The Spotlight Newsletter - August 2023 - CCEA Plus - California Continuation Education Association Plus

A Monthly Newsletter From CCEA Plus | First Issue, August 2023 | Download & Share PDF Version

A Message from the Board

To Our Alt. Ed. Community,

Thank you for your hard work, sacrifice, patience, compassion, dedication and all of your tireless efforts to nurture and support the communities you serve.

This newsletter is the first of an effort from CCEA Plus to promote and bring a greater spotlight on all the wonderful and exciting news, events and programs occurring in our communities. Our aim is to promote and equip schools to excel still more in their pursuit to meet the various needs of all stakeholders. Specifically, the information within each newsletter will focus on model continuation schools across California highlighting best practices, programs and activities that focus on prevention, enrichment and intervention.

Please join us on this journey of growth and opportunity.

Sincerely,
CCEA Plus Board | Meet the Officers

Save the Dates

Upcoming Dates for Model School Applications and the MCHS Program:

August 23, 2023 — Model School Application Q&A Zoom Session (3:30 – 4:30PM PST) | Zoom Link
August 31, 2023 — Intent To Submit Due | Learn How to Apply
September 6, 2023 — Application Due | Get Application
October 6, 2023 — Northern Applications Reviewed & Rated | Apply to be a Reader
October 13, 2023 — Southern Applications Reviewed & Rated | Apply to be a Reader
October 16 – December 15 — Site Validation Visits

CDE CCEA Model School Seal (MCHS)

This Month’s Spotlight is On…

Exemplary Award Winner

In 2023, CHS was awarded for their Advisory program. A stand alone period that meets daily for 30 minutes with a structured focus. The Citrus Advisory program is the mechanism in which messaging is communicated, students are connected to an adult advocate, skills are developed, progress is monitored and interventions are identified. As of this year, Citrus staff committed to a daily Advisory period with the following scope and sequence. Mondays and Wednesdays – Improving Literacy and Student Progress Monitoring. Tuesdays – College and Career Readiness (CCR). Thursdays – Social-Emotional Learning. Fridays – Finish Strong Fridays (Advisory incentives, competitions, team-building activities, etc.). The Advisory curriculum was developed by CHS staff with support from the district to include innovative technology such as ReadTheory and Nearpod. The aim of Advisory is for each student to improve their literacy skills, learn to self-advocate, and to prepare them for college and/or career. The hallmark of CHS is that every student feels significant, encouraged, coached and connected to their Citrus family. The work at Citrus is not complete, but staff feel more than ever students are poised to be college bound and workforce ready. Watch Video

Next Steps

Citrus High School is proud to have been awarded model school status for three consecutive terms. Staff at Citrus have a growth mindset which drives them towards pursuing greatness to the benefit of the CHS community. Applying the continuous improvement model is next for Citrus as they refine and equip their Advisory program specifically in the area of college and career. CHS will implement the CCR platform Xello to further engage students to build their knowledge, skills and discover a pathway that’s aligned to their dreams and goals. Similarly, Citrus will continue to expand its partnerships with the community to connect students to life after high school.

Demographics

Location: Porterville, CA
District: Porterville Unified
District Pop: 14,300

Feeder Schools: 6
School Pop: 160 – 220
Certificated Staff: 13

Total Staff: 24
Model School Since: 2017

Tip of the Month

Citrus HS uses a variable credit system. To solve the issue of gathering real-time data, CHS teachers collaborate using their gradebooks to help monitor the progress of all students. Teachers have embedded a grading category in their Aeries gradebook titled “Credits Earned.” On a bi-weekly basis a “Progress by Student” report is generated which displays each student’s progress per class (i.e. grade, assignments completed and missed and credits earned). Each teacher’s pdf report is merged to create a schoolwide report for all staff to review. From this report student needs can be addressed and interventions mobilized.

Principal’s Message

“It is the goal of the entire Citrus High School staff that the time a student spends on our campus be rewarding and meaningful.
We are committed to serve the Citrus learning community, as we are driven to inspire, motivate, empower, and guide all students to a brighter future. Additionally, we will prepare our students with the necessary skills so they graduate from high school as self-directed, effective communicators and life-long learners in their pursuit of college or career.”

-Mr. Apolinar Marroquin

The Value of Model Schools

CCEA Plus has partnered with the CDE to implement the Model Continuation High School Recognition Program since 1990. The Continuation High School Model Recognition Program seeks to highlight continuation high schools that are innovating how they offer educational programing to students that are in danger of dropping out or failing out of high school. There are over 400 continuation high schools across the state and only 100 schools to date hold the distinction of Model Continuation High School.

The changes over the last few years have compounded the difficult work required of continuation schools, yet a school does not have to do this alone. Becoming a Model Continuation School allows your school to share best practices and opens up networks that can bring continuation schools together to increase outcomes of their students. If you do not think your school is ready to submit, consider volunteering to be a reader. Being a reader is another great way to learn about the Model Continuation School Application Process and certifies the reader to conduct Model Continuation High School visits. The school representative that participates will become acquainted with every step of the process. You can get more information about this opportunity through our website, using the link below or by reaching out to us on our Facebook page. CCEA Plus is excited to partner with you as we move forward together.