Northgate High School
Principal's Message: February 23, 2009
Dear Northgate Community,
The first semester has passed with the blink of an eye. Some students have shared with me they had a great first semester, others have shared they had some disappointments. As the new semester begins, I urge you to engage your children in the process of reflection and renewal. Reflection on what worked and what did not work in the first semester, followed by a conversation on building a sense of renewal and positive goals for the second semester.
Reflection:
Ask your student(s) what they liked about first semester in each class and what they did not like, or what they did well and what gave them difficulties. They will probably tell you, "everything was great", or, "some was great, some was not." Ask them for specifics, for instance, if they are struggling with reading or writing, the teacher needs to know. In my first couple of years teaching, I assumed the students could read the chapter in the history book as fast as I could. It was only after a parent told me in a call that her daughter took 2 hours to read a piece I assumed would take no more than 30 minutes, did I realize I needed to evaluate the work my students were assigned and adjust based on what they could or could not do. Teachers need and want to know how they can help students be successful in class. Please discuss this with your student and have them share with the teacher, or contact the teacher yourself by phone or e-mail to share with them any information that would help your child succeed. Here's a quick link to our Directory on the brand new Northgate website.
Renewal:
The great thing about the second semester is a new promise of success, or the chance to repeat a great first semester. Encourage your child to set goals, organize their time to reach them, and focus energy and discipline towards these goals. Do not forget to give them appropriate praise along the way; we all need words of encouragement from time to time. School can be a grind. Your positive support, encouragement, and partnership will help your student succeed.
Recognitions, awards, upcoming events:
- PFC Spring Fling April 4, 2009 at Walnut Creek Marriott. This is an exciting get-together with an auction to support the Northgate High School academic program.
- New classes coming to Northgate High. Advanced Placement Psychology, Advanced Placement Economics, Advanced Placement European History, Advanced Placement Chemistry Students will register for next school year's classes the first week in March. We will hold a question and answer session on Tuesday, March 3, 2009 from 6:30- 8:30PM in the Forum at Northgate High. Please come with your students if you have any questions about new class offerings, how the Advanced Placement/Honors programs work, what classes can be taken at Diablo Valley College, and much more.
- Spring Clean Up, Saturday, March 21, 2009, 9am-12noon. Please join the fun as we spruce up our school. Last fall we had nearly 500 participants -- it made a great difference in making our school a bright happy place!
- The California Music Educators Association recently recognized Northgate Instrumental Music teacher Greg Brown for lifetime achievement in music education. Our Jazz Band responded by qualifying for the internationally renowned Monterey Jazz Festival this April featuring a selection of the best high school, middle school, and collegiate groups in the nation.
- Northgate Winter Sports Excel on the field/court. As I write this, the boys and girls basketball teams, and boys and girls soccer teams, have all qualified for North Coast Section playoffs. On the field, court and classrooms, our students excel daily at high levels, you should be extremely proud of our children. I look forward to seeing you at our upcoming playoff games.
The students and teachers at Northgate continue to do great things every day. If you have any questions or issues regarding our school, please do not hesitate to contact me. Thank you for all your support!
John McMorris
Principal - Northgate High School
mcmorrisj@mdusd.k12.ca.us