This week is teacher appreciation week and we take this opportunity to say thank you to each of our teachers for all you do for the kids.

Teaching, in part at least through the political process and the media, has become less than the revered profession it once was. However, in my opinion, it remains one of the most important, difficult and complex of professions.

Our schools, with teachers being the key service providers, continue to gain exceptional results in student achievement and development. It is the ongoing dedication of special people who teach our children that make our schools successful. Thank you teachers for all you do for the kids every day.

Paul

The table below summarizes enrollment comparisons between September 4, 2012 and last year’s September count day (the September 2012 count day is this Friday, September 7th). Steady and positive enrollment trends appear to continue again this year.

District Student Enrollment 2011/2012 Comparison

Two kindergarten sections have been added beyond last year. Class sizes are trending a bit larger at the elementary grades in particular because of limited classroom spaces. Because enrollment in grades 1-5  is consistent at about 200 students per grade, there is no particularly large elementary grade level, except for kindergarten, to which it makes sense to add staffing at this time. Actual class sizes in grades 1 -5, without considering support staff such as special education, Title, counselors, PE, art, music, etc., are at just under 25. With specialists the staffing ratio is about 21:1.

At the middle level, math/science, language arts/social studies and PE staffing has been added along with some internal shifting of staff assignments.

High school enrollment is down somewhat from last year with students moving or choosing other programs/districts along with a small class moving from 8^th to 9^th grade for a net reduction in enrollment. Even so, added instructional and support staff have been added in ESL, Spanish language, English CTE, along with some internal shifting of staff. Because of the variety of electives, staffing is a bit less efficient at the secondary level.

A Teacher on Special Assignment (TOSA) has been added to assist with the implementation of RTI and utilizing data to inform instruction, a significant development in the new teacher and principal evaluation requirements.

So far 5 new paraprofessional educator positions have been added, mostly in special education. The special education preschool program is expanding into the afternoon with the addition of a certificated teacher.

All in all, positive enrollment trends continue to develop and we have been able to respond with additional staffing.

The community in and surrounding Pullman values and gives high praise to Pullman Public Schools. Thanks to the hard and smart work of its employees, students and families can find tremendous educational advantages in their schools.

Paul

As I went around to classes on the first couple of days of school I was pleased to see kids engaged in intentional learning activities. Class discussions, writing, reading, listening, and computing are just some of the activities I saw. Very few students were sitting passively. Instead, as it should be, most of the time kids were doing.

Teachers and principals continuously demonstrate a commitment to using the time with students productively. I saw many relevant and meaningful activities happening in classrooms and kids seemed to be enjoying what they were doing! For example, I saw students doing a pre-write exercise for a paper based on a unique topic that they were able to choose - one of their interests.

Way to go, teachers! Way to go principals and para-educators! Another school year has begun successfully, and importantly, meaningfully for students.

Way to go to all the support staff for making the school buildings and grounds, the food, and getting to and from school clean, pleasant, healthy and safe.

When preparing for students to arrive back to school the first thing teachers often do is deal with classroom procedures and rules.

Setting the classroom climate and culture are keys to a successfully managed classroom and to enhancing student learning. Establishing classroom rules or procedures that influence students to act in ways that enhance learning for every student in the class is the goal of every teacher. Nancy Flanagan in her EdWeek Teacher Blog asserts that, “We want kids to behave appropriately because they understand that there are rewards for everyone in a civil, well-managed school.”

Here’s to a wonderful school year!

Paul

There is a lot of buzz going around about the “flipped” classroom described on the ASCD website reviewing new books including Flip Your Classroom: Reach Every Student in Every Class Every Day, by Jonathan Bergmann, and Aaron Sams.

In her blog teacher Mary Beth Hertz discusses the pros and cons of a flipped classroom. Ms. Hertz points out that whatever the flipped classroom is or is not, it has become an important catalyst for people to reflect on and refine their instructional practice.

Bergman and Sams, authors of the new book, Flip Your Classroom: Reach Every Student in Every Class Every Day, along with several co-authors have created a three-part series of articles about the “flipped classroom.” In the first article, The Flipped Class: Myths vs. Reality, they discuss “what a flipped class is and what it is not.”

I trust you are enjoying the sunny & warm days of summer!

Paul

Over the past four years it seemed as though we would never hear good news again. However, even in times when the financial future has been uncertain, Pullman Schools have achieved some very important things.

 

Some examples in 2011-12:

• The employee portion of the retiree carve-out (nearly $60 per month per employee) was paid by the District

• Salary cuts by the legislature were restored for the year

• Class size assistance was maintained

• Elementary preparation time was increased

• Seven half-days to enhance collaborative work among teachers and principals was implemented

• New boilers and lighting were installed in the high school

• The gym floor in the high school was replaced

• New press boxes were installed in partnership with the Booster Club

• This week the Board agreed to a tentative agreement reached in Problem-solving that may prove to be more workable personal leave language for teachers

• Pullman High School earned “Overall Excellence” in the Washington Achievement Awards

• Most important, students achieved, gained successes, and earned numerous recognitions at all levels in academics, the arts, sports, and other endeavors.

 

 

We are still awaiting word from Olympia about the state 2012-2013 budget. However, the trajectory prior to the special session was more positive than we had expected earlier in the session. This is probably due in part to the McCleary decision and a slightly better state revenue forecast.

Assuming there are no surprises coming out of the legislature in the next days or weeks, I personally am more optimistic. The community has given us a huge vote of confidence in the nearly 80% passage of the M&O and Technology Levies. There are reasons to hope that the economy in our state may have hit bottom. Many in the community are talking about opportunities instead of disappointments. People are expressing more interest than ever in making comprehensive improvements to the high school. The entire atmosphere seems more positive.

I hope each of you can relax and enjoy spring break and get some needed rest and recreation with family and friends, or maybe solitude is your recipe for renewal. Whatever the case, enjoy!

 

Paul

The weather has been challenging over the past three days in Pullman.

Weather predictions are never perfectly reliable since conditions can change in a short period of time.

Thank you to our facilities crews who worked through the night last night and continue throughout the day today. Because temperatures climbed, rain and freezing rain fell, and the ground below not being completely frozen, the snow, ice, and slush proved to be too difficult for our equipment to move. We solicited the help of a local contractor during the night. With some heavy equipment and our crew in support, most of the snow has been cleared. However, it took past noon to accomplish. There was simply no way to open our schools today.

In addition, transportation department staff assessed school bus route throughout the night and early morning. Driving buses and transporting students, especially in rural areas, was not safe enough for us to proceed, even if we had been able to clear the snow and operate schools.

We will continue to monitor weather conditions through the weekend. A decision will be made according to our typical procedures by 5:00 A.M. Monday morning. If delays or closures of schools are necessary that will then be communicated as it has this week via media, our automated calling system, and website.

Thank you to the staff for assisting and to families and the community for your understanding and patience.