As I listen and answer questions to the details that we must know, I think about the grand scheme.  The details are important.  We must get the children to school on time and prepared for learning.  Actually, that is an issue we often face with children who struggle.  When attendance is poor or tardies are persistent, children can’t take advantage of learning opportunities.

Getting back to the grand scheme…this time of a new year is a time of new beginnings.  The new school year, for educators and many others, is more like a new beginning than is the new calendar year.  With a new school year, we have a renewed passion for doing what we believe is, not just important, but imperative - a moral obligation.  Teaching our children and youth is a perpetuation of society. 

At this new beginning, think grand. Imagine, dream, envision, and go forth with responsibility.  Together, let’s teach our children that dreams can be accomplished and that responsibility towards ourself and others in not an option. 

On a recent trip, I observed massive cathedrals that made one stop in awe, looking upward.  Built between 1100 and 1600 AD, these structures might have seemed an impossibility to those living in that day.  Yet, the vision of those who built them let nothing stand in the way of producing mighty works of architecture and art. 

There is no difference today.  Not only do we have the ability to create that which seems impossible, we have the greatest ability of all - to create individuals who dream big, make dreams a reality, and learn compassion and responsibility while becoming the best that they can be.

Take advantage of this new beginning.  There’s no telling where it may lead you or your child.

These blessings of life are taken for granted by those of us who have enjoyed them without effort.  During this time of year, children are excited about the holidays, except for those who are not in the security of a loving family.  This excitement centers around trips, gatherings, and gifts.  Many children talk about what they want for Christmas and we have attempted to have them also think about what they can give.  An attitude of giving of our gifts and talents is at the heart of every content person.  As it has been said by more than one prophet and poet, “It is better to give than to receive.”

My three wishes for children are that they will have integral to their being a sense of caring, commitment, and compassion. 

Caring is at the core of everything we value. To do anything well, to treat others with respect, to take pride in self – caring must be at the core. Care enough to do your very best.

Commitment is essential to success.  Children can learn commitment by knowing the value of education – doing assignments, attending school on time and regularly, following teachers’ directions and school rules.  This will carry over into success at work and relationships later in life.  Commitment means we’ll do what we say we will do, even when it is not convenient.

Compassion for others makes the world a better place.  I want children to be sensitive to the feelings and conditions of others and to show compassion to them – giving value to their humanness. Knowing compassion means you’re willing to put others before yourself.   

If caring, commitment, and compassion are embedded in our children’s lives through our example, perhaps they will learn to live a life that exemplifies these traits.  May your Holidays and the New Year be filled with caring, commitment, and compassion.

 Red Bank Elementary, specifically, has other factors that impact our rating on the school report card.  The primary factor impacting our results is the fact that our school houses three self-contained classes for students with mental disabilities.  Our school is a site where the district houses these programs and we are proud to serve these special needs students.  In many school districts, special education students must move from school to school and, in our situation, the students are allowed to remain in one location for their elementary school education.  Though a few of these students attend Red Bank as their home school, most of them are attending our school because it is a district site with the services these special children need. 

 Our self-contained special education students have the same expectations as students in the regular education program.  They are expected to attain a score of proficient on grade level tests.  While the curriculum for these students is individualized, it is typically not the grade level work that their age-level peers are able to do in regular education classes.  Because approximately 30 children in our school, who have significant mental disabilities, are expected to perform at high levels on grade standards, we do not have impressive results on our Annual School Report Card.  While we do not use that as an excuse, it is a factor that should be considered when looking at the results for Red Bank Elementary.  Because students with disabilities are not distinguished as Educably Mentally Disabled, Learning Disabled, or Emotionally Disabled, when we are compared to schools “like us” the results are also skewed.  A student with a learning disability is different from a student with a mental disability.  They are categorized the same.

 There are so many factors that enter into this data that volumes could be written about the inconsistencies of NCLB legislation.  As U.S. citizens, we should all take the responsiblity of looking deeply at what appears on the surface to be the solution for education in America.  As political hopefuls make their speeches in the coming months, we need to listen for the answers they propose for revising the legislation in NCLB. 

An article in The State Newspaper, from November

http://www.thestate.com/opinion/story/227472.html

 Though the experiences are immensely valuable for the child, the benefits reach beyond the obvious.  Parents learn effective ways for helping their children learn by watching a trained parent educator.  Additionally, children learn to love coming to school prior to the time when age requires them to attend school.  This is a win-win situation that you’ll not want to miss.  Come visit us this Wednesday!  Call our school office for additional information. 

Interview with Haley

Our PTO has also contracted with a muralist to embellish our lobby and cafeteria walls.  He will begin work in October.  Stay tuned for pictures of this work.

One of the great changes at RBE that began in the 2006-2007 school year was the addition of a school-operated, after-school care program.  Red Bank Elementary students can remain at school until 6:00 p.m. with structured activities.  Our students and parents have loved this program because students do not have to make an additional transition to receive after school care.  The program includes afternoon refreshments, physical activities, homework help, arts and crafts activities, and other enrichment games.

 The director of our program is Mrs. Drusilla Smith.  All of our employees in the after school program are either certified teachers or paraprofessionals.  The program is in operation every school day.  Let us know if you’d like more information.

Future blogs and/or podcasts will address No Child Left Behind, School Report Cards, Adequate Yearly Progress, Response to Intervention, Positive Behavior Supports, School Improvement Council, PTO, School Volunteers, Technology at RBE, School Safety, and other topics that you request.  We’re looking forward to hearing from you.