Good Work and Staff Recognition

Our leadership team is working on an action plan to improve school safety using the information from the security audit completed in December. Adding a school resource officer is one component of the plan that will enhance security. We are currently working with the City of Shenandoah to secure this position. The City Council approved the initial 28E agreement this week; the School Board will review this at the May school board meeting. In addition, to security personnel, we are looking at advanced ways to use technology to improve how we manage access to buildings and enhance emergency communication. We are also considering some additional training for our staff. Taking the time to evaluate the existing plan has been a good yet arduous process to go through. We have learned a lot and know that the work being done greatly benefits everyone.

On a different note, I enjoyed hearing Matt Mickel, the Alumni of the Year, and Shelley (Rabel) Riley, the keynote speaker, share their experiences at the Shenandoah Iowa Education Foundation (SIEF) Excellence in Education Banquet. Their confidence, success, and leadership in their chosen professions were energizing and motivational. Angela Hunter, Lindsey Lundgren, and Andrew Lynes, three of our current staff members, were given the new Spirit award by SIEF that evening. Each of them is a fine representative of our staff and deserves recognition.

Angela Hunter, MS Science

Lindsey Lundgren

Andrew Lynes

Finding Teachers

In recent years, a nationwide teacher shortage has increased difficulty in finding qualified teachers in rural areas. The need has left many districts in a difficult situation and, in many cases, required existing staff to be stretched thin. Noting the concern, the district has invested heavily in our recruiting and staff retention efforts. It has taken time and effort to make some shifts in our process, but I am pleased with the progress that has been made and the results we are having. I want to share some of the teaching staff we have hired and have in place for the start of the 23-24 school year!

Amanda Dye will be teaching middle school special education. She is joining our staff from Savannah Middle School in Savannah, Missouri, where she has been teaching special education. She is familiar with Shenandoah through extended family and other staff members. It will be great to have her on our team.

Noah Bielby has accepted a middle school science and family consumer science position. He is joining us from St. Joseph, Missouri, where he taught middle school science. Noah was referred to the district by staff at Shenandoah Medical Center. We most certainly appreciate the referral; it helped the district meet a need in two critical curriculum areas. 

Clare Conley is joining our staff from Dowling Catholic High School in Des Moines. She currently teaches agriculture. She has accepted the 8th-grade science and agriculture position at the Middle School. She is an Iowa State graduate who student taught in Southwest Iowa, so we are glad to see her return to the area.

Stacy Lihs has accepted the 8th-grade language arts position. She has been teaching in Stanton, Iowa, and is from the Clarinda area. We are looking forward to having her on our staff.

Jordan Nuttall will be joining our staff to teach High School Chemistry. He is currently a middle school science teacher who has studied and speaks Spanish. Jordan and his family will be relocating to Shenandoah from the great State of Idaho. However, they have some family connections in the Des Moines area, so we are delighted to see them identify Shenandoah as the right place to bring their family.

Kerra Ratliff is a long-term member of our staff who has been an associate, home liaison, and coach for the district. We are pleased she will serve as a teacher in our Special Education department next year. She is in the process of completing her studies at Morningside in their Strategist II MAT program. We are very pleased that she has advanced to this position.

Patty Roberts has been a long-term district employee as a bilingual associate and cheerleading sponsor. She is in the process of completing her degree and is currently student teaching in Shenandoah. She has accepted an elementary teaching position for next school year. It is quite rewarding to see a member of our existing staff advance themselves through continuing education.

Hunter Thomas will be graduating from Nebraska Wesleyan this spring and is from Fort Calhoun, Nebraska. He will be teaching health and physical education at the high school. We are excited to have him join our staff this next school year.

I am very excited to have these professionals join our team and become part of the Shenandoah Community School District. Please join me in welcoming and inviting them to be part of the district and the broader community.

 

Thoughts About Conference Realignment

There have been ongoing conversations about whether or not Shenandoah CSD is best suited as a member of the Hawkeye 10 conference for a number of years. There are some great school districts in the conference that add a lot of value to our athletic, activities, and academic programs. However, some member districts' general size and enrollment take the competition to a much higher level.

Derek Martin’s recent blogs have suggested it is time for Shenandoah to leave the Hawkeye 10 and consider other options. The article by Jeff Linder and published by the Cedar Rapids Gazette has indicated that many schools across the entire State need to realign. One recommendation Linder made was for Shenandoah and other Hawkeye 10 schools (Red Oak, Clarinda, and St. Alberts) to join the WIC. These are points well taken; members of our leadership team are open and receptive to the ideas presented. Our leadership team is engaging in conversations about conference alignment and is committed to doing what we believe will be best and what the Board of Education will support. We would be remiss if we were unwilling to consider the input and be open to the conversation. This stated, it is important to note there is no simple answer because the decision is not solely in the hands of one district. A district can easily leave a conference if they follow the conference bylaws, but they need to realign with a new conference willing to accept them. Some conferences require supermajority votes of the existing membership and supporting school board votes for new districts to join.

So, where do we go from here? What will happen next? We must examine and analyze this from different perspectives and be willing to engage in courageous conversations about improving our standings. I have made it clear we are having internal discussions. I will acknowledge that I have recently met with members of the WIC and with the members of Hawkeye 10 separately to discuss Linder and Martin's articles, the district's perspective, and consider what alternatives may exist. This communication is important and is only fair to all districts involved. Shenandoah would expect the same in return.

While the conversations about conference realignment are not easy, they align directly with the district's commitment to Reach, Revamp and Reconnect the High School activities and athletic programs. Our leadership team is willing to have difficult conversations about this because, in the end, the decision to stay, leave, or do something different will be well thought out, communicated fairly, and in the best interest of our students, staff, and district. 

 

Winter Thoughts

I had a plan, and a tightly scheduled plan, for how I wanted to spend winter break this year. However, the weather has disrupted how I intended to spend my time. Somehow, I couldn’t bring myself to get in the car to run errands and finish last minute shopping for the holidays when the temperature and windchill were so frigid. So instead, I spent a quiet day at home, drinking coffee and reading a good book. I set my list aside and just took the day to relax. 

While I didn’t finish my task list, I think having a restful day is precisely what I needed. It allowed me time to reflect on what is essential rather than focus on all the things I have allowed to claim my time and energy. As a result, I woke up this morning feeling refreshed and ready for a new day. I looked at my “list” with fresh eyes and eliminated a few things that were not so important. In addition, it was good for me to take the time to recognize that my family celebrations and holidays that I celebrate will be a beautiful time without my “list” being complete. So it was a good day and helped me center my thoughts a bit.  

I thought I would share some recent events that may be of interest to you. The Board held its annual reorganization meeting in December. This is the meeting where officers are elected, and other appointments are made. Jean Fichter was reelected as the President, and Adam Van Der Vliet was reelected as the Vice President. Their ongoing dedication and commitment to service are much appreciated. At this same meeting, the Board approved the purchase of new stage curtains and an LED lighting project. Both projects will be notable improvements once they are complete. Several policies were read for the second time. Most of the policy changes are related to making the curriculum and instructional resources used in the classroom more transparent.

 

The new equipment for the weight room has started to arrive. It is an exciting transformation to watch! This has been a long overdue project. I am very pleased that our student athletes will be able to have access to such high quality equipment.

Our Middle School TAG students recently participated in an online quiz bowl competition called the Thinking Cap Quiz Bowl. This is a nationwide quiz bowl. The 5th and 6th grade TAG students joined together to form a team. They won 2nd place out of 130 teams in their division! Their work was quite impressive; they won 2nd place! The 7th and 8th grade TAG teams also performed well. The 7th grade team came in 4th, and the 8th-grade team came in 10th in their respective divisions.

Many great things are happening in the District, and I am proud to be part of this great system. I look forward to seeing you next year! I am confident that 2023 will bring good things.

The Great American Education System

American Education Week is celebrated the third week of November each year. It is a tradition that recognizes the powerful effect of public education, the teachers and support staff that dedicate their talents and time, and student learning. I am a strong supporter of public education; I recognize the importance of providing all students with an opportunity to learn, grow and maximize their potential to be successful in society. It is why I have chosen my profession and am passionate about working with educators.

My passion for education stems from the understanding that learning isn't always an easy process or necessarily a given; it requires effort and is sometimes a struggle. This is why students are taught to ask questions, formulate their opinions, and validate their thinking. They are also encouraged to apply their learning in new and different situations.

Watching a dynamic educator set the stage for students to engage in learning is powerful. When students are engaged and can see the value and relevancy of their work, their motivation level is high, and they are more persistent and eager to accept challenges. At times students need clarification, direction, and feedback about their learning. And yes, sometimes they need the opportunity to “redo” and try again. It is how they refine their work, improve their product, and determine how to embrace new challenges. Teachers are quite masterful at creating this type of environment and instilling the desire for students to become lifelong learners.

I am being too philosophical for a Wednesday afternoon. Still, it is good to take time to reflect and think about the impact we make as public educators and the influence we have on student learning. It also prompts me to publicly thank all of our staff who dedicate themselves to our students and being part of the great American Education system.  

It Is Worth the Effort

Focusing on school improvement and continuous improvement processes requires intentional effort and focus. Improvement is not something that naturally occurs. Instead, it requires analyzing data, asking hard questions and confronting facts, being reflective, seeking solutions, committing to a course of action, and following through with the work. It is an entire cycle of planning, doing, checking, confirming, and setting a course of action. It requires a high level of collaboration, communication, and willingness to be open to feedback.

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 4^th – 6^th 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 4^th 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 27^th. The public hearing will be held on November 1^st; 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.

A Great Start

What an exciting start to the new academic school year!  

The first week back with staff was tightly scheduled, but they were focused on the right work. The staff was able to listen to motivational speakers, spend time reviewing school safety procedures and crisis prevention strategies, and dive deep into planning for their students to start school. It was a powerful way to start the year. 

The staff heard from Dr. Plugge, the former GHAEA Chief Administrator, and Mr. Christensen, our High School Principal. They shared words of wisdom and powerful messages that rang true with the staff about service, mentorship, making connections, and shifting our mindset, which I hope we recall in the coming months.  I also appreciated the veteran staff who participated in the panel discussion. The teachers were excellent representatives of our learning community. Their voice carried much weight with the team, and their message was valued.

There were several sessions that addressed school safety and the different aspects of prevention, protection, mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery. It isn't possible to share a safety checklist that will work in all situations, but staff reviewed critical information and walked away with real tools. Mr. Weinrich and Mrs. Spiegel's CPI presentation, if taken to heart, should challenge all of us to consider how we interact with students, staff, parents, and community members in difficult moments. How we respond to people matters. It makes a difference and is a prevention strategy. SMC also provided Stop the Bleed Training. It is information that truly saves lives and can be used anywhere.

I absolutely loved seeing our kids back in full session. I still smile when I think about Open House. The school was packed with families, and the food was fantastic. It was a great night for our students and their families. However, nothing is quite like the energy and excitement of the first day of school. I walked through each of the schools to talk with the students and staff. It was great to connect with them and listen to their different perspectives. The tone and feel of the buildings are very positive and energetic.  

It was good to see staff taking time to get to know their students and explicitly teaching routines. I attended some of the student grade level meetings at the High School. I appreciated the clear expectations that were communicated. This time was important for the students and staff. Students need to know we care about them and also understand what we expect from them. The conversations were quite positive, and the message was clear.

I met some pretty amazing students in the middle school gym. Friends, these kiddos were excited. I am not sure their excitement was all about learning math, but they were anxious to talk to their friends, meet their teachers, and find out what was on the lunch menu. They were eager to connect with others and be a part of the school learning community. I enjoyed every minute of my visit.

It has been a great start to the school year. I am thankful that you have chosen Shenandoah CSD as the place to be and have trusted us with your children and teenagers! You can watch a quick video of some of the highlights.

The Place to Be