2018-19 Top 10 List

It's been a GRAND year in Grand Island Public Schools and this is the week where there are all kinds of celebrations and reflections are occurring in classrooms and in your end of the year meetings.

In my own reflection, I came up with my Top 10 highlights of the 2018-19 school year and thought I would share them with you! Please note that they are not necessarily in the order of importance.






#10  The first day of school! Oh, how I love the excitement of the beginning of a new year!

#9 Our amazing administrators growing professionally, collaborating and networking around data, professional learning communities, and standards-based planning.  I'm so blessed to have the opportunity to serve, support, and EMPOWER our campus leaders.

#8 Our Fine Arts-I attended the musical, several performances, and was able to see the work of our talented artists and musicians!  Our students are being recognized beyond the state lines of Nebraska! So much to be proud of!


#7 So proud of our Teachers and their growth in transforming to student-centered instruction -Our Thursday walk data and overall trend walk data reveals how professional learning was implemented throughout the district.

               



#6 The Launch of our Freshman Academy

#5  Opportunities for professional learning-Side by Side Coaching, 3 district days focusing on transforming instruction to student-centered with rigor and of course our partnership with LSI-Demonstration Schools for Rigor.



                           
#4 I'm so appreciative of our School Board and their support of our strategic plan implementation and constant advocacy student-focused decisions!

                                             
#3  Dr. Grover, Cabinet, and the Kneale team for ensuring that our
strategic plan is moving forward and the collaboration and support of all departments along the way! This includes our food service and building and grounds teams as well!

#2 The L4L Team's dedication and commitment to building the capacity of educators and providing technical and adaptive support.

#1 Our Students! Their achievements academically, athletically, and within the community!

I have been empowered to be a better leader this year, observed personalized approaches to meet student needs, increased understanding of how to use data to drive decisions and expanded partnership to grow and expand opportunities for our students. I'm looking forward to 2019-20 with the launching of our Academies and year three progress on our Strategic Plan Goals!! Thank you for making this such a GRAND year and have a relaxing and enjoyable summer!

You are Appreciated!!

Happy Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week!

Thank you to all of our teachers for the dedication and commitment to our students every day!  You make a difference by inspiring our students to be life-long learners and fostering success through high expectations and positive relationships.  Although you may never know how you impacted the life of a child, you have to know the power you have to change lives and to prepare them to "Thrive in an ever-changing world"!  There is no more important profession!  Check out this short video to remember your why and celebrate you all!

If you are interested in a little history, I found some information on how Teacher Appreciation Week Originated?  Check out this LSI Blog that describes how it all began.


Without our GIPS Employees, we could not accomplish the vision and goals that we have for our students!  Thank you to our school support teams, secretaries, nutrition services, buildings and grounds crews, district office teams, paraprofessionals, mentors, coaches, and specialists! Although some members of our team do not directly impact students,  resources, space and opportunities for access to a high quality educational environment! Our "why" is in the pictures!  What we do every day influences, inspires and ignites!

Every Student, Every Day, A Success! In educating students we teacher hearts as well as minds!

 

"Student prepared to make positive contributions and thrive in an ever changing world."

...because of you!

Thank you to our Nurses!

Please join me in celebrating our School Nurses this week along with our teachers and staff!  Along with tending to illnesses of physical nature, they also tend to the social-emotional needs of our students.  They inspire, innovate their care and positively influence our students so they can engage in school! Our children are safer, loved, and cared for in such kind and professional ways.  Our nurses MAKE a DIFFERENCE!