| Scattered thoughts—one more time?
February 25, 2007
*Written before the board meeting of February 26, 2007.
When I first started writing in the newsletter I came up with the
title, “Scattered thoughts” because my ADD did not allow for me to stay
focused long enough to write on just one topic.
Scattered may be a kind word for the randomness of this column so I will
apologize up front. Tonight the Board of Education will decide on my fate
for the rest of this school year. I thought I might share with you some of
my thoughts before the meeting. Thank you for reading.
I have been asked to take over the Curriculum and Instruction Director for
the remainder of the school year. I agreed to do this if there was unanimous
support from the principals. There was. The director of C & I not only is
responsible for seeing that the district curriculum is articulated and
aligned with standards (no small feat) but also overlooks the school
accountability process which includes state testing and compliance issues
regarding such things as the Gifted and Talented and English as a Second
Language programs. This in itself is plenty of work. More than I could take
on in my present position. However...
I also want to remain a part of the middle school. In the past five years I
have had the opportunity to take on various roles normally reserved for the
principal. I have had the chance to chair a few committees and lead some
staff development opportunities. Usually the role of assistant principal is
reserved for building scheduling and maintenance along with the handling of
student discipline issues. I have been fortunate that our principal, Tim
Bishop, has been open to share some of these responsibilities. Thus far,
working at the middle school has been an incredible experience. Fortunately,
I will still be able to serve in the capacity of supporting and supervising
teacher instruction. I hope to begin most of my days in the middle school. I
need to maintain my teacher and student fix.
**Tuesday, February 27, 2007
“Never mind.”
On some slightly different topics
SCHOOL CALENDAR
There has been some debate over the school calendar. I feel I would be
remiss if I did not share my thoughts as a professional. I am growing more
concerned about the laissez-faire attitude we, as Americans, have taken to
the importance of education. In an increasingly more competitive world, I
find it sad that Americans are asking for less school time rather than more.
To begin after Labor Day and end by Memorial Day sounds wonderful but
consider the following:
1. Today, the United States ranks 17 out of the 22 “industrialized”
nations in high school graduation rate.
2. According to research done by Marzano and Kendall, the average
student would have to complete grades K-22 in order to attain competency in
all of the state standards.
3. I would like the teaching profession to be considered a full-time
occupation by the community. One way this might happen is to extend a
teachers contract that would in effect have them reporting in early August,
and continuing through most of June. Teachers need more time to plan for the
upcoming year and reflect on the year just passed. Student contact days
would be added as well so there would not be as great a need to rush through
or “cover” material. Compensation would need to be adjusted accordingly.
In addition…
1. First semester would end before Winter Break. This means school
would start earlier in August and second semester would begin sometime in
January.
2. There would be a break after first and third quarters for teachers
to fill out grade reports that would provide beneficial feedback to parents.
This could include information that pertains to your child’s academic
proficiency levels in all areas, as well as their social/behavioral progress.
3. By becoming full-time, teachers would not have to work “second
jobs”. Their focus should be on the students they have in class. I believe
this will increase accountability while serving as a way to attract more to
the profession.
4. Student days would be increased. The pressure of having to be ready
for state testing could be replaced with the chance to practice more
outdoor education. Place-based education could gain in popularity.
I guess, bottom-line, are we really ready to begin conversations about what
is best for student achievement and how student achievement is impacted by
the school calendar?
Finally, a couple quick hitters.
Poogie Dawes is this years recipient of the Hazie Werner award for
outstanding woman in Steamboat Springs. All I can say is that this honor is
long overdue. I met Poogie when her oldest boy, Jeff, entered the middle
school. Jeff and I began our middle school experience together. Not only was
Poogie a great mother to her two boys, it is important for parents to know
that Poogie was motherly to all of the students attending the middle school.
Her concern about what was best for the children in the community will never
be questioned. I am so lucky, that in my profession, I am able to meet and
work with people like Poogie Dawes. Congratulations to the Dawes family.
Our Swedish students are here. What a great group of young people! I have
had the privilege of sharing my home with a young lady from Paraguay for the
past six weeks. Cultural exchanges are such a wonderful way we can learn
about others and break down stereotypes. One stereotype destroyed with our
visit: Paraguayans, although Hispanic in origin, do not care for spicy
foods. DUH! In the “Small World” exhibit at Disneyworld all Hispanic
cultures are characterized as one and the same and are patterned after
people living in Mexico. We all still have so much to learn.
I have a teacher who stops me every day and reminds me how much she loves
working in the building with our kids and our staff. I just want to say to
you how much I love working with this staff and these students. I look
forward to coming to work every day—and I mean that most sincerely.
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