Michelia McDonald
Principal
Welcome Excelsior Phelan families!
As we are preparing for returning to on-campus classes and activities for the fall of 2021, I want to thank students, parents/guardians, and our Phelan campus staff for all your hard work, flexibility, and dedication during the school closure. Though we faced many challenges with distance learning, I have never been so proud to be a part of this organization that was prepared for the transition to distance learning and continued to provide students with a quality education with the support of our amazing Excelsior credential teachers and support staff. Through these challenges, we were able to adapt and develop teaching and professional strategies that has improved our practices in supporting the students and families of this community.
In the upcoming fall, we are so excited to welcome students back to in-person learning with the support of virtual learning for students wanting to have the flexibility of learning in an independent model. Our staff has been anxiously awaiting the return our video game club and bringing back ASB-led events and activities to promote student interaction and engagement. We are look forward to reincorporating school events such as student recognition events, open house, and our annual senior breakfast.
Other exciting news to look forward to this upcoming school year is the incorporation of Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) teacher supported learning strategies and expectations into daily activities and routines to our hybrid learning model. These strategies are being introduced to help support learning and create increased positive interactions between students and staff. We believe that all students have the right to a safe learning environment, and with these strategies integrated into our daily routines, students will be able to understand their behavioral expectations, but also see increased rewards for following expectations. By increasing positive experiences for students and continuing to focus on building positive rapports, students will continue to see increased academic growth.
On behalf of Excelsior Phelan staff and myself, I would like to thank you for all your support as we navigated the challenges of educating students during a global pandemic. We are looking forward to reconnecting with students in-person, while incorporating technologies that we were able to fine tune during distance learning. Our goals will be to focus on bridging gaps in reading, writing, and math skills, and to incorporate socio-emotional learning curriculum to enhance classroom learning for all students. Thank you for choosing Excelsior to provide unique and flexible learning opportunities for your student(s). Every day is a great day to be an Eagle!
Important Dates:
- Summer School/Expanded Learning Summer Program Dates: June 14th – July 16th
- Campus closed (Observance of 4th of July Holiday): July 5th– July 9th
- Campus Reopens- August 4th (by appointment)
- Teachers/staff return- August 13th
- First appointments August 16th – 20th and Chromebook/textbook pick ups
- First day of 2021-2022 school year- August 23rd
- Campus Closed- Sept. 6 (Observance of Labor Day Holiday)
Best Regards,
Michelia McDonald
Autobiography
My name is Michelia McDonald, Principal of Excelsior Charter Schools, Phelan Campus. This is my 12th year with Excelsior and 14th year in education. I graduated from California State University, Fullerton with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child and Adolescent Development, and where I earned my teaching credential. I began teaching at a local charter school for two years before hiring with Excelsior Charter Schools as a long-term facilitator and math instructor for the inaugural year of the Phelan Campus. I began working as the principal of the Phelan campus in 2018 where I have dedicated my career to providing a safe, quality alternative education option for families of the Phelan, Pinon Hills, and Wrightwood communities.
