D11 Monthly Insights
A School District 11 Communications Publication
October 2019
- Superintendent's Mission Matters: National Principals Month
- October is Arts Month
- National School Lunch Week
- National ESP Week
- October World Cafes: Master Academic Plan Input
- #iamD11 and #weareD11
- Video: Tesla Outdoor Leadership Program
Superintendent's Mission Matters
In honor of National Principals Month, I want to recognize the amazing school leaders we have in District 11. It is a very demanding role and each day they broker what is best for their schools, managing demands from central office and the broader communities they serve. Recently, the Wallace Foundation, in partnership with The RAND Corporation, released a study noting that only second to teachers, principals are a key determinant to the success of our students (see link to the article here). Additionally, there has never been a successful school turnaround initiative without the evidence of a strong building principal. I’m not only familiar with the research, but I lived the life of an elementary and secondary principal. Even though it was very challenging, it was the most rewarding position to observe student learning, effective teaching, and strong support by numerous building staff.
Principals are key leaders in our community. They are responsible for creating the conditions for success within their schools, and they understand their work cannot be done in isolation. Principals possess the ability to collaborate and establish partnerships that will support their staff and help students achieve their dreams. At times, they have to deliver tough accountability messages, but also are the first to celebrate the accomplishments of those they serve.
Many principals put in countless hours to achieve the outcomes they desire for their students and staff. This often comes at the expense of their own families. Luckily, those of us in public education have the support of our families, and they understand that being called to public service has high demands, expectations, and is an honorable role to provide for the greater good.
On behalf of all of our building principals and assistant principals, I want to thank you for your hard work and dedication to the D11 learning community. I also invite our students, families, and community members to take the time to #ThankAPrincipal for their hard work, and if you have not visited your local school community, take this opportunity to learn about the exciting learning happening every day in our schools. Our building principals would love to host and facilitate such conversations.
I am grateful to serve as the Superintendent of D11 and look forward to the profound impacts we will make together in our community.
Yours in partnership,
Dr. Michael J. Thomas, Superintendent
Colorado Springs School District 11
October is Arts Month!
Sabin Middle School's Mariachi Ensemble
#ThankAD11ArtsTeacher
Mitchell Thespians
National School Lunch Week
Dr. Thomas on Lunch Duty
We Thank Our Food and Nutrition Staff
Lunchtime Laughs
October 14-18 is National School Lunch Week
National ESP Week, October 21-25
Tell Your Story #IamD11 #WeAreD11
dhs_poms on Instagram
Cougarsgonewired on Instagram
@SabinSaints on Twitter
@Heidi_Gomez on Twitter
@PalmerTerrors on Twitter
Contact Us
Email: webmaster@d11.org
Website: www.d11.org
Location: 1115 North El Paso Street, Colorado Springs, CO, USA
Phone: (719) 520-2000
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cssd11
Twitter: @CSSD11