---

News for the Week of February 8, 2010

(Click Links Below for More Information.)

1. Education Reform - President Obama

2. High School Teams Prepare for National Forensics League

3. HHS Students Experience World of Hip-hop Poetry

4. Bryant Elementary Principal Honored with Statewide Award

5. Helena Education Foundation Received "Friend of Educaton" Award

6. Central School Students Collect Funds for Haiti

7. Project for Alternative Learning Graduates Seven

8. Overview of ASCD's Whole Child Initative

9. Teaching in the Helena Public Schools

10. Daily School Schedule

11. 2009-2010 Important Dates

---

 

Education Reform – President Obama

The next major social agenda item for the country appears to be public education with the pending reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA).  The federal legislation was due for reauthorization at the end of the Bush administration; however it never made it out of committee prior to the presidential election.  President Obama and Secretary of Education Duncan are making a strong connection between the criteria for the competitive Race to the Top federal grants and the proposed elements of the ESEA reauthorization.  The value statements regarding public education that are embedded in the federal Race to the Top and School Improvement competitive grants will likely be included as requirements for schools that receive federal funding authorized through ESEA.  ESEA is a significant source of funding for schools across America through Title I Reading and Math programs for disadvantaged students.  The practice by Congress over the last decade has been to expand the expectations embedded in the ESEA legislation to all public schools regardless if they receive Title I funding.

Montana was among twenty percent of the states that opted not to participate in the first round of the Race to the Top grant competition.  Montana leaders do not believe we have the capacity to complete the lengthy application and there are requirements in the grant that some find objectionable.  Discussion continues among state leadership regarding the decision to make application in future rounds of the Race to the Top competition.  In the future, Montana, like other states, might be required to comply with the standards included in Race to the Top if the administration has their way with the reauthorization of ESEA.  In the State of the Union address, President Obama stated he does not want to fund the status quo, instead the federal education budget will be invested in raising student achievement and breaking the pattern of failing schools.

The talk of reform sounds good, so what is the concern in Montana?  The major concern appears to be intrusion of federal government in the operation of schools and in turn diminishing the role of the Montana Legislature, elected officials and local governing boards.  If the reform dictates education practices, local and state officials will have less ability to shape the future of education in Montana.  Keep in mind that less than ten percent of all funding for Montana schools comes from the federal government.  There is a legitimate concern about the level of influence the Department of Education and U.S. Congress will have on local educational services with the reauthorization of ESEA, which was also a major concern following the last reauthorization – No Child Left Behind.

In addition to the debate regarding control of local schools, Montana educators have an interest in the proposed accountability measures that would be tied to student performance and teacher compensation.  The idea of paying good teacher/principals more salary if students increase performance has public appeal; however there are questions regarding the assessment to measure student performance and the instruments to evaluate teachers and principals.  Montana educators are interested in working on these issues; however, there is concern about the role of federal government in the development of policy that guides the practice.  The issues are important and the debate is healthy as we strive to improve the quality of public education.  Despite some differences of opinion, there is agreement on the need to increase student success in schools and prepare graduates to meet college and career ready standards.

Bruce Messinger
Superintendent of Schools
E-mail  bmessinger@helena.k12.mt.us
Phone:  324-2001  


State of the Union – Education

President Obama devoted a portion of his first State of the Union address to education (http://www.whitehouse.gov/photos-and-video/video/2010-state-union-address).  “We need to invest in the skills and education of our people,” he said, to applause from Congress.  Below are excerpts from the President’s remarks.

“Now, this year we’ve broken through the stalemate between left and right by launching a national competition to improve our schools.  And the idea here is simple: instead of rewarding failure, we only reward success.  Instead of funding the status quo, we only invest in reform -- reform that raises student achievement; inspires students to excel in math and science; and turns around failing schools that steal the future of too many young Americans, from rural communities to the inner city.  In the 21st century, the best anti-poverty program around is a world-class education.  And in this country the success of our children cannot depend more on where they live than on their potential.”

“When we renew the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), we will work with Congress to expand these reforms to all 50 states.  Still, in this [global] economy, a high school diploma no longer guarantees a good job.  That’s why I urge the Senate to follow the House of Representatives and pass a bill that will revitalize our community colleges -- which are a career pathway to the children of many working families.”
 
ESEA Reauthorization Budget – Secretary Duncan

“The President’s budget continues and expands a commitment to provide a cradle-to-career education for all of America’s children….  The budget will set the stage for ESEA reauthorization, but there is still much more work ahead.  With a bipartisan group of members of Congress, our goal is to develop an accountability system built on greater transparency, new incentives and rewards, and a focus on turning-around persistently under-performing schools.  The President and I know that we need to educate our way to a better economy.  I am honored to be working with you to make it happen.”

-- Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (1/29/10), in a letter to ED Review subscribers.

---

 

High School Teams Prepare for National Forensics League

By ALANA LISTOE Independent Record | Posted: Monday, February 8, 2010

Two teams of well-spoken high school students are set for the National Qualifying Tournament in Missoula this weekend.

Seniors Karla Nettleton and Kate Runkel are two speech and debate students from Helena High School who are anxiously anticipating the National Forensics League, the final event of the season, along with the Capital High team.

Instead of researching, writing and rehearsing for nearly two hours every day after school, Nettleton and Runkel will spend three hours a day in the speech and debate room at Helena High School this week.

Runkel and Nettleton began debating together their sophomore year and this year took the state championship in policy debate. They are two of the eight seniors on the HHS team.

More.

---

 

HHS Students Experience Hip-hop World of Poetry

By ALANA LISTOE Independent Record | Posted: Friday, February 5, 2010

Universes is an international ensemble company of mutli-discipline writers and performers who write lyrics about something as simple as smiling and walking or as deep as death in the inner-city. They perform them in a poetry style with a hip-hop, jazz, or blues style and a witty, engaging flair.

Freshman Lauren Gleich said Universes gave her a new perspective on poetry.

“I didn’t know it could be used in a song,” Gleich said.

Ann Curlee-Fifield was the guest teacher in Jill Van Alstyne’s classroom for the group’s visit. She said what Gleich took away from the experience is just what she hoped for.

“It shows kids that poetry can be fun and exciting,” Curlee-Fifield said. “It gives them a positive reaction to poetry and shows them all the music they listen to when they are ‘plugged in’ is poetry.”

More.

---

 

Bryant Elementary Principal Honored with Statewide Award

By ALANA LISTOE, Independent Record | Posted: Tuesday, February 2, 2010 

But by all accounts, the school’s staff managed without a hitch to keep secret an assembly Monday afternoon to honor Van Hook for a statewide award.

Van Hook received the Adrian Langstaff Award at the recent 59th annual Montana Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals conference in Missoula. The award is the highest honor MAEMSP can bestow on a member.

“This award is to identify those who give their all to education,” Helena School District Assistant Superintendent Keith Meyer said. “This couldn’t happen to a better individual.”

The entire student body sang a song of appreciation to Van Hook during the surprise assembly, and while he went around giving high-fives and fist-bumps to students, he couldn’t fight back the tears.

“Boy and girls,” he said with a crack in his voice, “I hope you know I love you. I do.”

Fifth-grader Nick McEachern said Van Hook makes a point of stepping into all the classrooms every day he’s at school.

“He comes in to see how we are doing,” he said. “He makes sure we are happy, and he knows when we are sad and comforts us.”

More.

---

 

Helena Education Foundation Receives "Friend of Education" Award

The Helena Education Foundation received the Friends of Education Award at the 59th annual Montana Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals conference held last week in Missoula.

“It was a great evening for Helena schools,” said Keith Meyer, the district’s assistant.

Broadwater School Principal Sue Johnson nominated HEF for the award.

“After moving to Helena last year I saw this group that raises all this money for our teachers and students, they were a perfect nominee,” Johnson said. “They go above and beyond, and what they do benefits the entire community.

Darrell Rud, executive director of School Administrators of Montana, said HEF is deserving of the award.

“They’ve done some amazing things in this community reaching out in various and unusual ways,” Rud said.

HEF Executive Director Lisa Cordingley said while she appreciates the recognition, she’s more excited about the statewide message that’s being projected.

“It was gratifying to win, but what pleases me most is it shows a statewide audience what possibilities exist for their own communities and that’s something the Helena Education Foundation values,” Cordingley said. “We do what we can for our community, but sharing this kind of vision outside of Helena was another way to get the message across.”

---

 

---

Project for Alternative Learning Graduates Seven Students

By ALANA LISTOE Independent Record | Posted: Saturday, January 30, 2010

Don Foucar acknowledged the difficulties and challenges many students who attend the Project for Alternative Learning overcome to earn their high school diplomas.

“We are here to celebrate your perseverance and your accomplishment,” Foucar, principal of the alternative school, said Friday.

Seven PAL students received their high school diplomas in a graduation ceremony Friday held at the Front Street Learning Center. The main meeting area was packed with more than 100 friends and loved ones of the winter graduating class.

Graduate Heather Hanser was presented with the PAL Award for most representing the school’s philosophy that embodies tolerance, acceptance, pride, individualism and trust.

Hanser, 18, said she felt amazing waiting in the back room in her cap and gown before the ceremony began.

“I’ve come so far and proved a lot of people wrong, and it feels good to be here,” she said.

More.

---

 

 

Overview of ASCD's Whole Child Initiative

The Learning Compact Redefined: A Call to Action, recommends a new compact with our young people. The Compact asks local, state, and national policymakers to ensure conditions that support comprehensive approaches to learning—for engaging the whole child. It asks that communities look at the whole picture and make sure that:

• Each student enters school healthy and learns about and practices a healthy lifestyle.
• Each student learns in an intellectually challenging environment that is physically and emotionally safe for students and adults.
• Each student is actively engaged in learning and is connected to the school and broader community.
• Each student has access to personalized learning and is supported by qualified, caring adults.
• Each graduate is challenged by a well-balanced curriculum and is prepared for success in college or further study and for employment in a global environment.

---

Teaching in the Helena Public Schools

Are you interested in living in Helena, Montana, and teaching in the Helena Public Schools? Hear what Helena teachers have to say about their experiences. Learn more about what Helena and the Helena Public Schools have to offer you and your family.

Click here to learn more.

---

 

2009-2010 Important Dates

February 15, 2010 ~ President's Day ~ No School

March 2, 3, 4, 2010 ~ Grades 9-12 Late Start

March 24, 2010 ~ K-12 Early Dismissal @ noon

March 29 - April 5, 2010 - Spring Break, No School

April 30, 2010 - Vigilante Day ~ Grades 9-12 No School, Grades K-8 Early Dismissal @ 11:00 a.m.

May 31, 2010 ~ Memorial Day, No School

June 5, 2010 ~ High School Graduation

June 9, 2010 ~ K-8 Early Dismissal @ noon

June 11, 2010 ~ Grades 9-11, No School