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December 12, 2011
Dear Students, Parents and Patrons,
Today I would like to share with you my thoughts on public education. I would like to expound on what I feel is often misrepresented in our industry. In our school district, as in most across our state and nation, we are working to achieve a level of success that is measured by standardized tests. We examine the data, plan for our MAP and End of Course Assessments and align our curriculum to the standards that are assessed. The goal is to assure our students are not only gaining the knowledge and skills to be successful, but they are also ready to perform on the state required tests.
Each fall, I make the rounds to district and community events discussing the state of our district and education in general, and each year I cannot resist the opportunity to climb onto my “soap box” and discuss international comparisons and testing models. The United States remains the land of opportunity and as such does not limit the future of our students. Unlike many industrialized societies, we provide all students, regardless of our perception of their ability, a comprehensive education. In countries like China, Germany and others, students are placed in “tracks’ based on their performance and either routed into a vocational path or an academic path. This often occurs before the child reaches the age of 10. Those in the vocational path are taught skills to integrate them into the world of work and those in academic paths are the students compared to our students.
When we compare the test scores of all of our students to the top 50% or less of other countries, we cannot possibly compete. Remember, we are testing every student in our schools and they are testing only those in their academic track. Those that are placed in the vocational track are not in the same system and are not tested. By the time these students reach high school age, some of those tracks are even further segregated and comparisons are made based on 20-25% of students in many other countries. Again, we are still testing every student in our school, regardless of their future plans, course selection or academic ability. It would seem like our nation might be setting itself up for failure, but I would disagree. We are indeed positioning our nation to continue to be what our forefathers designed – a land of opportunity. I would not want to work in a nation that determined the fate and future of a student based on their academic ability at the age of 10. Developmental readiness is a foundation of our system and any good educator can tell you that children develop and attain skills at differing rates, regardless of their innate ability or potential.
Indeed, in our nation, we are preparing our students to live up to their individual potential. How many of our current leaders and scientists would have been tracked into a vocational path if it was based on their academic performance when they were 10? Our school district and those in our nation are comprehensive in their approach and give students a multitude of paths and opportunities. In addition, we produce in our educational system, not only strong students in the STEM areas (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) but strong thinkers, creative problem-solvers and true humanitarians – something our world needs.
So, in closing, I ask for your help. Do not be fooled by the media hype about our education performance and the “apples to oranges” comparisons that are made. Instead, make your decision based on what you know about the amazing, talented and capable students we have in the Blue Springs School District and the great things they will accomplish in the future. Each day I am proud to be a part of an educational system that is indeed meeting the needs of our students and giving them the greatest opportunities to reach their potential.
Sincerely,
Paul Kinder
November 22, 2011
Dear Students, Parents and Patrons,
This week marks the start of the holiday season and just like students in many of our classrooms, I think we all reflect on the people and things we are thankful for. This is my 12th year as superintendent of schools for the Blue Springs School District and I could not be more thankful for the opportunity to work in a district that puts the educational needs of students first. In addition, I am so fortunate to work side by side with the best staff in the nation and in partnership with parents that want what is best for all students.
Our school district and community are unique and unparalleled in many ways. We truly have a team approach to the education of our children and we have a rare combination of small town familiarity and metropolitan opportunities. In our district, we work hard to know our students as individuals and to know their families. With issues surrounding us in public education, I know we must remain committed to the students in our communities and their education.
Thank you for your support of our students and schools. I wish you all a safe and joyful Thanksgiving.
Sincerely,
Paul Kinder
November 11, 2011
Dear Students, Parents and Patrons,
Coming up on November 18 and 19 the Boys’ State Soccer Championships will be held at both Blue Springs South High School and Blue Springs High School. This is the first time this event has been hosted on our side of the state -- for more than 40 years, these championship games have been played in the St. Louis area. This is an opportunity for our school district to highlight our outstanding facilities and it will bring over 5,000 guests to our community. This influx of visitors could infuse our local economy with millions over the next three years with the fall Boys’ championships and the early summer Girls’ championships. If you have a chance, show your support by attending these events and cheering on the athletes who have worked so hard to make it to the state finals.
This Friday our own BSSHS Jaguars will host the state quarterfinal football game at Larry Stewart Memorial Stadium. Kick-off is at 7:15 p.m. and this is expected to be an exciting game showcasing two of the top teams in our state. While during the regular season our high schools demonstrate a healthy rivalry, when one of our teams goes on to this level of play, we all come together to cheer our outstanding athletes on.
Activities are an important part of the comprehensive education that provides a multitude of opportunities for our students to learn valuable lessons outside of the classroom setting. Our district is focused on the academic success of all students and without a doubt, hard work, commitment, dedication and team work are all valuable lessons we can impart not only in the classroom but authentically on the field, court, stage and gym.
Sincerely,
Paul Kinder
October 4, 2011
Dear Students, Parents and Patrons,
November has begun and this week we have seen a small preview of the cold weather to come. As you may know, last year we cancelled school nine times due to inclement weather. It is our hope that we will not have to do that again this school year. The decision to cancel school is not an easy one and we understand the difficult position it creates for our families and staff. Educationally we need every day scheduled to complete our curriculum, and intermittent and unexpected days off make progressing through the lessons more difficult. We also understand that last minute changes to childcare causes issues for our families and we try to avoid this whenever possible.
That being said, we always try to make decisions regarding the cancelling of school based on the safety of our students and staff. When faced with the choice to cancel school or let students out early due to cold, snowy or icy conditions, the focus is on whether our students can get safely to and from school. Not only are the road conditions a factor, but also the temperature and wind chill. These factors come into play when combined with road conditions as we calculate how long students may be required to wait at their respective bus stops and how effectively drivers can stick to their scheduled stops. Cold temperatures and winds are not as much a factor if busses are running on time and road conditions are not a factor. Couple the cold temperatures with icy roads and student safety has to take precedence. We also must consider parking lots and sidewalks that must be cleared and safe for our students and staff. With 23 schools and other sites, our maintenance staff often works through the night during the inclement weather trying to keep the lots and sidewalks safer. Their efforts are greatly appreciated and without their hard work, many more days would be lost due to the weather.
We really try to avoid closing schools unless necessary and we all know predicting the weather is not a perfect science. Because our school district spans 58 square miles there are times that parts of our communities can look passable while others are hazardous for busses and cars. When we make the decision to close schools, we will do our best to inform you as early as possible and we will continue to use our website, our automated calling system and the local media to keep our families informed. After sharing all of this, I truly hope we will not need to cancel a single day of school this year, but in recent history only the 1998-99 and 1999-2000 school years had zero cancellations. Here is hoping for a mild winter and warm weather again soon.
Sincerely,
Paul Kinder
October 27, 2011
Dear Students, Parents and Patrons,
The first quarter of our school year has gone very quickly. On Thursday, October 27 and Friday, October 28, we will have Parent/Teacher conferences throughout the district. This is a great opportunity for our parents and staff to sit down and discuss the progress students are making and ways to continue to work together.
Monday, October 31 is a professional development day for the BSSD staff. Our teachers will be collaborating, aligning curriculum and learning from our community college and university partners. These opportunities strengthen our staff and provide opportunities for professional growth and ultimately benefit our students. In addition, our teaching staff continues to work individually to increase their knowledge and skills. Over 83% of our teachers hold a master’s degree or higher. These teachers bring to the classroom their expertise in curriculum, classroom management and technology, all necessary to provide our students the greatest learning experiences.
For our students, this extended weekend is a great break. We are looking forward to having them back on November 1. I hope you all have a safe and restful weekend.
Sincerely,
Paul Kinder
October 20, 2011
Dear Students, Parents and Patrons,
On Friday, October 14, the Blue Springs School District was named the “Best Place to Work” during a luncheon held by the Kansas City Business Journal. This honor was based on surveys filled out by our staff during the summer months. We are so pleased with this outcome for two reasons. First, this tells us that we are all part of a great and highly functional team. Our staff understands their value and appreciates the efforts of our district and community to make their job meaningful and productive. Second, it means that we are doing what is best for our students. Research has always demonstrated that employees that feel their job is important and feel appreciated perform better and as a result, our students reap the benefits. We work hard to highlight the outstanding accomplishments of our students and staff but not often do we get affirmation that as a district we are doing what is right for all of the members of our learning community.
After receiving this honor, we were given detailed results including comments made by our staff about their place of work. Overall, our district received a 95% approval rating, four points higher than when we won in 2005. Our staff shared their opinion about leadership, environment, communication, collaboration and work ethic. I am sure this praise feels much like it does for our students when a teacher sends home a positive note or makes a positive call to a parent.
We truly have an amazing staff and an outstanding work environment. I cannot image any other career that is as rewarding as seeing the faces of our students light up as they master a new skill or the pride in our parents eyes when their students walk across the graduation stage. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this district and community, it is truly my honor. Click on the image below to watch a short excerpt from the award luncheon.
Sincerely,
Paul Kinder
October 10, 2011
Dear Students, Parents and Patrons,
Twenty years ago this fall, Blue Springs South High School opened its doors and a new tradition began in the Blue Springs School District. At that time, the learning community no longer stood united by a single high school experience, but instead divided. The communities that are served by the Blue Springs School District remained steadfast and united in their commitment to providing ALL students a quality educational experience in a healthy and supportive environment, and out of this desire came the birth of Community Unity Week.
Fall is so often associated with football, especially in communities such as ours where high school football is strong and supported by residents. In 1996, when BSHS and BSSHS joined the same conference, the schools and community joined together to make the event more meaningful than a cross-town rivalry. Instead, it became an opportunity for students, parents and community members to come together to show good sportsmanship and demonstrate outstanding community support by giving. Since then, Community Unity has been an annual event that challenges our students, staff, parents and community to raise funds and food items for those in need.
This year the week of October 10 through 14, our district will celebrate Community Unity Week, the sixteenth year of this outstanding tradition. The week’s events transcend a football game between our two high schools -- they are opportunities to demonstrate to our youth the importance of giving. Community Unity Week is a way for the entire community to work together in providing donations for those in need. Our 23 schools will be encouraging students, staff and parents to bring in items and monetary donations will also be collected during the week. Our District and community have strong traditions of generosity that I am sure will continue, and we are asking for help from our entire community to make this year even more successful than in the past. Community members may bring in food items or monetary donations to any of our schools or directly to the Community Services League located at 200 SW 10th Street in Blue Springs. Donations will help families who would otherwise suffer hardships when it comes to paying rent, food and heating bills.
Our high school football teams will meet on the field Friday, October 14, at Blue Springs High School’s Peve Memorial Stadium. The game will once again highlight two of the top high school teams in the state, but more importantly, it serves as a culmination of a great week of our communities coming together to show true spirit while helping those in need. Community Unity Week demonstrates a tradition of commitment and caring that exemplifies our support of patrons, neighbors, friends and students.
Sincerely,
Paul Kinder
October 3, 2011
Dear Students, Parents and Patrons,
As we begin seeing the signs of fall, we are reminded again how fast time flies and how easily opportunities to thank those around us that do so much can easily slip away. I shared with you in my last correspondence thoughts about our outstanding staff in the Blue Springs School District. I am in our schools every week and see firsthand the amazing efforts of our team.
With any team, great leadership provides the optimal results and without a doubt, the leadership provided by our Board of Education is exceptional. I had the honor of attending the Missouri School Boards’ Association annual conference with all seven of our Board members. This conference provides training opportunities and displays best practices from school districts throughout Missouri. This year was especially meaningful as our own Blue Springs School District Board of Education was one of two finalists for the Outstanding Board of Education of the Year in the category of Budget and Facilities. Our Board members competed against another district and members worked hard making sure they were ready and it showed. On Saturday, October 1, our Board made a presentation and answered questions in front of judges. In my eyes, WE are the winners for having these dedicated volunteers working for all of our students. What an incredible job they did answering the tough questions and putting all of our kids first.
Our Board successfully demonstrates what Winston Churchill stated, “If we are together nothing is impossible. If we are divided all will fail.” The decisions in our district are made for our students and personal agendas are put aside. As representatives of our communities, these volunteers bring to the table experience and common sense, and they balance needs of students well with the fiscal management of the district. I would encourage you to take the time to thank our dedicated members of the Board of Education the next time you see them because the cooperation, team spirit and perseverance they demonstrate sets the tone for our entire district, and it is the example we all work to emulate.
Enjoy the great fall weather while it lasts! As the days continue to fly by winter cannot be far behind. Thank you for the opportunity to serve you, your students and our community.
Sincerely,
Paul Kinder
September 19, 2011
Dear Parents, Patrons and Students,
We have had a great start to our school year and I am once again amazed at the caliber of students and support of our parents and community. I would like to also share with you what an amazing staff we have in the Blue Springs School District.
In the last year our district, like most in our state and nation, has worked hard to trim the budget and make sure we are still providing the best opportunities for our students. Over the last three years we have reduced staff by 211 positions to help reduce costs. This was done not by laying off staff but through attrition. We did not replace those that resigned or retired. As a result of these efforts and other cost savings initiatives, we reduced our district budget by over $16.5 million. Our district did this while trying hard not to impact instruction and the quality programs that we are proud to offer. Staff felt the greatest strain amidst these cutbacks. They were asked to take on additional roles for those not replaced. Their salaries were frozen for the 2010-11 school year and yet they were all asked to do more with less, AND THEY DID. Our staff stepped up to the challenge, and did more than survive; they thrived.
I am proud to say that all indicators have demonstrated that staff have shouldered the strain, shared the struggle and shown again their dedication and commitment to student success. We recently received our Missouri Assessment results and once again, students are scoring well. In fact, our scores are among the highest in the state and all are above state average. In addition, students are still offered opportunities to excel outside the classroom and they continue to learn valuable life lessons on the field, stage, gym, and in our community.
This fall, while the economy has not recovered, our district has stabilized for now. Because of the cuts we have made over the past three years, this year we did not implement any additional cuts. We were one of the few districts in the area that hired staff. Now I do not want to mislead you to believe that we are back to normal. We are still working with less staff than we had in 2008 and our budget is still being closely monitored. Reductions across the board have remained and we are together watching the bottom line. Yet, the ability to replace those that retired last spring has allowed us not to feel any further strain and our hope is that we can remain strong until the economy solidifies.
An additional indicator of the positive direction in which we are headed has been two-fold. First, in August our district was notified that it had been nominated for the Kansas City Business Journal’s “Best Places to Work” award. This is a survey based system in which staff are asked to rate their place of work based on criteria such as climate, job satisfaction and value. Even though our staff has endured the brunt of the financial crunch, they still think what they do is important and where they work is a good place. We were notified just recently that the district is now a finalist for this honor. As an employer of more than 1,900 staff, we are considered a large business and are competing against local companies including: Argosy Casino, Burns & McDonnell, Children’s Mercy Hospital, Harrah’s, Henderson Engineering, JE Dunn, St. Luke’s Health System, Teva Neuroscience and UMB Bank. We will know the results on October 14 but regardless of the outcome, I feel the greatest honor is being supported by our staff. Second, the Blue Springs School District Board of Education was also named one of two finalists for the Outstanding School Board of the Year by the Missouri School Boards’ Association. This is in the category of Budget and Facilities, two things I feel our Board is exceptional at overseeing. Our Board of Education does an outstanding job representing the community and putting the best interest of all students first and I am very excited to see them recognized for their efforts.
In closing, I want to share with you a video clip from our recent convocation. Senior Kate McFerren spoke to district teachers about the important job they do and their purpose while sharing her own. On the left is the video clip, click on the center of the image to view. Please take a few minutes to watch, listen and be reminded what amazing young people we have the good fortune of educating in our district.
Sincerely,
Paul Kinder
September 5, 2011
Dear Students, Parents and Patrons,
I would like to welcome you back for another exciting year in the Blue Springs School District. We are always anxious to get another year started and get back to the business of teaching and learning. Without a doubt, this will be a year to remember. We are very fortunate in our district to have the outstanding support of parents and our community. Our district continues to excel because of the team approach we demonstrate each day.
The last couple of years have been challenging for education, not just in our communities but across the nation. Funding has been the topic for so many months yet we must continually remind ourselves that the focus must remain on student success. You may find the glass "half-empty" mentality other places, but we prefer to see ours as "not quite full." We know how fortunate we are to have amazing students, highly trained and dedicated staff, supportive parents and an engaged community. These factors by far outweigh any deficits we have in funding and students still remain our first priority and our bottom line.
We must continue to monitor the allocation of our resources, yet in our district, we have an outstanding Board of Education that took the initiative to trim the budget and made tough decisions over the last four years. As a result, we are financially strong and are continuing to meet the needs of our students. This does not mean that we do not have to be cautious with spending. We have always worked hard to provide the necessary resources and staff for the benefit of our students in a way that does not overburden our local taxpayers. We will continue to do so, and we will also continue to ask for your support of our students and schools.
Thank you for trusting us to educate your children. It is an honor and privilege to serve you as Superintendent of the Blue Springs School District. Together we can provide our students the greatest opportunities for success.
Sincerely,
Paul Kinder |
