also has a vibrant and competitive athletic program that espouses a philosophy of pursuing victory with honor, teamwork, commitment, and self-discipline The Athletic Department is supported by a full-time Athletic Director and an Athletics Office Assistant who support 45 teams in 18 different men's and women's sports in across three seasons at the Varsity, Junior Varsity, and Frosh/Soph levels. The school employs over 80 coaches across all levels of competition including full-time faculty and alunmi of the school. 13 out of the 18 sports have “no cut policies” where every student who is interested in participating, has the opportunity to be on the team. Several athletic teams have retreats and socials as part of their season of sport to allow foster community building, team commitment, and unification in alignment with the schools ESLR’s. Over seventy-five percent of the Moreau Catholic student body participate in the athletic program. || <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline;">__Evidence__


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Teacher Moodle Pages
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Cookies, Cocoa, and Cram
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Academic Support Center Rosters
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Math Lab & CatchupMath use statistics
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Field Trip Request Forms


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Counseling Assignments
 * Career Day Rosters
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Saints and Scholars Program
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">AP of Student Support Job Description
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">International Student Program (ISP)


 * Curriculum Maps (Diary & Essential)
 * Tech Camp Curriculum
 * Academic Integrity Tutorial
 * Library Webpage


 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">LInk Crew Rosters
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Link Crew Curriculum
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Student Leadership Rosters
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Co-curricular Committee
 * Club Rosters
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Leadership Class Curriculum
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Campus Ministry Rosters
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Campus Ministry Curriculum
 * Holy Cross Immersion Agenda
 * VAPA Program Description
 * Band, Dance, Choir Concert Programs
 * Drama/Musical Programs
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Athletics Department Team Schedules & Rosters
 * <span style="background-color: transparent; color: #000000; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Coaching Rosters ||

**Focus Group Comments**

 * Adding Moodle as a frequently used program (Evidence and Narrative)
 * Liz: Library must be doing more than what is stated in narrative. Maybe including specific examples of how the library supports teachers, students, and parents.
 * Counseling Dept coordinates with NHS and Academic Support Center quite frequently
 * ISP student support:
 * AP of Student Support: Joe Hudelson
 * ISP Coordinator: Jessica Guidotti
 * Change in Frosh Elections (an addition to narrative). The AP for Campus Life position coordinates those elections and fosters leadership through training and community building (i.e. leadership retreats, Link Crew Training)--see above already. T
 * Appointed positions for each other class
 * This alphabetical assignment is mirrored in the structure of the AP student support
 * Diversity in Action (Evidence and Could be added to Club explanation)
 * Multiple Collaboration periods to help students experience different support services. Schedule as evidence collaboration support.
 * Discussion regarding "Football BBQ" as evidence rather than "Athletic retreats or activities"?
 * CAPS discuss issues of support
 * You can add Mark Elliot's name to the list of speakers (his visit is scheduled for January 24th
 * Should the collaboration period be listed as a support mechanism?
 * Math Lab opened in Fall of 2011 for added student support (2:45-3:30 daily)