Thank You Board Members Alice Lawton and Tim Melchert

School Board members, Alice Lawton and Timothy Melchert, will each finish their terms on March 18^th. Both of them will have served for two three-year terms.  When you are a new superintendent, you hope that your board members will be dedicated, student- centered, and supportive like both of them.  The Fox Point – Bayside School District has been so fortunate to have them advocating for students, staff, and community the past six years.  Being a board member is a complex and demanding responsibility.  The argument could be made that their terms were some of the most difficult, given the national, state, and local educational issues that took place during their tenure.  Their public service should serve as a model to all of us.  Local school boards are rooted in U.S. tradition and the foundation of our democracy.  Local school boards continue to do the most important work of their communities, that of influencing the education of our youth.
 

We often forget the personal sacrifices school board members make by giving up hundreds of hours preparing for and attending meetings.  Each of them is also a spouse, parent, and person with a career. Alice is a playwright, author, and attorney.  Tim is a Professor of Counseling Psychology and author of several books and articles.  I mention that because their choice of public service is pure altruism at its  best.  I know I am a better superintendent as a result of working with each of them the past ten months.  I say, Thank you for your service, Alice and Tim.  May you have some satisfaction knowing you have made great contributions to influencing the learning that is taking place in the Fox Point - Bayside School District
  
 In closing, I would like to provide a quote that captures the importance of their work.

“There is a place in America to take a stand: it is public education.  It is the underpinning of our cultural and political system.  It is the great common ground.  Public education, after all, is the engine that moves us as a society toward a common destiny… It is public education that the American dream begins to shape.”   - Tom Brokaw

Debates, Documentaries, and Science Fair Projects - Learning is Alive at Bayside!

In the last few weeks I have observed students engaged in debates and presenting documentaries  and science fair projects at Bayside Middle school.  Students were assigned to read and analyze the book The Outsiders from different perspectives.  On the day of the debates, the students were dressed as either greasers or socials and they debated from their assigned perspectives.  In another activity,  students had an assignment that required them to research a specific historical event or person and develop a documentary, utilizing  technology to develop the videos.  Students used primary and secondary sources to develop the projects.  Last week students presented their science projects at an event that was held in the gymnasium.  The development of an hypothesis, the use of data and conclusions were very interesting.  In all three of these activities there was a lot of higher level thinking that required students to use the content in an authentic way.  There is a great amount of learning going on at Bayside on a daily basis and these are just some examples. Kudos to the faculty, staff and students on a job well done on these projects.

The Culture of the Fox Point –Bayside Schools : The Traditions, Celebrations, Rituals and Ceremonies

     If I were not a Superintendent of Schools and could have any occupation, I would want to be a Cultural Anthropologist.  I would want to study the values demonstrated in organizations like schools.  That is, what is important to the people in these organizations?  I would observe and study the traditions, celebrations, rituals and ceremonies that take place that tell the story of what the organization values. During the month of January I observed four different events in the Fox Point – Bayside Schools that really illustrate the culture of the organization: Community Night at Stormonth, the 5^th grade Music Concert at Bayside, the Bedtime Stories event at Stormonth, and the Bayside Students at Camp Maclean.

     On January 16^th, Stormonth Elementary School held it’s annual Community Night.  Parents of incoming students for the next year were invited to learn more about the school.  What was impressive about this event was that in addition to parents, many staff and students also attended.  As a matter of fact students, from each grade level made a short presentation and 4^th grade students gave tours of the school.  The pride the students and staff had for their school was so evident.  Over fifty parents attended the event.
 

     On January 22^nd, Bayside held their annual 5^th Grade Music Concert.  The Orchestra, Band and Choir all performed.  It was so nice to see so many young students participating in music.  The gym was filled with parents, brothers, sisters and staff.  It was very apparent that the school, staff, parents and community value music very much.   The performances were impressive.  Students introduced each piece that was to be performed.  Students were dressed up, well behaved and seemed to be enjoying the event.  Several parents were taking pictures and recording the performances.  It was a cold night, but there was a lot of warmth in the gym.

     On January 29^th Stormonth held the traditional Bedtime Stories event for first graders.  All of the first grade teachers and several other staff members volunteered to wear pajamas and read to the students, who were also wearing pajamas. Each reader selected an age appropriate book to read to the students.  After the students were in three different classrooms with three different readers, they went to the cafeteria for a snack.  It was evident that staff and parents value reading and care a great deal for the students.
 

     On January 29, 30 and 31^st the Bayside 7^th graders participated in an overnight camp experience at Camp Mclean in Burlington.  I visited the camp and it was great to see the students actively involved in learning activities.  Much of the activities were focused on team building.  Several staff members and parents attended the event and stayed overnight as chaperones.   It is truly a special event for the students. 

     All of these events have some common themes:  there is a lot of student learning taking place.   All of the experiences extended the learning beyond the classroom, an opportunity that is not common in every district. All of the events had staff volunteering beyond the school day to provide these experiences for their students.  All of the occasions had a large amount of parent involvement.  The experiences showed that the FPBS Schools value a wide range of learning including, the arts, extended learning and a high level of student engagement. 

     As an anthropologist, I observed a great deal of student and teacher interaction and a value of providing students with rich experiences.  The culture is student centered and the adults take great care for the students to learn and grow.  As a superintendent, I take great pride in the fact that our students are engaged in incredible learning experiences and that the staff, parents and students are working together to provide a great education. That is the story I take out of my experience observing and participating in the four events.

Letter to Stormonth parents regarding the appointment of Mrs. Karen Grimm-Nilsen to Principal

Dear Stormonth Families,

It is with great enthusiasm that I announce that at the recent Fox Point-Bayside School District Board of Education meeting Mrs. Karen Grimm-Nilsen was appointed to serve as Principal for Stormonth Elementary School for the rest of this school year and beyond.  As you may know, she has been serving in that role on an interim basis.

This summer an interview team consisting of teachers, support staff members and parents interviewed several candidates for the position.  At the conclusion of that process, the District, with input from committee members, decided to go with an interim for the 2013-14 school year.  Mrs. Grimm-Nilsen was selected.

During the past six months I have spent a lot of time interacting with students, staff, and parents at Stormonth Elementary School.  Also, I have really gotten to know Mrs. Grimm-Nilsen as an educator, leader and colleague.  I have had several parents, staff members and students tell me what an excellent job she is doing in her role and how they trust and respect her.  She is deserving of serving in the position on a permanent basis.

Mrs. Grimm-Nilsen has been an educator for 27 years.  She has an undergraduate degree from UW Eau Claire in regular and special education and a graduate degree in Educational Leadership from Marian College.  She has been with the Fox Point-Bayside Schools for 23 years in regular and special education at the elementary and middle school levels.

This year Stormonth Elementary School was identified as one of the best schools in the state.  The school received a “Significantly Exceeds Expectations” rating from the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.  Mrs. Grimm-Nilsen is poised to continue that tradition of excellence and to lead us to even higher levels of achievement.

With Pride and Respect,

Dr. Vance Dalzin

District Administrator

Happy Thanksgiving

Dear Fox Point-Bayside Team Members:

Please allow me to use the Thanksgiving meal metaphor to illustrate the connection of what we do as a learning community.  First, much like the Native Americans helping the Pilgrims harvest food and survive the first winter, our educators facilitate learning for students to help them survive, thrive and grow as people.

Like many of you, I really do reflect on what I am grateful for during this time.  Of course, I am thankful for the health and happiness of my family, but my list also includes having the opportunity to work in this very special school district with such committed educators and supportive parents.  I feel truly blessed. 

Thank you for your continued commitment.  Best wishes for a Thanksgiving that returns the gratitude you have given to your students.  May you sit down to a great meal and enjoy time with family and friends. 

With Pride and Respect,

Vance

Vance Dalzin

District Administrator     

Teachers Matter!

     Smarter Balanced Assessment System, Common Core Standards, Response to Intervention, and a host of other initiatives are making their way into schools as a way to provide a better public education for students.  History tells us some of these initiatives may make a difference and some may not.  I believe what has always made a difference, and always will, is the quality of educators a school has in front of students facilitating learning on a daily basis.  In virtually every study or piece of literature I have read on factors that affect student learning, the quality of the teacher almost always is at the top of the list.  Although important, the standards, curriculum, assessments, technology, and physical appearance of the school do not have nearly as much influence on student learning as the teacher does.

     In July, I started serving as the superintendent of one of the highest academic performing districts in the state of Wisconsin.  I have been asking a lot of questions of different stakeholders (teachers, support staff, parents, and students), searching for why the district is performing at such a high level.  I feel the answer is that the district has done a great job attracting, selecting and developing quality teachers who are making an incredible difference for students.  For a typical teaching vacancy in our district, it is common to get over 300 applications.  The Fox Point – Bayside School District has become a destination district for not only parents to send their children, but for experienced educators to continue their professional journey.  Most of our teachers taught in other districts before they came here.

     I continue to be amazed at the high quality and talent of our educators.  I was impressed with the staff development our staff members were involved in over the summer.  Most of our teachers have advanced degrees and are immersed in continuing to evolve in their craft.  Much of my professional career was spent at the middle school and high school level and now I am seeing firsthand how primary teachers facilitate the first steps toward literacy; I am simply awestruck.  Teaching really matters.

    What do I believe are the primary reasons our two schools are outperforming other schools? It is because we have supportive, knowledgeable, curious and resourceful parents who have high expectations for their children and highly skilled educators who have the knowledge, skills and dispositions to get the most out of students.  It is a good formula for success.  As a district, we need to never lose sight of our investment in attracting, developing and supporting teachers.  It has paid great dividends and helped bring us to where we are as a learning community.  Teachers matter and I am so glad to be a part of the FPBS Team!

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.