PL-94-142 was the the public law written in the late 70's creating rights for children with exceptionalities, more commonly known as special education. Transformation. Our society, unlike many still around the world, made a conscious decision to serve EVERY student in the best way possible, placing EVERY student with needs in the least restrictive environment(once called "mainstreaming" - now called "inclusion") and adapting and modifying to meet EVERY student need. This has led to great and positive self-examination of every aspect of schools, from the complex nature of how the brain works in relation to learning, to how high we place our drinking fountains. It has been very good. This week, I had the opportunity to observe and spend time in and around students who have been identified on the spectrum of needing special assistance. What struck me most, was the very dignified, respectful and upbeat atmosphere our teachers create in relation to these students. The dynamic, when both individuals are acutely aware and sensitive to EVERY student need, is much different than the "herding" mentality and system commonplace amongst the 'normal' population. Instead of survival of the fittest and choral instruction, there is one-to-one differentiation with specific and targeted strategy that will affect the most change on the learning episode. Instead of time-based and efficiency-weighted control of student attack, there is self-motivation with gentle prodding and guided discovery. Instead of the gamesmanship some of our very best students know how to play simply to attain a top mark or grade, there is true relevance and growth measured in individually created expectation. Instead of high stakes competition between students, there is no comparison of student-to-student, only focus on attaining skill and growth expansion at the pace needed to gain depth and meaning of learning. WHY can't this be for EVERY student? Why isn't EVERY room similar to a special resource room? On average, and these statistics are a bit skewed due to the heavy dedication of resources to students with severe disabilities - but on average we spend in South Dakota, a little over $4900 more per student with special needs. Basically double our average for each "normal" student. Smaller classes, more intensity of examination, relevant testing based on individual norms rather than national norms lead to more expense. We do things much differently. Could we raise the resource needed in South Dakota to do this same thing for EVERY student? Of course, we could - but we won't. We don't have the will at this time to commit. And, in South Dakota, with test scores rising or at least being competitive with other states, there will be no gnashing of teeth on the political front. We think we are doing OK and we are. So, we are left to try and find strategy that can allow teachers to individualize in larger settings with less resource. And we are trying. We purposefully try to match standards with development and trim the quantity to laser loci on the quality. We ask teachers to organize the setting so they may spend time personally addressing EVERY need. We work on assessment that will be prescriptive in finding out where a student
is to help them get where they want and need to
go. We use the technology to view knowledge as a vehicle to build the skills of critical thinking, dissemination, collaboration and cooperation, creativity and communication. We ask teachers to do all these things and they are. At the same time, we stimulate students to move to independence. We ask them to take responsibility, accountability for their growth. These are all good things. But we have a mountain to climb. I have the pleasure of being a part of IEP creation(Individualized Education Programs) that are written for each student who cross a certain threshold and are then identified as in need of special support. Generally, there are 6-12 people around a table, concentrating on the strengths and weaknesses of a student. The unbelievable power of this dynamic, 6-12 professionals absorbed with finding the very best way of delivering education to ONE student. And this is re-visted at least yearly. Can you imagine the power if we did this for EVERY student. But per chance, I dream....can we get there? We will try.
Grinding, the dance craze in this country, I assume inspired by the sexual overtones of almost every aspect of our society, is a problem at high school dances across the country. At our homecoming dance, I was remiss in not addressing this problem with more force and concern. Some students were offended at the level to which this teen-age gyration took, and rightfully so. With this in mind, there will be a parent committee meeting on Nov. 16th at 5:30 in the high school commons. We will discuss proper protocol for high school dances and begin setting policy. I will have other regional school policy that has been successful and allow the committee to design expectations. This will be presented to the student council for review and then submitted to the Board for approval to the student handbook. If any parent is interested to serve on this committee, please email.
Building, building, building. If you drive the borders of our district, it is amazing the incredible growth. With that, of course, means more students. With that, means...building, building, building. While a member of the district, I have heard comments from time-to-time regarding all the building. Some not so positive. But I guess I have to ask? Where are we going to put them? We are full now, especially in our elementary. Our middle school is close to bursting at the seams. And we are apparently in a recession? What happens when we come out the other side? Even more explosive growth. I am not an expert on school finance, but there are a couple of things I know. The levy in the Harrisburg School District has remained flat for almost or maybe a decade. That is pretty amazing. Have taxes gone up? It depends on where you live, but if they have, it has been the ASSESSMENT of the property due to enhanced building and value, not because the district has asked for more. Second, Harrisburg is second in the state in per cost per pupil. In other words, the money Harrisburg Schools do get, they use very wisely. Our actual per pupil spending is the second lowest in the state. So - make sure and give kudos to Mr. Holbeck and the Board. They are extremely good money managers and visionary in their outlook. The simple fact is, we are going to outgrow buildings for some time and we are going to have to build. And when we do, it behooves us to do it right. As a little aside, with the students we have in our district at this time here are the projected numbers in 9-12 at the high school for the next 10 years:
2011-12 - 505, 2012-13 - 575, 2013-14 - 623, 2014-15 - 684, 2015-16 - 762, 2016-17 - 806, 2017-18 - 910, 2018-19 - 968, 2019-20 - 1019. These numbers are without any further migration of any other students to our district. Should we increase by 20-30 in the middle school grades in the next three years, we would be at around 800 in the fall of 2014. If that is the case, we would be at capacity at the high school. Stay tuned, this is an exciting ride.
Flu has been confirmed in South Dakota. I hope you have been able to have your sons and daughters immunized. As it gets colder and everyone spends more time indoors, more chance to pass the dreaded germs. Last year, in my previous location, we were missing 25-30 percent of our students during a three-week span and we normally had a 98 percent attendance rate. One of my very good friends, Ethan Superintendent Terry Mathis, only 49-years-old, died of complications of the flu. Please take it seriously. Missing time from school is bad enough - but it hits home when it takes a life. If you ever have questions, please call our school nurse, Diane Holland.
Veteran's Day special reminder. First, this is a week of remembrance and prayer and thought for our soldiers over seas. With the economy, elections, all the other stuff...we seem to have pushed the wars we are involved in from our mind. Please keep our soldiers in your thoughts not just this week, but always. You may already know, but a simple tradition we have begun is to say the Pledge of Allegiance at the high school each morning. Very simple, but at least keeps our country and our soldiers in our mind for a moment. Thursday is our tribute to veterans in the large theater at 10:00 AM. We hope you all can make it. Senior citizens meal will be served at the high school commons at noon.
Almost Turkey time - do stop time by slowing it down and reading with your kids, go stand and look at the sky, turn the TV off and talk, dance with your family, have a long, slow meal...time is all we really have...this week at Harrisburg High:
Monday - 4:00 - District 3 FFA Leadership
6:30 - Board Meeting - Liberty library
Tuesday - 4:00 After School Novice Debate at Sioux Falls
Quiz Bowl at West Central
7:00 - HAWAIIAN NIGHT - Region 4A Volleyball Championship
At Harrisburg Gym - vs. Elk Point/Jefferson
Wednesday - 7:30 AM - Bloodmobile
1:05 - Early Release - Staff in-service
Thursday - 10:00 AM - Veteran's Day Program - Large Theater
Noon - Senior Citizen's Meal - Commons
2:25 - SSR
6:00 - Elementary Concert - Large Theater
Friday - 7:30 - 11A state Football championship - Dakota Dome - Vermillion
Saturday - 7:00 - Night at the Improv - Free admission - Little Theater
..character is found...when all else...is lost.
