Some Random Items to Begin the School Year

By Superintendent Doug Conwell

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Ok, I have to say that I have been a little remiss lately.  School started 6 weeks ago and I have yet to pen any message regarding the school year or important issues that you need to know about.  So, you will now have a small barrage of articles from me in my effort to catch up with keeping you informed about our schools and issues that impact public education in Kansas.  This specific letter is a hodge-podge of thoughts regarding the school year to date.  I will follow shortly with articles that I hope you find useful and informative.  So let me begin with random thoughts regarding the start of our school year.

• I need to apologize to the many parents who waited for way too long as they went though our enrollment process at CGES/MS this fall.  I should have apologized back in August when this occurred.  I will assure you that we will better staff enrollment next year and will address how/when parents can access enrollment forms to keep the process moving.
   
• Did you know that you can now access your child’s lunch account information through PowerSchool?  Did you know that you can pay for meals online with a credit card?  Both of these changes have occurred this fall.  We are searching for ways to help parents to know how their children are using meal accounts and to provide an easy and convenient means to refreshing their child’s lunch accounts.  All of this is accessed through your PowerSchool account.  For more information on how to pay online, see our district website.
   
• Security changes have taken place in our schools.  All staff members have been issued ID badges to wear for easy identification inside our schools.  With the exception of the designated front doors to the Council Grove Schools, all doors are locked and visitors are expected to check in at the office when they enter.  All doors at our Prairie Heights schools have been locked for several years now.  This winter the BOE will be reviewing bids for the installation of automatic door locking mechanisms, front door camera systems, and FOB key systems for our school doors.

All schools have placed a renewed emphasis this year on reviewing emergency safety procedures and conducting emergency safety drills. Our goal is to prepare our teachers and students for situations we hope they never find themselves in. At this time we also hope to conduct a safety drill that involves our community response teams at one of our schools this year. 

We have also initiated new procedures on how we release students from extra-curricular activities that take place away from home.  To ensure that we have confirmed permission from parents to release their child to another adult, signed consent forms are being required for each occurrence.  I hope this brings some peace of mind when it comes to safe transportation and accountability for your child.

• There are some significant changes taking place this year with your child’s curriculum in several subject areas.  A new English series, “Journeys”, is being implemented in grade K-5.  Too, our grades 5-12 math teachers have been implementing a more conceptual based math instruction process.  Like English, this instructional change is based on the new expectations established in the Common Core curriculum.  I truly appreciate the effort our teachers have been giving to implementing these changes.
   
• Speaking of change, we have a new band/vocal music instructor for the CGMS/HS.  Josh Donaldson is already making a significant impact on our music program.  If you have not attended a home football game yet, you need to go.  The CGHS marching band is now performing at halftime in full uniform.  They look and sound great!  Look for more exciting things to come from Mr. Donaldson in the coming months.
   
• I want to offer a sincere thank you to our teaching staff for the work they have done throughout the course of these first seven weeks.  Besides all of the start of the year preparation for students, teachers have been actively engaged in professional development and district level meetings as part of their work.  Our fall coaches have been very active with practices and contests and our cheerleader and dance sponsors have been equally busy with our students.  There is so much more to education than what happens in the classroom. 

Let me close by saying this, if you are not involved in your child’s school, I highly encourage you to do so.  There are so many opportunities and it means so much to your children, even if they don’t say so.  You can join your school’s site council, PTO, or booster club.  You can (should) attend parent teacher conferences, attend extra-curricular events, or just come eat lunch with your child.  Let your child know just how important getting an education is to you.  Get involved in a positive way with your school!