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SUPERINTENDENT'S
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Superintendent's Message
September, 2004
Rick Gantman, Superintendent
School Improvement and Elementary School Early Release
School improvement is very complex. Mount Baker School District has been working hard in recent years to intensify our improvement efforts and to be accountable for excellence in all aspects of our school programs. In the past three years we have adopted a new math and a new reading program for our elementary schools. Additionally, we have been attempting to increase our ability to analyze student performance data and to modify instruction based on the results. Each of these endeavors is a major undertaking and requires an extraordinary effort from staff.
In an effort to continue our school improvement work in a thoughtful manner, we will have eight additional elementary school early release days (in addition to the early releases for conferences). This extra time is critical for staff to analyze student performance data, make modifications to lesson plans, implement new curriculum, and improve instructional practices. This time will be used for classroom level planning and teacher collaboration that is focused on the school improvement plan. Specifically, these early release days will allow staff to work together to make use of the new sets of reading materials, prepare to use phonics and math manipulatives, organize new lessons for “literature circles”, plan instruction to teach reading and comprehension strategies, and much more!
Educational research has shown that the schools that make the most progress in improving student performance are those that created the time for staff to work together to be diligent and intentional about instruction and assessment. As the saying goes; “you cannot work on an airplane engine while in flight.” The elementary school early release days will be an important part of the improvement of your child’s school.
See also September Board Briefs
