Start Strong: Tips for a Successful Semester

In this episode of Visalia Unified Voices, we’re sharing expert advice to help students maintain their momentum and finish the semester strong. We sit down with Alan (VAPA) to discuss the importance of staying engaged in the arts, Breanne (Academics) to highlight key study habits for success, and Michele (ELOP) to explore after-school opportunities.. Tune in for practical tips that align with our VUSD Forward priorities—Get Involved, Spread Kindness, Always Learning, and Take Responsibility!

Transcript

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Hello, and welcome to season two of Visalia Unified Voices. Where you can listen to stories, learn about innovative programs and the future of learning in our district and beyond. For the 24-25 school year, we launched Visalia Forward, a student led campaign focused on getting involved. Spreading kindness, always learning and taking responsibility. In this episode, it district leaders give the best advice for engaging with and keeping your student on track for the spring semester. Hey, Alan. How's it going? Hey, Christina. It's going great. I'm glad to be here today. awesome. Well, tell us a little bit about, you know, what your title is and what you do for the district. officially I'm the director of visual performing arts for the district, which means I oversee five different content areas all the way from TK through senior year of high school. Those five domains are, of course, your visual art, but your media art, more photography, graphic design. But we get into the theater world, drama world, as well as music and all of our dance programs. That sounds like a big, big, big job. It's a fun, fun job. Oh that's great. And so today we're talking a little bit about how we can continue to engage our students throughout the second semester. Make sure that they continue with that momentum that they built up from the beginning of the school year, but also the beginning of this semester, right. And keeping them motivated. Can you tell me a little bit about how being involved in VAPA helps students academically? Yeah, what a great question. We first of all believe there's inherent value in what we do. And even in our in our mission statement that we've created is that VUSD, VAPA exists to connect kids to their school community. And first and foremost, that's what it is. So even if they're doing something that is in solitude or in solo like, like maybe a painting or a dance by themselves, the great thing is, is that it connects them to their peers, to caring, trusted adults and staff and teachers and a broader community. So what we do is all about connection. That's amazing. we've actually even put that as part of our yearly campaign, right, to get involved, because it does connect students back to the school campus. How could they continue to stay motivated throughout the rest of this semester? would say because we are the creative types are the hyper emotional, the big ups and the downs, of course. So we have to stay grounded. And I think some of the ways we do that is first of all, we focus on community and we focus on realizing that we belong to something bigger than ourselves. So on those days, we don't feel like showing up or getting out of bed. We know that there's a team depending on us doing that, and that that call to a greater good and a greater purpose is is encouraging, even in the dark moments. But another thing too is that even though a production or a show or a project is done, It’s not done. And this is one of our big things is a lifelong appreciation of the arts. And perseverance. So, so you wrap something and you still are part of a program that is going to have a history that will outlive you. And so you want to do work to leave it in its best shape, but also you as your own, as your own performer and individual. You're looking forward to what's next for you. So if you're moving from the sixth to the seventh grade level, going from the middle of the high school, you know, there's opportunities across the district where you are continuing to stay engaged in the curriculum, in the content, getting better at your craft, building the connections with the adults and your peers. That's going to push you to keep going in the off season. So next year, you have more opportunities, available. thank you so much for sharing your insight with us and about VAPA, and all the wonderful things that you guys are doing on that program on that end. Thank you. Christina, what a great conversation. That was Alan MacFarlane with our VAPA team. Now let's head over to Breanne Phillips to talk about academics. Hey, Brianne. Hello. Thanks for having me back. It's good to see you. Did we get together earlier this year, or, like last year. We the beginning of this academic year. Yup And I think we talked about, how to prepare. Yes. The launch of our school year. Yeah. So, now that we're back, and we're in the spring semester. What academic habits should students reinforce to stay successful throughout the semester? Yeah. Hi Visalia Unified. I think it's really important to think about how we are actively engaging during our instructional day. So I'm encouraging our students to be active and participate in class, engage in class discussions, and seek clarification when needed. Be sure to collaborate with your peers that active engagement will support you in retaining your learning and build a deeper connection with the content. Also, I have two boys one in high school and one in middle school and I know now more than ever students, you are so busy after school. With different activities, practices and performances, it can just feel like there's not enough hours in the day. I really think it's really important, for students, for you to work on your time management, be sure you are consistently allocating study time to maintain a balance between your academic, your extracurricular activities, and your personal time. We have a lot of students who are busy all year like they are just so involved. How how can these students who have a lot going on stay focused this semester? Yeah, I think it's all about goal setting and reflecting on your progress. Setting your goals allows you the opportunity to push yourself academically and then monitoring your progress. You're able to see if those study habits are producing the results you desire. And if they're not, you're able to try new strategies. Also, always remember to celebrate your academic successes along the way. Thank you, Brian, so much for joining us today. Wonderful. Any time I enjoy every time I get an opportunity to speak to our community. To wrap up our episode, let's chat with Michelle Reed on our Expanded Learning Opportunities program. Michelle, thank you so much for being here. Have you been a part of our podcast before? No. This is actually my first time. Oh my gosh, I'm so excited. you oversee our, our ELOP program. Can you tell us a little bit about what ELOP stands for and what the program does? Absolutely. So, ELOP stands for Expanded Learning Opportunities program. And the purpose of it is to be able to connect students back to school, So students are able to enroll. And again, the idea is to extend the day to a nine hour day. And, kind of rethink how we are enriching and engaging our students in the afterschool programs. And what kind of activities do students participate in in those afterschool programs? So we have six sports activities that students can enroll in throughout the school year. That includes flag football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, track. And this year we're offering wiffle ball. We also have dance programs. We have a culinary program. We have STEM. We have, different music programs. We have a kids empowerment run club. We have makerspace, and that's just listing a few. We have so many of them available. does the program stay the same year after year? Are you consistently evolving? What does that look like? We evolve every single year. So we are, blessed to have new partners that are going to bring us even some very different programing for next year. So I'm really excited for that to come through. So again, parents be looking out for, any communication coming through around April, May, to do enrollment. But there is going to be some really cool things that are going to be at your sites for next year. Thank you so much, Michelle, for being here today for joining us. for giving us a little bit of insight as to how the after school programs work and what students and parents can look forward to for the rest of the school year. Thank you for having me. Thank you for listening to another episode of Visalia Unified Voices. Please remember to share and follow us on your preferred platform, and stay tuned for upcoming episodes. Until next time. I believe in, I belong in I am VSD,