FROM THE DESK OF THE SUPERINTENDENT...
August 23, 2016
SEPTEMBER 2016 DISTRICT DISPATCH
The 2016-17 school year is off to a great start with several new employees already hard at work. New faculty and staff members include the following people: Beau Jacobsen (Middle School Principal/Activities Director), Michelle Kay (Middle School Special Education Teacher and Junior High Volleyball Coach), Jon Williams (High School Industrial Technology Teacher, Junior High Football Coach, and Junior Wrestling Coach), Karen Anderson (High School Mathematics Teacher), Kaitlynn Krumm (High School English/Speech/Drama Teacher), Adeena Jampolsky (High School Special Education Teacher), Steve Moore (6-12 Instrumental Music Teacher), Bryce Hesterman (6-12 Vocal Music Teacher), Katie Madsen (Elementary Title I Teacher), Suzy Voller (Prekindergarten and Early Childhood Special Education Teacher), Jasmyn Flynn (Elementary Computer Lab Associate, Assistant High School Volleyball Coach, and Assistant High School Girls’ Basketball Coach), Ira Collins (Junior High Football Coach), and Barbara Mabbitt (School Cook). When the opportunity presents itself, please join me in welcoming these new employees into our school community.
The summer of 2016 was another busy time in terms of buildings and grounds maintenance improvement projects. I want to extend a special “thank you” to our director of buildings and grounds, Jim Ettleman, and our custodial staff. They, along with our seasonal staff members, did a great job getting the school district ready for the new school year. Important maintenance tasks that were completed over the summer include the following: (1) re-roofing the southwest section of the elementary building; (2) re-roofing the bus barn; (3) elementary ceiling tile and LED lighting project; (4) ceiling leak repair, exterior tuckpointing, and elastomeric waterproof coating applied to the high school building; (5) classroom carpet replacement at the high school; (6) removal of dead pine trees at the high school; (7) touch-up painting; and (8) floor refinishing and general preparation for the new school year.
Our longstanding Beginning Teacher Mentoring and Induction Program has been updated for the 2016-17 school year. Last spring our District Leadership Team, which is comprised of faculty members and administrators, worked on refining and enhancing the following mentoring program goals: (1) promoting excellence in teaching; (2) enhancing student achievement; (3) building a supportive environment within the school district; (4) increasing the retention of promising beginning teachers; (5) promoting the personal and professional well-being of classroom teachers; and (6) supporting continuous improvement. Training and support is provided for mentors and beginning teachers. As the school year progresses, mentors will utilize learning projects to guide beginning teachers through the Iowa Teaching Standards. Those standards are as follows: (1) demonstrating the ability to enhance academic performance and support for implementation of the school district’s student achievement goals; (2) demonstrating competence in content knowledge appropriate to the teaching position; (3) demonstrating competence in planning and preparing for instruction; (4) using strategies to deliver instruction that meet the multiple learning needs of students; (5) using a variety of methods to monitor student learning; (6) demonstrating competence in classroom management; (7) engaging in professional growth; and (8) fulfilling professional responsibilities established by the school district. Feedback will be gathered annually to measure the effectiveness of the updated mentoring and induction program.
This fall is shaping up to be a busy time with all of our school activities. I hope to see you at some of our exciting athletic and music events. Come out and cheer for the Eagles!
