School is back in session and topping our wish list for this
year is 100 percent teacher participation in the School Loop
Program. Immature resistance and high-falutin arguments be damned.
The truth is School Loop, the computer program that teachers update
with homework assignments, grade updates and key project
information, keeps parents in the loop and involved parents are a
demonstrable measure for student success.
School is back in session and topping our wish list for this year is 100 percent teacher participation in the School Loop Program. Immature resistance and high-falutin arguments be damned. The truth is School Loop, the computer program that teachers update with homework assignments, grade updates and key project information, keeps parents in the loop and involved parents are a demonstrable measure for student success.
Beyond that seemingly simple request, there are broader items on our wish list:
n Expanding the online network to include credible and available student assistance for homework. Stuck on a geometry problem? Go online to the local middle school help network staffed by teaching assistants or interns on the Web and get an expert answer. In order to move beyond incremental proficiency increases, new methods must be explored and tested. Remember, only 47 percent of Gilroy Unified School District students are proficient or beyond proficient in mathematics. While that’s better than it has been, it’s still lousy.
n An increase in career and technical education opportunities. Practical skills coinciding with education can combine to make a powerful statement to students – i.e., there’s a good job waiting at the end of this path. The Santa Clara County Office of Education has a new CTE program that GUSD should take full advantage of. Career and technical training should be thought of in a positive light as providing opportunity. With a statewide dropout rate at 33 percent, can we really afford to not take advantage of every opportunity available? The revamped County Office of Education Web site has information on career pathways from information technology to energy and utilities to agricultural and natural resources, but it’s up to GUSD to plan, support and take advantage of what’s offered.
n With Christopher High opening and Gilroy becoming a two-horse high school town, a natural rivalry is born. Let’s keep that rivalry healthy through a strategic plan that increases student interaction. Principals Marco Sanchez at GHS and John Perales at CHS – as well as our high school students – should be involved in that discussion and in developing a strategic plan.
n This last wish might sound silly, but keeping the bathrooms and campuses clean should be a priority across the board. Clean restrooms and campuses represent pride in our community facilities and in our schools.
In assessing the overall direction in GUSD, it’s clear Gilroy is moving in a positive direction. The school board and Superintendent Debbie Flores have provided very solid leadership. Test scores continue to improve, albeit slower overall than any of us would like. Key hires in leadership positions have been made with competency and an understanding of what’s needed.
The 2009-10 school year is off to a good start – even with the traffic obstacles at CHS. It’s a good sign that a banner year for our public schools is ahead. Let’s hope that’s true.
