October 2011

The first quarter has come to a close so parents can expect to see report cards arriving in the mail in the next week. So far the year has gone very well with student spirit at a very high level. This can be attributed to our spirit week that ended with a victory over El Molino in the Apple Bowl.
This year we are also working hard on our Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC) accreditation that we need to complete every 6 years. Parents and students will hear that acronym frequently this year as we continue to find out where we excel and where we need to develop in our self study.

August 22

We are starting Day 4 of the school year and all indications how it will be a great school year.   Students and staff have shared the same enthusiasm for being back on campus.   I have attached an article that was in the Press Democrat on Sunday about our Newsweek designation as a Top 500 school.  I believe my job is one of the best a person could have in working with such great students, staff, and community.  Much to be thankful for at Analy.

http://sebastopol.towns.pressdemocrat.com/2011/08/news/at-analys-helm/.

GO TIGERS!

February 22

School has resumed from the five day winter break. Student activities on campus are the focus this week for much of the student body. On Saturday night, we will host the Turnabout Dance from 8-11 in the main gym. Tickets are on sale now until the end of the week.
Much of the buzz on campus centers around our basketball teams. Our girls host a first round game on Tuesday night and with a win can join the boys in an exciting doubleheader on Friday night for NCS playoffs in the main gym. Congratulations to both teams on their successful seasons entering the NCS playoffs.
Go Tigers!

February Blog Update

After a hiatus, the principal’s blog has returned. I will try and have weekly updates of events and notifications that might be of interest to parents and students.
Our ASB is hosting a blood drive on Friday and is looking for some additional donors to help. See Ms. Apkarian in her office or room 4 for details.
West Sonoma County Board Meeting in the Analy Library on Wednesday night at 6:00.
Boys and Girls Basketball wrap up league play. The girls are on an incredible win streak of 16 games and have clinched the SCL championship. The boys are currently in second and should receive a high seed in the NCS playoffs. Girls host Elmo on Tuesday and boys host Windsor on Friday.
Staff is beginning to prepare for our WASC visit next year. I would like to thank Walt Hays for being our WASC chairperson. This behind the scenes coordination takes in an incredible amount of organization and time; he certainly can rise to this task!
GO TIGERS!

June 1

Finals week is here!  Thursday is final day of school which means graduation for the Class of 2010.    The Ceremony will take place on Karlson field at 6:30 by ticket admission only.  We are very proud of the accomplishments of our graduates and look forward to celebrating with them on Thursday evening.

The school will remain open through the end of June and close for the month of July.  The offices will reopen on August 1 in preparation for the 2010-2011 school year.  Registration day is scheduled for Tuesday, August 10 and school opens on Wednesday, August 18.

Have  a great summer and we are looking forward to a great year ahead!

GO TIGERS!

April 12

After a restful spring break, we are beginning our STAR/CST testing this week on Tuesday and Wednesday.  The testing will continue next week on Tuesday and Wednesday as well.  These tests are critical for our annual Academic Performance Index (API) score.  Analy has always performed well on these exams and I am hoping to exceed our score of 813 from last year.  We are providing snacks for the students at the designated break times to keep them energized.

I had a discussion with a parent about the role of a principal in a high school.  I thought it might be interesting to share my thoughts with this person to the general public about what my goal is as the instructional leader of this campus.  First and foremost, I want students to be challenged to perform at high levels and to reach goals they set for themselves.  A principal supports teachers and students in their relationship to attain the necessary knowledge to achieve in each course.  A goal I have set for myself is to know each and every student on a first name basis which is a constant work in progress with 1200 students.  I feel that my relationships with individual students can not only impact their success at school but in the overall positive school climate.  I started in education to help young people as a teacher and feel that I can continue to do so as their principal.  I would hope that students find me visible and approachable enough on campus to come up and say “Hi” at any time.  Of course, there are many other things that make a principal effective but those are some of the things I believe in on a daily practice.

Please feel free to let me know what you think or believe in response….

GO TIGERS!

March 24

The production of the Wedding Singer enters its final weekend so we hope you can make time to see our student performers shine.  I have heard nothing but stellar reviews and can’t wait to see the show on Friday night.

The California Standards Test will be administered after our spring break On April 13, 14, 20, and 21.  I will be making a special visit to each English class to discuss the importance of the tests for the students and school next week before Spring Break.

More information to follow next week,

GO TIGERS!

CH

March 8

It was a very exciting week on campus as we hosted two NCS basketball playoff games on Tuesday, one for the boys and one for the girls.  The boys advanced to host another game vs. Miramonte on Thursday but unfortunately lost in overtime.  The good news is that they qualified for the NorCal tournament and will travel to Center High in east Sacramento on Tuesday @ 7:00 p.m.  Let’s hope being an underdog #11 seed will change our fortunes like it did last year.  Good luck and congratulations to both teams on excellent years.

The Education Foundation’s Appetite for Education will be held this Saturday from 2-5 at the French Garden.  Tickets are still available for $50 and we are hoping to have a sold event to support Analy educational goals.

The Turnabout dance will be held on Saturday night in the Big Gym from 8-11.  Please consult the website for additional information.

Tiger Pause will be held Friday morning at 7:30 a.m. in my office so come by and stop in to discuss current issues in education.

On the horizon, we will have a staff development early release day on Thursday, March 18.  Our focus is the continued use and implementation of technology in instructional practices.

Go Tigers!

Chris Heller  cheller.ahs@wscuhsd.k12.ca.us

February 22

After a restful week off, we return to school for a good stretch in March of instruction leading up to the California Standards Test (CST) and Advanced Placement tests.  These exams are a culmination of the efforts of the students and teachers and we use this data to determine the strengths of programs and curriculum used.  We encourage every student to perform at their highest level on any exam they are taking while in school because any assessment of knowledge matters.

The end of the month also marks the start of the North Coast Section basketball playoffs.  We are extremely proud of both the girls and boys teams as they were Sonoma County League champions and earned the right to host playoff games on Tuesday night.  The girls play at 6:30 and the boys tip off is 8:00- doors open at 5:00 and we do anticipate a sold out crowd so please plan on arriving for both games.

We are hosting two incoming family school tours on March 1 and March 8 at 9:00 in our library.  If you know someone who is interested in Analy, please have them call Denise at 824-2319 to reserve a spot as space will be limited and is already filling fast.

Finally, our AHS Foundation is hosting a fantastic fundraiser for our school called “Appetite for Education” on Saturday, March 13 from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. at the French Garden.  This event is vital to the continued support and success of mnay Analy programs and I would love to see everyone there to enjoy some music, appetizers, and Analy fellowship.  Please visit www.appetiteforeducation.org for more information.

Parents and students may hear many rumors and projections about what the state budget shortfall means for Analy next year.  I invite you to attend our next Board meeting tomorrow night at 6:30 in the El Molino library and March 10 in the Analy library to learn what is exactly taking place in decision making for next year.  It is an ongoing process and I will write more in this blog as things are finalized and information is accurate.

Good luck to the Tigers in the playoffs-

Chris  (cheller.ahs@wscuhsd.k12.ca.us)

February 8

Analy Basketball teams continue to excel as of Monday morning and enter the final week of league play.  Both teams are in first place and looking to improve their status for NCS playoff seeding.  Although the girls have played their final regular season home games, the boys are at home twice this week on Tuesday vs. Windsor and Thursday vs. Petaluma.

ASB will be hosting their second blood drive this year on Friday in the small gym.  If you plan on participating, please have all necessary forms filled out in advance.

We will also be observing our annual ski week vacation beginning February 15.  School will resume with a normal Monday schedule on February 22.

Enjoy the vacation to rest up for the rest of the second semester.

GO TIGERS!