February Reflections

In the Spirit of Valentines

Top Ten Things to Love about JWP!

It is quite obvious that I have a true love for the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton Public School District.  I graduated from JWP High School and began my teaching career at the Elementary.  My direct experiences with this district have always been ‘top-shelf’!

Valentine’s Day was always my favorite holiday as a youngster.  I  looked forward to the sweet treats and, more specifically, who was going to ask me to be their Valentine.  Although I was disappointed from time to time at the lack of Valentine requests, the candy was never a disappointment.  With that said, I have highlighted a list of the top 10 things to love about JWP.  Please be mindful that I was unable to squeeze everything you should love about JWP into a short list of 10.

1.     Dynamic and Motivated Students
2.     Understanding and Caring Families
3.     Engaged Community Members
4.     Highly Effective Instructional Staff
5.     Committed Paraprofessionals
6.     Friendly and Talented Kitchen Staff
7.     Courageous Custodial Staff
8.     Welcoming and Knowledgeable Secretaries
9.     Dedicated Administration
10.   Diverse School Board

Kitchen and Baseball Field Projects

The Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton School Board has engaged in several conversations regarding the need to remedy both the kitchen and the baseball field.  At this point, the School Board will be creating a district-wide facilities assessment and priority list.  Completing this process will provide the School Board with an excellent decision making tool.  We will keep our public posted as further details are developed.

Professional Learning Communities

As many of you are aware, the Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton School District will be going through the Professional Learning Community (PLCs) implementation process this summer.  PLCs consist of three big ideas:

1.     All students can learn at high levels.
2.     Adults work collaboratively in a collective effort.
3.     Adults understand results and respond appropriately.

Within the work of the three big ideas, four questions are asked consistently to ensure improved practice and student learning:

1.     What is it that all students must learn?
2.     How will we know they have learned it?
3.     What will we do if they have not learned it?
4.     What will we do if they have learned it?

By engaging in focused collaborative conversations, professional practice will improve.  As professional practice improves, student achievement begins to rise.   Continuing those conversations will set a positive upward trend.

Community Relations

We have a committed group of community members from Janesville, Pemberton and Waldorf working together to bring our communities together.  Our first event was a family movie night at the Main Street Plaza in Pemberton.  Thirteen folks braved the weather to attend the event.  We strongly believe many more would have participated had the weather cooperated with us.

Our second event was a Valentine’s Day Party, which was held on Saturday, February 16, 2013 in the Waldorf Community Center.  There were several events and activities for children ages birth to 3rd grade.

We plan on having events each month for children and adults of our three communities.  It would be absolutely wonderful to see you in attendance.  Typically each event is free of charge.  In some cases, small items can be purchased at a reasonable price.  The goal of the committee is to bring our three communities together.  If you are interested in joining the committee, please contact the JWP District Office.