Tomorrow the students will be here, and by the end of the week you'll probably feel like you had never left for summer vacation. When thinking about the start of the year, I forgot to talk to you all about one way to begin to build positive relationships with your students: greeting them each morning as they enter your classroom. Not only does create a built in connecting time with your students, it can also give you insight regarding what a child's evening or morning may have been like prior to coming to school.
At the district Welcome Back, you had an opportunity to learn more about Dr. Nick Oullette and his beliefs and values around education. I wanted to share with you his introductory letter regarding his goals for this year. If you have an event you'd like him to attend, he'd love to receive an email from you. If he can make the event, he will.
"I am excited to begin the 2015-16 school year with a dedicated team who are committed to providing the best education for Hudson's students. I have three goals in mind as I set out upon my first year as Superintendent of the Hudson School District. First, I would like to listen and learn about the school district and the goals set forth to ensure a successful and seamless transition as Superintendent. Second, I would like to get to know all the stakeholders in the Hudson community. From the students who count on our education to prepare them for their future, to the parents who have entrusted us with their children, their most valued asset. From the staff that have dedicated their lives to the service of our kids, to the community members who rely upon us to be good stewards of both their tax dollars and their trust. Each of these groups is an important part of a successful school district. Lastly, I want to ensure that the community and all stakeholders believe in what we are doing as a school district. I want to build upon the great successes of the district and rally community support around an organization that truly has the best interest of all that it serves. Understanding where we want to go, hearing from those to help set the direction, and building trust and belief in what we are doing sums up what I want to work towards this first year.
I want to thank the Board of Education for the opportunity to lead such an outstanding school district. My family and I look forward to being active members of Hudson's vibrant community which clearly takes pride in Hudson School District's tradition of academic success."
Dr. Nick Ouellette
Superintendent of Schools
Finally as you utilize my blog for the 15-16 school year, I wanted to point out some resources I've linked through the use of tabs at the top of this entry. You'll now have direct access to the HSD PD site, HSD Educator Effectiveness Resources which includes the timeline for the 15-16 school year, as well as your requirements over your three year evaluation cycle for both teachers and specialists (two separate documents). I've included the calendar for scheduling substitutes for District PD, support for new teachers, Amanda McCarthy's blog and a PBIS website the PBIS Tier I team will be using this year to assist teachers with additional Tier I and Tier II techniques.
I look forward to having you all back in the building tomorrow, and wish you a great start to the year cultivating another crop of students!
Dolf
