RIGOR WITH REDEMPTION
Cultivating Student Ownership, Engagement in Learning THE HIGH SCHOOL YEARS ARE AN opportunity for students to develop habits and mindsets that can support and enrich their learning in college and beyond. That’s why Saint Mary’s, under the leadership of Principal Pete Imperial, has retooled its assessment and grading practices to encourage reflection and growth. It’s an approach Imperial describes as “rigor with redemption” and it’s creating new opportunities for
students to take charge of their own learning. “Humans don’t always get it right the first time,” says Imperial. “We wanted to develop a system of assessment that preferences hard work and gives students the opportunity to demonstrate and get credit for growth.” What that philosophy means in practice is that students can retake any major test in an attempt to improve. But, says Jenny Peters, Saint Mary’s Dean of Academics, “it’s not
about earning an A or ‘chasing the grade.’ It’s about supporting student learning.” Reflection is an important part of that process, she adds, because it provides students with the opportunity to think about what they’ve learned and to explore the link between their habits and their mastery of a topic or skill. >> Continued on Page 2
Freshman students explore the themes of trust and respect in a small group activity.
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Jovan Kitchen speaks to his classmates about his senior project.
Cherisse Payne, AP Math teacher and Director of Admissions, works on math problems and strategies with her students.
“We want to develop a system of assessment that preferences hard work and gives students the opportunity to demonstrate and get credit for growth.” -- Principal Pete Imperial
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In addition to writing a self-assessment in each class at mid-term, students regularly are asked to write reflections before or after significant assignments. Before a request for a retest is approved, students are also asked to reflect on their performance and to articulate where they struggled and why. That reflection, together with additional study and support before the retest, is critical to students’ mastery of new content or skills. “We are beginning to see how the reflective practices are impacting student performance,” says Peters. Additionally, teachers assign students a “Habits of Scholarship” mark every six weeks throughout a term. This grade, which reflects the process by which students learn -- effort, conduct, responsibility, punctuality, and behavior -- is designed to provide students and their parents with valuable information about contributors or impediments to learning. Habits of Learning marks are not reported on transcripts, but they do have an impact on the courses students are able to take. Students must meet or exceed Habits of Learning standards in every class to be eligible for honors and AP courses. As Saint Mary’s has incorporated reflective practices for students, it has also created more time and opportunity for teachers to reflect and learn together. Late school start times every Monday and Friday contribute to student health and well-being and also
provide valuable professional development and common planning time for teachers. An additional late start time on the fourth Wednesday of every month allows time for departments to meet, such as to develop common assessments and rubrics. In March, teachers participated in a day-long seminar on using data to inform instruction and developing balanced assessments. The session was led by Ted Lindquist from the PowerSchool organization. New this year is the addition of teacher-led trainings during the morning professional development time on unique or innovative practices. “It’s a great opportunity for teachers to learn from and with each other,” says Peters. Sessions this year have included workshops on providing effective feedback to students and using the Google suite of products. “We are asking students to slow down and reflect and it’s important that we do that as a faculty as well,” says Imperial. Doing School Differently New approaches to assessments and grading, regular opportunities for reflection, and integrated professional development for teachers are all part of what Imperial describes as “doing school differently. “The purpose of education isn’t a grade. It’s to learn,” he adds. “We’re developing our practices and structuring our time to reflect and support that purpose.”
Parents Step Up to Volunteer at Saint Mary’s
Director of Guidance Counseling Andrea Panlilio and parent volunteers provide cookies, fruit, and tea during Wellness Week, which takes place at the end of each term.
A PROMINENT FEATURE ON SAINT Mary’s web site is making it easy for parents to volunteer their time and talents in support of school activities and programs. With just a few mouse clicks from the homepage, parents can review volunteer opportunities -- ranging from event setup and clean-up to donations of food and other items -- and sign up for the dates and activities that work for their schedule. The one-stop resource for volunteers is the brainchild of Vice President Lawrence Puck
and three super volunteers and parents, Carla Lieske, Jenny Miller, and Kari Gaspardone. The women met with Puck in the summer of 2016 to discuss the advantages of introducing a web-based volunteer tool and then set to work putting the plan into action. Miller manages the technology, while Lieske manages communications. The two became friends while their children were students at Prospect Sierra and were both looking for ways to deepen their involvement at Saint Mary’s.
Parent volunteers played an integral role in making this year’s Crab Feed and Silent Auction a big success.
“We have such a warm community,” says Lieske. “People want to be part of it. They just needed an easy and organized way to volunteer.” Indeed, more than 200 parent volunteers have stepped up to fill the “volunteer opportunities,” as Miller calls them. The “opportunities” run the gamut -- from bringing treats for students on days of celebration to donating a jump rope for Spirit Week fun or coordinating an event for faculty and staff. “We hear from parents all the time how much they want to support the students and faculty,” says Miller, noting that the variety of events, including evening and weekend activities, makes it possible for everyone to find a volunteer opportunity that matches their work and life schedule. “It’s magic!” says Puck of the web tool and the response of parent volunteers. “Volunteering at Saint Mary’s has more than quadrupled this year,” he adds. “There is new excitement and energy on campus and a spirit of volunteerism that’s perfectly aligned with Saint Mary’s Mission.” As the school year winds down, Lieske and Miller are already planning for the upcoming school year and are tweaking the system to better serve the school’s activities and programs. Next up on Puck’s wish list: A similar system that supports alumni volunteers.
Parents help serve refreshments to students. GOOD NEWS FROM PERALTA PARK
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6 Crab feed guests Olivia Lang, Diana Biondo, Michael Ward, Missy Park, Lisa and Scott Raffel-Smith, Dave and Jenny Miller, and Dana Tillson join their student server in a bit of fun as Miller savors the last piece of crab before calling it a night.
0 An annual tradition: Members of the class of â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;07 and their guests joined other young alumni at the Crab Feed. Pictured here: Back row, left to right: Patrick Harrington, Jill Wicher, Ben Lamb, Chris Donnelley, Kevin Young, Kurt Schlueter, Anoushka Daska-Coyle, Jessica Kershner, and Ben Zorn; front row, left to right: Alphonso Taylor, Jeremy Allen, Scottie Meinke, Claire Zukin, Eric Flounders, and Darrina Willis.
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1 Parents Carla
3 Jonathan York, son of
Lieski and Latondra Goode admire the “Panther Quilt” made by alumni parent Jane Drummond-Mullarkey.
Brent York ’79, joined with the Jazz Band in entertaining guests at the Silent Auction.
Fun and Fellowship at the Annual Crab Feed SAINT MARY’S ANNUAL CRAB FEED HAS BEEN A PART OF THE school’s culture and tradition since the 1970’s. Each year, on the first Saturday in February, parents, alumni, families, and friends gather at Peralta Park to enjoy an evening of friendship, fun, and -- of course -- good food. Before dinner begins, guests have an opportunity to bid on items at the silent auction, the proceeds from which benefit tuition assistance. This year, as in previous years, donated auction items ranged from homemade desserts, to gift certificates at area restaurants, tickets to athletic events, and more. A particularly popular item this year was preferred seating at graduation. Instrumental to the success of this year’s Crab Feed and Silent Auction were the more than 90 current and alumni parents who generously volunteered their time for the event. A special thank you to Beth Fisher, Nancy Torres, Linda Safir, Sharon Wicher, Peter Boero, and Abby Brown and all who supported and attended the event.
0 Olistide Voltaire ’11,
Emily Vann ’11, and Francisco Torres ’11 volunteer to help sell raffle tickets at the Crab Feed.
6 John and Janice Maxie Reid have attended the Crab Feed with John’s mother since the 1970’s.
1 Alums Mike Tomas ’78, David White ’81, Tom Rauch ’81, Bill Rauch ’79, Karel Gray ’79, and David Velez ’81 enjoy gathering each year at the Crab Feed.
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Enrichment Week 0 A tour through the South began at the National Civil Rights Museum at the Lorraine Motel, where Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was assassinated. Students traveled through the Mississippi Delta and completed the trip in New Orleans, learning about jazz and the blues and sampling Southern cuisine along the way.
0 In their tour of East Coast schools and sites, students stop for a tour of Harvard University.
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AN IMPORTANT PART OF SAINT MARY’S MISSION IS TO BUILD community and educate the whole person by promoting the intellectual, spiritual, physical, and social development of each student. During Enrichment Week, students chose from among more than 50 courses developed by the faculty that included a mix of academic, travel, career exploration, cultural, and recreational classes.
0 Saint Mary’s students
2 “Giddy Up” is a popular
volunteered to be cabin leaders at Walden West, an outdoor education program for fifth and sixth graders.
Enrichment Week course that provides students the opportunity to work with special needs children at a local therapeutic equestrian center, the Center for Early Intervention on Deafness.
1 Students who participated in the course, “Oregon Adventure: Ashland and Beyond,” enjoyed a day trip to the University of Oregon in Eugene.
2 During their five days in culinary school, students learned the techniques, tricks, and tips needed to create their own delicious dishes from scratch, just like professional chefs.
0 Students were “jumping for joy” before they started their bike trip across the Golden Gate Bridge as part of the course, “Around the World in Five Days.” The course, “Celebration of Bay Area Culture,” gave students the opportunity to experience the cultural diversity that connects our region with the world.
2 The immersion experience in Haiti provided Saint Mary’s students the opportunity to bear witness to the joys and struggles of the Haitian people and to connect with the young children in the communities they visited.
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Thank you alumni, parents, and friends of Saint Mary’s for sharing your skills, talents, and expertise with our seniors and juniors.
Michael McCree ’10 shares his educational and career journey during the “Meet and Greet” Session. 8
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Amanda Howard ’06 shares advice about important job skills.
Immanuel Asuncion ’94 talks with a student about careers in medicine.a
out
Saint Mary’s parent Christina Anders is one of many parents who volunteered to share their career knowledge and experiences with our students.
Alex Young ’09 shares his insights with students.
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Alumni and Parents Share Their Educational and Career Choices CAREER DAY IS AN OPPORTUNITY for our seniors and juniors to learn about the educational and career paths of many of our alumni and parents. Following a “Meet and Greet” session, the students selected two career presentations to attend representing a broad cross-section of fields and interests. Some of the options included technology, law, medicine, public service,
engineering and science, marketing, finance and investing, and business. There was also a session dedicated to helping students sharpen their job search skills. Before the start of the program, Vice President Lawrence Puck ’78 encouraged the students to seize the opportunity to meet and learn from the assembled professionals: “Seniors and juniors, you have 40
minutes for the ‘Meet and Greet’ session. I want you to introduce yourself to at least three of the alumni and parents present and ask them two questions regarding their educational and career journey. Take a risk! Shake someone’s hand and learn more about their professional decisions.”
Parent DeWayne Walton presenting to students.
Alumni participants in Career Day enjoy a good conversation and lunch. First row, left to right: Jay lawson ’81, David Topete ’91, Eric Munson ’85, Jim Wood ’66, and Br. Edmond ’66. Second row, left to right: Sam Elliott ’10, Ray Valero ’91, Vince Cortese ’95, Chris Alfert ’02, and John Kuhns ’03. GOOD NEWS FROM PERALTA PARK
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2 Class of ’52
The Class of ’52 and friends gather in December for their annual lunch. Saint Mary’s is grateful for their many years of loyal support.
3 Class of ’06
The Class of ’06 celebrates its 10-year reunion with guests Brother Kenneth, Craig Sutphin, Jeff Rogers, and Joe Palladino.
4 San Francisco Food Bank
Service and care for others is one of the focal points of Lasallian Days. Students and teachers spent the day working with the San Francisco - Marin Food Bank.
2 Women’s
Basketball
Congratulations to the women’s basketball team for making it to the CIF - Regional Finals Nor-Cal Division III Championship!
2 Panthers! Saint Mary’s students cheer on the women’s basketball team.
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Campus News
3 Precious Gift
On February 16, a dozen students and Saint Mary’s Mom, Julia Lojo, gave the precious gift of their hair to the Pantene Beautiful Lengths program. Stylist Kayla Headley and her colleagues made the trip from Napa again this year to volunteer their time and talents to the cause.
3 Christmas
Concert
The dance performances were among the many highlights at the Saint Mary’s Christmas Concert, which also included instrumental and choral performances and a sing-a-long.
1 High School Musical
Congratulations to Antone Olivier ’70 and the Saint Mary’s cast and crew for their wonderful production of Disney’s High School Musical.
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Saint Mary’s College High School 1294 Albina Avenue Peralta Park Berkeley, CA 94706-2599
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We appreciate your prayers and support of the important work of Saint Mary’s College High School. We continue to keep all of you in our thoughts and prayers.
Saint John Baptist de La Salle, pray for us. Live Jesus in our hearts, forever!