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Educational Insights

Educational Insights: January 11, 2010

Dr. Paula Sissel: Superintendent/Elementary Principal

…developing individuals to meet the challenges of a global community

 

JANUARY 17 – 23, 2010 is NEBRASKA SCHOOL BOARD RECOGNITION WEEK!

 

          Next week is NE School Board Recognition Week! These elected public officials face complex and demanding challenges. Yet, few people fully understand the scope and far-reaching implications of board members’ responsibilities. We should all recognize the vital contributions of these citizen leaders and focus attention on their crucial role in our children’s education.

          The school board’s job is to establish a vision for the educational program, design a framework to achieve that vision, assure schools’ accountability to the community, and advocate for continuous improvement in student learning.

          A recent Board Retreat revealed the following focus areas:

I. Alumni Outreach  

  • Continue to communicate consistently with alumni

  • Conduct annual post graduate survey

II. Technology Expansion

  • Expand one-to-one initiative

  • Establish ongoing network maintenance and security upgrades

  • Pursue additional software and peripherals to integrate technology

III. Broaden & Enhance Curriculum

  • Keep foreign language as a priority

  • Continue FFA development

  • Career exploration and expansion of dual credit

  • Continue work Studies, internships, and job shadowing       

  • Improved distance/online learning opportunities

  • Differentiated learning—increase student accountability/consequences—increased student choices

  • Investigate block and flexible scheduling

  • Incorporate 9th period options to provide interventions (to improve NWEA and ACT scores) and enrichment (possibly club activities)

  • Pursue viable fine arts curriculum

  • Increase student recognition for excellence in academics

          IV. Promote Community Partnerships

  • Continue greenhouse initiative

  • Assess “Tech & Torch” business development

  • Increased student activities and involvement in community

  • Promote school pride and student leadership

  • Add club presentations to board and community meetings to monthly calendar

  • Continue focus groups for staff, parents, and stakeholders to gain feedback for improvement

         V. Facilities

  • Revise 3-5 year plan with building committee annually

          Their job includes an enormous commitment of unpaid personal time in attending meetings and school functions, difficult decision-making, fielding community complaints, and a multitude of reports, agendas, and proposals to review.

          Garden County Schools’ Board current members are: President-Rex Miller, Vice-president-Randy Stanczyk, Secretary-Andrea Lake, Treasurer-Mike Fischer, and Members-Kelly Reece and Tiffany Zorn.

These dedicated individuals give passionately and tirelessly in serving our community and children. Please take the opportunity to express your appreciation to them for stepping up as community leaders and applaud their commitment to this district.

Student Response to Previous Insights

 

 
 

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