Superintendent March Newsletter
March 1, 2024
Strategic Plan Input
A strategic plan is comprised of goals for students and action steps the district and schools can take to support students in reaching the goals. Different measures and data points are used to write and monitor the plan. The plan is utilized as a road map for staff, students, and families. The plan is reviewed and adjusted accordingly every year.
The 2024-2029 District-wide Strategic Plan review and revisions are underway. We held three different input sessions. There were about a total of 135 people involved. There were another 40 people who replied in writing.
You can read the input at this link = https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1X3uyMD_pifF6SpgFiS80gVzR473EA_-M
Next Steps:
The District team continues synthesizing the input to build an updated and new District-wide Strategic Plan for 2024-2029.
The Board will give their input at the March Board Workshop.
The final version should be approved at the May or June Board Meeting.
The Plan is a road map the school district will use as a guide. It is reviewed and monitored annually.
What is a Strategic Plan
A strategic plan is comprised of goals for students and action steps the district and schools can take to support students in reaching the goals. Different measures and data points are used to write and monitor the plan. The plan is utilized as a road map for staff, students, and families. The plan is reviewed and adjusted accordingly every year.
You can see the older versions by visiting the District website, then clicking into the Teaching and Learning Department.
Superintendent and District Strategic Goals 2023-24
Goal 1. Increase the academic achievement of all students. The goal is to see another 10% or more of the students reach grade level in language arts, an increase from 37% to 47% or greater. In math, the goal is to see another 10% or more of the students reach grade level or beyond, an increase from 21% to 31% or greater.
Measure: The annual state test, the Idaho Standardized Achievement Test (ISAT).
Mid-year Results. 33% of the students tested at or above on the ISAT in Language Arts. And 43% of the students tested at or above the STAR in Language Arts. We are on track to meet or exceed the end-of-the-year target.
17% of the students test at or above on the ISAT in Math. 44% of the students tested at or above on the STAR in Math. We are either behind or ahead of the end-of-year target.
Goal 2. Expand the college and career readiness of our students. In working diligently with the high school CTE teachers and the principal, St. Maries High School was recently awarded two huge CTE grants. The most recent is the 1.28 million to construct a new CTE building, where the school will house the new auto-mechanic repair and forestry programs. The money also includes the cost of the new start-up equipment and tools.
Measure: The state's 4-year cohort graduation rate and college and career readiness definition.
Mid-year results. Based on test results and grades, an 85% graduation rate is predicted.
Goal 3. Provide a safe, healthy, and inviting environment for all students. Schools promote respect, responsibility, and safety for staff and students. The students of the month were one way to recognize such respectful traits. Another way is to see an increase in daily attendance and a decrease in behavioral office referrals.
Measure: The state uses a student engagement survey. The state also tracks suspension rates and attendance rates. The district uses daily attendance, suspension rates, and referrals. Next year, it will use student climate surveys.
Mid-year results. Daily attendance fluctuates between 82% -84%. Daily attendance has increased slightly. Suspension rates dropped to about 1.6%.
Goal 4. Improve communication between the school district and the community. As the new superintendent of St. Maries, the staff and I worked intentionally to increase the number of ways the school district and schools keep families informed, bolster parental rights, and engage the community.
Measure: the calendar. The different venues. The attendance sheets.
Mid-year results. There has been an increase in the number of different venues for communication, and the frequency of workshops, meetings, and parent sessions has also increased this year.
Midyear Data from the February Board Meeting
Reading Growth and Achievement for Grades 3 -12
Reading Readiness K -3
Math Readiness K -1
Attendance and Discipline Midyear
Math Growth and Achievement Grades 3 -12
College and Career Readiness Data
Math Curriculum Committee
The math curriculum committee is comprised of 19 members, a blend of parents, staff, and a board member. Two pilot studies are underway at the elementary and middle school and then at the high school. Grades K -8 are piloting SAVAAS EnVisions. The high school is piloting HMH, Intro to Math.
The first pilot is finishing up on Friday, February 23.
At the February 27th meeting, each teacher shared the final ranking for the piloted curriculum.
The high school will meet on April 2, ready to make a recommendation forward.
The elementary and middle school will pilot another math curriculum, Singapore Math Dimensions. The pilot window will last roughly another five to six weeks. At the halfway point, they, too, will meet on April 2 to report their satisfaction with Dimensions.
The committee members are committed to finding a quality math curriculum for St. Maries students and staff.
The public can find the notes and the agendas for each meeting on the Teacher and Learner Page on the District Website. The public can attend the math curriculum committee meetings.
The public can still view the different instructional materials the committee is reviewing by visiting the District Office any weekday during business hours from January 2 through April 15, 2024.
Dates to Calendar
February 26. A Special Board Meeting for the Community Benefits Plan (CBP) is a section in the Renew American Grant. There will also be a discussion on the 2023-24 amended budget.
February 27. The next Math Committee Meeting. It is a business meeting open to the public. The meetings are held at the District Office.
February 26 - March 1. The Heyburn Book Fair
February 29. The Heyburn Family Engagement Evening
March 4. A Board Workshop. The workshop is to gather input on the Five-year Strategic Plan.
March 4 - 8. UpRiver Book Fair
March 11. A Regular Board Meeting.
Happenings in St. Maries SD 41
SMMS Students of the Month
The students were recognized for their hard work. The Fire Station and Kiwanis celebrate the SMMS Students of the Month.
Quality Instruction and Deep Student Learning
Gathering input for the District Strategic Plan
Other Happenings in SD 41
SMHS qualify for the State Championship
The Wrestlers headed to State
We had several wrestlers medal at the State Championship!
Scott Sotin 2nd
Trey Gibson 3rd
Aiden Yearout 3rd
Kelby Harvey 5th
Jerrett Brebner 6th
The Superintendent and the Board headed to the Capital
The conference is called Day on the Hill. Here, we participated in the Senate-Ed Committee hearing and a Representative-Ed Committee hearing. We also learned more about the different educational bills that might become law.
St. Maries Cheerleading qualified for State!
Go Lumberjacks!
UpRiver and Heyburn Family Engagement Nights
Both Family Engagement nights were a success!. Staff. parents and children enjoyed time with a reading or a math activity.
Regular Board Meetings Broadcasted
The Regular Board Meetings are now being broadcasted through this link https://www.youtube.com/@SD41YouTube/streams
Next Board Meeting is Monday, February 12, 2024. At this board meeting, the calendar for the 2024-25 regular board meetings will be established.
Day on the Hill
The Board of Trustees and I had a chance to spend two days in Boise the week of February 19. We sat in on the House-Ed committee hearing. We also sat in on a Senate-Ed committee hearing. We were briefed on the different bills that might become law. The presenters focused on bills that were directly tied to K -12 Education.
There are over 24 that the House and Senate are reviewing. Remember, these are only resolutions or bills at this time. We will keep you posted with any of the 24 bills that become law, including how the new laws will impact K - 12 Education and St. Maries SD 41.
Two-way Communication
Dr. Teresa Rensch remains open to phone calls, emails, and face-to-face meetings. You can drop into the office or make an appointment. I appreciate the residents whom I had a chance to meet.
I look forward to meeting more and more residents of St. Maries. I believe good communication is one effective way to advance St. Maries SD 41. I also strongly believe in working together as another vital way to advance St. Maries SD 41.