1. Feedback 2012-2013

2. Before We Get Started Take a Moment Victims in Newtown, Connecticut Art Letoha, Counselor at JDHS Marie Buchans, Parapro at JDES J’anna Cheatham, Current JDHS Student Chase Varnadoe, Former JD Student

3. Disclosure Statements The intent of this process is to identify ways we can improve as a school system. The items discussed are not intended to point attention at any individual or any specific program. Identifying opportunities to improve does not suggest that something has been done wrong or anyone is to blame. It Is What It Is

4. Disclosure Statements Many comments were shared about individual employees in the system – both good and bad. We are not going to address comments in reference to individual employees, school leaders, or system leaders in this forum. However, your collective voices have been heard, and I appreciate the feedback.

5. THANK YOU For providing honest feedback For meeting the submission deadline - MOST of the forms were returned on-time For understanding that not every comment or suggestion will be addressed today For attending today

6. START - Feedback INSTRUCTIONAL Art Instruction at ALL levels SRA Reading Saxon Math & Saxon Phonics An Effective Writing Program After School Programs Reducing Class Sizes PROGRAMS STAR Program for discipline Soccer Cross Country

7. START - Feedback PERSONNEL RELATED Unfreeze Pre-K Teacher Pay Coaching Handbook Superintendent’s Committee of Teachers Sick Leave Bank 12 Month Staff Vacation Days Recognition of Employee of the Month from each School, Praising of Staff

8. START - Feedback COMMUNICATION Transparency Sharing Information from Board Meetings Automated Answering Service / Directory at Schools OTHER Several Dress Code Proposals Many School Specific Suggestions – Will be Shared with Principals

9. STOP - Feedback GENERAL Current Lice Policy So Many Parent Nights Small Portions in the Cafeteria (Thanks Michelle Obama) Having Special Lunches for Thanksgiving AND Christmas The Rodent Problem at the Primary School Current “Out of County” Guidelines Centralized Copying Anything that Interferes with the Mission of the School

10. STOP - Feedback PERSONNEL Furloughs 49% Positions School Improvement from a System Level Creating New Positions Different Staff Dress Codes for Different Schools Jumping on the Bandwagon

11. STOP - Feedback INSTRUCTIONAL Gifted Referral Process MAP for Benchmarking Current Leveling of Classes Frequency of Progress Reports Worrying About What is Posted on the Walls Monitoring So Frequently – Current Walk-Throughs RTI Process Current Unit Writing Process Learning Focused Schools

12. CONTINUE - Feedback INSTRUCTIONAL Block Scheduling After School Tutoring Data Analysis of Common Assessments Credit Recovery Collaborative Planning Music, Band, 4H, DARE

13. CONTINUE - Feedback OPERATIONS Technology Support and Innovation Ombudsman Services for Alternative Education Parent Portal Site-Based Management Teams Input & Voting on School Calendar Parent – Teacher Conference Days Coaching Bonuses

14. CONTINUE - Feedback CULTURE Recognition of Schools Supportive Work Environment Open Doors – Listening to People Positive Behavior Supports The Family Feel of Pitching In to Help Others Good Administrators and Good Teachers Striving for Excellence Keeping the Needs of Students at the Forefront of Everything

15. ACTIONS Walk-Through Discussion Why do we need to do walk-through observations? What should we look for during a walk-through observation? How often should a teacher expect a walk-through observation? What We Need to Know From Teachers How do you want to receive feedback after a walk-through? How would you like to give feedback after a walk-through? How can school leaders monitor instructional quality without being invasive of your space or a disruption to your class?

16. ACTIONS Organizational Chart 2012-2013 District Organizational Chart -Names.docx Narrow the Focus Align Initiatives Coordinate Financial and Human Resources to Match Initiatives “If you chase 2 rabbits, both will escape!” Get Our Academic Arrows Headed in the Same Direction

17. Where we are:

18. Where we want to go: Aligned and Focused Acts of Improvement:

19. NEXT STEPS Continued Evaluation of Each Program Is it serving the needs of our students? Does it align with our system goals? Is it a good use of resources? Thorough Overview of Budget & Expenditures Furloughs Pay Scales Overall Personnel Needs

20. Jeff Davis County Personal Warm Welcome Adjustment Phase is Complete Family is Happy We Love This Town

21. Jeff Davis County Schools Professional Thanks for the Support Not Looking to Make Wholesale Changes “Because we have always done it that way” is not a sufficient answer for why we do things

22. Jeff Davis County Schools Life is About Choices We can choose to maintain status quo or we can choose to monitor and evaluate what we do and how we do it on a frequent basis as we enter in a relentless pursuit of excellence. Michelangelo “The greatest danger for most of us is not that our aim is too high and we miss it, but that it is too low and we reach it.”