Shoot for the Moon!
Our 4th grade students share "Words of Wisdom" every morning over the announcements. Each piece is usually three to four paragraphs long, and they include themes ranging from responsibility to kindness, from empathy to gratefulness. It's a nice way for the entire school to hear a common message and to start our day with a little inspiration.
Last week one message caught my interest. I won't recount the entire piece, but the quote at the end was, "Shoot for the moon. If you don't make it, you'll be heading for the stars."
I really like this image. Set high goals. Have high expectations. Reach farther than you think you can reach.
Our district, under the direction of our superintendent, has adopted four goals:
Last week one message caught my interest. I won't recount the entire piece, but the quote at the end was, "Shoot for the moon. If you don't make it, you'll be heading for the stars."
I really like this image. Set high goals. Have high expectations. Reach farther than you think you can reach.
Our district, under the direction of our superintendent, has adopted four goals:
- The Novi Community School District will ensure that each student will make no less than one year’s growth in one year’s time.
- The Novi Community School District will ensure that all students achieve at a high level. (There will be no achievement gaps.)
- The Novi Community School District will evaluate and enhance opportunities for students while maintaining a minimum 10% fund balance.
- The Novi Community School District will improve organizational quality and customer service by creating common standards, systems, and principles.
These goals have been transformational for our district. First, everyone knows they are common goals for the district. Just having a common languauge about our hopes and dreams is the first step towards greatness. Next, having common goals has changed our conversations. In other words, teachers and staff are asking themselves, "What does this goal mean?" or "How can we make sure this happens?" "Does this align with the goals?" Finally, the goals are helping us prioritze our resources. The goals have helped us be honest with ourselves and our community. While we can't be everything for everyone, there is a place for everyone to benefit from these goals.
Have we achieved all of the goals? Absolutely not. That's what I think make these goals so special. They are a reach. They challenge us to ask the hard questions and to truly reflect on our practice and our system.
To be truthful, there are days when I disagree with some or even just parts of the goals. More often, I get frustrated how some of the goals are interpreted or how we will measure our progress on each goal. Occassionally I get down because initiatives to help us meet our goals seem to move so slowly or I even feel like our school or district will never meet the goals.
Our school welcomed and screened incoming kindergarteners this week. The students spend time with our kindergarten teachers, and I get about 45 minutes with their parents. As part of my time with the parents a representative from our PTO shares ways to get connected to the school. During one of the PTO chats, our treasurer commented to the other parents, "Our PTO really helps the school build a sense of community, and we want and need you to be part of that community." This immediately reminded me that I work for the Novi Community School District, anintentional and even strategic name. It's clear to me our schools will not meet these goals without the support of our community.
In the end, I realize we really are heading for the stars. There is no reason why all of our goals cannot be attained. The journey will mean all stakeholders...school, community, parents, and students...must collaborate, agree to support each other, dialogue, discuss...and sometimes even disagree...to help each of our students be successful.
What role do you play in these goals?
To be truthful, there are days when I disagree with some or even just parts of the goals. More often, I get frustrated how some of the goals are interpreted or how we will measure our progress on each goal. Occassionally I get down because initiatives to help us meet our goals seem to move so slowly or I even feel like our school or district will never meet the goals.
Our school welcomed and screened incoming kindergarteners this week. The students spend time with our kindergarten teachers, and I get about 45 minutes with their parents. As part of my time with the parents a representative from our PTO shares ways to get connected to the school. During one of the PTO chats, our treasurer commented to the other parents, "Our PTO really helps the school build a sense of community, and we want and need you to be part of that community." This immediately reminded me that I work for the Novi Community School District, anintentional and even strategic name. It's clear to me our schools will not meet these goals without the support of our community.
In the end, I realize we really are heading for the stars. There is no reason why all of our goals cannot be attained. The journey will mean all stakeholders...school, community, parents, and students...must collaborate, agree to support each other, dialogue, discuss...and sometimes even disagree...to help each of our students be successful.
What role do you play in these goals?
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