Kofa spreading AVID awareness across campus
Note: Over the next several weeks, YUHSD will highlight the work of AVID programs across the district and the impact they are making on the Yuma community.
From homecoming events and hosting a spirit week to school-wide professional development and service projects, Kofa High School has made a commitment to spreading AVID (Advancement Via Individual Determination) awareness throughout their campus.
“AVID and its learning strategies, organizational structure, and positive message is overall something that can benefit every student at campuses across the high school district,” Kofa Principal Mike Sharp said. “At Kofa, in large part due to the efforts of our students, our AVID Coordinator, Jayashree Chopra, and our Instructional Coaches, David Lewis and Bibi Frazine, we have taken great pride in spreading those messages.”
Kofa, like other schools in Yuma Union High School District, offers monthly AVID professional development.
“Our goal at Kofa is to have 100 percent of our teachers AVID certified and implement AVID strategies in the classrooms,” Chopra said.
Chopra heads the AVID Club on her campus. They took part in the interclub float competition during homecoming and won first place with a 90s theme that highlighted the “Rugrats” cartoon. They are hosting AVID Spirit Week from Nov. 18-22 with thematic days holding a specific community purpose such as Alzheimer’s awareness and promoting a college-going culture.
The club is also working on a semester-long service project called "Angel Tree." The group intends to collect toys for children and donate them to Amberly's Place to eradicate child abuse and spread the message of hope.
“The first step towards change is awareness, the second step is acceptance," Chopra said. “That's our AVID motto! Spreading AVID awareness school wide and making the change one day at a time.”
About AVID
According to their website, AVID is a nonprofit that changes lives by helping schools shift to a more equitable, student-centered approach. They train 80,000 educators annually to close the opportunity gap, so they can prepare all students for college, careers, and life.
Most recently, YUHSD hosted AVID’s Melissa Lopez to provide professional development for a group of nearly 20 teachers and AVID tutors as part of an advanced two-day “tutor-ology” training.