Background Information  You have started a new position at Melton Middle School-600 students  The PTA President has asked you to speak at the next meeting  The PTA is curious about my background, family and my ideas about education…and specific plans for Melton

MELTON MIDDLE SCHOOL “PREPARING OUR STUDENTS FOR 21 ST CENTURY SUCCESS” Jamie Lunsetter, Principal

High School English 101  Bill Poole, Grygla High School English Teacher Says:  “You start too many sentences with “I”…It makes you appear arrogant!”  This school has NEVER been about me, IS NOT about me, and WILL NEVER be about me…  It is about the quality of education we provide for OUR CHILDREN and the DOORS WE OPEN FOR THEM IN THE FUTURE!

…Who Are You?  Parents  Relatives  Neighbors  Friends  Teachers and Staff  School Board Members  Tax Payers  STAKEHOLDERS  Emotional  Financial  Community Pride  THIS IS YOUR SCHOOL!  I am PROUD to say now, that it is OUR SCHOOL!

Who Am I?  Jamie Lunsetter  Grandson of Walter Lunsetter  Son of Bruce and Diane Lunsetter Small, Family-Farmers; Gatzke, MNGatzke, MN  Proud Father of Ellie, Evan, Eli and EmmettEllie, Evan, Eli and Emmett  Graduate of Grygla High School  Undergraduate Degree in Social Sciences and Physical Education from Mayville State University  Health License From Bemidji State University  Driver’s Education License From St. Cloud State University  Master’s Degree and Administrative Licensure from Minnesota State University-Moorhead  10 Year Classroom Veteran  Principal of Melton Middle School

I Learned From the Best  Bruce and Diane Lunsetter-Parents  “Doing what’s right may not always be easy, but it will always be right”  Mark Kroulik-Hall of Fame Football Coach and Stephen-Argyle Central High School Principal  2 Keys to Happiness Be thankful for what you have Serve others

What Do I Believe?  WE have GREAT kids with HUGE potential at Melton  WE need to PREPARE our kids to be SUCCESSFUL in the 21 st Century  WE have a RESPONSIBILITY to give our kids access to the necessary tools to achieve 21 st Century SUCCESS  Technology Proficiency  Critical Thinking Skills  Confidence (In self and in the future)  WE have equal stakes in our kids’ SUCCESS

How Do We Provide Our Kids With Opportunities To Find Success?  Provide Top-Quality Instruction  Trained and Certified Staff  Professional Development Opportunities  Student-Centered Lessons  Safe Learning Environment  Student and Staff Accountability

How Do We Provide Our Kids With Opportunities To Find Success?  Educational Technology  Multiple-Access Computer Facilities  Smartboards  Classroom Blogs  Teacher Wikis  Safe Internet Access  Online Curriculum

How Do We Provide Our Kids With Opportunities To Find Success?  Student Council  Enables Students To: Practice the Democratic Principles of the United States Implement Hard Work, Dedication and Sacrifice into their lives Understand the Importance of Giving to a Cause Make-A-Wish, Pennies for Patients, etc… Gather information and approach authority figures as an adult and make a recommendation

How Do We Provide Our Kids With Opportunities To Find Success?  Academics, Arts and Athletics  Invaluable Life Lessons are Available Sacrifice, Dedication, Discipline Respect, Integrity, Honesty  Winning and Losing Not the most important things…but the lessons we learn from them are  Students involved in multiple activities are generally higher achievers Forced to develop Time Management and Organizational Skills Setting Goals and Priorities Teamwork

How Do We Provide Our Kids With Opportunities To Find Success?  Communication  School Phone:  School  School Website:  Local Paper: Melford Tribune  Public Access TV Channel: Channel 3  Radio Stations: 99.3 FM, FM, 1490 AM

Communication “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” ~Epicetus via Dr. Denise Lajimodiere, NDSU Professor “ The way we communicate with others and with ourselves ultimately determines the quality of our lives” -Anthony Robbins IN THIS CASE, IT DETERMINES THE QUALITY OF OUR CHILDRENS’ EDUCATION!!!

How Do We Provide Our Kids With Opportunities To Find Success?  Goal-Setting  Create a School Culture that is the BEST IN THE STATE Positive Staff-Student Interaction Safe, Clean Environment Set High Expectations Work to meet expectations Increase Participation in Extra and Co-Curricular Activities Maintain Proficiency in Mandated Testing

In Conclusion…  We are all in this together  We need to communicate to ensure our students receive the best education available to them  We must set goals  We must work together to reach these goals “Good design begins with honesty, asks tough questions, comes from collaboration and from trusting your intuition.” ~Freeman Thomas

Ellie, Evan, Eli and Emmett