By Krestin Bahr What makes a school an "excellent schoolGÇ¥ or district? That is the question that leaders ask themselves every day. Is it the programs that meet the needs of all children, that also allow them to learn and grow, create and innovate and to experience empathy, compassion and leadership? Is it the people that make the place excellent GÇô filled with exemplary, intelligent adults willing to create cutting-edge, innovative classrooms that meet the needs of 21st-century learners? Is it the community, where all children are known well and are provided wraparound care as they learn in the system? The simple answer is yes. The complex reality is that it is our responsibility as a school district to provide more programs, resources and opportunities to all of our children than has ever occurred in the history of public education in America. Eatonville schools are doing this and more. I would like to highlight two ends of our spectrum. Responsibility: Provide extra care It is our responsibility to address the needs of the students who are not successful in the school setting. The development of a mental health PLC (Professional Learning Community) that meets weekly to discuss specific student and family needs. The makeup of this group includes counselors, mental health counselor from Good Sam, nurse and administrators. Each child is addressed and the group works to develop plans and interventions in a team approach. One specific program that has much promise is our Hands On With Horses program. Our nurse, Linda Moffitt, has spearheaded the effort to partner with Changing Reins to provide equine intervention therapy for at risk middle school boys. There is increased focus for staff to think out of the box to reach all children and families, from therapy dogs to team approaches with Good Samaritan Multicare Mental Health providers. Excellence and beyond On the other end of the spectrum of needs is to address the needs of students who have met the standards and need additional challenges. Research is clear that students need to be challenged, encouraged, and given the opportunity to accelerate if needed. " Acceleration Policy: States, passed 2014. " Robotics GÇô offered as an after-school activity and in-school class (secondary) for students to learn computer science basics, coding and robotics. We are an official partner of Code.org, which provides instructional development for our students and staff. " Computer science elective in high school 2015-16 school year as a Code.org partner. " Accelerated math instruction: Big Ideas Access for all students for Algebra in middle school. Options to gain high school credits in middle school. " Robotics team: Middle and high school has combined to compete in after-school club and inter-district competition. Our small, new team did very well this year against seasoned schools. " Advanced CTE courses, including computer media classes, drones and drone driving and advanced STEM offerings. " After-school offerings at all schools this year to encourage creativity and engagement. Such courses as yoga, literature club, art (clay, drawing), babysitting, First Aid/CPR and robotics to name a few as well as sports such as flag football and soccer at Eatonville schools. " Mathematics professional development for all secondary teachers . Teacher development group provides studio classroom and side-by-side coaching around progressive math habits of mind and interaction pedagogy for teachers. A new curriculum, Big Ideas, is being piloted and considered this year. " Computers. We have purchased nine new computer carts on wheels to assist students and get technology into the hands of our students. Each cart holds 36 chrome books. " Grants directly to students/schools. Awarded this year: STEM Lighthouse grant (Weyerhaeuser Elementary School $20,000 grant to use for additional support of STEM and innovation. This is additional to Columbia Crest A-STEM Academy's $18,000 grant that was awarded last year), last round in a Department of Education grant jointly with Steilacoom and Rochester school districts for math and science teachers (we've requested $700,000 over three years for the districts), LEGOS grants for all elementary schools and the high school, AVID in the middle school funded by levy but impacting all students for college and career, and Code.org partners grant funding to train all staff in elementary Schools (also includes paid training and stipends in middle school and high school). The list continues as we look at options for at-risk students and farming and our arts. And we we will look at all options to support teachers and students. So as you can see,the values of responsibility and excellence are taken seriously as a backbone of our organization. Providing excellence requires providing resources, time and support for students to achieve at high levels. Krestin Bahr is superintendent of the Eatonville School District.
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