Superintendent’s Corner: Midterm NWESD 189 Updates
The overwhelming losses and hardships caused by Hurricane Katrina affirms how small the world is in which we live. We all know someone with family or friends who have been impacted. Several families have relocated to the Northwest region, where their children have been welcomed into caring schools. It is inspiring to see our region and country pull together in times of need.
There are a couple of NWESD 189 updates that may be of interest:
Safe Schools and Healthy Students Grant: The Prevention Center was recently awarded a $7.9 million grant, over three years, to provide support to Skagit County schools. Details are presented in the related article.
CIT Classroom Level (CIT-CL) Training: Training in the classroom applications of data-driven Continuous Improvement strategies is well under way for Cohort II, consisting of 58 teachers from eight schools. Teachers receive five days of training over a three-month period, with time in between to apply learnings in their classrooms. Teacher participants indicate student engagement and achievement has remarkably improved. If a team of five to eight teachers from your school is interested in participating in the next cohort this spring, feel free to have your principal contact me at jjenkins@esd189.org.
School Improvement Planning Technical Assistance Project (SIPTAP): Six schools are well under way in their school-improvement analysis and planning process as members of the eighth SIPTAP cohort. This cohort brings the total number of schools receiving SIPTAP assistance to 72. Principals interested in receiving SIPTAP support should contact Linda Dobbs, Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning, at ldobbs@esd189.org.
Learning Resource Cooperative (LRC): The LRC has been reconstituted to narrow its focus and to provide media support via streaming video — at reduced costs to participating schools/districts. If you have not participated in the LRC recently, you might want to explore the new offerings and reduced fee schedule. Information can be acquired from Kristi Gunerius at kguneriu@esd189.org.
Remember the things that come to those who wait are usually the things left by those who got there first. Think of the NWESD 189 when you are challenged, could use assistance, or want to bounce an idea off another professional. Service is our middle name and we will provide the best support possible. Together We Can accomplish so very much more — and will get there first!
