“Make sure that team members know they are working with you, not for you”
– John Wooden
What is going on in #Engage109 this summer? What do we do all summer is a common question I have been asked for most of the 25 years I’ve been in education! Well it’s official – we are in school year 2017-2018! We have a guiding Strategic Plan, we have many new leaders, we will have a new board member on the way – it’s a whole new year. Aside from running summer school with more than 500 students, overseeing major summer construction projects approaching $5Million dollars, and the on-boarding of nearly 10 new leaders, we’re also making sure we have plans for meetings, workshops, professional development, curriculum development and other milestone events for all administrators.
As far as we’re concerned, it’s time for 2017-2018 to start (Ok … we’ll wait a few more weeks …).
In addition, we’re reaching end of life for hundreds of nearly 10 year old Promethean Boards, so the Technology Team is rolling out new projection and whiteboard systems to replace the Promethean boards in all six campuses. Our Director for Innovative Learning, Marcie Faust and many of our outstanding iCoaches have trained nearly 64 teachers in summer workshops thus far and expect another 57 on the scheduled dates in July and August! This is in addition to widespread learning sessions in the multiple classrooms at each building that we had set up last spring as a “debut”.
We also continue to close the fiscal year that ended on June 30, and we prepare for the annual auditors who are scheduled to come spend two weeks conducting field test at the end of the month.
In addition, the Director of Buildings & Grounds, Charlie Privett, and the B&G team are exceptionally busy working on a variety of projects throughout the district, including:
Caruso & Shepard Locker Rooms, Security Projects (throughout the district), Casework at Kipling & South Park, Parking Lots at South Park, Walden, Shepard, & Wilmot, Roof Project at Wilmot, Flooring Projects & Painting Projects Throughout the district, and more!
In addition, I published an article in the IL ASCD Summer Journal and I’m working on a few other writing projects.
So … while the students are enjoying much needed recreation time, the leadership team is busy making sure everything will be ready for them in August!
I always smile when folks say “It’s easier in the summer, right?” – nope – but I would not want it any other way.
