Spearfish High School
Principal's Newsletter-- December 2011

Principal “Reflections & Projections”

 

Lists

The month of December, and the Christmas season in general, most often brings the idea forward of compiling a “list” of some type.  Most parents equate the list to what their children want for gifts or presents.  Adults make a list to determine goals for the upcoming New Year and may associate that to what was or what was not accomplished relative to what was set for the current year.  Educators often compile a list of what may assist with educating the students in each classroom.  I will focus on the last.

With the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind on the horizon, many groups are compiling their list of what they see as essential.  All lists regarding changes to NCLB center around 3 or 4 main topics:  access to a quality, well rounded education for all students; graduates who will be well prepared for college and/or the workforce; outstanding educators in each classroom; and creating innovative approaches that improve the learning of every student. 

To accomplish any of the goals listed above; these items are often listed as essential:

Provide quality early childhood education programs.

  • Provide quality early childhood education programs.
  • In collaboration with educators, community leaders and parents, improve outcomes for students by offering districts and strong school leaders support and flexibility to achieve dramatic and meaningful improvement goals using research-based solutions. 
  • Close the achievement, opportunity and skills gaps by setting annual achievement and growth goals for student subgroups and holding all schools accountable for making progress toward these gap closing goals that reflect increased achievement for all students. 
  • Ensure that students have access to a wide range of classes that contribute to school engagement and academic achievement, such as social studies, service learning, career and technical education, art, music, physical education and health education.
  • Collaborate with educators and local communities to empower students with tools that enhance learning, such as parent engagement, physical and mental health improvement initiatives, and other support services in schools.
  • Emphasize the need for challenging and relevant coursework, including science, technology, engineering and math, as well as global competence, international education, problem-solving, creativity, teamwork and communication.

 

 

 

 

  • Modernize and improve the quality of standards, assessment systems and data collection to accurately measure and improve the academic progress of each student toward college and career readiness.
  • Promote quality teacher and principal professional development differentiated based on individual need as identified through educator evaluations, and ongoing professional learning so educators continually improve their effectiveness.
  • Promote high quality teacher preparation programs that focus on induction and continual support using clinical methods that are tied to district needs, high standards for entry into the profession and other research-based elements, and are measured according to multiple indicators, including the success of graduates in the classroom.   
  • Work with teachers to build and maintain professional environments where they can work together to solve problems and improve their practice.

Lists usually contain items that can be classified in one of two ways, a want or a need.  The list a kid makes for Christmas usually contains only wants.  The list to assure educators can continually improve the daily education in each and every classroom includes needs.  Both lists require decisions on what we can and can’t “afford”.   How can we not afford the education of our youth as that is an investment that will never go south!

On a holiday note - Sometimes we need reminded of what life is really about.  Especially during the holiday season, when all we seem to do is work and clean and bake and shop and worry and work, and, and, and, and, and.....You get the picture, I’m sure.  I would ask each of you, stop for a moment and hug that special person in your life, whether they are 2, 12, 22 or 72.  Every person is special and a gift given to us in life, and what a gift to be treasured, far above any other and the most important thing you can have on your list!  Have a great Holiday season.  I hope you are looking forward to 2012.

Until next time,
Steve Morford
Principal – Spearfish High School