Change of Pace

I just want to let everyone who sees this blog know that I am shifting most educational content onto my other blog, Urbana Tiger Pride, which you can find here. From now on, this blog will focus less on matters of school leadership, and more on my hobbies, interests, and random thoughts. DDO

Tips for staying safe when it's COLD outside!

Here is my first video entry.  My goal is to remind people how to dress warmly during the "Polar Vortex."  My disclaimer is that I am not a meteorologist, medical doctor, or winter survival expert.  I am a winter outdoor enthusiast, who is concerned about students traveling to and from school.



Muchas gracías a Lucia Maldonado para la tradducion.

Is a "Snow Day" an "Act of God?"

"Act of God Days (Calendar Code AOG) may only be applied for after the district has exhausted all of the Proposed Emergency Days built into the Proposed Calendar. Act of God Days may only be used for a condition beyond the control of the district that poses a hazardous threat to the health and safety of the students. These days must be approved by the Regional Superintendent and the State Superintendent of Education. Act of God Days reduce the required number of student attendance days in the Public School Calendar, but do not negatively impact General State Aid. (Citation 105 ILCS 5/18-12)" - Key Checkpoints to Review Before Approval of the Public School Calendar, Illinois State Board of Education 

Despite the title of this post, I am not going to explain where snow comes from, enter into a theological debate about God, or even discuss the interesting legal issues regarding Illinois School Code referring to “Act of God Days.” 

One of the most common questions that I am asked after a weather related closing of school is, “Do we have to make this day up in May or June?”  The short answer is always, “Yes!”  The Illinois School Code and Illinois State Board of Education Guidance regarding public school calendars requires all public schools to build in five (5) extra days for weather-related closings.  That means that the first five closings of any given school year are already in the calendar and will be made up.  Beyond five closings, the “Act of God” provision kicks in. 

If a school district has more than five weather-related or emergency closings in one school year, the district must submit a request to the Regional Office of Education and the Illinois State Board of Education for a waiver to avoid having to make up these additional days.  Not all of these waivers are approved.

I completely understand why people are so curious about “make-up days.”  Summer travel plans for students and families, scheduling summer school, and planning professional development activities all require advanced planning.  Unfortunately, one cannot reason with winter weather.  We just all have to dress warmly, drive slowly, and enjoy winter.

Many Illinois districts have already passed five days.  Right now, the district I work for is at five (5) [UPDATED January 29, 2014].  While I love winter, I am hoping that we don’t see another Polar Vortex or heavy snowfall for the next five months. 

Why are you closing school?!

When I took the post of Superintendent in a small-urban, Central Illinois school district, people joked about the fact that we would never see another winter weather closing.  I grew up in Minneapolis, MN.  I love winter. In fact, the colder the better - as long as there is plenty of snow. 

Today, I am facing down my fourth, yes, FOURTH winter weather closing of the 2013-2014 winter.  Closing school is never an easy decision, mainly because it is not an exact science.  My primary consideration is the safety of students.  The majority of students in our district live within 1.5 miles from their school, and therefore do not receive transportation from the district.  In extreme temperatures, I watch young children walk to school without hats, gloves, and, sometimes, proper jackets.  Many students walk 10, 15, 20, and even 30 minutes or more. 

Closing a school due to snow or extreme cold is not something I take lightly.  I always prefer to keep students in school, however, if the weather is so extreme that a student is at risk of frost-bite or worse, we have to balance the desire to hold school with student safety.  When it is clear that weather might be an issue, we spend a great deal of time consulting experts, glued to apps and websites - the National Weather Service is my favorite: http://www.crh.noaa.gov/ilx/.  We also talk to public works, grounds crews, transportation experts, and other superintendents.  The decision to close schools is not an exact science.  There is a lot of room for error, especially when there is pressure to make a decision early enough for families to make childcare arrangements. 

I have learned that there are a lot of misconceptions about frost-bite.  The National Weather Service Wind Chill Chart (http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/windchill/index.shtml) helps me explain the dangers of cold temperatures and wind chill to parents, students, and colleagues.  However, I always stress that this chart is not "the" answer for when to close school; it just provides one more piece of the puzzle.  

Either way, I am not sure any winter weather school closing decision is 100% obvious.  I know I will hear when people disagree, and I honestly do appreciate the dialogue, because it provides additional opportunities for education and reflection.  

As a Minnesotan, I also feel the need to advocate for outdoor winter activities.  I run, ski, sled, walk, and play outside in extreme temperatures.  During the recent “Polar Vortex” I spent several hours outside shoveling snow and walking to and from schools.  However, I was dressed appropriately:  multiple layers, all skin covered, and exposed areas (around eyes and nose) covered with Dermatone.  Unfortunately, not all of our families have the means to dress for the Polar Vortex. Which means we have to wrestle with the decision to close schools to protect children from frostbite and hypothermia. 

Stay safe and warm.  

New 2013 Illinois School Report Card

The Illinois State Board of Education is unveiling (or perhaps un-masking - given the date) a new format for the School Report Card on October 31, 2013.  The new report card is designed to provide families and stakeholders with a clearer picture of student and school progress.  I am always a supporter of providing as much information as possible, because our public schools are doing amazing things.

I sent out the following letter to families about the new school report card format.  Parts of the letter came straight from the ISBE press release, but parts are specific to USD116.

October 28, 2013 On October 31, 203, the Illinois State Board of Education unveiled a new, simplified, and more consumer-friendly School Report Card that will better inform families, community members, educators, and policy makers about the academic performance, school climate and learning conditions of the public schools in Illinois. The new Illinois report card features:

•  At-a-glance information about school performance, school climate and learning conditions.

•  Consumer-friendly data on school awards, special programs of study, advanced coursework and extracurricular programs.

• Measures of student college and career readiness.

• Growth measurements that will show both how much progress students make and how schools’ academic results are improving over time.

The new School Report Card will be accessible October 31 at http://illinoisreportcard.com. Urbana School District will be posting links to the new Illinois School Report Cards for each of our schools on the district and building websites.  You can access them at http://www.usd116.org.
 As always, I encourage you to speak to your child’s teacher and principal if you have any questions about your child’s education.  The mission of Urbana School District #116 is ensure that all learners acquire knowledge, develop skills, and build character to achieve personal greatness and help create a better global society, by providing innovative, comprehensive programs, respecting individual learning styles and cultural differences, and fostering caring and nurturing relationships, while engaging each student, every family and the entire community.
 I look forward to working with you to ensure the success of your child.

ISBE created a new website to promote the new format:  http://illinoisreportcard.com/   I am looking forward to getting and sharing feedback about the new report cards.  My hope is that they do provide people with a clearer and more understandable picture of the public schools in the state.

End Polio Now!

I grew up with polio.  No, I didn’t have polio.  I was born after the Salk vaccine was routine practice in the USA.  My dad was a polio survivor, and a physiatrist who devoted his clinic and research to helping “old-polios” as he referred to people who had polio in the 30s, 40s, and 50s.  Dr. Richard R. Owen was a strong advocate for strength conditioning for polio patients to combat the effects of “post-polio syndrome.”

My dad’s polio provided him with challenges that he embraced.  With two canes, Kenny Sticks, braces, and a big heart, he explored the outdoors, competed in wheelchair basketball, track, swimming, and Ping-Pong.  Polio never slowed him down.  In fact, it almost always made him stronger.  He was an incredible role model.  He spoke with great reverence for Dr. Salk, Dr. Sabin, and Sister Kenny. He worked at Courage Center and Sister Kenny Institute. 

My dad’s obituary was sub-titled, “He kept fighting polio.”  Which he did.  I know that he would be saddened by recent reports that the war refugees of Syria’s war are reporting possible out-breaks of polio.  I also know that he would be thrilled with the continuing efforts of Rotary International with their End Polio Now campaign.  Today, October 24, is World Polio Day. Please join the fight. We really are this close to ending polio! 

  

Mentoring Matters

Tomorrow, June 30, 2013, the community is celebrating the career of one of the influential superintendents in Illinois.  Dr. Preston L. Williams, Jr. is retiring after 35 years as a teacher, coach, administrator, and superintendent.  In each of these roles he positively influenced the lives of students, teachers, family members and members of the larger community.  However, the role that I admire him most for is being a mentor.  He has mentored me since he hired me as a middle school social studies teacher 24 years ago.  I am not the only educational leader who has benefited from his wisdom, advice, and leadership.  Dozens of my colleagues have become outstanding principals, district administrators, and teacher-leaders thanks to Dr. Williams’ encouragement.  The lessons he has taught all of us are invaluable. 

Perhaps the most important lesson Dr. Williams has instilled is the importance of putting students first.  Dr. Williams stayed connected to students through the Champaign-Urbana 1 to 1 Mentoring Program (http://cu1to1.org/).  He mentored several students from elementary school through graduate school and beyond.  His commitment to his student mentees motivated many other members of the community to become mentors.  Mentoring changes lives, and I am lucky to have had a mentor who is so committed to the idea of mentoring.  Dr. Williams is retiring, but he will always be a mentor and role model for this community.  For that I am forever grateful.