Norwin School District “Moving Forward from Great to Extraordinary”

STEADY AT THE HELM

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PRESENTED TO

THE BOARD OF EDUCATION

NORWIN SCHOOL DISTRICT

BY DR. WILLIAM H. KERR, SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS

August 10, 2015

The process of Restructuring, Reallocating and Realigning Resources is a continuous effort so that the Norwin School District sustains its quality educational programs and services. This on-going process requires a straight and steady course of action and a commitment on the part of all stakeholders in the school community.

The "helm" is the place where one controls a ship's direction. "Take the helm" means to take control of where the ship goes. To "steady the helm" means to ensure a straight and steady course and to not turn the ship. Answers.com / Wiki Answers

Photo Credit: Alvov/Shutterstock

A seaworthy ship must be stable. Savage seas exert powerful forces on a vessel. To protect it from disaster, the ship must be able to withstand those forces without capsizing or thrashing so violently in a storm that a Commander loses control of the vessel. Simply put, well-designed, stable ships stay upright in rough seas. (PBS Savage Seas: Surviving in Stormy Seas)

The (Superintendent) resembles the Commander of a ship at sea. He must have a helm to grasp, a course to steer, a port to seek. – Henry Adams

A (School) Community is like a ship; everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm. – Henry Ibsen

To do what is best for students educationally and to do what is fiscally responsible for taxpayers will require the cooperation of all stakeholders in the Norwin School District now and in the future.

To build capacity, accountability, and efficiency in the public school system will require effective communication, critical thinking skills, creativity, and collaboration between and among all of us.

According to Merriam-Webster, the suffix ship is not the same as the noun ship. The suffix comes from the Old English word sciappan which means "to shape".

Leadership

Citizenship

Partnership

Ownership

Relationship

Internship

Mentorship

Membership

Sportsmanship Authorship Craftsmanship Discipleship Friendship Fellowship Stewardship Guardianship Kinship

Make educational and financial investments based on best practices, proven methods, and strategies for long-term success.

Enhance the quality of educational programs and services for all students.

Continue to keep the focus on effective teaching and learning, increased student growth and achievement, and high-performing schools.

Promote an open work environment where all employees experience empowerment, ownership, and accountability to grow professionally.

Make targeted investments, reallocate resources, and integrate new strategies to meet the changing needs of 21st century learners.

Strike a balance between what is educationally sound for students and fiscally responsible for taxpayers.

Streamline operations, maximize human and financial resources, and eliminate unnecessary spending.

Dr. William Kerr – Executive Leadership for Education Policy and a 21st Century Education Model based on visionary, strategic, and operational goals.

Mrs. Natalie McCracken – Assistant Superintendent of Elementary Education for leadership and supervision of K-6 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment and Professional Development.

Mr. Timothy Kotch – Assistant Superintendent of Secondary Education for leadership and supervision of 7-12 Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment and Professional Development.

Ms. Maggie Zimmer – Director of Special Education and Student Services for leadership and supervisory responsibilities of Special Education and Student Services.

Mr. John Wilson – Director of Business Affairs and Financial Planning for leadership and oversight of the Education Budget for fiscal responsibility, targeted investments, efficiency, and accountability.

Mr. Thomas Wrobleski – Director of Human Resources for leadership and oversight of Labor-Management Relations, Collective Bargaining Agreements, and Employee Evaluation Protocols.

Natalie McCracken K-12 Chief Academic Officer K-12 Public Information Officer

Timothy Kotch K-12 STEM/STEAM Education

Heather Newell K-12 Arts, Social Sciences, Humanities

Michael Choby K-12 Learning & Innovation

Joe Shigle K-12 School Safety

Tim McCabe K-12 Drug Awareness & Prevention

Troy Collier K-12 College and Career Pathways

Doreen Harris K-12 Educational Programs/Services

Robert Suman 7-12 Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

Lisa Banasick K-8 RtII/Multi-Tier Systems of Support

Jason Cendroski K-6 Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

Brian O’Neil K-6 Science, Technology, Engineering, Math

Lisa Willig K-6 English Language Arts/Library

April Priesach K-6 Digital Literacy/21st Century Learners

Kelly Jones High School Dean of Students /ALC

Dr. Connie Palmer Secondary Gifted Education

Doug Colcombe K-12 Guidance Department Head

Jonathan Szish Executive Assistant / Board Secretary

Student Growth and Achievement

Organizational Leadership

District Operations and Management

Human Resource Management

Communication and Community Relations

Professionalism “Distinguished Leadership, Trusted Relationships, and

Educational Excellence”

Emergency Preparedness & Safe Schools Educational Programs & Support Services Curriculum, Instruction, & Assessment Educational & Information Technology Student Achievement/High-Performing Schools Education Budget & Personnel Management Employee Supervision & Accountability Induction & Professional Development Facilities, Transportation & Food Service Athletics & Curricular/Extra-Curricular Student

Activities

Curriculum aligns to the PA Core Standards Formative and Summative Assessments

provide feedback to students to increase achievement

Additional technology investments of tablets and iPads provide student access to personalized learning opportunities

Continuous professional development meets the changing expectations of PDE

Professional learning community of educators focus on student achievement for all students

Strategic Coordination of Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment

Transition to the PA Educator Effectiveness Evaluation Model / Pilot Project

Transition from RtII Model to Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS)

PA Core Standards / Create Student Learning Objectives with all professional staff

Norwin Education Association & Act 93 Contract Negotiations

Norwin Chamber of Commerce Norwin School District Community Foundation Westmoreland County Intermediate

Superintendents Association Central Westmoreland Career and Technology

Center Westmoreland County Public Healthcare

Consortium Westmoreland County Forum for Workforce

Development St. Vincent Prevention Projects FBI Pittsburgh Division: Heroin Awareness and

Prevention Initiative

With faith in the future, and on behalf of the Board of

Education and Administration, best wishes for a new and exciting school year full of hope and promise for our

students!