The More I Learn, The More I Learn I Have To Learn

Even though I'm a veteran administrator, the road to success seems to be constantly changing and is filled with more curves and off ramps than ever before. And just when I think I've come to understand the new road map, a newer version is printed. In other words, the more I learn the more I understand there is even more to learn.

For example, last week from Sunday through Wednesday, I attended the Summer Retreat sponsored by the state Principal's organization. The weather was great and the scenery was beautiful in northern Michigan, but there was also a great deal to learn.

The title of the conference was "Leadership That Works", however, it was really an intensive learning environment on the nuances of the ACT. As most of you know, the ACT now makes up the bulk of our state assessment, commonly called the Michigan Merit Exam (MME). This is the annual test given to all students in the spring of their junior year.

To do well on the ACT, it is imperative that juniors have taken the right classes along the way. That means a college-prep curriculum with the rigor necessary for strong academic performance. Over the first two years of MME testing, our students have done quite well. However, when students struggle, it is almost always because they are behind grade level in math and English.

We have been working with the middle school staff to make sure students enter the high school with the requisite skills. However, the task seems to be getting more daunting than ever. And as you might guess, these same students entered middle school lagging behind their classmates. We have to develop some type of summer learning experience that provides an opportunity for them to catch up with their peers.

What became most obvious to me during the sessions last week is that more than ever the reputation of our school will rest largely on two performance areas; 1) performance on the MME (ACT) and, 2) performance on Advanced Placement (AP) tests.

The task lying ahead of us is to make sure students are in the right classes, the correct standards and benchmarks are being taught in those classes, and students are prepared to take assessments in the format of the ACT. To do anything less is setting up our students, and ultimately our school, for failure. We will do better than that.

Another Successful Year In The Books

This is an unusual time of year in the school business. Nearly all of the adults are gone for the summer, as grades were due today at noon. Custodians are already hard at work moving furniture out of classrooms to prepare the floors for the fall rush of students. The gyms are full of bouncing balls as the summer camps are in full swing. Yet despite the flurry of activity, I often get a little nostalgic about the year just ended.

We were fortunate to have a beautiful evening for graduation. The weather was less humid than in the days leading up to the ceremony, and we graduated 428 seniors in less than 90 minutes. The student speeches were inspirational and the audience appeared appreciative.

The Commencement ceremony is the culmination of a great deal of hard work from a wide variety of people. Of course, students put in 13 years of effort to master the academics of an institution like the Grosse Pointe Public School System. Parents shuttle their sons and daughters back and forth to countless activities over that same time frame. Teachers must balance the needs of each individual student while trying to make sure to cover every standard and benchmark in the mandated curriculum that must be delivered to all students. Everyone has done their part.

The diplomas get ordered, the chairs are put in place, and the sound system is checked. We try to make sure the hedges are trimmed accordingly, and that the backdrop at South enhances this already majestic building.

When the ceremony is over, it is simply over. You can bet those 428 students will never be in the same place again. Despite all that has united them over the past four years, by 8:30 on graduation evening they will all be on their separate ways. Yes, most will go to the All-Night party, but they are just a bit different than they were a few hours earlier.

In a blink, the class of 2008 became "alumni" of South. I wish them well and thank them for the positive memories that have added to our fine tradition.

We're Getting Close...

Today was my last official day with the seniors from the class of 2008. This has truly been a special class here at South. They are not only the biggest class in recent memory, but they are also one of the most talented and spirited.

This class distinguished themselves back when they were freshmen, within the first weeks of school. They demonstrated a willingness to work together and an unbridled school spirit during their very first Homecoming Week. And they haven't disappointed me since.

Students from the class of '08 possess a great deal of talent across a wide range of interests. There are outstanding musicians, journalists and athletes within this group. They have separated themselves from other students across the state and nation through various competitions, yet have remained humble and always presented South and the Grosse Pointe community in a favorable light.

On the evening of June 12th, I will bid them a final farewell. I am very confident they will do well no matter what path they take for their postsecondary pursuits.

I want to publicly thank them for the leadership they have provided to our underclassmen and for the fond memories they have added to the South tradition. I would also like to thank the parents for producing such great kids, and I wish them well.

The Rumor Mill

Imagine my surprise when reading the police blotter in last week's "Grosse Pointe News" detailing a serious incident at South. The short story spoke of a supposed threat made by a student that he would return "with a gun and his homeys" following a fight with another student. That was the rumor mill, and frankly I don't know how that even reached the paper.

Here is the skinny on what happened...one student approached another in the cafeteria during lunch. A brief altercation took place, but punches were not even thrown. On the way out of the building, the first student would not stop when asked by school personnel. Student number two thought he heard from others that the first student said something similar to the quote cited in the paper. However, when administrators questioned students that were in the vicinity, we could never get anyone to validate anything close to the alleged threat.

In addition, when we met with the student and parent that supposedly made the threat, he reiterated that no threat was made. In addition, the parent never tried to hide the whereabouts of her son, as stated in the police blotter. On the contrary, the parent was most cooperative with school personnel.

This is another example of sensationalism that often reaches the newspaper and the media in general. It happens so often that I normally refrain from responding, however, in this case the information was unusually erroneous.

Just as we teach our students to critically read information they find on the Internet, I hope our parents read and listen with a certain skepticism information they encounter about our schools.

Dropout Factories?

If you've been reading the newspaper in Michigan, or following the local TV news, there has been much written about the dropout rate of Michigan high schools. Some in the news media have even referred to our schools as "dropout factories". A couple of weeks ago Channel 7 even dedicated an hour of prime time with guests such as Bill Cosby and State Superintendent Mike Flanagan to discuss the issue. This is critically important and deserves our attention.

I am happy to report the latest statistics for South High School. We were just informed of the "official" dropout rate for students from the class of 2007. In this case, South's graduation rate was 96.55% in comparison to the state average of 74.98%. For obvious reasons, we are proud of our graduation rate. However, we also realize that even one dropout is too many.

This isn't like the 1950's when the state graduation rate hovered around 50%, yet non-graduates (dropouts) could walk across the street and get a well-paying and career-long job with the auto industry. We have to do better, and all of us know it. At least all of the adults know it. Some teenagers still have to be convinced that there is life beyond next week and that decisions made today may impact their future.

On the right side of this blog page, under the 'Articles of Interest' there is a podcast titled, "The Haunting Impact of School Dropouts" featuring State Superintendent Flanagan. It is worth the 10 minutes of your time that is required to hear his message. The dropout rate should be a concern to all of us.

A Tech Visit

During the last in-service, four staff members from South traveled to Bloomfield Hills Andover High School to see how their teachers have implemented the use of interactive whiteboards. This piece of technology is now in place in every classroom in the Bloomfield Hills district. We were joined there by four staff members from North and two from central office.

The implementation at the high schools began on January 2nd of this year, meaning they have had only about four months to get adjusted to the new tools. However, all of us were very impressed with its use so far.

For our visit, Andover made eight of their teachers from various disciplines available to us to show us how they use the whiteboards. Although each of them use it in different ways, the benefit to students and staff is obvious. The technology is used to provide much more detailed information at a quicker pace. Teacher and student thoughts and ideas can be quickly saved and shared again at a later date. It was readily apparent that interactive whiteboards facilitate increased engagement for students.

We also talked to their tech staff about student use of blogs, wikis and youtube. Simply stated, Bloomfield Hills schools have more open access for students. They have a filtering system, but students are not as "locked down" as they are in GP. The result is that blogs and wikis can be used to supplement what takes place in the classroom. Students can respond to the teacher and other students from their class from their homes.

I have attached a recent article from eschoolnews that speaks to the benefits of students using blogs. You can read it by clicking to the right under Articles of Interest on the link titled, eschoolnews.

Warm Weather and Appropriate Attire

Most of the school year, the dress code is not even an issue at South and for that I am thankful. However, with the onset of the recent nice weather, we are forced once again to look at our dress code to guide our actions. At a recent meeting with the department chairs, the topic came up once again. This is what we're seeing lately--shorts that are too short, tops that are too skimpy, and pants that are worn too low.

As soon as I can figure out what to say and how to say it, I will make a video announcement for the students to serve as a reminder to dress appropriately. However, it will really help us if the parents help in choosing what is appropriate for school.

As a father of three daughters, I realize that what is available in stores often drives the fashion trends. And I understand that short-shorts have made a return to the fashion scene. But that doesn't mean they have to be purchased for the purpose of wearing them to school.

Remember that we are school with approximately 1700 students, and logic tells us about half of them are of the opposite sex. Teenagers don't need any more distractions than they already face when it comes to learning and the onset of spring fever. Please make sure they leave the house properly covered up.

We appreciate your support.