O.K., those of you have been in to WHS know that your principal did not actually go on vacation for the past six weeks (you've got to be kidding me, where did the time go?!?), nor did I intentionally take a hiatus from the WHS Principal's Blog. Truth be told, and as many of you know ... I have been buried at work, and blogging to share a glimpse of life 'on the inside' at Woodland Heights needed to take a lower priority. Not to make excuses ... it just is what it is!
So what has been going on? A lot. Where do I start? How about from the beginning. The following is a list of 'blog micro-entries' that cover some key events and conditions that have characterized administrative and staff functions over recent weeks.
A.] 2011-2012 Budget Development and Review Process > This year we were mightily challenged with a sluggish economic recovery and dramatic cutbacks in state aid to schools. These conditions necessitated some severe budget cuts for Laconia (and most districts across the state). The challenge was to determine how and what to cut that would result in the least amount of harm to the quality of our educational program and student expereince here at Woodland Heights, and across our district. Many meetings and many conversations later, we believe that we have arrived at a plan that will allow us to continue our good work on behalf of the City of Laconia. There have been cutbacks to several programs, and there have been reductions in staff, but the kids will be fin in the end. We'll make sure of it!
B.] WHS Behavior Specialist Leaves Our Service > A critical position in our school is that of the WHS Behavior Specialist. This individual helps coordinate our school's student management and character development programs. The Behavior Specialist's role involves, among other things: conducting investigations, assigning consequences for misdeeds,making parent contacts, and logging disciplinary infractions; administering and supervising disciplinary consequences; developing and administering student incentive programs (behavior plans); and educational programs to promote good citizenship and a safe school climate. Well, we were without a behavior specialist for much of the spring, and the office staff had to take up much of the slack -- tough to do when you already have a 'considerable' workload. We were fortunate to hire another behavior specialist, and then spent necessary time to assist with training and preparing our new candidate for success. We are definitely in a better place now!
C.] Teacher Evaluation Cycle Peaks > The Laconia School District has a rigorous teacher evaluation system that calls for very careful oversight of staff. Depending on a teacher's level of experience, she is formally evaluated between three and nine times a year. This includes formal classroom observations, pre- and post-observation conferences, and the writing of teacher evaluation reports. This program is supported by an intensive professional goal-setting process, and a process of documenting and reflecting upon professional development activities (teacher training opportunities such as conferences, workshops, graduate level college courses, book study groups, etc., etc.). Suffice it to say, your teachers are hired to join our team based on a highly competitive process to assure that Laconia obtains the highest quality professional staff possible. Once your foot is in the door, however, the real challenge begins: proving worthiness through excellent performance in order to retain your position. The teacher evaluation process is another major undertaking, and a critically important one, for our staff.
D.] Plymouth State University Interns Wrap-Up at WHS > We were pleased to grow our partnership with PSU this year and bring to our school a large number of college students learning how to become successful teachers. Part of our obligation in the process is an intensive series of evaluations to offer competent, field-based feedback to the students and to the University about aspiring teacher skill development, professional growth, and teaching potential. The partnership is important to us, but is not without an investment on our part (some staff time and energy).
E.] Summer Program Planning and Recruitment > In Laconia, we are pleased to offer many grant funded opportunities for our students to continue their learning over the summer. These experiences are often related to fundamental academics, arts and engineering enrichment, or other experiential learning. These programs require careful planning, staffing, student recruitment, and other logistical considerations. We continue to do all that we can to make learning opportunities happen for our students year-round! In Laconia, the learning and the fun never end.
F.] ARRA Technology Grant Wrap-Up > Woodland Heights school has enjoyed a monumental opportunity to participate in a technology grant that has gone a long way to revolutionizing the way teachers teach, and the way that students learn at WHS. This opportunity that has had such dramatically positive results for our school also has required a great deal of commitment from our staff. It is true that you don't get something for nothing. Our teachers have received a lot, but they have given a great deal in order to take our school 'to the next level' with technology.
G.] General School Management, Events, and Problem-Solving > Television shows are frequently written about the drama, intensity, and dynamic environment that can be found in a hospital or police station. I certainly wouldn't take anything away from the service and the sacrifice of people in health careers, law enforcement, or emergency services, but I could make a pitch to a major network for a program about a school office. It is hard to imagine any environment more active than an organization that houses and services 450 3-11 year-olds, their families, and staff, all day, every day for an entire school year -- oh, and then there are myriad evening events and a multitude of summer programs and other organizations that operate out of our school. What is the point? At WHS, 'it' is happening all the time, at every moment, and in every way. Don't believe me? Drop in for a moment sometime.
Enough for now. Thanks for reading, and if there is ever another long gap between blog posts, just know that I haven't been on vacation, 'just been too busy to write! Keeping up with Woodland Heights? You better have roller skates!
