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News for the Week of January 24, 2012 (Click Links Below for More Information.) To contact us click here. 1. Helena Public Schools Superintendent Search Information 2. Superintendent's Update: News You Can Use 3. Superintendent Search Stakeholder Survey 4. Parent Workshop: Mobile Devices for Learning 5. Common Core State Standards Adopted by Montana Board of Public Education 6. Technology Tool Enables Vision Impaired Student to See a Myriad of Learning Possibilities 7. Helena Education / Facility Planning Web Site 8. Making Education Meaningful 9. News from Rossiter, January 2012 10. Medicine Wheel Project Slated for February 7-8, 2012 11. Employee Wellness Screenings
Superintendent’s Update: News You Can Use! Posted: January 18, 2012
I’ve been asked a number of times “why are you doing this big education planning project”? It is a great question and the answer is both simple and complex. There are many reasons why we have embarked on a long range planning process and I am going to begin to address a number of them over the next several months but first I want to highlight some of the research and analysis that has taken place in preparation for this comprehensive process. The District monitors demographic trends and it has become evident over the past several years that a significant demographic shift has taken place. Our elementary district educates students in eleven elementary schools and two middle schools. Currently 35-40% of our total K-5 elementary population resides in three school attendance areas; Jim Darcy, Rossiter, and Warren. The remaining 60-65% of the students reside in the other eight attendance areas. Both Rossiter and Jim Darcy schools have exceeded maximum capacity requiring that any new students be bussed to another school that has available space. This school year over 240 students who reside in the Jim Darcy attendance area are being bussed to other elementary schools based on space available. This is a significant and growing issue that has long term implications for students and their families as well as the District. It will require both short term and long term solutions. In late 2008 the District began conducting facility assessments of each of the eleven elementary schools, two middle schools and two high schools. The assessment components included a review of physical systems as well as the adequacy of each facility to function efficiently in the delivery of education services. Recommendations focused on; 1) accessibility (ADA), 2) mechanical needs including boilers, ventilation systems and pneumatic controls, 3) electrical needs, 4) plumbing needs including lines, fixtures and systems, 5) roofing needs, 6) structural needs, 7) safety and security, 8) both exterior and interior needs including flooring, paint, etc., 9) playgrounds or campus needs, and 10) physical space needs including but not limited to classrooms, cafeterias, libraries and assembly space. The analysis did not include expansion or new facilities and the resulting estimates were just to maintain the current facilities. The estimated costs for the next 15 years for fifteen schools range from between $52.71 million to $77.50 million. It is clear that we must involve the community in a discussion about our current facilities.
However, demographics and facilities are just two of the reasons I want to encourage your participation in the planning process over the next twelve to eighteen months. In upcoming issues I will be highlighting instruction, curriculum, technology, transportation and much more. Please plan to attend one of the public workshops held in the Helena High School cafeteria at 6:00 p.m. on the following dates; February 21, March 20, April 17, and May 15. If you can’t attend a public meeting please consider following the planning process progress by reading updates posted at the following web site: http://www.helenaeducationplanning.com/. Become a “friend” of the planning process on Facebook by going to Helena Education Planning.
As we continue our long range planning remember that today’s Kindergarten students will graduate in 2024 and retire in 2072. Their lives will be more digital, more globally based, and more information rich. These students can expect to change jobs many times in their lifetime. We must ask ourselves how to best prepare them. What will our curriculum and instruction look like and what will our facilities need to be able to support? Of course, reading and math will be key, as will the ability to collaborate, to problem solve and to think creatively. All were skills needed in the past but as Bernie Trilling and Charles Fadel point out in their book, 21st Century Skills, how students learn and practice these skills in life in the 21st century is rapidly shifting and there are some new skills, such as digital media literacy, that weren’t even imagined fifty years ago. We must prepare students to not only survive but to thrive in an increasingly complex and connected world.
It is important that the community is involved in the discussion about what education should look like in Helena in fifteen to twenty-five years and beyond. If you have questions please don’t hesitate to call my office or email me. Keith L. Meyer, Superintendent Helena Public Schools 406.324.2001
By: Barbara Ridgway, Educational Technology Administrator
n Tuesday evening, January 31, 2012, Dr. Dan McCormack, will be presenting a workshop on the use of mobile devices for learning. The workshop will focus on utilizing iPads and iPods to enrich and enhance student learning. Participants will learn about great apps for student learning. The session is scheduled from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Front Street Learning Center Parents of K-12 students are invited to attend. Please RSVP to Stacy at sbox@helena.k12.mt.us.
Common Core State Standards Adopted by Montana Board of Public Education The Montana State Board of Education adopted the Common Core State Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics in November 2011. These standards were developed through a state-led initiative sponsored by the Council of chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governor’s Association (NGA). The process involved teachers, principals, parents, and other experts using the best education practices of the United States and other countries. Montana educators joined together to examine the Common Core Standards. They determined that the standards emphasize what students should know and be able to accomplish at every grade level and prepare students to be college and career ready upon graduation from high school. In addition, the Montana Common Core Standards reflect the state’s values and priorities and include Indiana Education for All content. The attached document provides more information on the Common Core.  CommonCoreStateStandards1.2012.pdf (855.4 KB)
By: Karen Stout-Suenram, Kessler School Principal and Justine Huschka, Kessler Educator
ecently, a vision impaired student at Kessler has been given an opportunity to see education with a new perspective. District team members including; Occupational Therapist Cheri Larson, Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant Lisa Sommers, Resource Teacher Brooke Loveridge, Special Needs Para Jenny Wade and Fourth Grade Teacher Justine Huschka have been using the HSD Assistive Technology Process to determine what assistive technology tools will best support one of our students. Each team member considered factors using the SETT framework that evaluates the Student, Environment, Task and Tools. This process focused the team on determining the student’s needs and what we want the student to be able to do before selecting the best suited technology to fit the needs.
This specific student has a vision impairment which distorts normal sized font, pictures, objects, etc. This creates a sort of “tunnel vision” that makes doing many things for him more challenging and can create an enormous amount of stress and fatigue for the student. The team wanted to make sure that the tool they selected would allow him to see what other kids can see. After many trials with various technology tools, we found that the iPad fit his needs and supported our goal the best. After much work, planning, and documentation, the iPad 2 is now tailored to his needs and has become an integral part of his learning process.
Ms. Huschka has recently downloaded books that the class is reading as well as books that can be listened to out loud. She can adapt to his needs and involve him in the learning rather than excluding him. Ms. Huschka can take pictures of materials and upload it to the iPad so that the he can work on the same things as the rest of the class. The student uses his fingers to spread the image or font size, access the internet easily, and is able to use a small sized map along with a Google map for the first time. The iPad note section is a daily use for spelling. The team continues to look for applications tailored to writing and composition. The very best thing is that the student is able to navigate the IPad exceedingly well using the icons, tap to talk application, and the attached large print keyboard.
Thank you to the dedicated team who connected our Kessler student to a tool that allows him to see a myriad of learning possibilities. For this student, technology is not only a fabulous tool, but an important aspect of the learning process and his continued education for years to come.
By: Elisabeth Hudnutt, CHS Principal
apital High School hosted the May Butler Center administrative team on January 4, 2012. The visit was organized around the theme “What Capital High Offers Our Students.” Topics ranged from credit recovery for students who are making up lost credits to Moodle and Smartboard technology.
Across the Helena Public School District we have been working hard to make education meaningful and purposeful for all our students. At the high school level this means providing opportunities for students to make up lost credit, challenging students through Advanced Placement classes, guiding students in their career paths through Rigorous Programs of Study (RPOS), and weaving the use of technology into classroom lessons and homework assignments.
Teachers volunteered to host the visiting team in their classrooms and opened their doors to share all the varied academic experiences that we offer our students at CHS. Our visiting administrators were able to see our Biomedical Science class in action. They observed how Smartboard technology enhances learning in French class and they were able to get a taste of what creative assignments challenge students through the use of online tools such as Moodle. We offer all this and much more every day through class offerings that are rigorous and by having highly qualified, caring, and dedicated teachers in our classrooms. At Capital High we are proud of what we do on behalf of all of our students! Thank you to every member of our teaching staff and to every staff member of CHS for making this a great place for students to learn.
By: Kareen Bangert, Principal
The mission at Rossiter Elementary is to challenge and empower each student to respect themselves and others and to become lifelong learners in a safe and positive environment.
As a staff each and every day we create an atmosphere that is warm and welcoming for all who enter our building. Para-educators who assist in our classrooms and our two CSCT teams who help students feel emotionally connected to adults in their life play an important part in creating a warm and welcoming climate.
Our speech therapist is piloting a 3-1 model to deliver service to students on a speech IEP. The therapist provides direct services to the students for 3 weeks followed by one week when she is collaborating with the teachers and collecting data on her students. Through this model she will be able to correlate what is taking place in a therapeutic setting and also the classroom setting.
Rossiter was awarded a Bronze Achievement at the summer 2011 MBI and is at work striving for the gold! The MBI team organizes a monthly all-school assembly where the five Rossiter Crown Jewels are demonstrated by the staff and students. The crown jewels are Safe, Respectful, Responsible, Honest, and Kind. In addition to the monthly assemblies the MBI team has also created a slide show for each of the school’s universal expectations. These expectations are shared weekly in each classroom by the classroom teacher.
Through the efforts of Rossiter Parent Council and a community donation the Arts have come alive at Rossiter! Phoebe Toland, a well-known local artist, is serving as our Artist-in-Residence. Phoebe will be working with each grade level for one week and each week she will focus on a different artistic medium. The Rossiter staff is committed to keeping the arts in the curriculum by providing a local artist to work with the children. We also support Virginia Wille, our music teacher, as she instructs the students using the ORFF instruments, guitars, recorders and African drums. This year our holiday program moved to the Lewis and Clark Fairgrounds where Rossiter students were able to demonstrate their artistic and musical talents to the entire Rossiter community.
Rossiter will be hosting their second annual Tail Gating party on Friday, February 3, 2012, from 5:30 – 8:30 pm. This is an opportunity for the Rossiter Community to gather at the school for an evening of fellowship, food and games. Each classroom parent representative in partnership with the classroom teacher and the students transform their room into their favorite team and a sport activity. This is a great way to prep oneself for Super Bowl Sunday! The Tail Gate event is free but one may give a donation to Food Share. This is another opportunity to share with students how we can give back to the Helena Community.
This spring our second and fifth graders will be creating our own Science Olympiad with the Science students from Helena High School as their mentors. Life is Great at Rossiter and Our Students make it Better!
By: Jan Jamruszka-Wilson, Indian Education Coordinator Sponsored by: Helena Public Schools Indian Education for All and the Montana Historical Society
Over 600 CHS, HHS and PAL American Government students are expected to attend the sixth annual 2012 Medicine Wheel Project on February 7th and 8th at the Montana Historical Society and the Capitol. The Medicine Wheel Project is a partnership between the Helena Public Schools Indian Education for All Program and the Montana Historical Society.
Helena’s Medicine Wheel Project similarly uses the Medicine Wheel as a modern-day metaphor to further the understanding of Montana Indian Tribes by 12th grade students in the Helena Public Schools, as intended when the 1999 Montana Legislature passed the Indian Education for All act into law. This action re-energized the legislative implementation of Article X of the Montana Constitution that has been in place since 1972. The Legislature recognized that the history of Montana and the current problems of the state cannot be adequately understood and the problems cannot be addressed unless both Indians and non-Indians have an understanding of the history, culture, and contemporary contributions of Montana’s Indian people.
During the Medicine Wheel Project, the students participate in sessions relating to traditional and contemporary aspects of Montana Indian culture and the interface with Montana and U.S. Government policies. Representatives of Montana Indian tribes will present on topics such as: Sovereignty and Modern Tribal Governance since the 1970s; Stereotypes of Indians in Society; Reservation Land Ownership and Eloise Cobell; Hunting and Fishing Regulations on the Reservations; Indian Boarding Schools; the High Rate of Suicide Among Indian Teens; and, the Protection of Sacred Sites. Other sessions will address Blood Quantum; the Role of the Buffalo in Traditional and Contemporary Times; Traditional Uses of Plants; the Changing Roles of Indian Men and Women; and, Ledger Art.
HSD#1 American Government teachers develop classroom activities related to the Medicine Wheel Project topics that take place both before and after the event so that students can explore and increase the relevance of their learning about Montana Indian heritage in their lives. Helena School District Indian Education Coordinators and the high school administrative teams support the teachers as they research and prepare lessons to involve their students in the Medicine Wheel Project. The Medicine Wheel Project is a significant learning event about Montana Indian history and culture for high school seniors.
Helena Public Schools Superintendent Search Information The Helena School District Board of Trustees is looking for a highly qualified superintendent for an 8,500 student school district. Helena, the “Queen City of the Rockies”, is Montana’s state capital, alive with history and culture, and surrounded by pristine mountains, forests, and streams. The Helena Public Schools Board of Trustees has selected McPherson & Jacobson, L.L.C., Executive Recruitment and Development to assist them in the important task of selecting superintendent candidates for the board to interview. Consultants assisting the board are Tom Jacobson (t_jacobson@macnjake.com, 402.991.7031), Bill Dean (w_dean@macnjake.com, 540.533.6701), and Barbara Dean (B_dean@macnjake.com, 540.533.0733). For information on the position or to apply, visit www.macnjake.com. Information regarding the search will be regularly updated on the MacPherson and Jacobson site. Candidates are asked to not contact board members directly. Any effort to do so may eliminate them from consideration. The Board of Trustees has identified the following qualities for the superintendent of schools. Please respond to each of the qualities stressing your experience, strengths, and abilities in each area, limiting your responses to between 200 and 300 words for each item. The successful candidate:
Superintendent Search Schedule:
For more information on the Superintendent search process please click here.
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