SUP’S SCOOP               October 15, 2004

                                                                                                      Volume 3, Issue 1

    

 

            Wow, it is already October, and I am writing my first Sup’s Scoop of the year!  It has been a very busy and exciting start of the school year, and I intend to publish my Sup’s Scoop regularly throughout the year to improve communication.  The purpose of Sup’s Scoop is to inform all staff regarding topics of interest across the school district.  As usual, I hope you will e-mail me to suggest topics or issues that you would like me to address with all staff.

 

          Over the past five years, the school district enrollment has increased each year by an average of 15 students.  Our most significant change over that time was an increase of 73 students in 2002.  However this fall, our student enrollment increased by 180 students.  As you can see from our recent history, it was impossible to predict this significant increase in student enrollment and the impact on our class size districtwide.

 

          In addition to the class size aides that are automatically increased based on student FTE, the district has added 46 hours per day in classroom support.  The school board and administrators are also talking about the enrollment growth and evaluating our options for the future which include portables to reduce class size for the 2005-2006 school year.  I will keep you informed as these discussions continue in the future.

         

 

 

 

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          There has been some speculation that our increase in student enrollment is due to a large increase of Choice students in the district.  Our data shows us this is not the case.  Typically, we have approximately 300 Choice students enrolling in our school district annually and 100 students leaving the district annually.  This year we have 340 Choice students so that does not explain the significant increase in our student population.  We attribute it primarily to students moving into the school district.

 

District Collaboration Time

 

          I want to congratulate all district staff for the outstanding collaboration that occurred on October 6^th, our first late arrival day of the school year!  I was able to observe meetings in three buildings and was very impressed with the work that was being done.  We are making every effort to communicate with parents and community members, specifically how we are using the late arrival days and their importance to student academic achievement.  I encourage you to reinforce this with parents and community members as well.  We all recognize that, for many families, a late arrival is a hardship, and we appreciate their support of our efforts to improve student achievement.

 

 

          I was pleased that we had our kickoff day at LucilleUmbargerElementary School so that more staff had the opportunity to see the beautiful new building.  At this writing, final touches are being put on AllenElementary School’s remodel project, and I am pleased to report that the work has exceeded everyone’s expectations.  My congratulations to all of the Allen staff for their great attitude during the difficult construction time and to John Leander and all of our grounds, maintenance, and custodial crews for their outstanding support throughout the entire project.

 

 

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          You may know that our Facilities Study Committee met throughout the 2003-2004 school year and has made recommendations to the school board regarding future growth needs of the school district.  A very informative question and answer fact sheet is available on our school district website, along with a survey form that we are asking staff, parents, and community members to provide feedback on the committee recommendations.  These recommendations include building a new WestViewElementary School at another location to provide room for future growth at the high school.  In addition, we have commissioned an in-depth study of specifically what facilities needs our high school campus will have in the next 20 years.  Once completed, this study will serve as a guide for future facilities projects on the high school campus.

SKYWARD IMPLEMENTATION

 

          I want to compliment all district staff for your patience in working with our new student management system.  I know it has been challenging and at times very frustrating for everyone.  However, I also know that the new system is better than what we had and will allow us to improve communication with families and community regarding student progress.  Still to come are the implementation of our fiscal and human resources systems, perhaps in the 2006-2007 school year. 

 

          To help assist with our ability to work with Skyward and other software programs, the district will be offering training to all staff to improve technology skills.  In addition, we are examining options to provide additional support for staff using the student management system.  More details will be forthcoming on this topic.

 

UNITED WAY

 

          I hope you will consider giving to the annual United Way Campaign.  They support so many local programs in order to provide a “safety net” for those in need.  Again this year, I will provide the work group with the greatest participation (not amount) a root beer float party.  Thank you for considering United Way.

 

e-mail Superintendent Jones with your ideas for the next Sup's Scoop.

E-Mail:  rjones@be.wednet.edu