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!!!!
Saturday, March 22, 2008
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
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