With the end of March comes the final stretch run for school (lame pun intended); we have managed to avoid most of the weather concerns we tend to get March. I'm not sure what happened to the "Lion" but it appears we will be going out like a "Lamb". I appreciate the pleasant weather pattern and hope it continues for the remainder of the school year, but I also know April can be just as challenging. I also know most everyone would like to see some moisture before spring planting gets into full swing. We have lots of things going on during the last several weeks of school and all the activities will make the days go by faster than normal.
Testing: we are currently working through the state assessment requirement; 3rd--8th grades and Juniors are completing multiple tests to satisfy state mandates. The tests this year take a little more time since everything is on the computer and our elementary students have to share the computer labs. The process itself is working with minimal delays, which is a good thing, Mr. Gunn and Mrs. Goldade are diligent in making sure folks stay on schedule and equipment continues to work. The work they put in to complete this task is consuming and demanding; we appreciate everything they have done and continue to do to make this process as seamless as possible.
Fine Arts: students are currently preparing for 2 different performances. The 3rd and 4th Grade classes are preparing their SD Play, which will be performed April 24 at 1:30. Being a former History/Social Studies Teacher; I'm excited to see what put together to celebrate our great state. The High School is also preparing for the Spring Three Act Play. Ms. Herrboldt is directing the cast in a performance of "Murder's in the Heir" on May 4, with a 12:30 Matinee and an evening showing at 6:00. We also have 5th-8th grades participating in a Music Contest in Redfield on April 18th. I was enjoy seeing our students show off the great diversity of opportunities we have here in Warner.
Track: the greatest benefactor of our pleasant weather has been the track teams. We have a terrific turn-out for track and field; hopefully everyone gets a chance to get a full slate of meets in this year. Track is the only sport that helps all the other sports and every athlete benefits from being out from track (even if they don't place at any track meets; not everyone is fast, but everyone can get faster and track helps you do that).
I wish everyone the best in their upcoming performances, both on the stage and the track.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Thursday, March 12, 2015
Amazing Teachers
Good Afternoon,
Those of you who have been part of the Warner School District for more than the nine months I have been around are already aware of this fact but for me it becomes more and more clear everyday. We have tremendous teaching staff that show up everyday with wonderful ideas to engage student learning and create lasting impacts on our students. I know when I took the job the staff had a great reputation based on academic performance and assessment. It didn't take long for me to witness all the little things they do to make learning a wonderful experience.
We have staff that put on weddings from Romeo and Juliet, staff who arrange to have books made from student projects, models in social studies, demonstrations from SD HP, and everything in between. The amount of time, thought and effort that our staff members contribute to this school is amazing. I've seen wreaths made from peppermint candy and chariots in the hallways and donuts shared with dads. We have a staff that embraces the meaning of teaching and learning and helps students focus on those same principles. Classrooms are where the magic of learning happens and teachers are the magicians.
The stress of state assessments are right around the corner; focus of staff will now move to getting the most out of the students' academic ability. The mood of building will become more serious, patience may be a bit shorter, recesses may even be shorter. Rest assured however, your children are in good hands as we tackle this annual practice. With the Smarter Balance testing (which was introduced last year), we will also be facing "new" or different results; the results will be difficult to compare to the high standards set during past years. The results will all be sorted out over the following years as everyone gets a better handle on what the new numbers relate to. Have some patience with us and the system if the numbers appear significantly or even marginally lower.
The staff here is amazing and they all do terrific work with the students. Of course, all of you knew that already; I'm the new guy on the block getting made fully aware.
Those of you who have been part of the Warner School District for more than the nine months I have been around are already aware of this fact but for me it becomes more and more clear everyday. We have tremendous teaching staff that show up everyday with wonderful ideas to engage student learning and create lasting impacts on our students. I know when I took the job the staff had a great reputation based on academic performance and assessment. It didn't take long for me to witness all the little things they do to make learning a wonderful experience.
We have staff that put on weddings from Romeo and Juliet, staff who arrange to have books made from student projects, models in social studies, demonstrations from SD HP, and everything in between. The amount of time, thought and effort that our staff members contribute to this school is amazing. I've seen wreaths made from peppermint candy and chariots in the hallways and donuts shared with dads. We have a staff that embraces the meaning of teaching and learning and helps students focus on those same principles. Classrooms are where the magic of learning happens and teachers are the magicians.
The stress of state assessments are right around the corner; focus of staff will now move to getting the most out of the students' academic ability. The mood of building will become more serious, patience may be a bit shorter, recesses may even be shorter. Rest assured however, your children are in good hands as we tackle this annual practice. With the Smarter Balance testing (which was introduced last year), we will also be facing "new" or different results; the results will be difficult to compare to the high standards set during past years. The results will all be sorted out over the following years as everyone gets a better handle on what the new numbers relate to. Have some patience with us and the system if the numbers appear significantly or even marginally lower.
The staff here is amazing and they all do terrific work with the students. Of course, all of you knew that already; I'm the new guy on the block getting made fully aware.
Wednesday, March 4, 2015
March
March is always an interesting month; the weather is never easy to understand or get patterned out. We have wind chill warnings this morning and they are saying we could get to 50+ next week. So, as some folks say, "...if you don't like the weather in SD, just wait an hour or so and you'll see something different..." Weather decisions are always difficult to make as well; I try to make the decision on weather delays and/or cancellations as soon as possible. Tuesday morning was one of those difficult days because you never know where the snow will begin and where it will end and we were right on the edge. Please know; I make the decision based on what is in the best interest of the students and school, and it is not a decision I take lightly.
We have lots of activities going on the next several days; boys basketball in Aberdeen Thursday for the District 2B Championship versus Langford, girls basketball in Milbank Friday for the Region 1B Championship versus Summit, Rozell JH BB Tournament Friday and Saturday here at Warner, Middle School All State Band is in Huron with Mrs. Schwan, and that only covers the next 3 days. Things continue the rest of the month at a constant pace and the Spring Break Fridays only add to the mix of hectic and fun month of "March Madness" (if I can borrow the line from CBS). Please show your support for our students at all the events with your positive attitude and energy.
March also brings us to the end of the SD Legislative session, and as they near the end budgets start to become real. As normal, school seem to be left wondering what the final budget number will be until the very end. There are also some key measures left to be decided from the final percentage increase, to the possible changes for capital outlay, to the proposed scholarships for private school students, just to name a few. I encourage you to voice your opinion to your representatives; they need to hear from their constituents.
I hope to get back into the habit of posting regularly on the blog; I know I dropped the ball for a couple of months. I like using this medium to share information with the public in a more informal method. It also allows me to discuss more aspects of the school and share some thoughts and opinions on issues that are outside of the normal school realm. So have some patience with me as I get back in the swing of things, thanks.
We have lots of activities going on the next several days; boys basketball in Aberdeen Thursday for the District 2B Championship versus Langford, girls basketball in Milbank Friday for the Region 1B Championship versus Summit, Rozell JH BB Tournament Friday and Saturday here at Warner, Middle School All State Band is in Huron with Mrs. Schwan, and that only covers the next 3 days. Things continue the rest of the month at a constant pace and the Spring Break Fridays only add to the mix of hectic and fun month of "March Madness" (if I can borrow the line from CBS). Please show your support for our students at all the events with your positive attitude and energy.
March also brings us to the end of the SD Legislative session, and as they near the end budgets start to become real. As normal, school seem to be left wondering what the final budget number will be until the very end. There are also some key measures left to be decided from the final percentage increase, to the possible changes for capital outlay, to the proposed scholarships for private school students, just to name a few. I encourage you to voice your opinion to your representatives; they need to hear from their constituents.
I hope to get back into the habit of posting regularly on the blog; I know I dropped the ball for a couple of months. I like using this medium to share information with the public in a more informal method. It also allows me to discuss more aspects of the school and share some thoughts and opinions on issues that are outside of the normal school realm. So have some patience with me as I get back in the swing of things, thanks.
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