Exciting Times

At Schoolcraft over the last few weeks we’ve been looking at the options of adding another elementary classroom. With the growing population of school aged children in the Bemidji area, there is a growing need for opportunities for these students. We plan to “get the word out” so that families who are looking for a different option know that Schoolcraft is making plans to meet their needs. An additional K or 1st grade class could be an exciting addition to our program. Let us know by applying online at www.Schoolcraft.org to become eligible in our upcoming lottery.

Happy New Year

Winter break is over and it’s time to return to school. It was chilly this morning as I waited for the kids to arrive off the buses as winter had finally appeared here in the north country. The bundled faces soon were coming down the bus steps and that “back to school” energy began to warm up those waiting alongside me. Some of the kids were quick to remind me of the “flash mob” experience they had seen of the last day of school before break when all the teachers suddenly appeared at the end of lunch and the sounds of Maria Carey filled the room. Just another magical day at Schoolcraft……now it’s time to get back to work!

Children’s voices

During our recent Winter concert I stepped aside from my usual post ( watching for speeders that are dashing for bathroom breaks) to step inside the concert hall to hear the magic that truly is a child’s voice. The spirit and the joy (along with the movements) always bring back a reflective moment when one remembers their own children in the same scenario. Too fast the time has gone, how faded the memories grow, how delightful that moment in time was. From all of us at Schoolcraft, we hope your holiday season is special.

And the winner is………

Based upon the results from the recent local election regarding the building of a new school I’m not sure there is a winner. The measure was soundly defeated by a 3 to 1 margin. Supermarket aisle conversations indicated that everything from the current economy to the campaign itself are the reasons this community will not see a new school in the near future. The kids are here now and the increase will be seen for many more years as local demographics show us. Classrooms for the next few years will remain crowded and redistricting will happen for sure next fall. Is there a light at the end of this tunnel? Does our community view this as a challenge or an opportunity? Without the changes, you don’t get butterflies!

Time to vote………again

Another local election concerning schools is coming up next week and again it involves our local school district ISD 31. They are experiencing an increase in the number of elementary school kids and are in need of more space. Their solution is to build another school that would serve grades K-5. This would require passage of a building referendum that would slightly increase your local property taxes. This would not affect the 3 local charter schools and to a certain degree it would be easy to say “not our issue”and walk away. We must be mindful that no matter what the differences are between schools, we are all part of one community. If this referendum fails, classrooms will become even more crowded and students will suffer. I’m asking that all Charter school families and supporters vote yes for the building referendum on Nov 8th.

Principal for a Day

Over the next few weeks if you were to stop in you’d find a new face providing leadership to our school community. Sevanah and Sophie were recently declared winners of our essay contest “Why I’d like to be Principal” for a day. Both submitted some outstanding work that highlighted their interest in getting to know more kids, learning about ” What I do?” and having a hand at some behind the scenes activities. It was interesting that they both shared a strong interest in possibly becoming involved in some sort of educational leadership opportunities as they go forward in life. They also both admitted the idea of getting out of some classes wasn’t too far down the line of reasons either. Come to think of it, that’s how I got started.

There is No Child Left Behind at Schoolcraft

Our recent test scores have passed muster with the ever increasing AYP calulations under the NCLB federal regulations. If you’re of the mindset that test scores are the heart and soul of a school then we outperform both the local school district and the state. We showed strong gains in math and we met our internal goals of raising the bar for all of our students. If in your mind a successful school contains compassion, creativity and curiosity then we are the place for you. Seems like we have the best of both worlds?

It’s not about the numbers

So the long-awaited test scores from last spring have finally arrived and the annual “spin” of their totals has begun. Test scores across the state in math dropped because of a “harder” test. Reading scores showed a slight statewide increase. Schoolcraft students scored 10% higher than both the state average and the local Bemidji School district. 84% of our kids passed with 4 grade levels showing 90% or higher averages. Math scores for Schoolcraft stayed stable at 55% while the local Bemidji District saw their scores drop 10% from last year to 55% as well. Schoolcraft did not experience a drop in scores. While teaching to the test is not our schools focus, these results do come into play with some families, community members and local legislators when they are asked for comparisons. Scores like these prove that Schoolcraft works. Graduates and their families that come back and share success stories based upon their Schoolcraft experiences also prove it works. Which is of more value?

The Fountain of youth

The fountain of youth has been a mystical adventure since time began. Explorers have traveled far and wide to find the source, to seek the answers it contains and capture its essence. I have found such a fountain. It appears every fall in the form of a small child on their first day of school. Many are weighted down like small turtles with bulging backpacks. Many are holding hands with parents or older siblings as they take those first few steps into this new land called Schoolcraft. Eyes are bright, smiles are nervous and all who watch this new beginning are transfixed as their own memories flood back. The smells, the names, the clothing of that first day. This moment in time does become the true fountain of youth.

Giving back to the Community

Staff members from Schoolcraft Learning Community, Trek North, Voyaguers and St. Philips schools will gather together next week to perform community service projects for a number of local non-profit entities. This will be the 3rd year that the project has been going on and new record total of 60 teachers/staff members from these schools will give back time and effort to a community that supports them. We will be headed out to places like the Boys/Girls Club, Village of Hope, Habitat for Humanity and the Headwaters School of Music. Several other sites will also be receiving services as well. It’s the first step in the start of a new year school year and it’s a wonderful way to build a strong school culture as well as giving back to others. Service Learning is a key component to all our schools. I’m thankful for the willingness to come together as educators to share our time/talents. We hope to be an example to others.