The 2012-2013 school year is filled with promise for the coming year – for our students and our school community.
I cannot remember a time in the history of education where so much reform is coming so fast. We are running at full speed to implement educational initiatives that will align student achievement data with professional performance review, developing student learning objectives for assessments and implementing a core curriculum model.
There is a flood of acronyms for all of these mandates, but what we need to remember is we are working to improve educational achievement for all students.
The coming year will be filled with challenges and we are prepared to adapt and change to improve educational experiences and outcomes for our children. In addition to reconstructing our educational program, our campus has been undergoing extensive renovations with the capital project.
These renovations, upgrades and replacements will help us continue to move ahead in our efforts to operate more efficiently and focus funds toward educational programming.
In an effort to conserve resources and streamline efficiencies, the District has contracted with Energy Education and has appointed an energy specialist to work within the District to educate staff and students about and implement energy saving measures.
Energy Education has helped school districts and other educational organizations nationwide reduce energy consumption for 26 years, allowing funds to be directed to education.
Mark Gardner, a veteran teacher in our District, has been appointed as energy educator. In this role, he will monitor energy usage in the buildings and collaborating with colleagues across the District to reduce our energy consumption and reduce costs. More information about this initiative will be published in upcoming District publications and on our website.
The Board of Education has also set the course for the coming year by establishing District Goals for 2012-2013. These goals, listed below, will help us focus our efforts in all areas of educational programming and operations.
· Lake Shore Central Schools will provide school students with a safe and supportive environment free from discrimination, intimidation, taunting, harassment, and bullying.
· Lake Shore Central Schools will continue to make adequate yearly progress on accountability measures to continue to earn New York State Education Department designation as a District in Good Standing.
· The District will cultivate an appropriate educational environment of high expectations and challenging instructional programs, providing students with the climate, knowledge and skills necessary for improved performance on both District benchmark assessments and NYS assessments.
· The District graduation rate will annually increase until it reaches 100%, with a greater percent of students achieving Regents Diplomas with Advanced Designation status.
· The district will maintain and enhance communication efforts for greater organization, consistency, timeliness, accuracy, increased family engagement and promotion of student, staff and District achievements.
· The Board of Education and the Administrative Cabinet will continue to demonstrate fiscal responsibility by reviewing enrollment, programming, procedures and initiatives for effectiveness, success and emerging needs and opportunities.
· The Board of Education will support a technology blueprint that meets our hardware, software and network needs for the implementation of our District Technology Plan.
Thank you for your continued support of our schools and the educational program we offer our students. Should you encounter problems or have questions during the year, please feel free to contact me or the building principals or appropriate administrator. I look forward to a very successful 2012-13 school year for your children.
James E. Przepasniak
Superintendent of Schools
