Welcome back to the 2008-2009 school year. We have worked hard this summer and we are really looking forward to the first day of school. Please look for your beginning of the year letter and come and see us on Meet the Teacher on Thursday, August 21 from 12:00-2:00.
I want to emphasize the importance of getting you child back into the routine of school as we begin the year. Now is the time to re-establish bed times and getting used to reading and homework every night. This will help for a smooth transition to the beginning of the year. Also, I want to emphasize our policies that are in place for safety. With the road construction in front of school, it will be tempting to cut corners (literally and figuratively), especially when you are in a hurry. Please understand that our procedures and policies are in place are for safety. We have the luxury of taking care of 600 students daily. We need everyone to follow procedures, especially at carpool and bus loop, to keep our students safe! Thank you in advance for following all of the systems we have in place to keep you and your child safe, nurtured, and loved. If you have any questions, please let me know.
Finally, I want to post a quote that I found from Goethe, famous German author from the 1800's. I hope you take time to revel in the beauty of the words and see how it is particularly appropriate for parents and educators. I look forward to all of us living these words:
I have come to the frightening conclusion that I am the decisive element. It is my personal approach that creates the climate. It is my daily mood that makes the weather. I possess tremendous power to make life miserable or joyous. I can be a tool of torture or an instrument of inspiration, I can humiliate or humor, hurt or heal. In all situations, it is my response that decides whether a crisis is escalated or de-escalated, and a person is humanized or de-humanized. If we treat people as they are, we make them worse. If we treat people as they ought to be, we help them become what they are capable of becoming.
Until next time, remember our school vision: Everyone will Learn and Succeed!
Jim
Sunday, August 17, 2008
Monday, April 21, 2008
April 22, 2008
April 22, 2008
What does the Curriculum Management Audit have to do with Swift Creek? Well let me tell you!
On January 23, 2007, Dr. Del Burns, Superintendent of the Wake County Public School System, called for a comprehensive audit of the school system’s core business: learning and teaching. Approximately nine months later, the results of the Curriculum Management Audit were presented to the Board of Education by Phi Delta Kappa .
Why am I telling you this? Three reasons: 1. Today, at the Superintendent’s Summit, Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Donna Hargens, gave a quarterly report on the audit; 2. The findings of the audit create alignment within the school system that will allow WCPSS and Swift Creek to continue to move from good to great; and 3. The information is too important for me not to share with all of you.
The audit has 8 recommendation areas and 117 action steps that fall under the eight areas. Please read the recommendation area headings below.
Recommendation 1: OPPORTUNITY
Meet students' needs equitably, and eliminate the achievement gap
Recommendation 2: CONSISTENCY
Unite strategic planning -- from the school board to the administration to the school to the classroom
Recommendation 3: GOVERNANCE
Strengthen school board and administrative direction of curriculum management
Recommendation 4: MANAGEMENT
Actively direct and support the curriculum
Recommendation 5: EVALUATION
Increase the use of data in decision making
Recommendation 6: BUDGETING
Tie school system resources to the needs of the curriculum
Recommendation 7: INSTRUCTION
Unify and enhance training and development
Recommendation 8: ORGANIZATION
Clarify roles and responsibilities and increase effectiveness
Of the 117 action steps, six have been completed, nineteen are underway, and a timeline has been established for the final 92! Furthermore, Wake County has created two fabulous resources for members of the community to stay in tune with the audit. The first is a quarterly audit progress report flyer titled Curriculum Matters. This flyer will be available at all schools. The second resource is a curriculum management audit resource center web site. You can visit this site at http://www.wcpss.net/curriculum-management/. Finally, I have arranged for Dr. Hargens to come to the second Swift Creek Principal’s Summit on June 13th to give an overview of the audit and progress the system has made.
I hope this little snippet of information is helpful to you in understanding the progress that the school system is making towards the audit findings. If there are any questions, please feel free to ask me!
Until Next time – Keep on ROARing
Jim
What does the Curriculum Management Audit have to do with Swift Creek? Well let me tell you!
On January 23, 2007, Dr. Del Burns, Superintendent of the Wake County Public School System, called for a comprehensive audit of the school system’s core business: learning and teaching. Approximately nine months later, the results of the Curriculum Management Audit were presented to the Board of Education by Phi Delta Kappa .
Why am I telling you this? Three reasons: 1. Today, at the Superintendent’s Summit, Chief Academic Officer, Dr. Donna Hargens, gave a quarterly report on the audit; 2. The findings of the audit create alignment within the school system that will allow WCPSS and Swift Creek to continue to move from good to great; and 3. The information is too important for me not to share with all of you.
The audit has 8 recommendation areas and 117 action steps that fall under the eight areas. Please read the recommendation area headings below.
Recommendation 1: OPPORTUNITY
Meet students' needs equitably, and eliminate the achievement gap
Recommendation 2: CONSISTENCY
Unite strategic planning -- from the school board to the administration to the school to the classroom
Recommendation 3: GOVERNANCE
Strengthen school board and administrative direction of curriculum management
Recommendation 4: MANAGEMENT
Actively direct and support the curriculum
Recommendation 5: EVALUATION
Increase the use of data in decision making
Recommendation 6: BUDGETING
Tie school system resources to the needs of the curriculum
Recommendation 7: INSTRUCTION
Unify and enhance training and development
Recommendation 8: ORGANIZATION
Clarify roles and responsibilities and increase effectiveness
Of the 117 action steps, six have been completed, nineteen are underway, and a timeline has been established for the final 92! Furthermore, Wake County has created two fabulous resources for members of the community to stay in tune with the audit. The first is a quarterly audit progress report flyer titled Curriculum Matters. This flyer will be available at all schools. The second resource is a curriculum management audit resource center web site. You can visit this site at http://www.wcpss.net/curriculum-management/. Finally, I have arranged for Dr. Hargens to come to the second Swift Creek Principal’s Summit on June 13th to give an overview of the audit and progress the system has made.
I hope this little snippet of information is helpful to you in understanding the progress that the school system is making towards the audit findings. If there are any questions, please feel free to ask me!
Until Next time – Keep on ROARing
Jim
Thursday, April 10, 2008
April 8
April 8, 2008
Dear Parents:
I hope everyone had a restful spring break and is ready to have a ROARing stretch run for the 2007-2008 school year. I also hope that everyone enjoyed the March Reading Madness event and dressing as their favorite story character before Spring Break.
Those of you that have been reading my messages for the past three years (by the way – I just had my three year anniversary as Principal of Swift Creek!) realize that I love analogies, metaphors, historical references and comparisons, etc… Anything that helps me tell a story a little better. Instinctively, I knew that drawing similarities and differences would help to weave a good tale and get my point across to others. It also creates an image that helps cement the thought in people’s memories. Well, I definitely had a small smile and moment of satisfaction when I was recently reading an educational research text by Dr. Robert Marzano entitled Classroom Instruction the Works. The book describes nine categories of instructional strategies that have the strongest effect on student achievement. Dr. Marzano has found that the top instructional strategy to improve student achievement is to identify similarities and differences by comparing, classifying, creating metaphors and analogies, and using graphic organizers for comparisons. I was pretty happy that I had been effectively using a research based strategy that truly impacts achievement. SO, the next time you are trying to get your child to understand a difficult concept or if you want them to understand something even deeper – it will be extremely effective to provide the opportunity to identify similarities and differences.
Now for business. This first week back from spring break, you may hear your child talking about Town Meetings at Swift Creek. Administration, teachers, and support staff will sit down with the students and facilitate town meetings with every grade level this week to refocus the students on our ROAR expectations. Our data trends show that discipline referrals spike when spring fever hits. We will be working hard to reinforce our expectations and reteaching them explicitly to our students. It would be great if parents helped reinforce the ROAR expectations at home. You can find ROAR posters for every area of the school under the academic link of our website. Also, if you are really interested, we certainly would not mind for you to pop in and see one of the town meetings!
Until next time – keep on ROARing!
Jim
Dear Parents:
I hope everyone had a restful spring break and is ready to have a ROARing stretch run for the 2007-2008 school year. I also hope that everyone enjoyed the March Reading Madness event and dressing as their favorite story character before Spring Break.
Those of you that have been reading my messages for the past three years (by the way – I just had my three year anniversary as Principal of Swift Creek!) realize that I love analogies, metaphors, historical references and comparisons, etc… Anything that helps me tell a story a little better. Instinctively, I knew that drawing similarities and differences would help to weave a good tale and get my point across to others. It also creates an image that helps cement the thought in people’s memories. Well, I definitely had a small smile and moment of satisfaction when I was recently reading an educational research text by Dr. Robert Marzano entitled Classroom Instruction the Works. The book describes nine categories of instructional strategies that have the strongest effect on student achievement. Dr. Marzano has found that the top instructional strategy to improve student achievement is to identify similarities and differences by comparing, classifying, creating metaphors and analogies, and using graphic organizers for comparisons. I was pretty happy that I had been effectively using a research based strategy that truly impacts achievement. SO, the next time you are trying to get your child to understand a difficult concept or if you want them to understand something even deeper – it will be extremely effective to provide the opportunity to identify similarities and differences.
Now for business. This first week back from spring break, you may hear your child talking about Town Meetings at Swift Creek. Administration, teachers, and support staff will sit down with the students and facilitate town meetings with every grade level this week to refocus the students on our ROAR expectations. Our data trends show that discipline referrals spike when spring fever hits. We will be working hard to reinforce our expectations and reteaching them explicitly to our students. It would be great if parents helped reinforce the ROAR expectations at home. You can find ROAR posters for every area of the school under the academic link of our website. Also, if you are really interested, we certainly would not mind for you to pop in and see one of the town meetings!
Until next time – keep on ROARing!
Jim
Saturday, March 22, 2008
March 18
Happy Daylights Saving time! Even though it is been over a week, I am not sure I have fully adjusted. There is something about waking up in complete darkness that just is not right. Anyway, I have three very exciting things to discuss in this edition of the Principal’s Musings.
First, on March 27, we will have our third annual reading celebration. We ask for everyone to dress as a favorite character from a book. I have dressed as Legolas the Elf from Lord of the Rings and a Sneetch from Dr. Seuss’ classic story The Sneetches. I am not telling what I am dressing as this year, but rumor has it that it will be magical. Other events on the day include a kindergarten parade, a reading assembly, and volunteers in classes to read their favorite books. We would love for everyone to dress up and arrange with their child’s teacher to read a favorite story.
Second, we recently held the first Swift Creek Student’s Summit. Student Council members from fourth and fifth grade and select third graders participated in the event. It was a marvelous afternoon with many great ideas from the students. We discussed their views of the school vision (Everyone will learn and succeed), received input on how to improve the school climate, and generated ideas on how to improve our character education assemblies. It made me proud to see the students take this so seriously and give such valuable input to improve our school. They definitely taught me a few things and I am grateful. I am already excited about our next summit!
Finally, we recently approved our School Improvement Plan. It is a great document that will allow our school and staff to offer the very best for the students of Swift Creek. It focuses on high expectations and continuous improvement. I have linked it from the Swift Creek web site (http://swiftcreekes.wcpss.net/) and from my web site (http://argentjim.googlepages.com/). I hope you will take the opportunity to review the document and see what we have planned. Please feel free to offer us feedback or ask questions.
As you can tell, a lot of my recent messages (including this one) have been about continuous improvement. I really feel when you have such a great school that you must continually challenge yourself to stay on top. I hope you see the dedication to that endeavor. I also hope you see the passion, attitude, expectations, beliefs and values that all staff have for ENSURING all students will learn and be successful. Thanks for all you do and until next time – please keep ROARing!!!!
First, on March 27, we will have our third annual reading celebration. We ask for everyone to dress as a favorite character from a book. I have dressed as Legolas the Elf from Lord of the Rings and a Sneetch from Dr. Seuss’ classic story The Sneetches. I am not telling what I am dressing as this year, but rumor has it that it will be magical. Other events on the day include a kindergarten parade, a reading assembly, and volunteers in classes to read their favorite books. We would love for everyone to dress up and arrange with their child’s teacher to read a favorite story.
Second, we recently held the first Swift Creek Student’s Summit. Student Council members from fourth and fifth grade and select third graders participated in the event. It was a marvelous afternoon with many great ideas from the students. We discussed their views of the school vision (Everyone will learn and succeed), received input on how to improve the school climate, and generated ideas on how to improve our character education assemblies. It made me proud to see the students take this so seriously and give such valuable input to improve our school. They definitely taught me a few things and I am grateful. I am already excited about our next summit!
Finally, we recently approved our School Improvement Plan. It is a great document that will allow our school and staff to offer the very best for the students of Swift Creek. It focuses on high expectations and continuous improvement. I have linked it from the Swift Creek web site (http://swiftcreekes.wcpss.net/) and from my web site (http://argentjim.googlepages.com/). I hope you will take the opportunity to review the document and see what we have planned. Please feel free to offer us feedback or ask questions.
As you can tell, a lot of my recent messages (including this one) have been about continuous improvement. I really feel when you have such a great school that you must continually challenge yourself to stay on top. I hope you see the dedication to that endeavor. I also hope you see the passion, attitude, expectations, beliefs and values that all staff have for ENSURING all students will learn and be successful. Thanks for all you do and until next time – please keep ROARing!!!!
Sunday, March 9, 2008
March 4
Dear Parents,
We recently had the Swift Creek Principal’s Summit. After the meeting, I sent an e-mail to everyone that attended recapping the day’s events. It was such a wonderful meeting, that I felt everyone should know what happened. Therefore, I am copying the e-mail as this Principal’s message:
Summit Participants,
I want to thank everyone once again for participating in the Swift Creek Summit. I wanted to give you some feedback and let you know about several things we have already accomplished based on the summit after looking through all the information.
1. I need to clarify what is meant by climate. Climate refers to how everyone feels about Swift Creek and what it is like to be a part of the school community. An important step to school improvement is to make sure that there is a great environment for all staff, students, and parents.
2. There was a suggestion to have students participate in the summit and I think this is a wonderful idea. We are currently working on having the same meeting, the Swift Creek Student Summit, for several third-fifth grade students!
3. Several people mentioned beautification of the school - particularly the lobby. I have contacted Marti Crane, PTA president, to create a lobby beautification committee. I will meet with the committee and give them all the feedback from the summit.
4. Several people asked about next steps. Well, there are several. First, I shared summit information with the School Improvement Team. Next, we will share all the information with the staff and get their feedback. We will then get input from the students at the student summit. Finally, we will revisit the climate and 21st Century conversations and create action steps to improve and implement ideas.
5. The school improvement committee used the information to craft key processes for our School Improvement plan. We decided to focus on creating better communication by updating and putting key information on the web site and in the student handbook. We will also create a training for teachers and parents on how to be effective classroom volunteers - especially in the upper grades.
This is a lot of information, but I wanted to let everyone know that we are looking at the feedback and making improvements.
In the second part, I spoke of a student summit. We are actually going to do this on Thursday with the 4th and 5th grade student council and several third graders. I am looking forward to getting their input, also.
Thanks for all you do for the students and staff of Swift Creek. Until next time, keep on ROARing!
Jim
We recently had the Swift Creek Principal’s Summit. After the meeting, I sent an e-mail to everyone that attended recapping the day’s events. It was such a wonderful meeting, that I felt everyone should know what happened. Therefore, I am copying the e-mail as this Principal’s message:
Summit Participants,
I want to thank everyone once again for participating in the Swift Creek Summit. I wanted to give you some feedback and let you know about several things we have already accomplished based on the summit after looking through all the information.
1. I need to clarify what is meant by climate. Climate refers to how everyone feels about Swift Creek and what it is like to be a part of the school community. An important step to school improvement is to make sure that there is a great environment for all staff, students, and parents.
2. There was a suggestion to have students participate in the summit and I think this is a wonderful idea. We are currently working on having the same meeting, the Swift Creek Student Summit, for several third-fifth grade students!
3. Several people mentioned beautification of the school - particularly the lobby. I have contacted Marti Crane, PTA president, to create a lobby beautification committee. I will meet with the committee and give them all the feedback from the summit.
4. Several people asked about next steps. Well, there are several. First, I shared summit information with the School Improvement Team. Next, we will share all the information with the staff and get their feedback. We will then get input from the students at the student summit. Finally, we will revisit the climate and 21st Century conversations and create action steps to improve and implement ideas.
5. The school improvement committee used the information to craft key processes for our School Improvement plan. We decided to focus on creating better communication by updating and putting key information on the web site and in the student handbook. We will also create a training for teachers and parents on how to be effective classroom volunteers - especially in the upper grades.
This is a lot of information, but I wanted to let everyone know that we are looking at the feedback and making improvements.
In the second part, I spoke of a student summit. We are actually going to do this on Thursday with the 4th and 5th grade student council and several third graders. I am looking forward to getting their input, also.
Thanks for all you do for the students and staff of Swift Creek. Until next time, keep on ROARing!
Jim
February 19
Dear Parents:
I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine’s Day and a restful President’s Day weekend. I certainly enjoyed the long weekend. It helped me prepare for the Swift Creek Prinicpal’s Summit on Tuesday, February 19th. We had several staff members, central office members, and parents that got together to discuss improvement strategies for Swift Creek. I believe we have a wonderful school, but we are always looking for ways to get better. The three main topics revolved around defining our school vision (Everyone will learn and succeed!), discussing ways to improve school climate for our School Improvement Plan, and brainstorming ways to prepare students for 21st Century learning. It was a great meeting and I appreciate everyone that took time out of their busy days to help us improve. If you have any thoughts on these topics and were unable to attend, please feel free to let me or Mr. Umstead know. The more feedback we receive, the better we can meet the needs of all of our students!
I wanted to also give you some information about the School Improvement process. Every three years, all schools look at ways to improve. Our staff has been meeting weekly, studying data, and coming up with strategies to improve in three critical areas. We have been looking at ways to improve literacy instruction, math instruction, and school climate. This has been a busy time as we have to continue working hard to focus on the learning of all children and carve out time for extra meetings. Therefore, when you see the teachers in the halls, give them a pat on the back. We already have the best and hardest working staff in the nation. Fortunately for me and your children, they are also dedicated to working harder during this important time of school improvement.
Thanks for all you do and a special reminder to fourth grade parents: On March 4th we will have the fourth grade writing test. You will be getting a lot more information as that date arrives, but this is an early heads up as the first of many tests arrives.
Until next time – keep on ROARing!
Jim
I hope everyone had a wonderful Valentine’s Day and a restful President’s Day weekend. I certainly enjoyed the long weekend. It helped me prepare for the Swift Creek Prinicpal’s Summit on Tuesday, February 19th. We had several staff members, central office members, and parents that got together to discuss improvement strategies for Swift Creek. I believe we have a wonderful school, but we are always looking for ways to get better. The three main topics revolved around defining our school vision (Everyone will learn and succeed!), discussing ways to improve school climate for our School Improvement Plan, and brainstorming ways to prepare students for 21st Century learning. It was a great meeting and I appreciate everyone that took time out of their busy days to help us improve. If you have any thoughts on these topics and were unable to attend, please feel free to let me or Mr. Umstead know. The more feedback we receive, the better we can meet the needs of all of our students!
I wanted to also give you some information about the School Improvement process. Every three years, all schools look at ways to improve. Our staff has been meeting weekly, studying data, and coming up with strategies to improve in three critical areas. We have been looking at ways to improve literacy instruction, math instruction, and school climate. This has been a busy time as we have to continue working hard to focus on the learning of all children and carve out time for extra meetings. Therefore, when you see the teachers in the halls, give them a pat on the back. We already have the best and hardest working staff in the nation. Fortunately for me and your children, they are also dedicated to working harder during this important time of school improvement.
Thanks for all you do and a special reminder to fourth grade parents: On March 4th we will have the fourth grade writing test. You will be getting a lot more information as that date arrives, but this is an early heads up as the first of many tests arrives.
Until next time – keep on ROARing!
Jim
Monday, February 4, 2008
February 5, 2008
Legend has it that when Cortez landed on the shores of what later became Mexico; he issued the famous order, "Burn the boats!" Now that is commitment! I write this because that is exactly what I have been witnessing at Swift Creek Elementary School. I have been witnessing an unwavering commitment on the staff of Swift Creek to do whatever it takes to meet students’ needs. Let me give you a couple of examples:
I walked into the media center today and there were three parents working with groups of students on enrichment activities for students that were exceeding benchmarks. I kept walking and saw the first grade team in a planning session and discussing how they would restructure part of their schedule and elicit parent volunteers to help work with a small group of students that were struggling to re-tell story elements. Down the hall (and later in the day), I noticed the fifth grade teachers discussing better ways to teach students the all-elusive concept of fractions. The fourth grade team was preparing a staff development for the teachers on what skills are needed to pass the fourth grade writing test. Then I sat in a meeting of the administrative team where we studied mid-year reading levels and had a phenomenal conversation about how we would restructure duties and different aspects of the school schedule to create more teaching time so that we could ensure that all students are meeting benchmarks. I could go on and on about all the other things, but the PTA newsletter isn’t long enough. I did want you to know about this because we are burning the boats, we are committed and we will do whatever it takes to meet the needs of all the children. I hope you will see this commitment and you will join us on the shores when we ask for you to come in and help with a small group or tutor one on one. I truly believe that if we work as a team we will reach our school vision: Everyone will learn and succeed.
With that said, there are several kudos I want to give out. Kudos to Ms. Behrend and the kindergarten students on a wonderful performance – how cute and exciting to see the passion that those kids had towards learning music. Kudos to Ms. Rhodes and all the parent volunteers on a wonderful career day – the students were engaged, ROARed, asked great questions, and truly learned a lot. Kudos to Ms. Faneck for taking the fourth and fifth grade girls to the NCSU GWIS (Girls and Women in Sports) basketball game. Kudos to Ms. King for two things – for being selected to participate and attend a conference on science instruction in California and for training over 35 parents to teach the AG enrichment kits. Kudos to Ms. Jones for having several teachers contact her because of her fabulous web-site and come to observe her teaching. Kudos to the second grade team and Ms. Bornman for getting their web-sites up and running. Finally, kudos to Ms. Pittman for presenting at a Media Specialist meeting and knocking everyone’s socks off. The danger of giving kudos is that I am sure I forgot someone- please forgive me.
Thanks for all you do and continue to ROAR!!!
Jim
I walked into the media center today and there were three parents working with groups of students on enrichment activities for students that were exceeding benchmarks. I kept walking and saw the first grade team in a planning session and discussing how they would restructure part of their schedule and elicit parent volunteers to help work with a small group of students that were struggling to re-tell story elements. Down the hall (and later in the day), I noticed the fifth grade teachers discussing better ways to teach students the all-elusive concept of fractions. The fourth grade team was preparing a staff development for the teachers on what skills are needed to pass the fourth grade writing test. Then I sat in a meeting of the administrative team where we studied mid-year reading levels and had a phenomenal conversation about how we would restructure duties and different aspects of the school schedule to create more teaching time so that we could ensure that all students are meeting benchmarks. I could go on and on about all the other things, but the PTA newsletter isn’t long enough. I did want you to know about this because we are burning the boats, we are committed and we will do whatever it takes to meet the needs of all the children. I hope you will see this commitment and you will join us on the shores when we ask for you to come in and help with a small group or tutor one on one. I truly believe that if we work as a team we will reach our school vision: Everyone will learn and succeed.
With that said, there are several kudos I want to give out. Kudos to Ms. Behrend and the kindergarten students on a wonderful performance – how cute and exciting to see the passion that those kids had towards learning music. Kudos to Ms. Rhodes and all the parent volunteers on a wonderful career day – the students were engaged, ROARed, asked great questions, and truly learned a lot. Kudos to Ms. Faneck for taking the fourth and fifth grade girls to the NCSU GWIS (Girls and Women in Sports) basketball game. Kudos to Ms. King for two things – for being selected to participate and attend a conference on science instruction in California and for training over 35 parents to teach the AG enrichment kits. Kudos to Ms. Jones for having several teachers contact her because of her fabulous web-site and come to observe her teaching. Kudos to the second grade team and Ms. Bornman for getting their web-sites up and running. Finally, kudos to Ms. Pittman for presenting at a Media Specialist meeting and knocking everyone’s socks off. The danger of giving kudos is that I am sure I forgot someone- please forgive me.
Thanks for all you do and continue to ROAR!!!
Jim
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
January 22
January 22, 2008
Dear Parents,
Recently, I attended a meeting with the Superintendent where he discussed his mid-term report (to read and listen to his mid-term report, please click here). The main thrust of the report was closing the achievement gap between at-risk students and non at-risk students, while maintaining academic excellence with our high achieving students. As I was listening, I reflected on the current state of Swift Creek. We are a microcosm of the struggles of the Wake County Public School System. We have a huge percentage of high performing students that we must continue to work hard with and guarantee growth. We also have a percentage of academically at-risk students that we must get to grade level. It is a daunting task, but a challenge that I relish and one that the staff of Swift Creek is already tackling. You may ask how we are doing this – and the answer is multi-dimensional and complex. We are working hard through the school improvement process to study data and put in systems and processes to improve student learning. We are utilizing professional learning communities to focus on student learning and answer critical questions about individual students. Our staff constantly questions what doe we do when students do not know the information and what do we do when they already know it. We are creating lessons and implementing research based best practices to meet all student needs. We are creating a Swift Creek Summit with all stakeholders to analyze our school vision: Everyone will learn and succeed. Now, as I am typing this, I am realizing that I may be using a lot of education jargon and that you may be wondering why I am telling you this. I feel it is important to keep you up to date with what we are doing with your most precious commodity: your child. I think it is important that you know that we are not treating all children the same, but that we are working hard to look at all children’s needs and to create lessons that will meet those individual needs. It is hard work and it forces us to change the practices that have been so prevalent in education for the last 200 years. But, as the Chinese proverb goes, “When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and some people build windmills.” I hope you know that we are building windmills and will do our best to meet your child’s needs in this fast changing 21st Century!
On a lighter note – weren’t you bummed by the lack of snowfall this weekend? I really wanted to build a snowman and didn’t even have enough snow to muster a snowball!
Until next time, have a ROARing week!
Jim
Dear Parents,
Recently, I attended a meeting with the Superintendent where he discussed his mid-term report (to read and listen to his mid-term report, please click here). The main thrust of the report was closing the achievement gap between at-risk students and non at-risk students, while maintaining academic excellence with our high achieving students. As I was listening, I reflected on the current state of Swift Creek. We are a microcosm of the struggles of the Wake County Public School System. We have a huge percentage of high performing students that we must continue to work hard with and guarantee growth. We also have a percentage of academically at-risk students that we must get to grade level. It is a daunting task, but a challenge that I relish and one that the staff of Swift Creek is already tackling. You may ask how we are doing this – and the answer is multi-dimensional and complex. We are working hard through the school improvement process to study data and put in systems and processes to improve student learning. We are utilizing professional learning communities to focus on student learning and answer critical questions about individual students. Our staff constantly questions what doe we do when students do not know the information and what do we do when they already know it. We are creating lessons and implementing research based best practices to meet all student needs. We are creating a Swift Creek Summit with all stakeholders to analyze our school vision: Everyone will learn and succeed. Now, as I am typing this, I am realizing that I may be using a lot of education jargon and that you may be wondering why I am telling you this. I feel it is important to keep you up to date with what we are doing with your most precious commodity: your child. I think it is important that you know that we are not treating all children the same, but that we are working hard to look at all children’s needs and to create lessons that will meet those individual needs. It is hard work and it forces us to change the practices that have been so prevalent in education for the last 200 years. But, as the Chinese proverb goes, “When the winds of change blow, some people build walls and some people build windmills.” I hope you know that we are building windmills and will do our best to meet your child’s needs in this fast changing 21st Century!
On a lighter note – weren’t you bummed by the lack of snowfall this weekend? I really wanted to build a snowman and didn’t even have enough snow to muster a snowball!
Until next time, have a ROARing week!
Jim
Monday, January 7, 2008
January 8
Dear Parents:
HAPPY NEW YEAR! It sure seems weird being in 2008. I trust everyone had a wonderful holiday break and is ready to resume the busy life of parents with elementary school students.
Since we are just back from break and are gearing back up, I felt I would take a side bar from education and talk about this time of year. Prior to the holiday break, germs were running rampant through our halls. It seems as if the break did no good. We have had many children going home sick. Please remember the importance of washing hands, getting adequate sleep and nutrition, and keeping your child home if they have a fever or have vomited within the previous 24 hours. As a parent, I know the difficulty of staying home with a sick child when work is piling up, but please remember that if everyone were to follow the simple steps outlined, we could prevent the sicknesses from running through the whole school.
Finally, The Board of Education will hold public hearings on the 2008 Growth Management Proposal at three high schools this month. The board will hold public hearings Tuesday, January 15 at Sanderson High; Thursday, January 17 at Green Hope High and Thursday, January 24 at Middle Creek High. Each public hearing will be held from 7-9 p.m. Persons may register to participate in a public hearing online or by calling the WCPSS Customer Service Center at 850-1600. Online registration ends at midnight the night before the hearing day.
Thanks so much for everything you do!
Jim
HAPPY NEW YEAR! It sure seems weird being in 2008. I trust everyone had a wonderful holiday break and is ready to resume the busy life of parents with elementary school students.
Since we are just back from break and are gearing back up, I felt I would take a side bar from education and talk about this time of year. Prior to the holiday break, germs were running rampant through our halls. It seems as if the break did no good. We have had many children going home sick. Please remember the importance of washing hands, getting adequate sleep and nutrition, and keeping your child home if they have a fever or have vomited within the previous 24 hours. As a parent, I know the difficulty of staying home with a sick child when work is piling up, but please remember that if everyone were to follow the simple steps outlined, we could prevent the sicknesses from running through the whole school.
Finally, The Board of Education will hold public hearings on the 2008 Growth Management Proposal at three high schools this month. The board will hold public hearings Tuesday, January 15 at Sanderson High; Thursday, January 17 at Green Hope High and Thursday, January 24 at Middle Creek High. Each public hearing will be held from 7-9 p.m. Persons may register to participate in a public hearing online or by calling the WCPSS Customer Service Center at 850-1600. Online registration ends at midnight the night before the hearing day.
Thanks so much for everything you do!
Jim
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