12-17-2010 (4.17 MB)

Duration: 4:32 m

Gifts for the Future

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• Not all gifts come in packages, wrapped and tied with a bow. While my children are pining for the day Santa comes down the chimney and makes his midnight deliveries for Christmas morning, their Advent calendar teaches and reinforces the concept of patience. Those of us who work in public education are accustomed to this notion of gifts unknown. It’s the nature of our work. Often, we do not see the immediate results of our efforts; our influence is viewed many years later through a rear-view mirror. Research on the importance of meaningful adult relationships in the lives of students and its impact on student achievement is unequivocal. If we believe, they achieve.

• I recently received an e-mail from Jody ViDelco, principal at McLoughlin Middle School. At the time, she probably didn’t realize that she was sending me a “gift.” She was forwarding a rap written by one of her 8^th grade students. But before we unwrap this gift, let me provide some context. As you may know, one of the district’s student learning key performance indicators focuses on the percentage of 7^th- and 8^th-grade students enrolled in AVID—Advancement Via Individual Determination—a nationally recognized program connected to the College Board. AVID is designed to equip students (many first-generation college-bound and underrepresented students) with the knowledge, skills, and habits for more rigorous coursework in high school and college.

And our results?

• Over the past three years, the number of VPS 7^th- and 8^th-grade students enrolled in AVID has grown from 25 students to nearly 275 students, an eleven-fold increase.


• Over the past three years, the number of AVID middle schools has grown from one to four.


• Last year, all 6^th-grade teachers district wide and 5^th-grade teachers in Opportunity Zone elementary schools received AVID Student Success training designed to scaffold common teaching and learning strategies for students, including the use of Cornell notes and WICOR (writing, inquiry, collaboration, organization and reading).


• And, the percentage of high school students enrolled in Pre-Advanced Placement/International Baccalaureate and AP/IB courses has increased from 3% to 45% in the past decade.



Of course, we can look to the hard data and see progress. But I think it’s more powerfully illustrated in Alejandro’s voice.

AVID
By Alejandro Beltran

• Everyone has a seed inside,
  Everyone has the opportunity to shine,
  Whether it’s tomorrow or in 60 years,
  You can bet I’ll be ready,
  ‘Cuz I’m learning my values now as a person,
  And working steady.

  For all my life and every day I’m alive,
  I’mma keep on pushing, Nobody can stop my drive,
  Through blood sweat and tears,
  I will persevere,
  Ride all night like Paul Revere.

  Keep my people at heart,
  Showing sympathy and compassion,
  Harriet Tubman inspired my actions,
  Believe me I learn and try my best,
  “Control what I can control; influence what I can
  influence; and forget the rest.”

  Believe me scholars, we can learn from the least expected,
  Me, you, Democrats, Republicans,
  But we gotta stay connected.

  And now as I return to the beginning with my seed,
  AVID will let that seed grow,
  And show you how to succeed,
  It’ll show you who you are as a person,
  Show you how to grasp these talents,
  Show you your genes,
  And tell you what they mean.

  Everybody has a face and a soul,
  I’m an Advanced Via Individual,
  Determined to achieving my every goal.

  
  

  Soulful work indeed. Hope, confidence, and the skills to achieve. Sounds as if our AVID staff are delivering these gifts daily. And for that, I am most grateful.

  I wish the happiest of holidays to you and your family. Take time to relax, renew, and reconnect.

  
  Take care,