This week's bloggers are the superintendents of Greater Cincinnati's three largest public school districts in Cincinnati, Covington and Newport, respectively. Together, they're collaborating on a holistic initiative called 'Strive' with over 300 regional partners working to ensure the success of each and every student in their districts. And they're not only embracing the initiative, they're a big part of why it's working and why other states are closely watching our region's progress with education reform.
read full bio
Striving Together
Posted By: Mary Ronan, Lynda Jackson & Mike Brandt
5/6/2010
The Newport Independent School District is going through some exciting and innovative changes as we begin the 2010-2011 school year.
This process of change was initiated by the work of the facilities planning committee which began in June of 2009. The committee was made up of district administrators, teachers, parents, business/community representatives, and the Newport Board. Their research and analysis led them to make a recommendation for consolidating schools within the Newport Independent School System. Their recommendations reflected the necessity of closing at least one school in the district and reconfiguring the remaining four schools to best accommodate student development and instruction. As a result, the four remaining schools in the Newport Independent School System will be structured as follows: Newport Primary School (at the current A.D. Owens Elementary site) for all students in grades K-3; Newport Intermediate School (at the current 4th Street Elementary site) for all student in grades 4-6; Newport Junior High (at the current Newport Middle School site) for all students in grades 7-9; and Newport High School will remain at its current site serving students grades 10-12. The current Mildred Dean Elementary site will close in June 2010.
We believe that the new reconfiguration of our schools will present some exceptional opportunities for stronger curriculum alignment, increased parental involvement, targeted professional development, additional co-curricular activities, more efficient use of energy and facilities, and more effective allocation of financial resources.
With all of this said, our school district cannot do it alone. We must utilize the services of local agencies and supporters to ensure our students, parents, and teachers have access to the support services, resources, and enrichment opportunities necessary for all students to achieve success. Through the use of STRIVE, Student Success Networks, and community partners; we can build a community support structure to help our students reach their full potential while meeting the holistic needs of each child. Thus, we can build a bridge between student academic success and successful transitions to adult life by providing the appropriate programming based on student needs. It is imperative to have local community and agency support to complete our objectives and goals to develop successful students into productive citizens as lifelong learners.
Mike Brandt is the Superintendent of Newport Public Schools.