FHUHS Administration

With school budgets, educational direction and the future of our schools all topics seen on the front page of the news both locally and nationally, I wanted to share my Fair Haven Town Principal’s Report with the greater community to give a synopsis of Fair Haven Union High School’s vision for long-term educational excellence. As my report does not appear in most community reports, I am using my Principal’s Newsletter space for sharing those ideas. As I welcome your feedback and any questions you may have, I may be contacted at bblanchard@fhuhs.org or 265-4966, ext. 203.

FAIR HAVEN UNION HIGH SCHOOL

PRINCIPAL’S REPORT
2008-2009

We continue at Fair Haven Union High School (FHUHS) to remain focused on improving student performance through a variety of initiatives. Using data to drive our efforts, the entire faculty and staff continually examine what we are doing currently, while keeping our overall long-term vision in mind. We are committed to providing our students the necessary skills and knowledge needed to excel in an ever increasingly connected world.

To better examine our initiatives, in order to improve student performance, we have been focusing on data collection and analysis. Currently, we have charted and analyzed an amazing amount of useful data, including the ACTs, grades of all freshmen and sophomores, Stanford Achievement Test (SAT), Achievement and Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) results, New England Common Assessment Program (NECAP) testing, SAT 9, graduation rates, school continuance percentage s, class breakdowns, AP scores, etc. Students taking the ACT scores (which may be the most commonly accepted college entrance exam) earned a composite score of 22.1, well above the national average of 20.6. The first NECAP Science results had us statistically even with the state average and nearly half of our AP students earned scores entitling them to college credit. I am proud of the work of the faculty and staff and once again greatly impressed with all the positive learning opportunities they provide both in and out of the classroom.

To facilitate the necessary educational discourse, the entire faculty participates in consistent and focused weekly meetings. One outcome of these has been the Program of Studies for 2009-10. The faculty has spent before and after school time creating a course of studies that offers a wide range of classes in all departments. For a Vermont school with 500+ students, our program of studies is second to none. FHUHS has traditional, honors and Advanced Placement courses in every department. By the end of this school year, every faculty member will have completed curriculum mapping for most of his/her courses. This mapping enables teachers to continually assess what students are learning and make adjustments for improvement. We are excited with having one more source from which to self-assess and make informed decisions.

We continue to work to meet the wide range of student needs while remaining sensitive to our fiscal responsibility. One position that we are confident will better meet the needs of some of our students while reducing cost over the long run is the Fair Haven Union High School Learning Annex Director. The Learning Annex Director will be responsible for managing, coordinating and overseeing the varied educational needs of the students of the Fair Haven Union High School’s newly created Learning Annex Education Program. Along with planning and developing academic programs, this person will help place students in appropriate internships, work sites or volunteer opportunities. Additionally, this position will continue to build upon and maintain student and school relationships with the greater community. Cost savings will arise from a reduction of tutorial costs, outside placement tuition, improved graduation rates and increased learning opportunities using our community resources. The new Learning Annex will be an extension of Fair Haven Union High School that consolidates, and puts to better use, those resources in order to better meet student needs. I am confident with consolidation and better management of our valuable resources, an overall cost reduction will be had.

The latest data from the state using the YRBS showing substance use/abuse trends indicates that Fair Haven Union High School has shown the most significant improvement of any high school in the county. Although school programs have had a positive impact, much of the credit needs to go to a community wide effort to assist our students with making healthy choices. We are proud to offer substance use education to all our students, over 30 extracurricular opportunities (which continue to expand each year), clinicians and a positive school environment that we constantly seek to improve.

Fair Haven Union High School has been working hard to be open to our parents and extended communities. Our website, http://fhuhs.org, is updated daily and includes teacher contact information, daily announcements, extracurricular schedules, weekly principal’s newsletter and a host of other information. A group of teachers are currently piloting Edline, which allows students and parents direct online access to their grades, course assignments and other personal school information. We plan to make all grades/progress reports available online during the 2009-10 school year. We welcome your participation in our school and encourage those willing to become involved to contact the school.

Sincerely,

Brett C. Blanchard, Fair Haven Union High School Principal