Remembering You Why

This week, I had the opportunity to meet with one of our seniors at a local restaurant in town.  This student has been struggling with life - trying to make it on their own.  The stress of making sure they have money for food & electric, balancing school and work, and not having a support system in place is more than any 18 year old should even have to balance.  It felt safer for the student to meet off campus and allowed me to meet with her in more of a mentor role than principal role - which always better!

My purpose for the meeting was to provide hope, guidance, and support.  I wanted to let them know that we hadn't given up on them and if we work together, there was still a lot of time for success!  We were able to make a plan and I feel like we are moving in the right direction. 

As a reflect on this student, and other students like this, it reminds me of why I get up and come to school everyday.  We have so many students that need our patients, forgiveness, time, and warm smile.  Watching a student go from disparity to believing in themselves is the sweet spot and that is when we know we have made a difference.  I personally cannot think of a greater reward. It is an honor for me to serve students in need and it is why I come to school each and every day.

Simon Sinek reminds us about the importance of remembering our "why".  What is our purpose, our call, our belief?  Simon tells us that when we start with our "why" we inspire others.  So this week, I would encourage all of you remind yourself about your "why" and be ready to be re-energized!  Share it with at least one person this week!

You can catch Simon's inspirational YouTube video HERE. 


Important Information: 

RTI Meeting - Wednesday, November 6th, we will have an RTI meeting at 7:20 a.m. in the high school library.  If you have students you would like our team to problem solve, please send them to Jody asap! 

Faculty Meeting - Due to conflicts, we would like to move our morning faculty meeting to Wednesday, November 13th at 7:20 a.m.  Please mark your calendars!

Diversity Training - Tuesday, November 19th, we will have an after school corporation meeting for diversity training.  This is a very important event for all of us.  We will give you specific times as the event gets closer. 

2018-2019 Final Evaluations - We are finally able to finalize your evaluations from last school year.  Very soon, we will be reaching out to you and asking for your signature!  This is considered a "harmless" year, so we are able to use our "A" letter grade from last year!  Yeah! 

Accountability Model - Last week, I attended our last accountability model meeting at the state house.  It has been an interesting experience.  Our charge was to submit an accountability model that aligned to the new graduation pathways.  We worked to align the federal requirements (ESSA) and state requirements so that we would only have one letter grade in the future.

Below you will find a link to the document that will be submitted.  State Board of Education has the power to change any part of the model they choose (so who knows where it will go from here.) I have bullet points to offer some clarity.  If you have any questions - I would be happy to share what I know and understand (it is very complicated.)

Accountability Model Link

* Box 1 - Measures "College and Career Readiness" - Basically, this is talking about the High School Exam that we must give to juniors (It will start with this year's freshmen).  In two years, the former ISTEP 10 exam will move to a SAT/ACT model.  All students within the grade will have to take the test.  Federal law requires a high school exam and state law says that we will utilize a college entrance test.  Only 15% of our overall letter grade will be based on this exam AND our success will be based on the average of the state.  Right now, there will be zero growth scores as their goal is to eliminate unnecessary retesting and remediation.
* Box 2 - Basically, this is our graduation rate based on the grad pathways.  Students who earn a waiver from grad pathways will count against us (by then, we shouldn't need any waivers.)  This is also recommended to be 15%
* Box 3 - We will be measured by the number of students who complete one of the outcomes listed.  You will notice there are several options for students (not just one ISTEP test.)

We are in a good place to be ready for an accountability model like this, but there will be some work to do.  The goal of this panel is to now continue to work on a middle school and elementary model that is not tied directly to the ILEARN but will have multiple measures.

I am excited about what is taking place in the state of Indiana.  I think it is going to be a welcomed change for our students.  We will see what Indiana does with it!  :-)


Congrats to the football team and coaches!  They will be playing for the sectional championship at Perry Central this Friday night against West Washington!  Go Commodores!!!