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FEATURE STORY
Excellence in Education Exists ...Making the Invisible Visible
by Peggy Buffington, Ph.D., Superintendent of Schools, School City of Hobart
Excellence in education exists. It is all around us.Why does it appear that excellence is invisible to
many in our schools when, as school board members,
administrators, and teachers, we know this not to be
true? It is up to us to turn the invisible into the visible.
Let your light shine. It is when the light is shining that
our schools become a beacon in our communities to
light the way for higher expectations and brighter
futures. The stakeholders in the community of Hobart,
Indiana, absolutely love their schools and are proud of
them. The light is visible and shines for all to see.
In the 2007-2008school year, the us, and we never stop doing what weSchool City of Hobart received district think is best for kids. Every step of theaccreditation from AdvancEd/NCA. It way, we have kept our stakeholderswas affirming to hear outside experts involved, informed, and instrumentalshare commendations for what is going in moving the strategic plan forward.right in our schools. One such com- Hobart is a community devoted to itsmendation was A Caring School! greatest asset-its children and theCommunity Culture-a If it is best forkids, they (the school!community) finda way to make it happen." Many peoplehave asked me why the School City ofHobart is successful. We have highexpectations and shout them out. Wehave a vision and mission that guides
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schools they attend. The schools reciprocate and are committed to the community.
The School City of Hobart'sStrategic Plan addresses seven standards from AdvancEd/NCA, whichinclude the following: 1. Vision andPurpose, 2. Governance and
Leadership, 3. Teaching and Learning,4. Documenting and Using Results, 5.Resources and Support Systems, 6.Stakeholder Communication and
Relationships, and 7. Commitment toContinuous Improvement. We set up acollaborative environment for all stake
holders (including students, parents,teachers, administrators, board members, and community members) tocome together to set goals and priorities in order to provide opportunitiesfor every child to be successful. Eachone of these standards has goals andinterventions/strategies to improve. Asthe Superintendent of Schools, it is easyfor me to reflect on the excellence that
is evident, as our strategic plan movesforward. It is also visible enough thatour community knows what makes usexcellent, because it is all around us.
WINTER 2010
Highlighting the excellence that is
visible in the School City of Hobart willhelp one understand what pieces mustbe present in order to be successful andmake a difference in the lives of all
whom you serve in your communities.
1. Learning never ceases-we expecteveryone to learn.
a. Everychild is lea.rnillgand growing.As one of our teachers put it, "Weare individualizing instruction andtrying to make sure all studentslearn through RTI, NWEA, FUp,
Readers and Writers Workshop, AZ Books, Compass Lea.rnillg,etc. Idon't think we have ever beenmore focused on individual stu
dents' needs (which is sometimes
overwhelming but very necessary).With RTI, it is amazing to seestruggling kids feel successfuland see their growth."
b. We instill a sense of being
loved and belonging.We meet with kids
individually and insmall group settings. Secondaryteachers take on a
This is the first in a series of articles publishedin 2010 that address excellence in education
as it relates to the School City of Hobart.
The Journal, Indiana School Boards Association
special relationship with students
to monitor student learningin the form of teams. HobartMiddle School and the Freshman
Academies at Hobart High Schoolare all about teams of teachers
"hovering" over students to helpthem achieve.
c. We constantly meet with teachers
and use data to pinpoint goal areasthat need improvement and notethe areas where we excel.
d. We have athletic and academic
opportunities and clubs at everylevel for student interests. Goal set
ting and striving for personal bestis evident in these extracurricular activities.
WINTER 2010
is more engaged and productive
when using technology tools.a. WIreless networks exist in every
building, with the schools offering
ubiquitous computing as studentlaptops are close to a 1:1ratio at the
high school, and the elementaryand middle schools having a 2:1ratio.
b. Teachers have projection systems,as well as tablets and responders,
for interactive learning. One ofour teachers commented, "The
technology in EVERYclassroom isgreat. The resources we have at our
fingertips and the convenience ofhaving an interactive lesson with
listen to podcasts (including the 8
Conditions for Student Aspirations
or How Full Is Your Bucket); be in a
parent program for pre-natal tokindergarten children, such asParents As Teachers (PA.T.); attend
parenting workshops; or participate in book studies and familynights, parents are equipped tolearn and be engaged in doingwhat is best for their children.
g. Our school board and administra
tors participate in book studies,conferences, and workshops. They
are also invited to join professionaldevelopment opportunities with
teachers and parents. One of ourfavorite book studies is Failure is
Not an Option.
2. Technology is the norm-Everyone
Join US!
e. Teachers are constantly perfectingtheir craft and will tellyou that theyreceive high quality professionaldevelopment. Much of their train
ing comes from in-house expertswhom we have trained on
research-based practices. Utilizingthose trail blazers to train others is
how everyone becomes proficientand excellent. No matter if it
is using technology, conductingReading and Writing Workshops,or implementing Response toIntervention (RtI), there will al
ways be someone there to hold ahand and lift the person to thenext level.
f. Our parents have opportunities to
learn, whether they are invited toblog (such as the Be There Blog);
13
our students with the technologytools is wonderful. I feel like this
should be a college classroom
versus an elementary school."c. Technology tools make learning
more relevant and replicatethe real world in terms of
problem-solving and experientiallearning. Project-based/Problem
based learning is everywhere.Imagine the following:
A day in the Ufe of the students
attending Hobart High School is
engaging and filled with opportunities. Broadcast Media
students' program continuous
video, incorporating items such
as school event coverage and
various project-based curriculum activities. Business and
Marketing classes run their ownstudent credit union and cookie
business in "The Bric/de Stop."
Information Technology (IT)
classes assist with deployingtechnology and running the wire
less network. The Emergency
Rescue Technology Academyoffers senior citizens free blood
pressure screenings. The Criminal
Justice class assists in fingerprint
ing elementary school children.The Technical Theatre class
prepares the Blackbox Theatre for
an intimate evening of poetryreading. The student-run Brickie
Kidz Pre-school is doing read
alouds with its early childhood
development class. Project Lead
the Way BioMedical students are
presenting grant opportunities
for curing breast cancer through
gene and nanotechnology
research. Project Lead the WayEngineering students are distant
learning with other students on
the design of a cell phone charger
for student lockers. Twenty-firstcentury classrooms are definitelyengaging.
d. School board members took on
the challenge of using technology for school board business.They have gone green with elec
tronic board packets. In addition, their meetings are electronic' with the public able to watchand monitor voting as it occurs atmeetings.
3. Communication is abundantOver communicate.
a. Public presentations are importantfor giving stakeholders opportuni
ties to see children in action. Everyschool board meeting begins witha presentation involving studentsand what they are achieving intheir learning environments.Children are definitely our business at every meeting.
b. Who says paper newsletters are
out? Our community expectsFocus on Education twice a year.These publications are fullof stories about our school
improvement goals, along withstudent highlights and upcoming events to attend at the various schools. Of course, patrons
can read it online, but the printcopy is like a commemorative
edition that they share withfriends and relatives. School
newsletters are a big hit as well.c. Web sites have to be up-to-date
and offer new and exciting information. If you do not post newinformation regularly, there is no
reason for patrons to visit yourwebsite. Our Headlines andAnnouncements are favorite
front page hits.d. Our Parent Portal offers a
simple way to monitor a child'sprogress. It is a must-have for
every district.e. Use technology to communicate.
i. School City of Hobart uses a
broadcast alert system to keepthe community informed.Announcing school closuresshould not be the only use for
1he~ Indiana School Boards Assocation 14
this valuable tool. Interact
with your community byannouncing events, standardized testing, tips for homework, tips for handling the flu,etc.
ii. We host teacher web pagesthat are interactive with projects.
iii.We blog and create podcastsfor our parents and the community.
iv.We offer photo galleries andmedia clips of events.
4. Service is paramount-Creating acommunity that is caring benefitsall.
a. TeamLEAD is an anti-bullymentorship program that pro
vides leadership training forupperclassmen at every level tomentor younger classmen.
b. Senior citizens are veryimportant in our community. Weare community schools. Our
high school's Performing ArtsDepartment provides freeperformances for senior citizens
on a special day and, in conjunction with the events, our Food
Service Department providesformal dinners to make the
evening special. Our PsychologyClub rakes leaves and washes
windows, as well as decorates for
seasonal holidays. We visit nursing homes and offer aerobics,
games, and dancing. These areoccasions to be kind and to dofor others.
15
c. Our schools regularly supportthe local food pantry. Whether it
is collecting, gathering, or stocking shelves, our students are
actively engaged. One of ourelementary schools' bookstoresregularly donates money for
perishables at the food pantry,while our other schools collect
food items. As members of the
local Kiwanis commented, "TheJROTC is like a machine when it
comes to unpacking bags ofgroceries collected around the
entire community and restocking the pantry's food shelves."
d. Our students are bell ringers forthe Salvation Army.
e. Keeping our community clean isa big task that the schools havetaken to heart. We are involved
with Mighty Acorns through theShirley Heinz Land Trust and the
Field Museum in Chicago.
Whether it is cleaning, painting,or spreading mulch in the community parks, our students do itall.
f. All schools in Hobart supportRiley Hospital for Children. In
addition, they host a Relay forLife cancer walk.
Our stakeholders know that
opportunities are everywhere in theSchool City of Hobart. Our number onefocus is children. As one of our teachers
commented, "I think that all of the kidshere in Hobart know that we, as teach
ers, administrators, and support persons, care about them and what happens to them. We show it through wordsand actions. Nothing is dismissed asimpossible-anything is possible. Wesomehow find a way to make it happen.
If I were a child, I would be inspired bythis and would do my best to live up tothe expectations of all who were helping me succeed. That is what makesHobart schools excellent. That is what I
am most proud of, and that is why I loveto come to work every day."
Striving for excellence is the stan-
WINTER 2010
dard, not the exception in the SchoolCity of Hobart. We expect EVERYONEtoLEARN and KEEP LEARNING. TECH
NOLOGY is a tool used seamlessly,which offers teachers, students, and
parents opportunities to communicate,
monitor, and extend learning. COMMUNICATION is a means of sharing.SERVICEis a priority that creates caringcitizens. Make the invisible visible.
Shout it out. Being visible with yourcommunity invites participation andextends an open hand for partners to
join in providing excellence forchildren. Our community is proud of its
schools and truly believes, "Once aBrickie, Always a Brickie!"
Visit our web site to learn more.
http://www.hobart.k12.in.us. ~
Striving for excellence is the standard, not the
exception in the School City of Hobart. We expect
EVERYONE to LEARN and KEEP LEARNING.
TECHNOLOGY is a tool used seamlessly, which
offers teachers, students, and parents opportunities
to communicate, monitor, and extend learning.
COMMUNICATION is a means of sharing. SERVICE
is a priority that creates caring citizens. Make the
invisible visible.
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