POINTS OF PRIDE: George - Little Rock

George-Little Rock Superintendent Steve Barber

Welcome to George-Little Rock Community School District - home of the Mustangs - where, according to their website,  they believe:

1.) all people can learn and succeed;
2.) every person is a valued participant in the life long learning process;
3.) application of knowledge enhances learning;
4.) the basic moral attitudes of the community will be reflected in their educational program;
5.) all people must learn to adapt to change;
6.) all people have worth;
7.) quality education is the foundation of a productive society;
8.) education plays a vital role in developing a well-rounded individual
9.) education must take place in a safe environment; and
10.) high expectations are a must.

District Demographics:

Enrollment   453

Free/Reduced Lunch  38% 

Hands on learning activities in this district include a creative curriculum in preschool (discovery
learning through play) and Pint Size Science in Kindergarten (hands on learning activities for discovery learning related to science concepts). Mock trial, Lego League, and HS Robotics make learning in these areas authentic and engaging.  Five students attended NASA camp where they were put on teams and given 48 hours to solve a problem.  The Drama Department is very active-79 were involved in large group competition.  FFA is active & provides a strong connection to the community.  Many students participate in the music programs.  Engaged learning is valued.

In this district CGI (Cognitive Guided Instruction) has been adopted for math with training two days before school began.  The elementary holds a STEM Day where community members and high school students coordinate and teach a variety of STEM lessons.  In an effort to meet the needs of students, George-Little Rock also provides an intensive summers school program - 90 minutes for three weeks after the school year ends and 90 minutes for three weeks in August.  

The PBL concept has added excitement to learning in this district.  Project Based Learning (PBL) provided a "Genius Week" where students were challenged to create something or fix a problem.  They submitted their proposal to a committee before break.  During break,  resources were organized.  After break, each group worked through the project with presentations taking place at the end of the week.  Staff embraced this PBL project, and it was well received by students.  Teachers were the resource and facilitated the learning.  It helped to energize learning in the school.  In the words of Superintendent Barber, "When you experiment and try something different, it's the process that is valued.  It does not matter if you fail or not." 

Mr. Barber said that Professional Learning Communities in his district have empowered the teachers to lead in instruction.  Through the PLC framework, teachers are studying Learning by Design and strategy development. This helps to provide essential questions that drive and keep instruction relevant for students.  Challenging traditional pedagogies is difficult, but the George-Little Rock mission for instruction is "Through collaboration we will enhance instructional strategies that will improve student achievement."  This mission along with the PLC framework have helped to create a strong climate and culture in this school district. 

An active School Improvement Advisory Council (SIAC) which met six times this past year, involves the community and parents who provide input into improving their district.  This group meets on Fridays from 11-1 with lunch provided and focused discussions.  Everyone leaves energized and excited about what is happening at George-Little Rock.  

Enhancements have taken place here.  Their auditorium seats over 440 people.  A new commons area and a new gym have added to school pride.

Are the ten beliefs listed on the George-Little Rock website more than just words?  You bet - just visit the district and see for yourself.

POINTS of PRIDE: Sibley-Ocheyeden

The Mission of Sibley-Ocheyeden: 

To provide the best possible education within a stimulating environment while building a foundation for lifelong learning though a variety of academic, interpersonal, and co-curricular activities involving the entire community.

Sibley-Ocheyeden School District, according to Superintendent Bill Boer, is a place where teachers are student focused and care about kids - where, in his words, teachers are "green and growing" and NOT "ripe and rotting." Mr. Boer has been the superintendent here for almost two years.

District Demographics:
Enrollment   775
Free/Reduced Lunch  43%
ELL   45 students from Mexico
Schools - Elementary PK-4;  Middle School grades 5-8; High School grades 9-12

How is the district moving forward?  With a 2 hour early out each month, grades K-2 are focused on Foundations of Reading and grades 3-12 are focused on Authentic Intellectural Work  A book study on Teaching with Poverty in Mind has been assisting in meetin the needs of their families.   In an effort to help parents understand what students are learning, currently, the elementary uses standards-based report cards which will eventually transition into the 5th and 6th grade.

Points of Pride at the secondary level include a growing FFA program.  The community is raising money to support the hiring of an additional teacher.  According to Mr. Boer, the Fine Arts program is "tops" with nearly 50% of the high school student body participating in chorus and band.  Over 100 participate in marching band and the flag corps.  Students can take online college classes through NICC and there is an in-house teacher who provides a college credit computer class.  The fall musical was a spectacular presentation of "Annie."  Sports teams have also experienced success this year with the football team making the playoffs and 7 wrestlers qualifying for the state meet with 3 placing.

In the area of STEM this district has Pint Size Science - introducing children to STEM topics through discovery learning. This program uses a hands-on approach that engages and inspires young minds to explore scientific phenomena.  They also have the Kid Wind Competition where students learn about wind energy technology.  To add to their STEM offerings, the high school has a robotics class.  There is also a partnership with Iowa State extension service for STEM actiities in the summer.

While visiting one of their schools,  students were busy walking through a giant heart - exploring its chambers and getting a bird's eye view of what keeps life coursing through our veins.  Hands-on learning, exploration, and student involvement - all qualities that make learning come alive for children. 

Community partnerships are strong with the building of a fitness center to which the schools have access as well as the local day care having been built by the hospital.  Quality education is valued and appreciated here at Sibley-Ocheyeden! 

POINTS of PRIDE: Waverly-Shell Rock Middle School

Waverly-Shell Rock Go-Hawks Motto:
"Creating a passion for learning that will sustain students for a lifetime!"

Waverly-Shell Rock is an example of taking a negative such as a natural disaster and turning it into a positive.  Their middle school, in a district of close to 2000 students, is a result of flooding in the area as well as community support through a bond issue.  They spent three years in a strip mall as a result of the flood before moving into these stellar facilities resulting in people saying, "From the mall to the Taj Mahal!"

District Demographics:
4 Elementary schools grades K-4
1 Middle School grade 5-8
1 High School grades 9-12
There is a residential facility for students who do not live in their homes - Bremwood
Within the high school, there is an alternative high school.
There is a partnership with both Wartburg (field experiences and student teachers) and University of Northern Iowa (middle level educators participate in field experiences).

The middle school houses grades 5-8 with approximately 675 students.  Free and reduced lunch runs between 18-19%.  The facility is lovely - organized into wings for easy location and the architect has built in room for expansion.  The Fine Arts wing boasts sound proof walls. Science and art rooms have a prep room between them for storage and preparation for hands on activities.  The Wellness Wing houses the gym and athletic facilities.  The auditorium also serves as a safe room.  In all rooms, teachers were able to design their rooms by choosing the styles of cabinetry. Many have seats that rotate so students can face the speaker where ever they are in the room.  Each room has three whiteboard tables.  Student computers are iPads and rooms have Apple TVs with interactivity through projectors.  Art has a "clean shop" and a "dirty shop," depending on the type of art projects being created.  The Family Consumer Science room has 30 sewing machines, 6 kitchen areas, and accommodates Human Growth and Development classes (4 weeks each for both 7th and 8th grade).   7th and 8th graders also have art and Gateway to Technology (a Project Lead the Way program for middle school).  A 3D printer helps in the creation of projects in the Gateway classes.  For 5th and 6th graders, there is art, music, PE, and recess two times per week.

Initiatives at Waverly-Shell Rock include instructional rounds.  During these visits, classrooms are examined for differentiation of instruction and teaching for learning differences.  Their Teacher Quality money is used to hire substitute teachers so teachers can visit other classrooms in their building, at the elementary, and at the high school in order to develop a K-12 vision.

Anthony J. D'Angleo once said, "Develop a passion for learning.  If you do, you will never cease to grow."   One cannot help but feel the passion for learning at Waverly-Shell Rock.  Facilities are important but most important is the heartbeat of passionate educators who strive to do their best.  Waverly-Shell Rock possesses both.