ISASP Testing Begins This Week!

School is filled with excitement as we begin the final quarter. The season is tightly scheduled with activities, Prom, and other end of the year traditions that make the time go by quickly.

Yes, we are having a great time and continuing our strong academic focus. Next week is an important time for our students. They will take the ISASP assessments. These tests help us understand students' progress, pointing to areas where we can adjust instruction. The results are also used for state reporting and performance profiles.

The staff works hard to create a conducive testing environment that is calm and supportive. There are a few ways you can help us prepare your child to feel ready. A good night’s sleep, arriving on time, eating a healthy breakfast at home or at school, and encouraging a positive mindset can make a difference.

Some students do experience test anxiety, and it can be overwhelming. You can help your child by reassuring them that anxiety is a normal and legitimate feeling, but it is not an indicator that they are unprepared. Encourage them to make a strong effort, use calming breathing techniques, and manage their pacing while taking the assessments.

Students with ADHD are very capable learners, but testing periods may become challenging as they require sustained focus and time limits. The pressure can make it hard for them to remain calm and organized. There are some things that can be done at home that can be helpful. A short walk, a little stretching, or a bit of exercise can be beneficial before school. It can help with self-regulation and attention. Preparing the night before reduces stress and makes a difference in how the day goes (clothes and backpacks ready).

There are a few tried-and-true testing strategies that benefit all students. You can find these on numerous websites and AI tools, but it is the same list…they work.

• Reading directions twice
• Eliminating obviously wrong answers
• Breaking the test into chunks
• Checking pacing at natural stopping points

We appreciate your partnering with us to support your child and help them do their very best on their assessments. Together, we’ll finish the year strong.

Positive Budget News and Next Steps

The District held its first public budget hearing this week, and the news was positive. The tax levy will be lower for the FY27 school year, and the income surtax was reduced as well. These are the kinds of announcements that are always well received by the public and taxpayers, and ones we are proud to share.

Achieving this outcome required a great deal of internal dialogue, thoughtful planning, and a clear commitment to being responsible stewards of taxpayer dollars. Doing so in a year like this was especially important, as supplemental state aid came in lower than what most school districts need to maintain operations.

This was the first of two required public budget hearings. A second hearing will be held in April prior to the budget being finalized.

I appreciate the school board’s diligence and commitment to maintaining a strong financial position so we can continue to deliver a high standard of education for our students.

Where Hearts Bloom and Minds Grow Together

Every week at Shenandoah Community School District, I’m fortunate to walk the halls of our schools and witness the small, beautiful moments that remind me why this work matters. A student proudly shares a piece of artwork in the hallway. A teacher kneeling beside a child who needs a little extra support. A student stepping onto the stage for the very first time, their confidence blooming in real time. A child rushing over to introduce you to their family. A staff member volunteers to create something special simply because it will brighten a child’s day.

These may not be newsworthy storylines, but they exemplify the heartbeat of our district. They remind us that teaching and learning are deeply emotional, and that the human element of education can never be diminished. In Shenandoah, we educate hearts as well as minds.

Over the years, I have learned that these moments reflect the climate and culture of our school community. They grow out of a culture built on relationships, care, and compassion. It is a culture where staff make a difference for our students. Behind every special moment are special people who lead with their hearts. Their acts of kindness and belief in our students create the support students need to invest themselves in learning.

Student families and our wider community are essential to this learning environment. Our district benefits from support that helps us succeed. Our partnership strengthens all we do and ensures students are surrounded by those who believe in them.

I am grateful to everyone who fosters this culture of care and proud of how our staff builds a place where hearts bloom and minds grow together.

It Takes Grit

I am extremely proud of the outstanding achievements our students made this weekend. Their hard work, dedication, and talent shone brightly across a variety of activities. From fine arts to athletics, our students represented Shenandoah with excellence.

Success like this does not come easy. Many people have strong talent, but it is grit or the willingness to work, persist, and push through challenges that sets exceptional performers apart. Our students have spent countless hours developing their skills, accepting feedback and applying it to their craft, and trying “just one more time.” It all made a difference, and the results are truly impressive.

Academically, this same principle applies. Students who excel in the classroom build strong discipline and study habits, devote extra time to deepen their understanding, and challenge themselves with more difficult tasks. Just like in activities and athletics, growth comes from effort and a strong commitment to continuous improvement.

Budgets: A Long Intentional Process

Working on a school budget is never just an accounting exercise. Over the past several weeks, I’ve spent ample time working on the annual budget. It is a lengthy process, and each year it reminds me how multifaceted this work is and how intentional it must be. While it is a familiar exercise that often begins with attending a budget workshop to review required steps and forms, it quickly becomes a much larger conversation and strategic decision‑making process. Every decision made during this process affects students, staff, and the long‑term direction of our school system.

The process starts with taking note of what is working well, what changes may be needed to better meet the needs of students and staff, and which commitments are already locked in. Many of our largest expenditures, including personnel, are essential to the quality of student learning experiences. It is also important not to underestimate the need for well maintained facilities and up to date technology, both of which support innovative learning environments and contribute to the safety of students and staff.

Enrollment trends are another critical component of budget planning. Enrollment has a direct impact on the amount of supplemental state aid a district receives, making careful analysis essential. Larger shifts in student numbers can influence staffing levels, class sizes, and transportation routes, whether enrollment is increasing or decreasing. While this may sound straightforward, enrollment changes are rarely isolated to a single grade or program. Instead, they tend to be spread across multiple grade levels and services. Some programs may have low enrollment but are required to meet accreditation standards, making them essential components of the academic program that must still be funded. This creates a delicate balancing act between meeting student learning needs and maintaining fiscal responsibility.

Evaluating existing programs and considering areas for expansion are also important parts of the budget conversation. Fresh and innovative programs can have a significant impact on student learning environments. At the same time, every addition or expansion must be carefully weighed against available resources and long term sustainability.

Throughout this process, there is a compelling question that all schools should wrestle with, “how do these decisions best serve student learning today while strengthening our future?”

We are currently engaging in these important conversations, and priorities are beginning to take shape. Budget drafts will be presented to the School Board this month to meet public reporting requirements and to hold the public hearings outlined in Iowa Code. At the same time, there is continued uncertainty as we await confirmation of the level of funding that will be provided by the state.

The budget process is long and intentional, and it is not without challenges. However, it also presents an opportunity to develop a sustainable plan that supports our learning community not only this year, but in the years ahead. The time and effort invested in this work are well worth it.

AI is Not A Passing Trend

I had the opportunity to attend a conference on artificial intelligence (AI) in education this week.  For a long time, I’ve cautiously dabbled with AI, but I’ve never fully embraced it. This conference opened my eyes. I left with a new appreciation for how AI can create efficiencies in the workplace and help educators personalize learning, provide timely feedback, and differentiate assignments to support a wide range of student abilities.

AI can boost efficiency and productivity by streamlining processes and procedures that are normally quite time‑consuming, such as automating tasks, developing schedules, creating documentation, and retrieving information. Frankly, AI can do far more than I can even begin to describe in this area. There are many tools to consider, and we are looking into options that make sense for our setting.

Some of our staff have already used AI tools to develop professional documents, research content, and create instructional plans. A few months ago, the district took a major step by investing in an AI powered reading assistant and learning agent for fifth and sixth grade students to increase student literacy levels and achievement. This well‑researched tool, created by Carnegie Mellon, listens to students read and provides feedback on fluency, decoding, and comprehension. While Amira does not replace the need for a teacher, it extends their reach and ability to support a wide range of student learning needs.

AI literacy is becoming an increasingly important skill for both staff and students. AI is advancing rapidly and is infused into many aspects of our daily lives. We need to teach students how to use AI to maximize their learning potential and prepare them for success in a fast‑paced professional landscape.

Am I ready to throw caution to the wind and let ChatGPT dominate the entire academic arena, stopping students from learning to write or master mathematics? No, I am not. I am prepared to consider how we can use tools such as ChatGPT and others in an ethical, responsible, and critical manner as part of preparing students for their future success. We need appropriate boundaries and protocols in place to help students use AI to amplify their learning rather than misuse this powerful technology.

It is critically important to approach AI with caution and intentionality. We need to protect personally identifiable data and recognize that AI is not always accurate. These are necessary policy conversations that must be addressed as we use AI more in educational settings. Some of these discussions may be challenging, but it is important that we have them and put in place appropriate safeguards.

AI is not a passing trend, it is a powerful tool that is changing how we learn, work, and participate in education. We need to approach it responsibly, with clear expectations and policies to avoid potential pitfalls, while also embracing what AI has to offer. The purpose of AI in education is to enhance and maximize student learning and create efficiencies across our operations. And we must remember that, in addition to learning content, education is about communication and relationship building. Human interaction remains one of the most important aspects of what we do, whether students attend in person or online. The goal isn’t to replace teachers or diminish the value of essential skills; it is to prepare students for their future, knowing AI will be part of their daily lives.

 

 

Connections, Relationships, and Kindness

As we approach the next few months, we are surrounded by many religious, non-religious, and cultural celebrations. The season is also a wonderful reminder of the connections and opportunities we have to create memories with family and friends that last far beyond today. 

The nostalgia of the season can be meaningful, and honestly, many "golden" traditions and practices are simply for fun. As for me, I have spent years attempting to master the art of having a beautiful Christmas tree, but the fact remains that my sister’s and mom’s decor makes mine look a little whimpy. Still, it isn’t the tree that really makes the season bright. While I am not quite willing to stop working on making my tree shine, I do recognize that there are many opportunities to connect with people, build relationships, and be part of a community that will create lasting memories.

Sometimes, the stress of planning every detail can get in the way, so I hope you will take some time to avoid the busyness, let go of perfectionism, and simply enjoy the holidays and be present in the moment. Look around, find ways to engage, and reach out to others who may be trying to find some joy in the season. No one experiences the holidays in the same way, and they do not need to be a Hallmark moment to be worth celebrating! 

Whether it is reading a book to a child, playing a board game, sledding down a hill with friends, having a great conversation, volunteering together, attending a school activity or concert, or taking time to enjoy a meal together, these activities add to the richness of the celebrations and experiences. Taking time to journal or make a list of things you are grateful for is also a great way to shift your mindset when things do not seem to go quite as planned.   

While we are all unique in how we celebrate, let’s come together to build relationships, show kindness, and be generous in thought and deed this season. Kindness is a beautiful gift to give. 

Well wishes to you this season!