I used to ask that question all the time before GPS.  My wife, the engineer, loves maps and she is the kind of person who gives directions by saying, "go East to Highway 145, then head South for 4 miles before you turn North onto 101".  I am the kind of guy who appreciates, "go 5 blocks till you see Starbucks on your right, turn left for a half mile, and at the stop light intersection, you will be next to a Shell station-turn right."   I drove her crazy, I never knew where we were.  GPS has saved our marriage..

It's nearly March, and as important is the question where are we?,  I think the real question is where are we going?  You know the old adage, if you don't know where you are going, any road will get you there.  As we look ahead, there are at least three areas I want us to be on the right road with or without GPS.

Accreditation:  In the next few months we will be reviewing all of our committee reports and writing our first draft of our findings.  We will be undertaking an in-depth look at our Math program as part of our accreditation work beginning with me observing in every math class this week.  Our goal is to have our report of findings ready for you, our stake holders, to discuss at a late April meeting.  At that time, we will also have our recommendations for our School Improvement Plan.  Your feedback will be critical answering where are we going?

Academics:  We will be meeting to determine pre-Honors math and accelerated math program.  This involves teachers from grades 5 through 8 with Kathy Miner as the lead.  Our goal is to have 6th grade students be able to test into pre-algebra after their successful completion of the pre-Honors course.   

We are really looking forward to integrating more technology into our classrooms and with the Fund-an-item interactive boards and greater internet reliability, we will see a dramatic difference of technology assisted instruction and learning. 

We are heading into a new model for early childhood learning with specific classes for 3 year olds and 4 year olds.  The curriculum will designed more developmentally and build on each other right through 1st grade.  Outside specialists are assisting us with this new design.

Student support: We want to build on our understanding of differentiating instruction especially with students who need additional help.  Better assessment of math and writing skills will help us design strategies for closing learning gaps.  Our learning goals are clear and standards appropriately high but we will be working on developing stronger assessment tools, more sophisticated analysis and clearer communication patterns with parents and amongst each other.  This is essential if we want all of our students to be and feel successful.

I know we are just beginning the month of March and we have lots of school left but our eyes need to be on the road in front of us and alert to the road yet unseen.

I look forward to that journey together,

Chris