Dr. Smith explains the logistics behind MTSS and how it helps teachers further connect to their students. Photo by Yasir Khaleq by Tejas Chadha & Kyle Nguyen, Staff Writers
Starting this school year, Fountain Valley High School (FVHS) will be implementing new programs that will work to help Barons develop academic skills and allow teachers to connect with their students in and out of the classroom.
The most recent of these is ‘Smart Start’, a program that was designed to teach students the necessary skills in order to be successful on campus. The idea behind ‘Smart Start’ was to break the monotony of learning class expectations during the first days of school with different activities and exercises to give students the tools they need to be successful in the upcoming year.
“What it really all comes down to is, ‘What are skills that our kids need to know?’ We want them to be able to log into Canvas, access their Gmail accounts, be able to use Desmos, etc. If I’m able to use Desmos in math, I may be able to use Desmos in science,” said Dr. Morgan Smith, principal at FVHS.
In addition to ‘Smart Start’, the California Department of Education has also developed ‘Multi-Tiered System of Supports’ (MTSS), a program designed to assist students with their individual needs in regards to issues at school and/or at home.
“The idea behind MTSS is that our teachers are providing in-class resources and interventions to help students who struggle. We have a way of using data to track student performance, whether it is on Canvas, Aeries, their attendance and behavior, etc. If they can see the subtle signs of a student struggling, what are some things that they can do to help them?” said Smith.
For Smith, the 2016-2017 school year is all about building relationships with one another. As principal, Smith prides himself in being able to interact with his students and he only anticipates for the continued growth of our campus. As for the class of 2020, Smith hopes that freshmen make the most out of their high school experience with everything that FVHS has to offer.
“We have to bridge that gap between teacher and student. If you know me, I’m as goofy as it gets when it comes to being principal. If people see me being silly and doing things outside of a normal principal’s comfort zone, maybe they’ll be inspired to do the same,” said Smith.
