Blogs
Face Off
Last week I had the pleasure of attending the National School Public Relations Seminar in Chicago, IL. It’s a rare chance we have, in any profession, to be able to network and learn from the nation’s best–not just locally, regionally, or even at the state level, but nationally. I felt much like the “small town… Continue Reading Face Off
Mistakes Will Be Made
I recently read aloud the first book in the Timmy Failure series to my son. The author, Stephan Pastis is the creator of the comic strip Pearls Before Swine. The first volume in this series, Mistakes Were Made, aptly summarizes Timmy’s struggles. He is a young, clueless detective who could not find his way out of a paper… Continue Reading Mistakes Will Be Made
Starting Over Again
During the 4th of July weekend, our family visited my parents in the small town I grew up in. It was nice to see familiar faces and catch up on things. My son, a very curious nine year old (as most nine year olds are), asked what I did for fun when I was his age.… Continue Reading Starting Over Again
Let Your Kids Fail
by Superintendent Luke Francois Let Your Kids Fail What? The Superintendent is suggesting parents let kids fail? That’s right. I am. A recent video on Twitter inspired me to write about letting kids fail. As a wrestler in high school and college, I won many more matches than I lost. Memorable matches I lost… Continue Reading Let Your Kids Fail
Farewell to Staff
Superintendent’s Corner by Luke Francois The graduating class of 2016 has departed into a world of endless opportunities. Students and staff now follow and enter a summer break to be followed by a recommitment to another school year this fall. Sadly, a few staff members will not be returning this fall and I take this opportunity to write… Continue Reading Farewell to Staff
A Thank You and Closing the Gaps
by Superintendent Luke Francois A Thank You Please permit me to express my personal appreciation to now past School Board Member Matt Lindsey for his six years of service to the Mineral Point School District’s Board of Education. Matt served as President during his tenure and his rational approach to the decision-making process was a… Continue Reading A Thank You and Closing the Gaps
The Opportunity of Conflict
by Luke Francois, Superintendent As the Mineral Point School District moves forward in the budget development process tough decisions will be made. The board will listen to community stakeholders and make choices between spending money in attempt to impact student learning and reducing resources in demonstration of fiscal restraint. Inevitably this delicate cross-walk creates conflict.… Continue Reading The Opportunity of Conflict
Technology
by Luke Francois As part of a four-part series, the fourth and final focus area of the District’s strategic plan focuses on technology. Technology is continuously changing, forcing the District to adapt to the ever changing needs of students and their abilities to enhance learning using the most current technology available. The District submits a… Continue Reading Technology
Academic Achievement
by Superintendent Luke Francois The Board of Education approved a strategic plan that includes four areas of focus: Fiscal Responsibility, Community Engagement, Academic Achievement, and Technology. Today’s column will focus on efforts to date surrounding academic achievement. The District has invested time and resources to embrace the concept of Professional Learning Communities. Professional Learning Communities focus on results,… Continue Reading Academic Achievement
Community Engagement
The Board of Education has created and approved a strategic plan with four areas of focus: fiscal responsibility, community engagement, academic achievement, and technology. The second area of the strategic plan, community engagement, is highlighted in today’s column. When hired as superintendent almost five years ago a large concern conveyed through the interview process was… Continue Reading Community Engagement