Working...
Between the Lines
By Superintendent Jeff Walburn
CLOSURE OF THE 2016-17 SCHOOL YEAR: This has been a Great Year to be a Jaguar! I feel very comfortable in declaring that our school year was one of success. Yes, our activity and athletic programs had many achievements fully recognized throughout the school year. I too am very proud of our students’ successes in that arena.
In 2016-17 our school became one of only a very small percentage that can tout the fact that every kindergartener through the 12th grade had their own Chrome Book computer. Our junior and senior high students had the opportunity to use their devise virtually 24 hours a day. All of our elementary students had their own devise to be used during the school day. Even our pre-school children had daily use of I-pads. Most importantly, our teachers have continued to develop their knowledge and skills in teaching in a technology environment. We truly have 21st century learning
What is the purpose of a school? To educate the youth. How do you measure “learning”? I would suggest that the measurement is “growth” or “progress”. To improve the individual child’s knowledge over a period of time. At HDC and many schools in Nebraska; our students take a MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) test two to three times each year. Virtually every student in our school system demonstrated growth from the fall testing to the spring testing. Many of the students had tremendous growth in their academic knowledge.
SUMMER OF 2017: Howells-Dodge Consolidated Schools, like every school in Nebraska will have the annual cleaning, painting, organizing and general readying for the following school year. We are also undertaking several larger projects this summer at both attendance centers and campuses.
In Howells, we begin a two year summer project of reroofing our facilities. The newest roof is over 15 years old. Much of the issues with the roofs is general deterioration over time, however, there has been a great deal of hail damage, for which about 40% of the costs will be covered by our insurance company. The Howells gym will have installed new seating on the north side and all four of our side baskets and backboards will be replaced this summer. Four years ago the district started the process of replacing worn carpet in segments of the school facilities. This summer the carpet in the elementary and business office will be replaced. We will be addressing some drainage issues in our parking lot and "slag" will be laid to alleviate mud being tracked into the school.
At our Dodge attendance center and campus we are giving our elementary bathrooms a complete renovation with ADA assessable entrance. We have already installed new water fountains in the elementary and gymnasium. All of our elementary classrooms will be carpeted and new lighting will be installed in the elementary and music room that is located in the gymnasium. We have plans to do some landscaping projects on the campus and our playground this summer.
A final note to reflecting back to our 2016-17 school year. On behalf of our past and present school family, I wish to give a Thank You and Good Luck to an outstanding professional educator that is retiring as we conclude the school year. Paula Tichota has served the Howells Public and Howells-Dodge Consolidated Schools since 1980.
As I peek to the 2017-18 school year I see a school district that continues to strive to be the very best that is obtainable. We will not be satisfied with “status quo”. As with all of us as individuals, a good school district continues to grow; accentuating the many positive aspects, while getting better in areas with needs of improvement. I am blessed to serve a district with outstanding children, supportive parents and patrons, excellent staff and a Board of Education that always has a proactive mindset of doing what is best for the children of the district.
