COMMENTS

ORTING SCHOOL DISTRICT REPORT CARD

By: Michelle Curry November 6, 2009

Since our last report, we have seen significant changes at the state and national level that will have a lasting impact on our schools. The No Child Left Behind Act puts national emphasis on the importance of the success of every student we serve — a focus that is appropriate and will require serious effort at every level to ensure we are successful in fulfilling the Act’s intent. As a state, we have been fortunate to have leadership that recognized the importance of education and placed it in the forefront of public policy debates. It is clear that the focus on educational improvement in Washington will continue, and that we may well enjoy more collaborative efforts that will help all our schools move to the next level of excellence.

Washington State law requires that school district’s provide community members with annual progress reports in the following areas: student academic achievement in reading, writing, math, and science; and actual revenue and expenditures for the district for the preceding school year. I strongly support this requirement for public accountability and encourage all of our citizens to carefully review the information contained in this report. In addition, please visit the OSPI website at www.k12.wa.us for more detailed information about Orting School District or other districts in the State of Washington. However, I’d like to also highlight for you some of the key initiatives we’re engaged in to significantly raise the level of student achievement in our public schools.

Our elementary math program, Every Day Math, has been modified to meet new state standards in the subject area. Kindergarten through fifth-grade teachers received planning and pacing guides as well as professional development for the program. Teacher planning time is being spent reviewing math data and developing strategies to help struggling students become proficient. At the Middle School, a math lead teacher has been hired to support math instruction and strategies. Students may also take summer school math and language arts classes to improve. For our middle school students, after school tutoring is offered and we are working with the high school to examine data and strategies to support student achievement. At the high school, students can participate in programs during and after school for additional math instruction and guided practice. For those students who have not met standards, the development of student learning plans allows for individualized attention and instruction.

In addition to school-level improvement initiatives, as a District we have hired a half-time literacy coach and half-time individual to review the K-5 math program. We have also collaborated with neighboring districts to align the math curriculum to new state math standards. District staff will continue to examine data to develop appropriate professional development opportunities for teachers. To ensure a strong educational experience for our students, I have implemented an Instructional Council to review student achievement data, strategies and research to strengthen instructional practice and student performance.

Part of preparing students for a changing tomorrow involves providing them the opportunity to pursue a rewarding and fulfilling career path. In order to equip Orting graduates with the tools necessary to achieve professional and personal goals, post-high school education is paramount. A key piece for college admission is the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT®), and as we all know, preparation and practice for any important test is critical to performing well. Because we want all of our students to do the best possible job on the SAT®, all Orting juniors will be taking

This a significant change from previous years when only a fraction of our juniors took the PSAT in the evening after school and for many students after sports. We encourage parents, staff and community members to support our juniors to do their very best. The fee for the test was paid for by the district because of the importance of the test.

The quality of the system continues to attract outstanding teachers and administrators to Orting School District. Each one of our talented and experienced administrators is a lifelong learner. They understand that teaching in the 21st century is no longer about merely developing skills and content knowledge. The focus must be helping all students achieve mastery of grade level standards while simultaneously helping them develop the ability to think, to reason, to analyze, to communicate ideas orally and in writing, to interpret data, to synthesize information, to utilize latest technology, to work collaboratively on culturally diverse teams of people, and becoming productive, compassionate citizens. The key to continued success will be the great performance of the people who serve in our schools and classrooms.

We will face a number of challenges in the near future, but with your continued help and support, our schools will continue their path to the next level of excellence. Visit your local school, feel the energy and help us make a difference in the futures of the young men and women of Orting! Truly, Orting students are “Learning Today, For a Changing Tomorrow.