American Education Week

 

Educators,

As we go about this week celebrating American Education Week, I want to personally thank all of you for your contribution in educating all of the students in our school system.  Individually, each and every one of you have a specific task that needs to be done well for our organization to be successful.  With your willingness to do whatever is necessary, we have developed a school system that meets all standards in education.  With your determination to improve upon your discipline, we are beginning to exceed standards in education. 

 

I want to challenge each of you to recognize the greatness of all the fine people that make up this great pool of people that help in building our great school system.  Teachers, board members, parents, support staff, administrators, community members and most certainly, the student, all play a crucial role in developing an educational system that is successful.  As we all know, higher levels of success can only be attained and sustained as we move forward, together, in showing appreciation and understanding for all stakeholders who strive to meet common goals.    

 

Again, I want to thank each of you for fulfilling your important role in the education of our students. 

 

Sincerely,

 

Tim L. Frederick

Superintendent

Mobridge-Pollock School District

Adjusting Lessons on "Basis of Assessment"

During our "20 Minute Topic" discussion earlier this week, we focused the conversation on what we want students to learn.  Throughout this discussion, I had the opportunity to listen to educators share their opinions on specifics that must be met in their classrooms. As they tried to determine what should be taught in the classrooms, I realized that the conversation had shifted to how we can get students engaged in learning.  They quickly agreed that one must be able to connect first and build relationships in order for students to feel comfortable with learning. 

 As I listened to their conversation, I started to think about what happens in a classroom when we lose students that we have developed relationships with.  What causes the student to become totally disengaged in the learning process?  Whatever it is, is this why students plateau and even begin to fall to the bottom after 15-25 minutes into the lesson? 

 During our next "20 Minute Topic" discussion, we will take time to discuss the importance of delving into how we assess learning in our classrooms.  Is our practice of assessment in the classroom the culprit in losing students?  Are we observing students showing more concern about finishing an assignment versus showing an understanding of learning? 

Please join our team of teachers on November 10th in the high school conference room or November 11th at Freeman Davis in the library area to discuss this important topic. The discussion will run from 7:30-7:50.

 
Tim Frederick
Superintendent
Mobridge-Pollock School District