We just completed a great Opening-of-School Institute with faculty and staff. As part of our meeting, our group went through a needs assessment and goal-setting process resulting in the following top areas of emphasis:

Communication within the school system. Staff comments included ‘between- school’ communication as well as communication with co-workers, everyone working as a team, and consistency. Newsletters shared between buildings. Know and publish testing dates well in advance. Build the sense of teamwork within and across buildings.

Academic Focus – Data Driven. Set high academic standards and stick to them. Use of instructional time for assemblies and extracurricular activities needs to be reduced. Use state testing when required only. Document interventions. Support each other in providing interventions.

Collaboration across and within the system. Accept responsibility to be part of the education team that is Salmon School District. Build the sense of teamwork.

Parent Involvement – Expectations and Communication. Educate parents on policy and expectations. Invite them to participate/volunteer in meaningful ways. Engage parents as partners in educating their students. Get information to them in a timely manner through a variety of means.

Professional Development. Align staff development with standards. Make focus on meeting the variety of needs of students. Include teachers in establishing direction for PD.

Communication with the community. Radio, newspaper, newsletter, phone calls, weekly newsletters, getting info to kids who share with each other and parents.

Safety and security of our students and staff. Supervision of students crossing back and forth for classes between buildings. Drop-off/pick-up times. Lunch.

As you can see, there is a strong emphasis from within our school district on parent and community involvement and communication. We are also facing some difficult realities about needs within our system. We welcome your feedback as we strive to make Salmon School District the best it can be for our community!