Superintendent's Message for December 2023

Hello, Chargers !!

I can’t believe December is half over for our students.  Time flies, and enjoying all the little things that happen daily is important.  My kids are in their 20s, and I can’t believe how fast it has gone.  Please take the time to invest in interests and activities while they are still at home.

Virtual Learning Days

As stated last month, December 22nd will be a virtual learning day for our students so our buses will not be running that day, and the school buildings will not be open.  Moving forward, we only plan to use future virtual learning days if necessary, which means the winter was not kind to us. We realize the virtual days during COVID-19 were no treat for any of us, and we do not want to experience that again.  The main difference with these virtual learning days is that they will be intentionally planned, unlike during COVID-19, which was more of an emergency with very little time to plan for staff, students, and parents to prepare. With an open mindset, we can make these more productive and enjoyable. 

The first two school cancellations due to weather will be traditional snow days - no virtual learning will take place, and the missed school day(s) will be made up in May, if necessary, by extending our school calendar as done in the past.  I will continue communicating our plan so parents, students, and staff can plan accordingly. 

I know many parents work and may need older siblings or relatives to help in these situations. ALL learning during virtual days will be recursive, meaning 95% of the learning has already been covered, and the students should be able to work independently.  Whoever is monitoring your children can make this experience fun and rewarding.  Taking an interest in what your child is doing and letting them “show you” is a rewarding experience for both parties involved.  Shutting down personal devices, TVs, and radios can be good.  Let's all hope for a mild winter with little disruption in our school year.

Important Notice:  Procedures and Board Policies to Address the School Board in the Public Meeting

In revisiting our school board policies, we discovered that we need to change how we administer current policies and procedures regarding visitors speaking at our open board meetings.  We discussed whether these policies need to be revised or whether we should follow the established practices of our districts stated in Board policy.  The CCSD School Board decided to follow our current policies.  Starting next month, January 8, 2024, we will be following our established procedures and policies which are outlined in this link - Board Policies and Procedures to Address the School Board.  If you have trouble opening the link, the main point of the policies is as follows: Citizens wishing to address the board on a certain agenda item must notify the superintendent prior to the board meeting.  Another point is that Individuals who have a complaint about employees may bring their complaint to the board only after they have followed board policy addressing citizens' complaints.  In no way is the School Board or myself trying to hamper the public from speaking - in fact, we both encourage public communication and their voice to be heard.  If you plan to address the School Board next month or in the future, please review the attached link for the procedures and stipulations to do so - otherwise, your request will have to wait until the next scheduled Board meeting. If in doubt after reading the information - call me for questions or guidance you may need to ensure we can meet your request.  I’d be happy to help!  

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Curriculum for 2023-24

In the 2024-25 school year, the Chariton Community School District will adopt a Social Emotional Learning (SEL) curriculum/program, Capturing Kids’ Hearts (CKH).  This professional development program is for all K-12 staff. It will equip the staff to implement a transformational process throughout the district that focuses on social-emotional well-being, creating a relationship-driven culture, and increasing student connectedness. The program is designed to help build healthy relationships with students and create high-achieving learning environments. We will have access to expert coaching and personalized support as a district. Capturing Kids’ Hearts is centered on the core value of building relationships between staff and students. Capturing Kids’ Hearts helps create a district-wide climate of positivity, increasing student attendance and achievement, decreasing discipline referrals, and increasing teacher satisfaction. This is more than a curriculum or program.  It is a district initiative of how we will operate as a staff and school district.  ALL employees will receive initial training and ongoing professional development to learn and fully incorporate the skills and strategies in their everyday responsibilities.  We are excited to begin this process.

I would like to publicly thank our counseling staff and staff members who helped pilot the programs under consideration.  I have been involved with Capturing Kids’ Hearts since 2000, and I don’t think we could have made a better choice for our students and school district.  

School Business and School Board Highlights 

The CCSD School Board approved an early resignation incentive of $1,500 dollars to certified teachers and administrators who intend to resign, effective at the end of the 2023-24 school year. To qualify, they must email the Superintendent or deliver it to Central Office staff by 4:00 PM on January 5, 2024. A lump sum of $1,500 will be paid on their May payroll check. 

They also approved the district’s newly formed Reconsideration Team, required by new legislation,  tasked with reviewing library material and resources when a formal request for consideration is made by a public member concerning the content of our library materials.

The final highlight of the School Board was the approval of the drawings and specifications by 10 Fold Architecture + Engineering for our Van Allen Elementary and Columbus Elementary Window Replacement Project. These are just a few highlights of the business they conducted on December 11, 2023.  For the complete agenda and minutes, visit our school website. 

Celebrations

The Charger Dance Team, under the direction of Coach Chelsey Wickett, competed in the State Dance Competition in Des Moines at Wells Fargo Arena.  They did a wonderful job and received a police and fire truck escort out of town to celebrate their state dance experience.  The team members below are Breckyn McGee, Macy Farrell, Maddison Howell, Karcyn Michael, Lillian Bishop, Madelyn Poling, and Cori Geesaman. 

Mr. Kraber and the CCSD High School Band performed on December 4th at Johnson Auditorium.  The concert featured the songs Heartstrings, Exaltation, The Toy Shop, and my personal favorite, Portraits In Time.  The band members enjoyed presenting the selected pieces above to the community.  A newly formed community band, which will also contain some of our high school band members,  will be performing another concert for the community on December 12th.  The performance will start at 7:00 PM, so mark your calendars and plan to attend.

Lastly, I want to feature and thank our basketball and wrestling cheerleaders and our CCSD Pep Band.  They work hard throughout the winter sports season to help create an atmosphere we can all be proud of.  I challenge everyone to thank them when you get a chance - they deserve it!!!  Thank you very much!!!!

GO CHARGERS AND THINK BIG !!!!  

Mr. Baker  #LBE

Phone - 641-774-5967

Email- brad.baker@chariton.k12.ia.us

Twitter -  @Super_Charger