I love my new Job!

I started this blog in late August and wondered if anyone would actually read it.  Well, I am able to see how many daily  hits on it I get and I am averaging about twenty-five a day.  I am hoping it is not just one person checking it twenty-five times a day and that it is a good mixture of parents, staff, and maybe even some students.  Anyways, I have been asked the question a lot "how is it going?"  and I want to tell you that I love my new job.  I enjoy the staff a lot.  They are hard-working, student-centered, and incredibly talented. I have found the parents to be active and supportive of our schools.  Most importantly, I have really enjoyed interacting with the students in each building.  I have tried to be visible and get into some classes even if if it is for a short period of time, on a daily basis. I was able to fill some of the administrative positions and "build my team" and that has been awesome.  I really feel I have a strong team.  I get a lot of questions about my family. Below is a picture of my family. My son, Connor, is in the back row and from left to right in the front row is my daughter, Lauren; my wife, Diane; and my youngest son, Mitchell.  They are all very supportive of my new job.  My wife is a teacher and she has a good sense of teaching , learning, and how important it is for me to be visible and engaged in my new job. I am in a good place on my professional journey and I feel I am growing and helping the district to continue to evolve.  I am very happy!  If you are one of the people who reads my blog, drop me an email and let me know what topics you would like me to explore on this blog. I am proud of the learning that is taking place.

Always Great to Celebrate District Successes!

On October 25^th, the District had a Professional Development Day. We started the day with a short celebration of the Fox Point - Bayside School District receiving a rating of Significantly Exceeds Expectations for student performance during the 2012-2013 as reported on the District Report Card by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction. The faculty and staff ate cake as we discussed the importance of this recognition. Next, the day was spent individually and collaboratively planning for continuous improvement. Even though we were only one of nine districts in the state to receive the distinction, there was a definite theme that kept emerging during the day that we still have areas that we can improve on to enhance learning in our schools. It is exciting to be a part of such a high performing district. The work ethic of the faculty and staff, high expectations they have for their students and themselves, and the genuine care and concern they have for children was so evident again today. Our teachers are focusing on Common Core Standards, Response to Intervention Initiatives, a new state assessment system, and a new state evaluation system. I continue to be impressed and inspired by our team. Hats off to all of our educators for a productive and meaningful staff development day today

Thank You Principals!

Did you know that October is National Principals Month?  The title "principal" evolved from the concept of the "principal teacher" because early in U.S. education the principal was the lead teacher in a building and also was responsible for much of the operational part of the school such as evaluation, school finance, and student discipline.  This changed in the early 20th century as the expectations of principals changed and so did the required training.  In Wisconsin, principals are required to have at least three years of teaching experience and a graduate degree that is essentially a credential in School Leadership.  The job continues to become more complex and demanding.  I really appreciate the role, having served as a principal for seventeen years myself.  Over the years, I have studied mounds of research on effective principals and  their influence on student achievement, school climate, and the culture of schools.  The research continues to document the important role that principals play in leading a successful school. This next year, in Wisconsin, all principals as part of their evaluation, will be held more accountable for the student achievement in  the schools they lead. Teachers will also have more accountability in outcomes of the individual students they teach as part of the DPI Educator Effectiveness Initiatives.  Hats of to both Dr. Don Galster, Bayside Principal, and Mrs.  Karen Grimm-Nilsen, Stormonth Principal, for the fine job they do providing leadership in our schools. Both of them inspire me on a daily basis.

For more of my thoughts on the principalship, please see an article that I had published a few years ago
http://www.nassp.org/Content/158/PLFeb10_MyOpinion.pdf

Parent Engagement Supports Student Success

Recently I attended a Math Program Informational meeting in the district which was followed by the monthly PTO meeting.  Today, I attended the Back to School Coffee sponsored by the PTO.  What strikes me about each of these events is the incredible amount of parental engagement in our schools.  Parents had great questions as we were discussing the pilot math program.  Parents could talk about the instructional technology we are using to enhance learning.  It is truly impressive.  It is not a coincidence that this week the DPI rated the Fox Point –Bayside School District as Significantly Exceeds Expectations on the State Report Card for performance during the 2012 -2013 School Year.  Much research supports the significant role parents play in student achievement.  The home – school connection is paramount to this success and we want to continue to cultivate that partnership as we are engaged in continuous improvement. Thank you to all stakeholders for your work in contributing to the high level of achievement in the district.

Thank You Fox Point - Bayside Educational Foundation!

 A big Thank You to the Fox Point - Bayside  Educational Foundation for their work in raising funds to help improve instructional technology in our schools.  This year, they raised over $30,000 that was used to bring the vision of  Smart Board technology in every classroom. We are almost there.  Please check out their link on the District website.  Below is a picture of some of the members who attended the recent monthly meeting on September 12th.

New Backpacks, Tennis shoes, Opportunities and Learning; I love the first day of school.

On Tuesday, September 3rd, 938 students entered the doors of the Fox Point - Bayside schools. There was a great amount of anticipation, excitement and energy in the district as the staff greeted the students as they entered the schools.

One of the initial things you notice on the first day of school is all of the backpacks.  To me backpacks are symbolic in schools.  They represent that important connection and partnership between  home and school. The packs are empty when they arrive and filled  with books, supplies, information sheets and other artifacts for parents and students to use as they go home.  You as parents entrust us with your most precious possession, your children. We as educators pledge that we will care for them, have high expectations,  and build from  the incredible amount of learning that takes place at home.  This partnership is so critical as we facilitate learning in our schools.

The new tennis shoes that are proudly displayed are a good analogy for the start of the school year. The newness represents the fresh, optimism that they will be able to jump higher and run faster.  Our job as educators  is to preserve that optimism of the new tennis shoes and the new school year and help each student grow and maximize his/her potential.  It is a charge that we will all take very seriously.

 Students welcome back! You are the most important people in our schools and we missed you over the summer.

Thank You PTO

A special THANK YOU to the Fox Point - Bayside Parent Teacher Organization for providing the staff luncheon on August 27th.  We are fortunate to have a vibrant PTO that does great things for students, staff and parents in the FPBS schools.  The PTO does have a link on our District website, I would encourage you to check it out.