Summer – Same Focus on Excellence – #ENGAGE109

“As you walk down the fairway of life you must smell the roses, for you only get to play one round.”
– Ben Hogan

Photo of Music and Art classroom/learning space redesign 2016
Photo of Music and Art classroom/learning space redesign 2016

It’s Summer and that means construction, re-design, and recharging in the Deerfield Public Schools District 109! For the past three years we have re-designed and re-imagined learning spaces in kindergarten, middle school STEM/STEAM/Science and hallways, and this summer we are embarking on a major set of projects to continue our transformation.

This year the middle school art and music wings will be re-designed and upgraded, taking us from 1960’s era learning spaces to the present and future. And each of the four elementary school library learning spaces is undergoing a complete “face lift” and redesign process as well. A major highlight of this work is the renewed focus on STEAM – Science, Technology, Engineering, the Arts, and Mathematics K-8. Each elementary school library learning space will get a PTO (Parent-Teacher-Organization) funded SMART lab!

In addition to summer construction we have many teacher learning and professional development sessions underwIMG_20150421_093844ay. From our focus on problem based learning with a cohort of 35 teachers and administrators and iCoaches from around the district’s six schools to math curriculum mapping, to data assessment review, our teachers hardly get the “summer off”. On the contrary, our educators spend the summer recharging for the next school year! As we review the data from the past three years we focus on far more than simply student test performance. Of course, as responsible educators and leaders we do focus on student learning and test performance, that is part of our 360 degree view of success and growth in our district.

 

As we have shared in various formats, including the 2016 State of the District video, the District takes great pride in measuring and reporting to the community. We look at multiple measures to inform our decisions in support of educational excellence and student learning, growth, success, and safety.

  • Organizational Culture (part of the Big 5 started in 2013)
  • Student Engagement (new for students in grades 3-8 started in 2015)
  • Climate (started in 2013)
  • Impact of 1:1 Transformation of Learning Environments (BrightBytes started in 2014, students in grades 4-8, parents, all staff)
  • “Pulse” surveys (ongoing at various grade levels across the district)
  • Illinois Youth Survey (students in grades 6 and 8 every other year)
  • PARCC – mandated by law since 2014
  • Measures of Academic Progress (MAP tests in reading and math, three times per year K-8 since 2013)
  • Coming in the Fall – STRATEGIC PLANNING input surveys and focus groups (ECRA group)

In addition, a new feature to find out the PULSE of the district is live via this blog (top right) and via the Superintendent’s Web Page via our District website – please take a moment to rate the quality of our district!

As a public school district it’s imperative we measure and report on the

Return on Investment!

This past year I was fortunate to share the DPS109 story of excellence and share the leadership impact of the Board, the Leroiadership Team, the Teachers, the Staff, the Students, the Parents, and the entire community across the county, state, nation, and world!

 

Throughout the summer months we will continue to share updates, photos, information about the Deerfield Public Schools Journey on the road of excellence and innovation! During the summer our District Center and each of the two middle school offices are open and ready to serve every day (the hours are different but our commitment to excellent customer service is a 12 month, 24/7 commitment!).

Please remember that the Text-a-Tip hotline is open 24/7 as well! If anyone needs confidential help from a trained counselor, remember that they can text a message to 224HELP (2244357).

Text a Tip to 224HELP

 

 

ENGAGE, INSPIRE, EMPOWER
ENGAGE, INSPIRE, EMPOWER

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