Ram PRIDE!

Hello Rams! The 2009-2010 school year is well under way. In fact, we are quickly approaching the end of our first session here at Desert Mirage! Last week we had parent conferences, and Homecoming is right around the corner.

This summer we received great news: Desert Mirage received a six-year term of accreditation from WASC, the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. We are fully accredited through June of 2015. We are due for a one-day revisit in 2012.

Our schoolwide collaborative self study process last year brought Desert Mirage many benefits, including a clarification of what we we want students to know, understand and be able to do. In a word: PRIDE. We articulated our expected schoolwide learning results (ESLRs), spelling out how we want all of our graduates to be

• Proficient Learners
• Responsible Citizens
• Interactive Participants
• Decisive Problem-Solvers
• Effective Communicators.

We also have homework to do for our next visit, including refining our vision and mission and aligning these with our ESLRs. As the school year continues, it is important to reintroduce or reinforce the ESLRs.

What have you and your students accomplished recently that supports the school's goals? In response to this blog, post a comment about something you're excited about. If you can, tie the success story in to one of the ESLRs (e.g., Decisive Problem-solvers who locate, analyze, and apply information).

As the year goes on, remember to keep the ESLRs visible! Thanks! Go Rams!