Dear Bellevue Independent Families,
Fall has arrived and even though temperatures remain hot outside while writing this, a cool down is on the way. Fall is the time we eagerly welcome back crisp air, comfy sweaters, and pumpkin-spice everything. Fall also brings about many activities and this will certainly be a busy month. First, Fall Break is just around the corner. Schools will be closed October 6 and 10 for students, families, and staff to enjoy a time of rest and relaxation.
The end of the first nine weeks takes place on October 13. It is hard to believe the school year will already be a quarter of the way through. Parent/Teacher conferences for Grandview Elementary will take place between October 16-20. Be on the lookout for information from your child’s teacher. Bellevue Middle/High School will have their conferences on November 8.
Additionally, we will celebrate Safe Schools and Red Ribbon Weeks this month. Students will participate in a variety of activities reminding them of the importance to live a safe, healthy, and drug free life. Grandview Elementary will host a Fall Festival on Saturday, October 28 and the BMHS Athletic Boosters will host a Trunk or Treat on October 21. Also, fall sports remain in action with soccer, volleyball, cross country, and football. There is still time to come out and support our hard-working student athletes and coaches.
During this month we will receive our 22-23 assessment scores. Teachers and administrators excitedly, yet anxiously study, the data hoping the results show the tremendous efforts made by their students. As a former teacher, I remember this time well. Although I could rest in the fact that I did my best each day, I was a nervous wreck when the scores hit my hands. I took each score personally and celebrated when students did well and cringed when I knew improvements could have been made.
High stakes accountability is the conventional structure of education. Test scores are important indicators of academic achievement, but they are just one measure. There are many things scores don’t show. For example, it doesn’t show the commitment of a teacher attending a student’s basketball game because they asked them to be there. The scores don’t evaluate how many times a student reached out to a counselor because of issues at home. The scores don’t consider the number of times a teacher worked with a driven student on a math problem or English paper. These assessments don’t measure musical or artistic abilities gained by being a part of a student organization or class. Lastly, test scores don’t measure the leadership and citizenship that is essential to flourish both in and out of the classroom. These test scores show a snapshot of students’ academic knowledge measured in one week.
Accountability is a wonderful and necessary component in any environment. Everyone needs to be held accountable to the words they say and the work they produce. As the superintendent, I hold myself and all of our staff members accountable to do their jobs in the best interest of students while remembering our vision and mission and honoring our core values. Our teachers and administrators are accountable for student learning and outcomes. Our students, too, are held accountable for their learning and outcomes.
However, there is great difficulty in maintaining accountability among districts across the state. The 171 districts in Kentucky range in various sizes, regions, and affluence.
It is important to look past the printed scores and experience everything that is taking place in schools. Teachers are instructing students with valuable knowledge that will prepare them for the next grade level and life outside of school. Students are experiencing hands-on education and therefore apply learned concepts to real life situations. They are using technology to discover creative alternatives to traditional approaches. They are involved in extracurricular activities that will teach them to communicate well with team members.
When you truly look within a school district, you will see so much more than a number-- you will see determination, encouragement, engaged learning, opportunities, success, challenge, and love. When you analyze your student’s test score, remember to focus on the individual and not the standard. At Bellevue Schools, we believe each student has the potential to succeed by achieving goals they have set; I hope you view your student in the same way.
It is always exciting to be a Tiger. Bellevue IS a great school system with a vision of Developing Courageous Thinkers and Confident Learners ready to thrive and positively impact the world around them through our mission of creating an Engaging environment, where we Equip students with essential skills; Empowering them to accomplish their goals. I am very proud of the accomplishments made by our students and staff thus far and look forward to everyone working together to create many more throughout the year.
With Tiger Pride,
Misty Middleton, Superintendent