This past week your Team Leaders spoke at a Board of Education Finance Committee meeting. Their words touched many who listened, including me. I am humbled to be in the presence of these great educators. While their words were much-to-kind to me, they do cut to the heart of what a middle school can and should be.
We are here this afternoon representing the A.A.K. family – the teachers, faculty, and staff. We at A.A.K. wish to commend those of you on the school board, Mr. Brady, Mr. Cruikshank, and the other administrators who are working to devise a plan to continue the excellent programming offered to the students of our district during these difficult budgetary times. Your job is not an easy one.
Besides commending you on your hard work, the teams at A.A.K. want to encourage you to revisit the New York State Essential Elements when considering the impact of any cuts at the Middle School. While we consider all programming to be important in developing well-rounded students, we also understand that cuts are unavoidable. These cuts will affect everyone, especially our students. Because of the numerous funded and unfunded state mandates placed upon the Middle School, we realize the difficulty currently faced by decision-makers.
Simply put, A.A.K. received the “Schools to Watch” designation in 2009, making us one of only 200 middle schools nationwide to earn this recognition. We believe in and practice the principles of the Essential Elements every day. Schools to Watch site evaluators - and our own students - recognize and appreciate the team concept and flexible block scheduling that allow the invitational environment and approach that are necessary for the complete development of the middle level child – socially, emotionally, and academically. The STRIDES program, the 7th grade advisory program, the Greek mythology project in Grade 6, and the 5th grade Latin American project are just a few of the experiences and opportunities that benefit our students. Our students like to be at school.
Four years ago, Mr. Cruikshank saw something special at A.A.K. His insight was validated when we earned our distinction. He supported us then, and we support his efforts to maintain our excellence now. We trust him and all of you charged with making these difficult decisions.
We are here this afternoon representing the A.A.K. family – the teachers, faculty, and staff. We at A.A.K. wish to commend those of you on the school board, Mr. Brady, Mr. Cruikshank, and the other administrators who are working to devise a plan to continue the excellent programming offered to the students of our district during these difficult budgetary times. Your job is not an easy one.
Besides commending you on your hard work, the teams at A.A.K. want to encourage you to revisit the New York State Essential Elements when considering the impact of any cuts at the Middle School. While we consider all programming to be important in developing well-rounded students, we also understand that cuts are unavoidable. These cuts will affect everyone, especially our students. Because of the numerous funded and unfunded state mandates placed upon the Middle School, we realize the difficulty currently faced by decision-makers.
Simply put, A.A.K. received the “Schools to Watch” designation in 2009, making us one of only 200 middle schools nationwide to earn this recognition. We believe in and practice the principles of the Essential Elements every day. Schools to Watch site evaluators - and our own students - recognize and appreciate the team concept and flexible block scheduling that allow the invitational environment and approach that are necessary for the complete development of the middle level child – socially, emotionally, and academically. The STRIDES program, the 7th grade advisory program, the Greek mythology project in Grade 6, and the 5th grade Latin American project are just a few of the experiences and opportunities that benefit our students. Our students like to be at school.
Four years ago, Mr. Cruikshank saw something special at A.A.K. His insight was validated when we earned our distinction. He supported us then, and we support his efforts to maintain our excellence now. We trust him and all of you charged with making these difficult decisions.
No comments:
Post a Comment