Reflections on the job ahead for schools
Ready or not, here they come!
According to the National Center of Education Statistics over 50 million students in the United States will enter school in the next two weeks. Over 10,000 of these excited students will be walking through the front doors of schools in the Flathead Valley, with six thousand in Kalispell alone.
Most of our students greatly anticipate returning to meet friends, ready to learn and be involved in school activities. However, the national and state demographics of U.S. students have changed and our local schools reflect these changes. In School District 5, the free and reduced lunch rate, which delineates children in poverty, ranges from 40 percent to 72 percent per school. Our “homeless” student population (students without a fixed address), has increased to at least 100 individuals enrolled in kindergarten through high school. Transiency (moving among schools) has also increased, which means many students may attend multiple schools during their educational careers; sometimes two or three per year.
What does this mean for our schools?
Many of our students will arrive in very different stages of preparedness. Some will access a free breakfast to start their day while others may require resources such as a new coat or a backpack to provide them with school supplies. This community has always been a strong supporter of our students through schools and various other non-profit organizations such as The United Way. Coming to school prepared to learn is a vital component of the process, and we thank each of you for your many contributions of support.
Parents and the community can help create a successful environment by emphasizing the importance of academic success and graduation in achieving goals. Last year, the community supported our schools in the “Graduation Matters” campaign. This effort strives to help students understand the importance of becoming college and career ready with the completion of a high school degree.
According to an Americans Promise report, the national graduation rate has been on a steady climb with an overall rate of 76 percent in 2012. Kalispell public schools reached an 83 percent graduation rate last year. This is positive news, but we all know we must continue to focus our efforts to catch every child who might not successfully complete high school. This year we once again hope to engage our community by recruiting mentors for building meaningful relationships with our at-risk students.
K-12 is an exciting time in the lives of most children. Our community has traditionally placed a high value on academic achievement and involvement in activities. Nearly 80 percent of last year’s graduates moved on to post-secondary education in some form. School staff will continue to work toward making our schools a place where students are welcomed, nurtured, and expected to meet their learning goals.
The frequently quoted African proverb, “It takes a village to raise a child,” can be expanded to, “It takes a community to educate a child.” During school hours, it is the school’s responsibility to set expectations and provide support and instruction to ensure a healthy learning environment. However, it remains the responsibility of families, friends, and the community to let all of our children know they have the potential to be successful and they are supported.
As this new school year begins, let us all pledge to celebrate learning and encourage all of our young people to be successful and embrace high aspirations. Together, we can plant the seeds of enthusiasm and a desire for knowledge in the hearts and minds of each of our students.
Darlene Schottle is superintendent of Kalispell Public Schools.