At the last Board meeting, the Directors listened to an update about the continuous improvement planning in the Activities Department. It is an excellent example of how to make a change occur and sustain it long-term. Some have indicated that the planning is just about “football.” I see it differently. I see it as a systematic change in the thinking of how we continue to progress and improve as a high school and Activities Department. I look forward to seeing the growth that will come because of the effort to communicate, collaborate, and commit to a course of action.
Very soon, the Middle School students will be performing the musical Elf Jr. Tickets are now available
for November 4th – 6th at shenmusical.ludus.com. This is the second year the District has had a middle school musical led by Ashleigh and Elliot Smith. It has been exciting to watch our students engage and develop their talents in this manner. Some students were a bit overwhelmed with the audition process, but their confidence has grown, and they are blossoming as young performers. I am thrilled to see this occurring and am excited to share Julie Murren will be leading a musical for students in Kindergarten through 4th grade through our after-school program. This is good for our students and demonstrates positive growth in the fine arts department.
The TAG program has made tremendous progress by integrating new technologies, developing a student-led business, and more. It is allowing TAG students to truly grow and cultivate their talents and abilities individually and deepen their learning experiences. The program change has required a shift in thinking, but the result has been powerful for our students.
The District has completed several successful construction projects in recent years, including the renovation of the High School. The Board has continued to act on the plan that was initiated back in 2016. I am very pleased with the status of the JK-8 Building windows that are being replaced. The deadline for bids for the project is Thursday, October 27th. The public hearing will be held on November 1st; it is expected that the Board will take action to approve bids that night. Completing the project will significantly increase the function of the building. There is good work being done.
IGNITE and the Career Technical Education program have also made solid advances. Enrollment has increased, and learning opportunities have expanded. The focus on creating internship and apprenticeship opportunities is creating strong business partnerships. Students are currently working in Shenandoah, Clarinda, Council Bluffs, Lenox, Malvern, and Red Oak. Partnering with Tarkio Tech and Iowa Western Community College has broadened students’ opportunities to earn dual credit, licensure, and certifications. This is good news for our students and our community.
Recruiting Teachers has been more difficult the past few years, but I am pleased that we have already hired a teacher for next school year and have been interviewing for other positions. It takes time and effort to plan, but it is worth the investment. The District is committed to finding the right people to fill positions and ensuring we have the right people working with our students.
Change can be difficult, but if when we dedicate ourselves to this type of work, the result is quite powerful. As I mentioned, making these types of changes requires a high level of collaboration, communication, and willingness to be open to feedback. We do “improvement” and “growth” together as a leadership team, staff, student body and parents, and community. I appreciate your willingness to be part of the team.
