Creating a culture of success and positivity within our AVID program that pours into our campus was a goal of ours that, after consistent feedback from teachers and students, we felt needed a facelift. With consistent communication and celebrations we have been able to achieve just that.

We as a site team wanted to integrate regular and open communication channels where students, teachers, and administrators can share ideas, provide feedback, and address concerns effectively. Celebrations play a crucial role in recognizing achievements, milestones, and improvements, fostering a sense of pride, motivation, and belonging among participants.

We have had opportunities to look at ways to enhance the perspective of AVID through intentionally reviewing our consistent implementation, engagement, and perceptions of effectiveness. This recalibration has resulted in a higher degree of a culture of success, inclusivity, and high expectations solidifying Haltom’s culture of commencement. By focusing on creating a culture of success, inclusivity, and high expectations, AVID at HHS has been able to turn around its reputation.

With such a large staff/campus one of the ways we implemented this was through the use of SMORE newsletters. We purchased an account that gave us access to unlimited newsletter creations. This allowed us to send out monthly AVID updates to our staff. This also allowed us to celebrate and update our students and staff on all of the GREAT things happening with AVID on our campus.

Please click on the links below to view a few of our favorite newsletters and learn more about Haltom high (aka Buff Nation)

We wanted to celebrate ALL teachers for the amazing job they have done this year using various WICOR strategies in their classes. Taste of AVID was the BEST way for us to do just that.

1. Teachers submitted artifacts using our google form (sent out to all staff in our AVID newsletter as well as campus calendar).

2. Our AVID site team sorted each artifact by department, printed out the submissions and placed them in department labeled folders.

3. AVID elective classes collaborated and chose the top 3 artifacts from each department (using a google form they ranked the top 3, explained the strategy and included WHY they chose them)

4. Our site team created certificates for the "chosen ones" we also enlarged the artifact to be poster sized.

5. The Taste of AVID celebrations were treated as a gallery walk where AVID scholars took teachers, PLC's and administrators on an artifact tour where they explained each strategy as it was used, how it benefitted students and the purpose of the strategy.

Our AVID Site team wanted to spotlight all the great strategies happening at HHS. On Wednesdays we will randomly popped in classes to collect data on schoolwide AVID strategies being used. If there is a Wednesday where teachers were implementing a strategy and would like for us to stop by they would send in a calendar invite. Teachers also received a copy of the WICOR walk form ahead of time in our AVID newsletter and in their teacher mail box.