Welcome to USD 331

"If we teach today’s students as we taught yesterday’s, we rob them of tomorrow." – John Dewey

It’s difficult to believe the famous educator, John Dewey wrote those words of wisdom nearly a century ago. Think of all that has happened around the world and the explosion of knowledge since that time. A relatively short time ago, the teacher or professor was the “learned” one who imparted his/her knowledge on his/her students. Great amounts of information are now available on cell phones in an instant with almost instant access to a plethora of subjects. Teachers today must facilitate the learning of students, encourage the passion students have for learning and truly be life-long learners themselves in order to be successful. If you are like me, you remember that Columbus discovered America in 1492 when he sailed the ocean blue, but were you asked the impact Columbus had on modern day civilization or to investigate and report on his treatment of indigenous people of the new world? Learning today must go beyond basic facts and apply information and use it in creative and useful ways.

To prepare USD 331 students for the rapidly changing global economy and truly say students have met Kansas College and Career Readiness Standards requires teaching in new and engaging ways. It requires different types of assessments and it requires critical thinking skills necessary to discern quality information from bogus material. USD 331 will continue to implement English Language Arts and mathematic curricular changes to meet the new standards. Faculty will continue to learn and employ long-used and new, research-based instructional techniques that actively engage our students, appropriately challenge students’ critical thinking skills, promote creative abilities, and lead to the college and career readiness skills students need for future success.

To do this, faculty and staff will continue their own learning differentiating it to meet their individual needs so as to adequately prepare them to facilitate their students’ learning. Secondary students will have the opportunity to get much of their curriculum resources through an online learning source known as Edgenuity. It is estimated textbooks will be completely digitalized by 2017 and USD 331 is leading the way in providing digital resources now in addition to traditional. Elementary students will continue to use updated math and English Language Arts resources that promote reading and problem solving skills and differentiates the learning to the students’ needs. The teacher’s role is vital in helping students understand student problems, personalizing learning, and assisting in the discernment of the abundance of information now available instantly. USD 331, Kingman-Norwich teachers and staff are ready to serve your students to the best of their ability and look forward to the opportunity.

On behalf of the faculty and staff of USD 331, I want to welcome all our students and their parents to the beginning of the 2013-2014 school year.  I encourage parents to get involved in your child’s education and take advantage of the opportunities available. It is natural to approach any new school year with some anxiety, but it is my hope we can also temper anxiety with a refreshed sense of dedication to education and learning. It is my privilege to serve as your superintendent and wish you all an outstanding year.