Topics
in this issue of the Superintendent's Sentences:
Lincoln
Review Visit Summary
I
would like to begin by thanking everyone that participated in
the recent Lincoln Review Visit. While we would love to receive
an award, the experience itself provided us with valuable information
that will ultimately lead to system-wide improvements. Ultimately,
this visit was all about the people in the organization and your
involvement is greatly appreciated!
The
following bullets summarize the information the Lincoln Review
Team shared during the out-briefing on October 3, 2003:
- The
out-briefing gave a “40,000 foot overview” of the work that
was done during the visit.
- A
“Judges Meeting” will be held on October 29, 2003. This will
give the lead person from our review team an opportunity to
defend the team’s report.
-
Award announcements will be made in early November.
-
The report on our visit will be sent to the district sometime
in mid November.
-
An awards ceremony will be held on Tuesday, December 2, 2003.
-
The review team spent a combined total of over 350 hours working
over the week.
-
Seven sites were visited.
-
180 people were interviewed.
-
The team began the week with approximately 120 specific points
to investigate and verify or certify.
-
The following strengths were identified:
-
Key processes are in place, in progress, or have been identified
as organizational needs.
-
Strategic planning.
-
Executive intent leads to organizational activity.
-
Teacher professional development and skills (especially
the professional development for new teachers).
-
Leadership promotes innovation and empowerment.
-
Plan Do Study Act is universally applied.
-
The following opportunities for growth were identified:
-
The district lacks a systematic process to select, collect,
and analyze data.
-
Key measurements have not been identified and agreed upon
by the organization.
-
Data has not been used to create action (they were looking
for the use of trend data with this point).
-
Many key processes lack fact-based evaluations that lead
to improvement of the process under scrutiny.
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Tazewell
County Probation Office Intergovernmental Agreement
As research clearly
demonstrates, student attendance is a key factor of student success.
It goes without saying that the student must attend school on
a regular basis in order to succeed. To this end, educators work
extremely hard to provide an educational environment that attracts
students and engages them in learning. However, our efforts do
not always produce positive results with all students. Therefore,
we need to spend some of our time on preventative and responsive
efforts if we either believe a child is at risk of chronic truancy
or has experienced a pattern of poor school attendance.
I am extremely pleased
to share with you that the Board of Education recently approved
an intergovernmental agreement with the Tazewell County Probation
Office (TCPO). This agreement enables District 108 personnel to
unite efforts with the TCPO staff. The goal of this cooperative
work is to prevent chronic truancy by focusing on up to 15 sets
of students and parents for a period of eight or so weeks. District
108 and the TCPO have been awarded a grant that allowed the TCPO
to employ two officers that will focus their efforts on this work.
The grant also provided some funds for after school activities
for the students accepted as part of this cooperative effort.
The Boys & Girls Club of Pekin is a third party in this agreement.
While it is the ultimate
responsibility of the student and parent to make sure the student
attends school, we all know that some students experience great
difficulty in this area. Therefore, it is very exciting to have
the Tazewell County Probation Office as a partner. Additional
information about this exciting initiative will be available in
the near future.
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The
First 100 Days
It
has almost been 100 days since I started in District 108 and I
thought it would be fun to share some of my observations thus
far. Please understand that I have a lot to learn, however, I
feel I can share some general comments. With this in mind, I'd
like to share the following:
- The people of District
108 make this a unique, exciting, and fun place to be for students
and employees. Whether it be an intern, a first-year teacher,
or a veteran of many years, I have met many wonderful people
that are truly committed to providing the very best education
for the children we serve.
- There is a very strong
sense of family in District 108. One might anticipate that outsiders
would not be invited to join the family. However, I have found
the District 108 culture to be very inviting and open to outside
views and new family members.
- The process of teaching
and learning is the primary focus in District 108. I can share
that, unfortunately, I have been in other districts that say
the process of teaching and learning is their main focus but
the behaviors of teachers and administrators did not support
their statements. In District 108, I have learned that the primary
focus is teaching and learning and this is supported by the
behaviors of most employees in the district.
- The culture of District
108 encourages continuous improvement. In fact, new learning
and warranted risk taking is encouraged. The culture also provides
a support system whereby people engage in reflection, evaluation,
and continual conversations that lead to new and exciting methods
that promise a brighter future for both students and employees.
It
is a privilege and honor to be the superintendent of District
108 and I look forward to participating in District 108's journey
of excellence!
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Important
Dates
| Friday, October 10, 2003 |
School
Improvement Day
Early Dismissal |
| Monday, October 13, 2003 |
Columbus Day
No School |
| Monday, October 20, 2003 |
District 108
Board of Education Meeting
6:30 p.m.
Board Conference
Room |
| Tuesday, November 11, 2003 |
Veterans' Day
No School |
| Thursday, November 20, 2003 |
Parent Conferences
No School |
| Friday, November 21, 2003 |
Parent Conferences
No School |
| Thursday, November 27, 2003 |
Thanksgiving
Day
No School |
| Friday, November 28, 2003 |
Special Holiday
No School |
| Friday, December 19, 2003 |
Dismiss for Winter Vacation |
| Monday, January 5, 2004 |
Classes Resume |
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