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matthewsdl

Last night our cohort teammates began the process of presenting Executive Summaries to the class. We were assigned the task of “evaluating” their performance and offering areas of consideration using a standard rubric. I was so humbled that I have had the privilege of working with so many professional people!

My cohort members displayed that ever challenging concept of Leadership Presence, coupled by the new ambiance of the Zen presentation style, all the while presenting Mertens cohesive program design and evaluation elements.  We openly gave feedback, shared ideas, and encouraged our teammates.

On a more humorous note, it is nice to know that we have come this far in such a short time. We have been “Zenned”, “paradigmed”, “qualitated” and “quantitated” and even “triangulated” on the road to  “concurrent” success and effectiveness.  Many thanks to VCU for the opportunities and to our cohort instructors- their patience has been exceptional!

matthewsdl

Recently Louisa County made the news in a horrific incident that affected a student at an elementary school. A video captured an adult in the school that followed a young boy into a bathroom. Later, the boy reported to his parents that he was molested. The attached news link shows the incident and the interview with the school principal.  As administrators, this video reminds all of us that we must remain diligent in our efforts to enforce safety within our schools. “School safety” which once brought to mind images of playground equipment malfunctions, now brings to mind shootings, gangs, and even molestation.

Many of the older schools have open corridors and lend themselves to open access. Following the incident in Louisa, the school implemented a desk check-in location outside of the main office. This location serves as a barrier to full access within the building.  Technology, although beneficial in most cases, can’t replace the diligence of careful and thoughtful leadership presence. My sincere prayers are with the principal and staff at the school as they try to close the gaps in their security, but most importantly, my prayers are for that family that has experienced such a tragedy.  Reference: see WRIC below

http://www.wric.com/story/20960229/man-molests-child-inside-louisa-elementary-school

matthewsdl

The attached article addressed a move to encourage the federal government to leave school decisions to the local governing agency the school board.  The National School Board’s Association addressed concern over the “unnecessary and counter-productive federal intrusion”  that has been happening to schools across the nation.  This comes at an interesting time in the debate over federal and state regulations for schools.

Just recently, articles depicting the new rating scale for schools has been in the headlines. This scale, which promotes the  grading of schools from A to F, has been referred to the Committee on Education (House Bill No. 1999 Substitute) and has gained attention in Virgina. Of particular importance to Virginia schools is the concept of including  a student growth measure in the grading of the schools. Based upon the house bill, a school would receive a B status if the school was fully accredited but had advanced proficiency pass rates of less than 25 percent. Given the rigor of the new assessments this may be a lofty task for a school to conquer. The scale also indicates a score of C for schools that are accredited with warning in one content area only.

Quotes and references: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2013/01/29/national-school-boards-group-blasts-u-s-education-department/

matthewsdl

When answering the titled question listed above, most people would automatically state that all students should have the opportunity to participate in high school athletic programs. The truth is that even though students may sign up and try out, the majority of physically disabled students may not make the cut. So how do we allow students that are not athletic to participate without “watering down” the program as some would suggest? The link below affords a small glimpse into this idea and suggests that the US Department of Education may begin requiring “equal” athletic programs for disabled students. I found the response from a teacher whose sibling was disabled very interesting. The article does require some thought and some reflection…..

Being a supporter of athletic programs for students, I realized early in my school career that although I was not disabled I was in fact athletically challenged. I realized  I was not the fastest nor did I want to be. I found my own place to “bloom” within the classroom and with friends.  Maybe what we need to foster in our school programs in a safe place to bloom, not a place to be like everyone else.  Just a thought. I am attaching the link to the article.

http://www.wset.com/story/20709067/students-with-disabilities-to-be-included-in-school-sports-programs

matthewsdl

Featured in the Potomac Local News, January 22, 2013,  the bill now being nicknamed “Gwyneth’s Law” has been introduced to the Richmond Legislature.  This bill supports the adoption of CPR training for all ninth graders entering public school, effective with the fall  of the 2014-2015 school year. This bill was in response to a local student that collapsed while running track at a local school. The student later died.  The article references the support from the Stafford community for CPR and  AED training for students entering high school.

What a wonderful idea! However, how would rural school divisions fulfill another mandated requirement without financial support? Many rural school divisions have to pay for the CPR training and updates for staff each year from outside sources. Those fees are high and the time requirements are extensive. Local trainers require limited class sizes due to the sensitivity and complexity of the information and processes taught. This wonderful idea becomes another extensive burden for localities. Let’s watch this bill as it progresses through the House.