Our mission is to ensure that ALL students, and most especially the least served students who are in the middle
- will succeed in rigorous curriculum;
- will complete a rigorous college preparatory path;
- will enter mainstream activities of the school;
- will increase their enrollment in four-year colleges; and
- will become educated and responsible participants and leaders in a democratic society.
The focus on AVID is on college preparedness. Students are enrolled in rigorous classes and are required to keep and carry an AVID binder. The writing process, Socratic questioning, collaborative planning, and reading, referred to in our classes as WIC-R, are the core strategies of the AVID program. They are to keep track of their assignments from all classes in this binder and are required to take Cornell notes in their classes. In addition to Cornell notes, students will keep weekly learning logs. Binders are checked periodically and are worth 50% of the student’s AVID grade. Parents will be notified regularly of each student’s progress.
An experienced tutor is present with students in the AVID elective class. Our tutor, Mr. Sotoamaya, is trained to guide students toward finding answers through higher level questioning activities. He also shadows our students in their core classes to help each one achieve success in rigorous classes. It is important that each student participate fully in the activities of the AVID elective class.
Each of the core classes also has an AVID teacher who has been trained in AVID strategies. Our AVID teachers are Mr. Fatokun,
Mr. Ulf, Ms. Aregelo-Fat, and Mr. Blackmon. Ms. Garrett serves on the team as the administrator, as does Ms. Harrell, from Guidance. Our parent liaison, Mrs. Burgos, is also available to you whenever you require additional program support.
Parents are encouraged to participate in the activities that take place at school, such as Family Workshops. Throughout the coming months we will notify you about these activities. Support your children and help them reach success in middle school and prepare for high school and college.
I look forward to working with each of you this year.
Georgianne Brickner, AVID Elective Teacher