MCHS District #101 Superintendent Blog

The Common Core is Coming!

2012-01-13T13:31:00.002-06:00

I hope everyone is off to a great start in 2012!! Time goes so quickly and planning for next year has already begun. The changes we are facing in education are the most challenging and most exciting of my 27 years in education. The new common core standards are receiving a lot of attention and the uncertainty of how they will be measured is causing some added "stress". In Illinois, Senate bill 7 revamped the way teachers are dismissed, evaluated, and earn tenure. It created more emphasis on the use of student performance in the evaluation process and has caused administrators to sharpen their classroom observation practices. Many of the reforms are positive- it is just dealing with the rapid pace of change that is tough.

I attended a workshop on Monday that explained the NCLB waiver process and the direction Illinois was headed in attempting to measure growth- something many of us have been wanting since the "100% by 2014" arbitrary goal inched closer and closer. I was encouraged by a draft document that illustrated the various factors that will go into this new measurement of "an effective" school. I am confident that we are headed in the right direction with curriculum and assessment development, increased rigor in the classroom, and the use of our data management system to help us monitor progress and improve instruction. It will be interesting to see if Illinois is granted a waiver.

An added stress for our system has been the implementation of a 7 period day- a move away from the four block structure. I have been impressed with how the faculty, students, and staff have attacked this shift and hit the ground running. As with most new things there will be some growing pains- but it appears with some improvements here and there we will be stronger as a result of change. Time will tell.

The next three years may prove to be very interesting- and it will take a team effort every step of the way!!

"Trends and Changes"

2011-09-27T09:34:00.010-05:00

"Trends and Changes" came to mind as I sat down to write this blog! The new school year is off and running and it is hard to believe that October is upon us. Our staff has worked hard to implement our improvement efforts and all indications are that student achievement results are trending in a positive direction! The class of 2011 posted the highest ACT composite score in the last 5 years. We are also starting to analyze how our students are performing in college through the recently released High School to College Success Report . All indications are that any changes to the assessment system will include the use of the ACT exam and the college readiness benchmarks. Please read the MDH article that highlights our results as reported to the Board of Education at the September meeting.

I have written about change in the past and change is certainly something we all deal with differently. This year early indications are that the students and staff are adjusting to the switch from a Block 4 to a more traditional 7 period day schedule. We are working through some growing pains as expected but the instructional energy I have experienced in my classroom visits is encouraging. Senate bill 7 and Senate bill 315 will change the way teachers earn tenure, are evaluated, and the manner in which districts implement reduction-in-force procedures. It will take a team effort to implement these worthwhile reforms. Student achievement will become a mandatory part of staff evaluation by 2016 and will become more important in the Principal evaluation process in 2012. More information comes out almost everyday on the implementation of the most significant education changes since the 1985 learning objectives legislation that was the start of standards based curriculum.

Time will tell if the recent changes create positive trends in education!!

Year in Review

2011-05-27T10:28:00.008-05:00

I am beginning to understand the wisdom of my colleagues who always said, “Just wait until you are older – the years really fly by then.” As a student and a teacher my experience in school was dominated by bells and calendars. I recall my mom picking me up from school every day and how she always had an Ohlendorf bakery cookie and a warm smile waiting. I remember the excitement at the end of one school year and the anticipation at the start of the next.

As my 18^th year as a school administrator comes to a close, I understand fully that my educational experience is now “year-round,” but the excitement and anticipation each year brings remains the same. I write this year in review article with a great sense of pride in our accomplishments and optimism as we face the challenges that lie ahead.

Discussions at the June 2010 Board of Education meeting propelled the district into a major structural change and fostered valuable discussions about school improvement, student achievement, and instructional improvement. The “Transition to Change” committee that was comprised of parents, students, educators, and community members recommended a seven period day to replace the fifteen year- old Block-4 schedule. Many staff members have devoted a great deal of time and energy to make the transition go as smooth as possible. The structure of our day has changed and our commitment to improved student achievement remains constant.

At the district level, we continued to monitor the state financial situation, budget reductions, and late or missing reimbursement payments. A declining tax base, uncertain state support, and legislative changes will all present financial challenges for many school districts. Illinois is on the verge of implementing major education reform legislation that should prove beneficial for the students at MCHS.

From a building perspective, the overall attitude of the student body is often defined by the attitude of the Senior class. This year, the MCHS Senior class did an outstanding job setting a positive tone for the year and demonstrated true MCHS spirit. Students excelled in the classroom and in extra-curricular activities as well.

The athletic programs in most high schools garner a great deal of public attention and Morris Community High School has a long standing tradition of success. The school is appreciative of the support the parents and community provide annually. Many of our 990 students participate in a variety of activities. MCHS had 395 fall, 234 winter, and 276 spring athletes. 189 students participated in two sports while 73 were three sport athletes. 37 Redskins were named to all-conference teams during the past school year.

The fall season featured the 10^th consecutive playoff appearance in varsity football, a regional championship in volleyball and the boys and girls cross-country team advancing to sectional competition for the first time in school history.

Individually, Heath Hougas was the first individual to run at the state meet while Michelle Lutz advanced to the state tennis meet for the second year in a row. Olivia Kief represented MCHS in the girls golf regional and was named our first ever all-conference female golfer. Alyssa Applebee set a new school record in diving and qualified for the state tournament.

The winter season was successful as well, highlighted by a second straight regional title in boy’s varsity basketball. The Redskins recorded 21 victories for the most wins since the 1992-1993 season. The cheerleaders qualified for state and the Pom Pon squad brought home yet another state title.

Individually, Kjeld Torkelson and Layney Miller each scored their 1000^th career point while leading their teams in scoring. Jared Kowalewski qualified for the class 2A state wrestling meet to complete an outstanding season.

This spring, the varsity baseball team finished as conference champions while Layney Miller was named softball conference MVP. Haleigh Knapp placed 8^th overall in the 2A state high jump competition.

Kjeld Torkelson was named to the All-State football team while Layney Miller was an all-state selection in basketball. Austin Feeney, Jimmy Pelnarsh, and Ethan Chouinard were named to the Academic All-State team as well. The athletic participation and accomplishments of our students were an important part of this successful school year.

In March, I highlighted the various accomplishments of our co-curricular programs. The efforts by our students and staff in the music, art, speech, math, scholastic bowl, FCCLA, clubs and other various community efforts displayed the tremendous amount of talent at MCHS. MCHS honored 216 high honor students at the 28^th Annual Honors Night program. Earlier that day various MCHS seniors were recognized as winners of local and area scholarship programs. According to senior exit survey information, the class of 2011 garnered more than $1,000,000 in scholarship money overall.

We continue to work on curriculum development and alignment with college and career readiness standards. The current senior class out performed the state average on the Prairie State Achievement Exam but we have a long way to go in the area of consistent student achievement. Teachers and staff were trained in using achievement data to identify areas needing improvement. The introduction of the common core standards will occupy a great deal of staff development time and resources over the next several years. The Rising Star leadership team had a successful first year and will continue to serve as a catalyst for school improvement.

This July the Board of Education will participate in an Illinois Association of School Boards training program called “Starting Right.” This workshop will be instrumental in helping the newly elected officers and board members work effectively as a team for the betterment of the entire school community.

On Friday, May 27we said goodbye to five retiring teachers. These individuals dedicated over 136 years of service to education. Sue Bivens, Paul Jung, Dave Locke, Kathie Stewart and Phil Truty will be missed.

How did this year go? By most standards I would say very well. Major student discipline issues were non-existent, we prepared students for whatever challenges they face next, and pushed them to reach their full potential.

Assistant Principal Jeff Johnson shared with me a thank you card he received from a student. It basically said, “Thanks for caring, thanks for asking me how I am doing and making me feel like I am an important part of the school.” A recent senior graduate made a point to come back and leave a wonderfully written thank your note to our staff at the office counter. The note referenced the “family” atmosphere and the caring approach that made her high school experience positive. Friday morning I had a visit from a parent- not a complaining parent- but a parent who wanted me to know how much he appreciated everything the teachers and staff did for his recent graduate.

As I visited his classroom and said goodbye to retiree Dave Locke, he said, “The time just went by way too fast, I can’t believe it’s over.” My mom picking me up from school, the Ohlendorf Bakery cookie, the excitement of another school year gone by, and the anticipation of the next school year all happen too fast. Success is measured by more than two days of testing in April – it’s measured by relationships, opportunities, and caring. “Yeah – we had a great year!”

Technology

2011-04-15T15:07:00.019-05:00

American educator, psychologist, and philosopher John Dewey (1859-1952) said, “If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow.” The fast paced, ever-changing world of technology has impacted education in ways that are often difficult to comprehend. This article will highlight various types of technology and educational applications used at Morris Community High School. Our district plan guides our efforts at helping students prepare for their future through the use of technology that expands educational opportunities.

I graduated from Dwight Township High School in 1980 and feel fortunate to have been taught by some of the best teachers I have ever known. Aside from a team taught history class, my experiences in the high school classroom were very traditional; chalkboards, overhead projectors, reel to reel film projectors, mimeograph copies that produced “toxic” vapors, etc. My only “computer” class was a basic programming class where we spent four weeks producing punch cards that, once sorted, produced a single sentence. Today’s students live in a world of instant communication, information, social networks, and immediate feedback.
Classrooms of 2011 in some ways resemble the classrooms of 1978; rows of desks, a teacher’s desk, clock, intercom speaker, and an American flag. A closer look, however, reveals how technology has changed the way teachers teach and students learn. Dry erase marker boards, LCD projectors, smart boards, and laptop computers are now vital tools in the educational process. Teachers input grades, attendance, and classroom notes into our PowerSchool data management system that allows parents and student’s real time online access to grades and other important information. Craig Ortiz, Cindy Shannon, Brenda Edwards and Samantha Noto use Promethean active boards to teach math in an interactive fashion. Portable clickers allow students to answer questions electronically. Teachers instantly gather student feedback to check for understanding and re-teach concepts when necessary.
Dave Auwerda uses Google Docs that allow students to work collaboratively on projects. He can create online quizzes, share documents, and access students work online. Mr. Auwerda also uses a social networking type educational site called Edmodo. This site provides a forum for classroom discussions and a place to provide content material for students absent from class. Science teacher Rob Wallon is among a growing number of teachers using a classroom set of the IPod touch. The IPod technology allows instant Internet access, curriculum applications, and excellent review materials. The eClicker application allows the teacher to ask questions and gather instant feedback. Vocabulary apps allow students to study and learn at their own pace. Our staff is working hard at learning new and innovative ways to use technology to deliver instruction.
Tech director J.D. Morrison has been successful at building on the technology foundations established by retired Associate Principal Tom Talarico. We are working hard to improve our four computer labs and establish wireless Internet access district wide. We have also purchased three mobile computers labs and transitioned to a new student data management system. We continue to find ways to upgrade our Internet speed, capacity, and reliability in the most cost effective manner possible.
Modifications to our website by retired teacher Joe Thomas, and staff members Gail Janz and Corri Trotter provide the community with an instant link to the “happenings” at MCHS. This year we implemented an instant alert system that notifies students and parents of important announcements via phone calls and eventually text messages. These upgrades are designed to provide accurate information in a timely manner. The main objective of Morris Community High School is to prepare students for whatever challenges and opportunities they encounter next. The jobs and careers some of our students will pursue don’t even exist. All schools must do a better job at becoming more agile and responsive as technology changes and impacts the way we learn, interact, work and live.
I have enjoyed watching my daughter, Rachel, complete her JJC English 102 research paper and find it amazing at how different the process is from “back in the day”. Gone are the days of the carefully numbered, sorted, and categorized note cards sprawled out on the kitchen table. The trip to Kaisers five and dime store to get that perfect plastic folder to place the paper in for turn in day are gone. Instead, her experience is that of reading online research, occasional chats with the instructor and an email of the finished product before midnight.
The “tomorrow” John Dewey spoke of is upon us and it is our job to prepare students the best we can “today”. For more information on Morris Community High School check us out at www.morrishs.org. Contact J.D. Morrison at jmorrison@morrishs.org for more information on our technology plan and initiatives.

"MCHS Accomplishments"

2011-03-22T11:38:00.002-05:00

The third in our series of newspaper articles was an absolute joy to write!! The focus was on the multitude of student and staff achievements over the course of the school year. I don't take enough time to reflect on the many good things going on at MCHS and after compiling the information, it was difficult to fit everything into one article!! That is a good problem to have! We hear so many negatives about school funding shortfalls, NCLB requirements, and issues with student and adult failings- that it was refreshing to write about what can happen when "opportunity meets preparation" and "success is tangible." The Carpenter's (brother and sister singing duo from the 70's) said it best; "We've Only Just Begun"!!

As our mission statement indicates, “Morris Community High School works to provide each student the opportunity to reach their full potential academically, socially, and personally.” The focus of this article will be to highlight some of the outstanding student and faculty achievements in the three mission statement areas.

This year, nearly four out of every five Illinois high schools will be labeled as “failing” as the NCLB (No Child Left Behind) target scores ramp up to 85% of students meeting or exceeding standards on the PSAE (Prairie State Achievement Exam). While accountability is a must, this column will feature some of the accomplishments achieved by our students and staff that go far beyond the results of two days of standardized testing. MCHS has a great deal to be proud of.

This year, 27 Morris Community High School seniors were recognized as Illinois State Scholars and the local chapter of the National Honor Society inducted 28 new members.

MCHS has a variety of academic teams that compete in various events during the year. The math team won the Regional and had seven first place winners. The team will compete at the State level in April.

The Speech team placed third in this year’s IHSA Regional, advancing eight individuals and one team event on to the Sectional. Amber Hunnewell advanced to the State meet and took 16^th place overall.

The Art department recently hosted the Conference Art show and took third overall. Two individual art students placed first and third at the University of St. Francis High School Art show as well.

The Choir and Band participate in IHSA activities and perform well year after year. Last weekend, senior Charlotte Ulrich led a talented cast in the MCHS production of “Little Shop of Horrors.” The opportunities for students to excel in academic and co-curricular activities are very important in the overall mission of the district.

The social development of our students is an important component of their overall educational program. Students perform community service, participate in clubs and activities, and take on projects that not only benefit them personally, but others as well.

This spring, MCHS and GAVC are partnering with the Grundy County Housing Authority in the development of an intergenerational project designed to support the Saratoga Towers “Connected Living” initiative. Students will provide technical support as well as assist residents in developing “life projects” that will capture their personal story that can be shared with family and friends.

Students and faculty raised over $6400 for various charity groups through a variety of activities such as the Empty Bowls soup event, Faculty verses the Fuzz charity game, coaches verses cancer night, and prom style show just to name a few. These activities help raise social awareness and highlight the responsibilities we all have to the community.

The TROUPE organization will donate their proceeds from an upcoming talent show to Relay for Life of Grundy County and the Drama club will be holding a Drama Camp workshop for first through eighth graders. All of the MCHS student organizations do a great job of teaching students the importance of “giving back.”

Personal development occurs in many ways and our staff is working hard at improving our ability to meet the needs of all students. Individually, students and staff have been recognized for a variety of achievements. Kyle Jorstad earned National Merit Finalist status for his performance on the PSAT and SAT exams, ranking him among the nations elite students. Jorie Struck was elected to serve as Governor at the annual Girls State Conference held on the campus of Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, Illinois. Jorie is the first Morris High School student to be elected to this position. John Scholtes earned the conference MVP award and All-Sectional team for his outstanding performance on this years scholastic bowl team. These are just a few of the individual accomplishments that highlight the successes that sometimes may go unnoticed.

Choral director Mr. Paul Jung won the prestigious Distinguished Service Award presented by the Illinois Music Educators Association and science teacher Mr. Rob Wallon has been accepted into the National Science Teacher’s Association and its fellowship professional development program. Mr. Wallon will be able to bring innovative instructional strategies into the classroom from that unique program.

Our cooperative education program allows students to explore potential careers by their participation in job shadowing and internship experiences. Mrs. Barb Rath directs 14 students at 11 various job sites. Students are placed with the State’s Attorney’s office, Sheriff’s Department, Morris Police Department, Mack and Associates, Morris Hospital, Saratoga Elementary School, District 54, ICS, and MCHS. The community has been very helpful in placing students and these real world experiences have been valuable for our young adults.

Preparing for and writing this article has served a reminder of all of the “great” things that happen every day at MCHS. Morris Community High School has a rich tradition for producing successful, productive citizens. With our mission in mind, we strive for improvement in order to help students exceed the expectations they set for themselves as they prepare for the future.

"Finance 101"

2011-02-22T11:55:00.005-06:00

Finance is the topic covered in this month's article- I tried to provide some basic school finance information and also provide the reader with a sense of where we are as a district. We will face some challenges ahead like many district's across the country, but with continual planning, communication, and the formation of partnerships, we will be able to "weather the storm".

Morris Community High School, like many school systems across the country, continues to experience challenging financial times during very uncertain economic conditions. The Board of Education is committed to providing the best level of service given our available resources. The instability of state funding, declining local tax revenues, and increasing number of unfunded state and federal mandates have created “the perfect storm” in the world of school finance. The intent of this article is to provide a school finance “primer,” present our current financial situation, and discuss future projections moving forward.

There are nine separate funds that comprise a school district budget. The six operating funds are; Education, Operation and Maintenance, Transportation, Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund/Social Security, Working Cash, and Tort. The main fund is the Education fund.

Illinois relies heavily on local property wealth to fund education. 68% of our current fiscal year revenue is generated from local property taxes while 16% comes from other local sources. 14% of the FY 11 revenue came from the state and 2% from the federal level. The Education fund comprises nearly 60% of the overall annual budget.

On the expenditure side, 61% of district costs come in the form of salaries and benefits. 31% go toward purchased services, such as transportation, food service, special education, and vocational education costs. The remaining 8% is spent on supplies, materials, and equipment.

Each year, the Illinois State Board of Education reports a financial profile for each school district. The four designations are recognition, review, early warning, and watch.MCHS will come off the 2009 watch list and, with a score of 3.10 out of 4.00, receive review recognition for 2010.

In September of 2010, Morris Community High School was awarded the SchoolSearch Bright Star Award for the first time. Only 81 out of 869 districts were recognized for ranking in the top one-third in academic performance, but having a per pupil expenditure rank in the lower one-fourth of the State of Illinois. This recognition is an indicator of our board of educations dedication to fiscal responsibility.

The District 101 tax rate, generally between $1.75 and $1.80 per $100 of assessed valuation, places MCHS in the top 25% for the lowest high school district tax rate in Illinois. The Board of Education works hard at maintaining that target rate – a challenge that grows more difficult with the economic factors identified previously.

MCHS has partnered with Morris Elementary District 54 and Saratoga District 60C to share a variety of services that help reduce costs. Regular and special education transportation services, a curriculum coordinator, and several operation and maintenance services are shared in an effort to cut costs and increase efficiency. We also share a technology coordinator with the Grundy Area Vocational Center.

Working with the Grundy Economic Development Council, local, county, and state governments, we continue to explore new sources of revenue that can help support Morris Community High School.

The economic challenges faced by our state make it very difficult to prepare accurate budget projections. The state currently owes MCHS over $200,000, mainly in unpaid reimbursements for transportation and special education mandated services. We expect a decline in the amount of General State Aid we qualify for which will have a negative impact on the Education Fund.

Early projections of the total Equalized Assessed Valuation (EAV) indicate an annual decrease of five percent or greater for the next several years. The total dollars available to a school district is based on the value of the property located within our district boundaries. A decrease in the taxable residential and commercial property values decreases the amount of money we have to include in our budget. Lower EAV, a constant tax rate, and less general state aid will create severe budget challenges.

The Board of Education, administration and staff are committed to providing quality services with our available resources. Since losing thirty-five percent of the district EAV in 2005, we have been able to survive financially with minimal impact on the educational program.

The district will continue to implement a variety of cost containment/reduction strategies, including the use of attrition (not replacing staff retirements when possible), appropriate staff reductions and creating efficiencies in the area of operation and maintenance.

Our current financial projections indicate that with limited enrollment increases, the use of alternate revenue sources and continued implementation of cost containment/reduction strategies, the district will weather this downturn. Deeper reductions and additional alternate revenue sources and strategies will need to be explored if the decline in local revenue is greater than anticipated. I encourage you to visit our website at www.morrishs.org to review financial projection information prepared by PMA. The administration/ board of education page on our website also contains the 2010 Annual Financial Report and current fiscal year budget. Feel free to contact me at phalloran@morrishs.org or 815-941-5327 for further information.

Morris High Aims to Improve Achievement

2011-01-28T15:00:00.002-06:00

In an effort to provide information about each of the Morris school districts, we have decided to write an article once a month that features a different topic. This month the topic focused on curriculum. Other topics that will be covered in the upcoming months are finance, special programs, technology, and in May a "year in review". We hope that the community finds the information useful. Our goal was to highlight some of the positives and identify our challenges and opportunities for improvement. I hope you will take time to check out some of the neat things happening at MCHS!!

Morris Aims High to Improve Achievement

"Times Like These"

2011-01-12T15:55:00.010-06:00

The events of the past several days on the national and state level have held my interest to say the least. The senseless shooting at a Florida school board meeting several months ago seemed outrageous enough- only to be followed this week with the violence in Arizona- what a tragedy! I won't enter the debate on whether or not fierce political rhetoric contributed to this cowardly act, but it is unsettling to think of that being a possibility.

The Illinois income tax increase will impact everyone and it will be interesting to see how the business community responds in particular. Once again the political arena found center stage and rather than a solution that reflected a meaningful "across the aisle" dialogue, a partisan tax increase was the revenue solution.

I guess the schools that were hoping for the $1.00 per pack tax on cigarettes "dedicated for education" should cancel their cigarette machine orders=) Maybe schools will replace those evil soda machines with banks of video poker machines if expanded gaming revenues are earmarked for education? Time will tell.

While the financial stability of Illinois remains murky, schools continue to educate students, provide extra-curricular programs, and prepare students for whatever that "next step" may be.

Morris Community High School has been working hard to implement the strategic goals developed by the Board and Administrative staff that center around four themes: Teaching and Learning, Human/Student Resources, Communication, and Finance. I have prepared a District Scorecard that demonstrates projects that are in planning, in progress, or have been completed. We know we have many challenges ahead and we "don't always get it right", but as an organization improvements are being made that are having an impact on student achievement.

Changing the structure of the day may sound easy enough to some, but moving from a Block 4 schedule that has been used for the past 15 years to a 7 period day has presented both challenges and opportunities for healthy discussion. Guidance counselors, administrators, teachers, and support staff recently held a meeting to identify critical questions that still needed to be answered as we make this transition. The Schedule Transition spreadsheet demonstrates some of the activities taking place. A lot of outstanding discussion has occurred as a result of this change and I anticipate the end result will be positive.

I think for me one constant during times like these has always been the students! MCHS students are resilient, ambitious, and generally know right from wrong! All of us need to live by Mr. Hussey's challenge for the year: "Do Better Today"- during "Times Like These"!!

"Unintended Consequences"

2010-10-29T12:58:00.012-05:00

No Child Left Behind (NCLB) has created several "unintended consequences" . A by-product of this national legislation is the perceived need to "rank" schools across the country. This became very evident this morning when I received the first in a series of texts from our curriculum coordinator noting our improved status from 2009. "We are 188 this year- up 124 places from 322 last year- a step in the right direction!!" It is generally better to get good news than bad- and I was excited for our staff, students, and community that this was positive news. I also understand that it is just a snapshot in time and real improvement won't be realized until it is sustained over time- but nevertheless- I enjoyed the moment!! School report card results can be found in the Chicago Tribune.

The impact of NCLB was the highlight of an article this week in the Tribune that featured interviews with leaders, parents, and students from high performing Chicago area schools that suddenly found themselves not making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). I found it interesting to read quotes from administrators that many schools used in prior years- "we aren't a failing school- the bar is just set too high". Everyone knew this day was coming- when 9 out of 10 high schools in Illinois failed to make AYP and nearly 2000 schools overall failed to hit the mark. The key now for all of us is to continue our focus on the use of student performance data to improve instruction- with the number one goal- making sure that students meet the college/career readiness standards so they are prepared for life after high school!

This goal continues to present the need for schools to prepare students by exposing them to a rigorous and relevant curriculum, making vocational opportunities that support this mission available, and promoting the development of life skills. I recently received data showing the educational attainment of Grundy County residents. 17% of the residents in the county have a Bachelors degree or higher while 36% have some college (U.S. Census data). I found that interesting and in my opinion, points to the need for balance- balance between the "unintended consequences" of NCLB and preparing our students to be productive members of the future workforce.

MCHS continues on our improvement journey and we are now engaged in the Rising Star systemic process that will help develop and institutionalize our efforts. I have been impressed with the leadership team of teachers, support staff, parents, and administrators that are helping to implement this initiative. Balance will be the key!!

I wonder if the leaders of the most prestigious schools in Illinois ever dreamed they would have to send a letter to every parent declaring they were a "failing" school? I bet not!!

"Adulthood"

2010-09-23T14:37:00.005-05:00

Today my "little girl" is 18 years old and I am left wondering where time went!! I remember some of my students visiting the house to see her and hoping that she grew up to "be" like some of them. Well, my wish certainly came true- she is a very good student, involved in activities and athletics, is well behaved most of the time, and is someone we are very proud of. I spent last Thursday with Rachel touring Eastern Illinois University where she has been accepted and plans on attending. As a 1984 EIU grad, I walked proudly around campus showing her where I had classes and emphasizing how much time I spent in the library (she didn't really believe me) and our friend Jess did an outstanding job of guiding our tour through dorm rooms, dining halls, and athletic facilities. Having another official "adult" in the house is a different feeling!!

Adulthood brings with it the responsibilities of planning for the future, creating your own opportunities, handling change, and "leaving your mark"! I asked Rachel at one point if she could "see herself" at EIU- could she see herself walking 15 minutes from Carmen Hall to class in the middle of winter, or cheering on the Panthers at a basketball game, or making the 2 1/2 hour drive to Charleston by herself. I didn't elaborate on what I meant by "see herself" but I sensed she understood- she quickly responded YES- and that moment convinced me she was ready for college. Ready for the experiences that will shape her as a young adult.

Adulthood brings with it the reality that change is inevitable and not always easy. It brings the pressures of providing leadership and guidance through the process and working with people at whatever "level" of acceptance or non-acceptance they may be. A "change" for me has been living with the reality of missing my parents and the joy they would have experienced from watching our children grow. I always listened as my elders would say "enjoy those kids as they grow up- it happens too fast"- but I never really heard them or understood. Now I am the one in the new teacher meeting providing insight and history on our organization, the one in the stands doing much more watching and clapping than "coaching" like I used to. The one people ask questions and opinions of as if my answer makes a difference.

I guess this is adulthood is like- so Rachel- I wish you the best in your journey and know that Namna and Papa would be proud of you!!

"Acknowledge-Honor-Connect"

2010-08-19T11:58:00.007-05:00

For the first time ever, each school district in our community gathered for an opening in-service! It is one more example of our recent efforts to share curriculum improvement efforts, resources, and energy to make sure we are continually improving. Our speaker, Mr. Mark Schaerenbroich, challenged each of us to make positive connections with students, staff, and parents in an effort to improve student achievement. He is an excellent presenter with a background in comedy that kept his message humorous and alive! He shared examples of teachers that inspired him and that exemplified the concepts of "acknowledge-honor-and connect". It made me reflect on those people and opportunities that are important to me and the reasons I chose education as my life's work.

The power of a positive attitude and importance of building positive relationships was a family value instilled quietly at home growing up. I had excellent role models in my parents, sister Jane, and brothers Tom and Tim- but it was a teacher that quantified things for me and caused me to look at life in a different way. Gary Swartz was my math teacher and basketball coach- but more importantly- the person that "acknowledged" my positive attitude and provided me with the tools needed to overcome adversity and be a leader. I have told Coach Swartz on several occasions that he is the reason I became a teacher, coach, and leader.

I "honor" those people in my life that have made a difference- whether it be my past teachers, siblings, parents, family members, or close friends- past and present. I asked our faculty to take time to honor the hard work of our support staff- from the custodians to the secretaries to the cooks- the people that make MCHS a great place to work and a welcoming learning environment.

The idea that making positive "connections" can have a positive influence on student achievement really got me fired up and validated much of what I believe in! I always tried to connect with students as a teacher and had the tremendous opportunity to teach a 9 week class called "I Can" while I was a social studies teacher at Coal City High School. I still will occasionally have a "30 something" former student shout across the check-out line at the grocery store; "Hey Coach Hal- I still have that I Can stuff we studied when I was a sophomore. I always say when someone asks how I'm doing 'Super-great, but I'll get better.'" The ability to connect with people and establish lasting relationships is important. Our staff needs to keep this in mind as we work through another school year- the old saying "kids don't care how much you know until they know how much you care about them" rings true!

As we work on improving Morris High School, the message from our opening day speaker should be on our minds. Principal Hussey challenged everyone to "Do Better Today" because it is with sustained effort that we will better prepare students for life after high school. We all realize we can do better- we also know we have developed the plans and framework to improve- now it is time to work those plans, measure the results, make the adjustments needed, and continue the momentum toward becoming the best we can be.

Take time to let those you care about know how important they are to you while you can!

"Nice Bike"

"Spring is in the Air"

2010-03-29T11:08:00.006-05:00

I love the sounds of robins singing happily, perched on the rooftops seeming to preside over the transition from winter to spring! Spring is also a time in the school business to plan for the upcoming year and reflect on the current year's improvement efforts. I enjoyed the parent meeting Wednesday March 24th for several reasons. I thought the feedback and ideas we received were helpful and will assist us as we move forward in improving our school programing. It was also exciting for me to watch our vision for school improvement evolve and take shape- now the real work begins as we implement a process for using student achievement data to improve instruction- which will lead to increased student performance. We are looking for improved performance not just on the PSAE, but performance as it relates to our mission as a school. Be sure and check out more information about this process at www.morrishs.org

Spring Break is upon us and has taken on a different look at the Halloran household this year. We have been able to take a couple of family trips the last few years, until school baseball and softball took over! This year, our youngest was invited to go to Florida with his friend- so our 6th grader "jetted" off to 80 degrees and fun in the sun while we stayed back to enjoy Illinois!! Matt and I were fortunate to make a one day jaunt to Newton Lake southeast of Effingham on Sunday for a full day of bass fishing. We love this lake for its' big bass potential and scenic time on the water. It is nice to have a fishing partner that is as much of a "die-hard" as I am- and it is especially great to spend time with my 16 year old son. We each caught a nice fish- Matt a 3 1/2 pounder and me the 4 1/2 pound beauty you see above (each fish measured, admired, and released). Sunday's like yesterday help keep things in balance- and balance seems to be the key many things!!

Leadership Coaching

2010-02-04T13:39:00.009-06:00

I was invited to participate in a pilot Leadership Coaching certification program through the Illinois Association of School Administrators Institute for Advanced Leadership- I must admit that I was apprehensive at first- but trusted the person extending the offer- so I said "yes"! I wasn't prepared for the level of commitment required, but I was aware of the potential benefits for not only myself, but for the entire organization. So far, it has been a worthwhile journey!!

The premise of leadership coaching is different from mentoring. In mentoring, you often relate your past experience to the "mentee" and then tell them how to handle a situation. In coaching, the skill is in allowing the "coachee" to concisely identify the problem or issue, then help them discover potential solutions through meaningful questioning and listening techniques. Many top business executives utilize "coaches" to help them become more productive both professionally and personally. Our master coach is Sandye Brown from Vancouver, WA. She created a company called Wide Awake Inc and provides us with direct instruction in the "art" of effective coaching. Dr. Nancy Blair from Cardinal Stritch University co-facilitates and provides expertise in the elements of change, leadership, and organizational improvement. We are required to read several texts throughout the course of the program, including Leading in a culture of Change by Fullan and Leadership on the Line by Heifetz and Linskey. We also conduct six "coaching calls" with Sandye Brown to discuss our skills and concerns as we work with our participating "coachee"(my victim is Mr. Hussey). We have met as a class 4 times with 4 more meetings scheduled between now and May.

I am very excited and optimistic that this experience will be of great value to MCHS and help us improve as an organization. I was fortunate to participate in leadership training through Motorola in the mid 1990's, the Gates project at Illinois State University in the early 2000's, and now Leadership coach training. I believe these experiences have all contributed to my development as an educational leader and also my quest to be a better person. I hope that the IASA leadership institute is able to hit the ground running and that school leaders see the value in improving their skills- for the sake of organizational improvement and increased student achievement. As Superintendent's, we are often expected to have the answers to every problem- this training has increased my awareness in the need to be a better listener, ask more meaningful questions, and help employees discover the leadership potential that may be "locked" inside!!! Continuous improvement is the key!!

"No Grades-No Homework; How Dare You"

2010-01-05T09:45:00.011-06:00

On Monday, January 4th, we were privileged to hear author/speaker Alfie Kohn challenge several long standing basic assumptions: Grades and Homework. It was a pleasure to work with three neighboring school districts to make this staff development opportunity a reality. Special thanks to Dr. Matt Swick from Wilmington for organizing and Reed-Custer for hosting this event. Go to http://www.alfiekohn.org/index.php to check out Mr. Kohn's website.

His basic message is that the use of grades is harmful to the learning process and that rewards, whether mundane or elaborate, have no lasting impact on motivation or achievement. Mr. Kohn has taken a serious look at available research literature and has concluded that grades and rewards actually have a negative impact on overall learning and he advocates that everyone- from the White House to the classroom- take a critical look at both topics.

I knew it was risky to require the entire staff to attend this session on the first day back after Winter Break- a day typically spent finishing "grades"(how ironic) and preparing for the upcoming term. The goals were to challenge our comfort zone- our conventional practices- and provoke "thought" and potential "action". My early assumptions are that the goals of provoking thought and discussion were accomplished. As far as action, only time will tell.

As administrators, we often act as a buffer for teachers. Sometimes from the public, the Board, the State, etc. Making the changes he suggests would require tremendous communication with parents, the community, higher education institutions, etc. But many of the suggestions he provided can be implemented at the classroom level in "small doses". I am interested in the feedback Principal Hussey will receive from his e-mail this morning.

I found myself agreeing with nearly all of his comments on the premise of homework- particularly at the lower levels. The drill and kill mentality of the past should be re-examined since research suggests there is little evidence of improved academic performance with or without homework. I anticipate that department discussions around this topic will be quite interesting.

His reference to Ted Sizer and his essential schools work was also important and is worth further study. You can go to http://books.google.com/books?id=9pNaEiVkKF4C&dq=ted+sizer&printsec=frontcover&source=in&hl=en&ei=xl1DS_7xFYiINPK_-aEP&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=18&ved=0CEQQ6AEwEQ#v=onepage&q=ted%20sizer&f=false and read a preview of the book mentioned yesterday.

The other thing that hit me hard was from a parent perspective. I certainly squirmed a bit when he mentioned the impact of the "highly competitive" parent- mainly "Dad"- on a child. The use of rewards to motivate, how big of a deal is "report card day", and the compassion level of the kids we raise. All good thoughts to ponder. Another lesson in the importance of balance!!

The main reason to bring in Alfie Kohn was to challenge our thinking- make us take time to evaluate- reflect- and have discussions we may have never had before. Time will tell if that mission was accomplished or not. Time well spent- a good energizer as we head into the new year!!

"Turkey Talk"

2009-11-26T17:51:00.013-06:00

I hope everyone is enjoyed their Thanksgiving weekend and took time time to reflect on all the blessings in their life. On Wednesday, November 25th, I held what I like to call "Turkey Talk"- a day devoted to providing staff a chance to visit with me and me a chance to review some of the major topics facing MCHS. Over 40 people stopped by and I really enjoyed the day. Curriculum director Kathleen Wilkey stopped by and provided helpful insights into our curriculum improvement efforts.

The topics covered included:
School Improvement Cycle-
Tax Levy
Financial Projections
Highlight power-point

I invite you to visit the Superintendent section of the Morris Community High School website to view information about the above topics. We are working on a district newsletter in an effort to provide the community with information on a variety of topics.

Response to Intervention

2009-10-29T07:51:00.000-05:00

There has been a great deal of "angst" and "anxiety" surrounding the implementation of a Response to Intervention (RTI) program at the high school level. The development of the plan in December of 2008 was a real shot in the dark as everyone scrambled to understand this new requirement. The idea is to provide academic and behavioral interventions to students in an effort to improve achievement for all students. A by-product of successful implementation is also intended to decrease the number of students requiring special education services. All great goals!

The challenge is to create a "systems" approach to your RTI program so that your activities are aligned and working toward common goals.

I had the pleasure of listening to presenters from Rolling Meadows High School in Rolling Meadows, Illinois at the State Superintendents conference in Springfield this week. Listening to their presentation was a great equalizer to the gloom and doom budget presentations we all endured. Rolling Meadows High School has successfully implemented an RTI program that is helping produce measurable results and positive gains in student achievement.

I was encouraged as I reflected on where MCHS is in this process because I recognized elements of our plan inside the presenters model. I was also frustrated because we have a "ton to do" in a short period of time. We need to build the support of our entire learning community to implement and sustain this systems approach- but we can do it!!

I really enjoyed their presentation because it validated my own vision and belief in the intent of RTI- that is- improved student achievement. I think this requirement is really forcing schools to develop systems and structures that promote continuous improvement- a structure that our leadership team believes strongly in!!

I have included the link to Rolling Meadows High School- go check it out- they certainly seem to be on the cutting edge!!
http://rmhs.d214.org/rmhsmodel

All the school improvement plans, Federal grant requirements, RTI requirements, and quest for making data driven decisions seem to be coming together in an aligned systems approach- what could be better??

"Start Me Up"

2009-09-25T09:28:00.000-05:00

Wow- the start of a new school year still brings a high level of excitement and energy- and a ton of work!! The Rolling Stones song "Start Me Up" captures the current climate at MCHS- a lot of activities and great opportunities for our students.

On Monday morning- the program Rachel's Challenge will be presented. This is a highly acclaimed presentation with a powerful message about the impact of "acts of kindness" and will surely be a great experience for our students and community. Check out our website at http://www.morrishs.org for more information.

The Board of Education approved the strategic plan that was developed in August. You can view this plan at www.morrishs.org/vnews/display.v/SEC/Administration>>Superintendent (Click on Board of Education Strategic Plan)
These goals help form the basis of each administrators action plan for the year and help shape the department goals as well.

MCHS has introduced a "redesigned" cooperative education program under the guidance of Business Department Chair Mrs. Barb Rath. 19 various local businesses and agencies have partnered with our school to provide internship opportunities for over 20 Morris High School seniors. These opportunities should prove valuable in preparing those students to enter "life after high school". So far, the program is off to a good start!

Last evening, parents came out in solid numbers for parent/teacher conferences. It is a great time for me to meet new parents and visit with those I already know. MCHS is fortunate to have a high level of parent support and we look forward to any feedback parents may have on this process. Mr. Hussey has implemented a parent appointment process that seems to be effective. I heard a lot of positive feedback on the process from those in attendance.

And finally the "Pinwheels for Peace" project put on by Mrs. Tesdal and the Art department was a real hit! It is always great to partner with the feeder schools and get high school and elementary students working together. I know as I made my pinwheel, it caused me to reflect on the importance of getting along, the current conflicts that are taking place around the world, and how lucky we are in this country to have the freedoms we so often take for granted.

The year is in full swing and off to a great start!!!

President Obama Addresses Students

2009-09-08T14:46:00.000-05:00

http://www.whitehouse.gov

Today, President Obama spoke directly to America's students and challenged them to stay in school, work hard to overcome adversity, and leave their mark on society. The entire speech can be found at http://www.whitehouse.gov/the_press_office/Remarks-by-the-President-in-a-National-Address-to-Americas-Schoolchildren/

It was very interesting and somewhat frustrating to witness and experience the "whirlwind" of speculation and debate that occurred prior to the speech. While we only received a couple of calls, Elementary schools in the area were bombarded with calls from concerned parents. MCHS left the decision up to teachers whether to show it live, use it later, or not show it at all. We had several teachers show the speech live and as I walked around the building, it appeared that some classes went about their business as usual, while others watched it on C-Span. Many of our students were at lunch during the presentation.

I watched part of the speech using streaming video- a technology that will soon be more readily available to us in the classroom and may prove to be a very useful instructional tool. I found the message to be that of encouragement and optimism- but also one of a challenge of this generation of students to use their talents to make an impact on society- be the next inventors-the next dreamers and doers of great things.

I asked a couple of teachers to provide me with feedback on what their students thought. One class thought that the speech was "very motivating but thought that it was geared towards inner-city schools and the less fortunate." They discussed the President mentioning Twitter, Facebook, and asking "what can we expect from your generation?" One student thought the speech was similar to the JFK "what can you do for your nation" challenge. Students also picked up on the personal challenges President Obama faced growing up and the importance of an education to get ahead in the world.

It will be interesting to listen to all the "experts" on television slice and dice the speech and provide their "expert" analysis. I will also be listening to our faculty and students for feedback.

Watching the students, teachers, administrators, and parents at Wakefield High School was exciting- but I must admit- I was a bit jealous! They obviously are a very high performing school- but really that could have been "any school USA"- I wondered how our student body president would have looked and sounded to the world introducing the President of the United States. How would I have done making the opening remarks to the country about why the President chose my school to deliver this address from.

What an experience for that entire community- we should all accept the challenges thrown out there- the biggest of them all is individual responsibility. Responsibility for your own learning, your own outcome, your own legacy.

Probably a great message for all of us to hear.

Alfie Kohn

2009-08-31T11:24:00.000-05:00

The Wilmington School District, Morris Community High School, Coal City Unit District, and possibly others are looking to provide a joint staff development opportunity in January at MCHS. Nationally renowned speaker Alfie Kohn may be coming to Morris on January 4th. His website can be found at http://www.alfiekohn.org/index.html

It is exciting to work together in an attempt to provide quality in-service opportunities for our staff.

More to come as this potential opportunity materializes!!!

"Hello, Goodbye"

2009-08-28T11:57:00.000-05:00

I consider myself an "on again off again" Beatles fan, but I found myself singing "Hello, Goodbye" the other day to myself and thought- wait- that fits this new school year perfectly!! "Hello" to our new staff members (and one returnee=)) and "Goodbye" to our retirees! We will lose over 146 years of combined experience! What a huge void to try and fill next year. Jane and Larry Vahle are pictured on top while Kristin Ehteshami and Joe Thomas are below.

Our new staff pictured at the top of the page consists of in front left to right; Jennifer Bamonte, Mary Rooks, Robert Johnson, Rob Wallon, and Don Stinson. Welcome aboard!

Our new staff went through a couple of days of in-service this summer and will benefit from our new teacher mentoring program that is now in place. Thanks to Cindy Shannon and Kathleen Wilkey for making this a reality and to our participating Mentors- you have an important job to do!

I talk often about leaving your legacy- making your mark on an organization- and our retirees have certainly done that. I wish them all a great year- a year full of "lasts"- but a year in which I hope they are able to identify and reflect on their many contributions to the lives of our students and staff- past and present!!

Congresswoman Halvorson

2009-08-22T15:20:00.000-05:00

I was invited to an informal meeting today at the Grundy County administration building with U.S. Congresswoman Halvorson. The Mayors of Grundy County were concluding their meeting with her as I arrived and I was the only Superintendent there (two more came as I was leaving) and it gave me a chance to have a great discussion about the Federal Government and education- particularly the use of Stimulus funds and the new push called Race to the Top.

Halvorson made it clear right away that when the House authorized stimulus money be earmarked for education- it needed to go directly to the schools- instead- it goes to each State. Of course- Illinois uses stimulus money to plug the huge hole in the state budget- they use it to send schools like MCHS General State Aid- which we rely on heavily.

I was struck by how little influence the House had over the Senate's push to send this money to State's- we need this money to help cover the costs of numerous unfunded mandates- in particular- the cost of special education. 15% of our education fund costs are used for special education and these costs continue to increase- particularly for students placed in residential care facilities.

I am hopeful that the Federal government can regain a balance between the test driven requirements of NCLB and increase their support for vocational education- and help all schools meet the needs of students.

It is obvious that our lawmakers don't trust many local educational institutions- that was why it was easier to give the stimulus funds to each Governor (and they trust them more why?) instead of local schools- we need to turn this around!!

I enjoy the Congresswoman's energy and passion for what she does- I hope she can make a difference and represent the needs of this area- this meeting was a step in the right direction.

PSAE Mania!

2009-08-21T14:14:00.000-05:00

I just finished an interview with the local newspaper about the improved scores at CCHS and thoughts about the benefits of a Unit district vs. a High School district.The reporter asked excellent follow-up questions and was looking for my sense as to why this neighboring high school was showing steady improvement on the annual PSAE exam. I shared that in my opinion, they are starting to reap the benefits of their leaders vision and they are slowly gaining teacher buy-in!! Improved teaching and learning and student achievement are the focus.

Elementary and Special Education teachers have it figured out- they know how to use student achievement data to figure out what kids need and how to give it to them. Too often we at the H.S. level throw the information out there and expect kids to "get it".

That being said- I am excited about the direction MCHS is headed- we have laid the foundation for success through a more formal K-12 articulation process, the hiring of a shared director of curriculum, a commitment to technology in the classroom, and an organized and focused staff development plan. We need continued staff buy-in as we move this "big bus" forward.

I am happy with the communication and improvement processes we have put in place over the last 6 years- but I know we need to continue to get better.

You know- not all newspaper interviews are fun- but that one was. Fun to reflect and fun to validate that the course we are on is a good one!!

Check out our website soon for updated PSAE scores and school improvement plans

Race to the Top

2009-08-20T15:16:00.001-05:00

Today I participated in a webinar that highlighted the federal Race to the Top project- more stimulus dollars that will be granted to the most innovative and accountable States in the country. I am anxious to see how Illinois measures up in this first round of applications. Making data driven decisions is a key component- as is a State's ability to encourage charter schools and innovative programming.

Some of the components outlined involved using a growth model to measure progress- maybe the escalating AYP numbers- 77% this year- will give way to more realistic expectations?? Time will tell.

http://www.edweek.org/ew/index.html has updated information and will post the slides from today's webinar.

Board Goal Setting Session

2009-08-19T11:25:00.000-05:00

Members of the Board of Education and administrative team met Monday evening in a work study session to develop goals for the upcoming year and beyond. Dr. Don Kachur, a retired professor from Illinois State University and current leader of ASCD in Illinois, was our facilitator. The process went well and it was exciting to engage board members in conversations about continuous improvement.

I will provide details of our strategic plan as they become finalized.

It provided a great opportunity for me personally to review where we have been as a District and where we are headed. Principal Hussey has outlined a challenge for all of us to continue to get better and help all students achieve. Our goals are beginning to align- pointing in the same direction for the first time- and it is exciting!!

Welcome to my blog spot!!

2009-08-14T09:37:00.000-05:00

After reading numerous articles on the value of a "Superintendent Blog" and several discussions with colleagues, I have decided to utilize this communication tool- so thanks for reading! My purpose will be to provide information, insight, and a forum in order to gain feedback and ideas about Morris Community High School, leadership successes and challenges, organizational improvement ideas, and general discussion.

Check back soon for more information