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Superintendent's Message! |
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Written by Larry E. Wallen
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 Dear Staff,
Last night, I was invited to attend the National Honor Society's Induction Ceremony for Pinon High School. What an event! Mr. and Ms. Mann, Sponsors, saw the fruits of their leadership demonstrated by Roselala Lee, President, and others. The entire ceremony was directed and produced by students. An amazing demonstration of the leadership capabilities of our students!
As I observed this demonstration of character, scholarship, leadership, and service, my mind drifted back to 1993 and the vision given to me as the new Superintendent by the Governing Board and community leaders. Bring our high school students' home, first order of business; build our schools of brick and mortar, not portables, second order of business; and third, build a high performing district both academically and athletically. As stated by Mr. Mann during the induction ceremony, "we are striving to be the best, we are the best!" That vision supported by years of planning by the Governing Board and community leaders was exemplified in the performance of our National Honor Society students.
In 2009, we are continuing the vision established in the late 80's. We have Pinon High School a performing school. We have both Pinon Middle School and Pinon Elementary School as failing schools. How can that be? School restructuring is hard work, bone jarring, elbow grinding, and exhausting work. The Governing Board and I, as well as all administrators, teachers, parents and students are committed to breaking the failing label by providing the best learning to our students. As staff, I expect you to be at the cutting edge of restructuring, the cutting edge of pedagogy, and the cutting edge of commitment to students. Nothing less is acceptable for our students! Why? As stated in our district mission statement, "because we believe that all students can and will learn, and that all teachers can and will teach..."
As we move into the 2010 school year, we face terrible budget challenges as a result of our state legislature underfunding education for years, we face serious instructional challenges to meet the learning needs of our students, and we face strong commitment challenges to stay the course by bringing the most effective instruction to our students. Our goal of 65 x 09 goes to 65 x 10. Our students are the driving force in this achievement goal. Be prepared to demonstrate daily the relentless commitment to the success of every student!
On behalf of the Governing Board,
Larry E. Wallen,
Superintendent
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March 1, 2010 Approval