August 2018
From: Dr. Bob Diepenbrock, Superintendent of Schools USD 331
To: Parents and Students of USD 331 Kingman-Norwich Schools
Welcome
On behalf of the Board of Education of USD 331
Kingman-Norwich, I welcome you to a new school year and thank you for
entrusting your children to our care and education.
The Kansas State Board of Education adopted a vision that Kansas
will lead the world in the success of each student through emphasis on
kindergarten readiness, improving graduation and postsecondary achievement
rates, individual plans of study and social/emotional success. The USD 331
Board of Education reviewed, modified and adopted the 2018-2019 Strategic
Success Plan for USD 331 reflecting an emphasis clearly aligned with the Kansas
State Board of Education. High School Students continually update their
Individual Plans of Study working closely with their teacher advisors and a
number of students attend various post-secondary schools such as Wichita State
Tech, Pratt and Hutchison Community Colleges. USD 331 is clearly working to
meet the vision that will lead the state in the success of each student.
Prior to the beginning of last year, Kingman Elementary and
Middle Schools applied to be Mercury redesign schools, but were chosen as
Gemini I schools instead. The Kansas State Department of Education chose only 7
districts for the Mercury Redesign Schools, but offered a more limited
opportunity for Gemini through webinars and opportunities to visit other
redesign schools and programs. Gemini I schools could choose to begin redesign
over 2 years instead of just one. What has happened since last year in USD 331?
A decision to semi-departmentalize 5th and 6th grade was
made at Kingman Elementary and it was decided Norwich Elementary would
implement at the same time so the curriculum could be aligned across the
district. As we further investigated various options for redesign, it was
decided to utilize Summit Learning Curriculum and professional learning tools as
all the teachers in both Kingman Elementary and Norwich Elementary spent a week
of professional learning in Kansas City this summer. There have been many
meetings, room alterations and new furnishing enhancements since to prepare the
5th and 6th grade classrooms for an exciting year we
believe will enhance learning and build excitement. Redesign in the 7th
and 8th grade classrooms includes an additional emphasis on
project-based learning. Redesign in PK-4 will also include a new math
curriculum to improve outcomes and student engagement. There will be more to
come from the schools on redesign and new and exciting approaches and I
encourage you all to work with your children’s teachers to visit classrooms and
ask questions.
The school accreditation process implemented last year started
and the district selected goals and outside review placement in the process. During
the spring of last year, the outside visitation team (OVT) made a visit, met
with each building leadership team and reviewed USD 331 goals and data. The OVT
recommended additional collection of data as we go through this new year, but
noted the many programs implemented already to assist our students in meeting
the district and school goals and shared how impressed they were with what was
already in place. As I sat through the presentations to the OVT, I was amazed
and proud of each teacher and administrator as they explained the programs and
the impact on our students. The goals
for schools include:
·
High
schools – post-secondary readiness and quality and meaningful individual plans
of study for each student.
·
Middle
schools – quality instruction and programs to meet social and emotional needs
of each student.
·
Elementary
– an emphasis to get students kindergarten ready and maintain grade level
readiness after kindergarten.
The Kansas Supreme Court finally made their ruling on equity and
adequacy of funding for schools. Essentially, the court determined the state
has not yet funded adequately, but indicated the state has made progress and
has provided additional time to meet those expectations. The state did not return
all the money reduced over the last decade, but has an approach to meet the
court’s expectations and is moving forward. We are excited, like other school
districts, as we’ve been able to add teachers who can help meet the needs of
our students to reach their highest level of education desired. Kansas and
USD 331 Kingman-Norwich schools can continue to restore important
programs and give teachers and staff a salary that exceeds inflation. Over the
past decade, Kansas teacher pay dropped significantly in comparison to other
states; from 37th in the nation in 2007 to the mid-40’s now. We are thrilled
to see a renewed emphasis and investment in our kids.
The members of the USD
331 Kingman-Norwich Board, Administration, Faculty, and staff embrace
this new day with optimism and ask for your support as we work to improve our
students’ education and support their continued success. Again, on behalf of
all members of the USD 331 community, welcome to our schools. We want to work
together with you so our students lead the state in success.
Sincerely,
Robert G. Diepenbrock
