There is an old saying that changes in education are evolutionary not revolutionary.
There is a great deal of truth to this saying. In today’s world we in education must change this
We must become nimble.
Nimble is defined as quick and light in movement; moving with ease; agile and active.
Do not confuse being nimble with being reactionary or rash. Being nimble means we must have the ability to move quickly, efficiently and effectively to meet the challenges that face education.
As I reflect on our budget development process, I realize how difficult it is for a school district to be nimble. We are planning our spending and programs for next year based on old knowledge, old data and old assumptions. As all of you know, technology that is purchased today is out of date quickly, sometimes even before we purchase it. New best practices in the classroom emerge on a daily basis. It would take a crystal ball to know exactly what new and improved technology and knowledge will be available to us come September, yet we formulate schedules and budgets that reflect what we have done in the past.
Schools face the specter of being under-funded and over-regulated in these very hard times. This adds to our plodding nature and makes becoming nimble seem nearly impossible. The call for greater and greater accountability stifles our desire to take risks of any kind.
But we can’t let these factors become excuses.
To overcome these challenges and become nimble we must build flexibility and calculated risk taking into our budgets, schedules, lesson plans and policies. We must put in place processes to review our actions quickly and, based on current data, take corrective action in a moments notice. We must be quick and light in movement, agile and active.
Throughout the spring our district will be working to align and update our curriculum to ensure rigor and relevance. During this process we will be able to build in opportunities for risk taking, language that allows for the flexibility and emphasis on research and innovation in the class room.
It is steps like these that will put us closer to one of my main goals - helping Watervliet become a nimble school district.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Keeping on mission!
Our mission is to inspire educate and challenge every student, every day. And here in the Watervliet City School District we are living this mission.
I am proud to inform you that in the 2007 – 2008 school year our students met our annual yearly progress goals in every category, in every sub group and at every level. It is the hard work and commitment of our faculty and staff that has made this achievement possible.
While it is important that we take time to celebrate this achievement, we can not rest on our laurels. In an environment of continuous improvement we must ensure that this upward momentum continues.
A key way to do this is to ensure that we have a rigorous and relevant curriculum that is not only aligned with the New York State learning standards, but is aligned with our mission.
Recently, I was at a meeting of the leaders of community groups in our city. At the end of the meeting a line formed in front of me. Almost to a person, these community leaders sought our students for one activity, function or another. It gave me great pride to hear the positive comments about our schools, our teachers and most importantly – our students. But with that pride, came a feeling of great responsibility. This community depends on our ability to prepare our students to be the future of their city, the state and our nation.
They depend on us to deliver rigorous, relevant education with curriculum that is aligned with learning standards and prepares them for the challenges of the 21st century.
I want to thank our faculty and staff for they work they do towards fulfilling this challenge, and all that they do for every Watervliet student, every day.
I am proud to inform you that in the 2007 – 2008 school year our students met our annual yearly progress goals in every category, in every sub group and at every level. It is the hard work and commitment of our faculty and staff that has made this achievement possible.
While it is important that we take time to celebrate this achievement, we can not rest on our laurels. In an environment of continuous improvement we must ensure that this upward momentum continues.
A key way to do this is to ensure that we have a rigorous and relevant curriculum that is not only aligned with the New York State learning standards, but is aligned with our mission.
Recently, I was at a meeting of the leaders of community groups in our city. At the end of the meeting a line formed in front of me. Almost to a person, these community leaders sought our students for one activity, function or another. It gave me great pride to hear the positive comments about our schools, our teachers and most importantly – our students. But with that pride, came a feeling of great responsibility. This community depends on our ability to prepare our students to be the future of their city, the state and our nation.
They depend on us to deliver rigorous, relevant education with curriculum that is aligned with learning standards and prepares them for the challenges of the 21st century.
I want to thank our faculty and staff for they work they do towards fulfilling this challenge, and all that they do for every Watervliet student, every day.
Wednesday, March 11, 2009
Cannoneers hit the books, and crush the competition
Our student athletes are getting the job done in the classroom and on the court/field. Earlier this month we were informed that our Girls Bowling, Boys Basketball and Boys Indoor Track teams were named Scholar Athlete Teams by the New York State High School Athletic Association. This follows a fall that saw four other teams also receive this honor; Girls Tennis, Girls Volleyball, Girls Soccer and Varsity Boys Football.
A team must have a combined overall average of 91 or better to qualify as a scholar athlete team.
Not only are Watervliet’s student athletes hitting the books, but they are crushing the competition as well. Section II titles were won in Football, Girl’s Basketball and for the first time ever, wrestling. In fact, our Football and Wrestling teams combined both a sectional championship and a scholar athlete award.
While many argue that athletics have little to do with student achievement, the academic accomplishments of our students clearly show that the two go hand in hand. Cannoneer athletes are held to a high standard and must perform in the classroom or they are not allowed to compete in their chosen sport. Our Athletic Director and all of our coaches share this philosophy and instill this value in each of their team members.
We are very proud that our students have the self discipline and commitment needed to be champions of both academics and athletics.
As an added honor, Varsity Football Coach, Erick Bernard and Wrestling Coach, Dennis Lane were both named Coach of the Year. These two gentlemen happen to be the coaches of our two teams that achieved both a sectional championship and a scholar athlete award. Is this just a coincidence? I think not?
The pressure is on spring coaches and teams. You have big shoes to fill!
A team must have a combined overall average of 91 or better to qualify as a scholar athlete team.
Not only are Watervliet’s student athletes hitting the books, but they are crushing the competition as well. Section II titles were won in Football, Girl’s Basketball and for the first time ever, wrestling. In fact, our Football and Wrestling teams combined both a sectional championship and a scholar athlete award.
While many argue that athletics have little to do with student achievement, the academic accomplishments of our students clearly show that the two go hand in hand. Cannoneer athletes are held to a high standard and must perform in the classroom or they are not allowed to compete in their chosen sport. Our Athletic Director and all of our coaches share this philosophy and instill this value in each of their team members.
We are very proud that our students have the self discipline and commitment needed to be champions of both academics and athletics.
As an added honor, Varsity Football Coach, Erick Bernard and Wrestling Coach, Dennis Lane were both named Coach of the Year. These two gentlemen happen to be the coaches of our two teams that achieved both a sectional championship and a scholar athlete award. Is this just a coincidence? I think not?
The pressure is on spring coaches and teams. You have big shoes to fill!
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Community Budget Forum - February 25, 2009!
There is no doubt our nation is facing difficult times. The words recession, collapse, and bailout have become standard fare on the pages of newspapers and magazines both locally and across the country. According to experts, the current economic crisis will take years to play out. As a result, our district is going to be facing intense competition for limited resources at the state level.
The Watervliet City School District has been fiscally responsible, managing to work our way out of a $1.3 million budget deficit in left by a gap in funding in the 2005-06 school budget. As of the close of the 2007-08 fiscal year, the District has fully recovered from this deficit. However, it appears that the fiscal crisis at the New York State level will lead to reduced state aid this year, meaning that the district must look for ways to save money without affecting the quality of our educational program, or putting too large a financial burden on our taxpayers.
To that end, I would like to personally invite you to join us for an upcoming Community Forum to brainstorm together how best to plan for the 2009-10 school year budget.
The forum will be held on Wednesday, February 25, at 6:30 pm in the WJSHS Media Center and will feature a brief presentation on the current state of the district followed discussion on several essential questions related to the district’s budgeting process.
In times of economic uncertainty, schools can’t take the same approach as a business dealing with lost revenue, which would be to reduce either the quantity or quality of the product we produce. That’s just not an option in education – regardless of the state’s woes, our core mission is to inspire, educate and challenge every student every day.
While WCSD is lucky enough to be in better financial shape than many other local districts, the Board of Education may have to make some difficult decisions over the coming months, in an attempt to preserve our financial stability moving forward. Your input is very important to us. Navigating these rough waters is not something that the district should do in isolation. It is crucial that we work together as a community to find an appropriate balance. We hope that you will be able to join us for the upcoming Community Forum - I look forward to seeing you on February 25!
The Watervliet City School District has been fiscally responsible, managing to work our way out of a $1.3 million budget deficit in left by a gap in funding in the 2005-06 school budget. As of the close of the 2007-08 fiscal year, the District has fully recovered from this deficit. However, it appears that the fiscal crisis at the New York State level will lead to reduced state aid this year, meaning that the district must look for ways to save money without affecting the quality of our educational program, or putting too large a financial burden on our taxpayers.
To that end, I would like to personally invite you to join us for an upcoming Community Forum to brainstorm together how best to plan for the 2009-10 school year budget.
The forum will be held on Wednesday, February 25, at 6:30 pm in the WJSHS Media Center and will feature a brief presentation on the current state of the district followed discussion on several essential questions related to the district’s budgeting process.
In times of economic uncertainty, schools can’t take the same approach as a business dealing with lost revenue, which would be to reduce either the quantity or quality of the product we produce. That’s just not an option in education – regardless of the state’s woes, our core mission is to inspire, educate and challenge every student every day.
While WCSD is lucky enough to be in better financial shape than many other local districts, the Board of Education may have to make some difficult decisions over the coming months, in an attempt to preserve our financial stability moving forward. Your input is very important to us. Navigating these rough waters is not something that the district should do in isolation. It is crucial that we work together as a community to find an appropriate balance. We hope that you will be able to join us for the upcoming Community Forum - I look forward to seeing you on February 25!
Friday, January 16, 2009
Planning for the 2009-10 school budget.. we need your input!
As we begin the New Year, our district begins to focus on the school budget for 2009-2010. In doing this, we know that we have two main objectives: to provide a world class education to every student, every day, and to do so without over burdening our local taxpayers. This year, this balancing act is made even more difficult by the economic crisis that we face as a state and a nation. The realities of this crisis have our State officials considering some very deep cuts in the aid to education,
Watervliet relies heavily on state education funding to provide our student programs and keep our local taxes as low as possible. Reduction in this aid leaves us with only two choices; remove student programming or increase local taxes. Neither of which is something that we want to do.
These issues are at the center of the budget conversations that we want to have, not only with the school employees and administration, but also with the citizens of Watervliet.
In years past we have had a budget committee made up of school employees, local business owners, parents, and concerned tax payers. We would like to invite anyone who wants to be part of our solution team to join this budget committee. We will be holding a series of meetings over the coming months, the dates of which will be posted on the district’s website. If you would like to be a member of this committee, please contact Bernadette Boardman, Clerk of the Board, at 629-3201. We need to hear the voices of the people of Watervliet to help us make the right choices in this challenging time.
We will not abandon our students, and regardless of the money lost to state aid cuts we will accept and overcome this challenge together. The future of our students and our city is at stake. We must work together to come out of this crisis a stronger community.
Watervliet relies heavily on state education funding to provide our student programs and keep our local taxes as low as possible. Reduction in this aid leaves us with only two choices; remove student programming or increase local taxes. Neither of which is something that we want to do.
These issues are at the center of the budget conversations that we want to have, not only with the school employees and administration, but also with the citizens of Watervliet.
In years past we have had a budget committee made up of school employees, local business owners, parents, and concerned tax payers. We would like to invite anyone who wants to be part of our solution team to join this budget committee. We will be holding a series of meetings over the coming months, the dates of which will be posted on the district’s website. If you would like to be a member of this committee, please contact Bernadette Boardman, Clerk of the Board, at 629-3201. We need to hear the voices of the people of Watervliet to help us make the right choices in this challenging time.
We will not abandon our students, and regardless of the money lost to state aid cuts we will accept and overcome this challenge together. The future of our students and our city is at stake. We must work together to come out of this crisis a stronger community.
Friday, December 19, 2008
Anatomy of a snow day
I don’t believe in snow days. There I’ve said it. Of course I loved them when I was a kid, but as an educator, I hate to lose a day where we can be teaching students. If a student catches me on a day where bad weather is in the forecast and asks me if we’re going to have a snow day, you can bet my answer is going to be a resounding “NO!”
However, since the upstate New York winter has arrived with a vengeance, we know that some snowy or icy days are on the way. And despite what I would hope, it is inevitable that some inclement weather will eventually affect our school schedule.
So, contrary to what I want all of our students to believe, I probably will have to call the occasional snow day.
The historic ice storm that hit our region on Friday, December 12 is a perfect example of a time when I felt there was a definitive need for an emergency closing of our school. But often, the decision to close school is not that clear cut.
The Wednesday following the storm, December 17, was a bit more complicated. On these types of days there is a great deal that goes into making the decision to close, delay or maintain our regular schedule.
When the weather’s bad, my day starts at about 4 a.m. with a call to our head of maintenance, John Szkopiec. Mr. Szkopiec is always the first one on school grounds during bad weather. He gives me an update on the conditions of our buildings, parking lots and the roads leading to our schools. He also frequently talks with the plow drivers for the City of Watervliet to get a read on the condition of the rest of the roads in the City.
My second call is to our Director of Transportation, Mrs. Yanni. Mrs. Yanni has a report from the transportation companies we contract with on the conditions of the roads and the readiness of the bus fleet. Next, I call the superintendents of our neighboring districts in Cohoes and Green Island. The three of us will review what we have learned so far that morning and discuss any ways that we may be able to assist each other during the weather emergency. In very serious situations, such as the Valentines Day storm in February of 2007 that forced the schools to close for two consecutive days, I will call the Mayor, Fire Chief and Chief of Police to look to coordinate our response and pool resources.
When all of the information is collected, a final determination is made and the notices go out to the media, gets posted on our district website, www.watervlietcityschools.org, and the phone trees begin for faculty and staff. My last step is to contact the Board of Education members informing them of the decision that was made and why.
So, if you ever wonder how I decide to close, delay or remain on our regular schedule, now you know. It doesn’t have anything to do with whether or not kids are wearing their pajamas inside out, or sleeping with a spoon under their pillows, as I have heard many students have started to do as a “night-before-a-snow day” ritual. I rely heavily on the input of others and do what is needed to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
However, since the upstate New York winter has arrived with a vengeance, we know that some snowy or icy days are on the way. And despite what I would hope, it is inevitable that some inclement weather will eventually affect our school schedule.
So, contrary to what I want all of our students to believe, I probably will have to call the occasional snow day.
The historic ice storm that hit our region on Friday, December 12 is a perfect example of a time when I felt there was a definitive need for an emergency closing of our school. But often, the decision to close school is not that clear cut.
The Wednesday following the storm, December 17, was a bit more complicated. On these types of days there is a great deal that goes into making the decision to close, delay or maintain our regular schedule.
When the weather’s bad, my day starts at about 4 a.m. with a call to our head of maintenance, John Szkopiec. Mr. Szkopiec is always the first one on school grounds during bad weather. He gives me an update on the conditions of our buildings, parking lots and the roads leading to our schools. He also frequently talks with the plow drivers for the City of Watervliet to get a read on the condition of the rest of the roads in the City.
My second call is to our Director of Transportation, Mrs. Yanni. Mrs. Yanni has a report from the transportation companies we contract with on the conditions of the roads and the readiness of the bus fleet. Next, I call the superintendents of our neighboring districts in Cohoes and Green Island. The three of us will review what we have learned so far that morning and discuss any ways that we may be able to assist each other during the weather emergency. In very serious situations, such as the Valentines Day storm in February of 2007 that forced the schools to close for two consecutive days, I will call the Mayor, Fire Chief and Chief of Police to look to coordinate our response and pool resources.
When all of the information is collected, a final determination is made and the notices go out to the media, gets posted on our district website, www.watervlietcityschools.org, and the phone trees begin for faculty and staff. My last step is to contact the Board of Education members informing them of the decision that was made and why.
So, if you ever wonder how I decide to close, delay or remain on our regular schedule, now you know. It doesn’t have anything to do with whether or not kids are wearing their pajamas inside out, or sleeping with a spoon under their pillows, as I have heard many students have started to do as a “night-before-a-snow day” ritual. I rely heavily on the input of others and do what is needed to ensure the safety of our students and staff.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Respect and Integrity
A community of learners must be a community of respect. Positive results can’t occur in an atmosphere that lacks respect. As a school district we must be respectful of our students, our community and each other.
This holds true not just for our intentions, but for our actions. We must treat each other with respect on an everyday basis. It is important to remember that please and thank you is not only polite, but it works! Try it.
Most of us think of integrity as being honest and doing what is right, not only for ourselves, but for everyone. However, integrity is much more than that. At its core, it is consistency of actions, values, methods, measures and principles, Cheating on a test, copying homework or using sick time to go shopping are actions that not only break the rules, but show a lack of integrity.
Failing to push ourselves to do our best can be a seen as a lack of integrity as well. In failing to strive to be our best, we are not being honest with ourselves, we’re selling ourselves short and cheating the rest of the community out of our potential contributions.
We cannot allow that to happen.
Every student must be shown the way to act with respect and integrity every day. Not because we say so, but because failing to do this robs both the student and the rest of us of the greatness that each student has inside of them.
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