In addition, a general update and message was presented to kick off the evening regarding Vestaburg Community School and what we need to do to continue moving forward. As always the creation of such a message causes a person to reflect on past successes and failures, as well as, look forward to where we want to go and what needs to happen to get there. This in addition to the celebration of the New Year and the usual reflection and planning/hope that it brings has led me to feel the need share the following message and update.
First, I cannot express how proud and grateful I am to all the people and hard work that has taken place at Vestaburg Community School. Everywhere you look there are professionals and individuals that are working hard to help our students be successful. From being able to add a College Advisor/Counselor whose sole purpose is to help students and parents with the college process, to having 100% of our seniors complete a college application and apply to at least one college or university, to a dramatic increase of student scores on the ACT, to operating one of the largest and most successful preschool programs in our county, to the work being done in our common intervention times, to the work our teachers are doing with curriculum and instructional coaches and the willingness to voluntarily participate in teacher learning labs for the sole purpose of improving there are many great things going on at VCS. There truly is not a day that goes by that we are not striving to improve our school and the education of our students.
However, while we are working hard and improving everyday, just working hard is not enough! Working hard provides opportunities, it is not a guarantee that you will be successful. That is not life and it is not reality. However, you cannot be successful without hard work. This true for us as adults and educators and it is true for students. Thus, it is imperative that we as a school, parents, and a community continue to improve each and everyday. Furthermore, it is critical that as parents you support your child's teacher as they push their students beyond their comfort zones, progress is not made without struggle. Students need to think and problem solve. We cannot protect and prevent our child from this process and feeling some discomfort. This is what leads to growth and improvement. However, as important as this process is, equally important is how we support them and teach them to overcome the struggle. This is where as a community and as partners we need to work together. We do not have to have all the answers, but rather let our students and children know you care and are there to help them find the answer. Let them know you are there to help and empower them to think, learn, and overcome.
In order to do this we as teachers, administrators, parents, and a community need to work together and support each other. As a school we encourage you to ask questions regarding your child's education. It is your right and your responsibility to do so. However, we ask that you do so adult to adult and do not do so in front of your child in a manner that may lead to your student losing respect for their teacher. Once that happens it is very hard to undo. It is important to remember that we are all working toward a common goal and want what is best for our children. With this in mind, we look forward to continuing to partner with each of you and working together to help every child be successful and to help to continue to push our school district forward. We Are Vestaburg!
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