Senior seminar replaced by new college, career readiness program

Add one more item to the list of COVID-19 impacts here.

The school board was told that the long running La Conner High senior seminar class, which featured formal student presentations before community panels, is morphing into a new program that is more technology oriented for this time of distance learning.

“This year, with COVID,” La Conner Middle & High School Counselor Lori Buher told board members at their Sept. 28 video-conferenced meeting, “adding the senior seminar class is prohibitive.”

The board agreed.

Members unanimously approved as an alternative the adoption of the wide-ranging High School & Beyond format, which will be completed by seniors during their advisory periods.

High School & Beyond will focus on skill-building topics such as resume development while also providing seniors information on individual pathways to graduation plus scholarship and financial aid options.

Rather than in-person presentations in front of multiple panelists, the High School & Beyond approach involves one-on-one virtual student interviews with community members, Buher said.

She said an advantage of High School & Beyond is its emphasis upon planning for future careers or college attendance rather than recounting past student achievements.

“We want to look forward,” Buher explained. “I’m interested in making sure every one of them is prepared.”

The virtual interviews are a key part of that process, said student representatives MacQuaid Hiller and Avery Sloniker, when called upon for input by board president Susie Gardner Deyo.

Both expressed optimism for High School & Beyond and endorsed the one-on-one remote interviews between each senior and a community member.

Buher wasn’t surprised.

“For my kids,” she recalled, “they appreciated the feedback from the community. They learned from it and grew from it.”

Buher added that the feeling has been mutual.

“There’s an element in the community,” she said, “that looks forward to the interviews.”

In related notes:

• The board unanimously approved the annual Highly Capable (HiCap) program, which fosters accelerated learning and enhanced instruction for participating students.

• Members endorsed a memorandum of understanding that clarifies how to conduct staff evaluations and other key tasks during the pandemic as students receive lessons remotely.

• The board approved a list of 2020-21 goals for interim superintendent Rich Stewart. Among those are to facilitate the process of identifying and selecting a new superintendent; work with the board to adopt a district five-year plan; and lead the effort to secure a successful levy election result.

• Member Lynette Cram was tabbed for a two-year term as the board’s legislative representative, serving as the point of contact for state lawmaking and policy updates.

• The board accepted two significant cash donations from school employees to help district students and families connect with on-line learning platforms. An anonymous donor contributed $500. Beth Clothier and Ryan Hiller gave $400.

• La Conner Middle and High School Principal Kathy Herrera introduced new secondary advanced math teacher Donna Morris, who has more than 30 years’ experience in public education. She said she is glad to be on board with La Conner Schools. “For many years,” said Morris, “I have wanted to teach at La Conner.”

*At its Oct. 12 study session the agenda includes the district’s strategic plan, policies related to race and equity and accountability goals and perhaps selection of a superintendent search consultant firm.