On Wednesday night I was in Moose Pass to watch the students sing Christmas songs and play piano as part of their holiday program. It was a nice show and fun to watch the young students in action. What impressed me most about the event, was how at ease the students seemed in front of the audience. I attribute this comfort to the intimacy of the small community and once again recognize that there is a lot of benefit to being raised in a small town where everyone knows your name.
When I meet with other Alaskan superintendents they tell me that KPBSD has to be one of the most difficult districts in the state to administer. They point to the large number of schools, the distances between them and their wide range of sizes. While I agree that these do present a challenge, I like to think that our diversity offers a collective strength that may be absent elsewhere. Sitting in the audience on Wednesday at Moose Pass is a lot different than doing the same in Kenai. Yet, the strong support for our students that I see in each of our communities assures me that the nucleus of what is needed for a good school district is in place. Our challenge is to create ways for all our schools to benefit from the strengths of our varied school communities.
Although it is hard to believe, the first semester of the school year is ending. Thanks to all of our staff, parents and community members for all that you do for our students.
Strength in our diverse set of schools
On Wednesday night I was in Moose Pass to watch the students sing Christmas songs and play piano as part of their holiday program. It was a nice show and fun to watch the young students in action. What impressed me most about the event, was how at ease the students seemed in front of the audience. I attribute this comfort to the intimacy of the small community and once again recognize that there is a lot of benefit to being raised in a small town where everyone knows your name.
When I meet with other Alaskan superintendents they tell me that KPBSD has to be one of the most difficult districts in the state to administer. They point to the large number of schools, the distances between them and their wide range of sizes. While I agree that these do present a challenge, I like to think that our diversity offers a collective strength that may be absent elsewhere. Sitting in the audience on Wednesday at Moose Pass is a lot different than doing the same in Kenai. Yet, the strong support for our students that I see in each of our communities assures me that the nucleus of what is needed for a good school district is in place. Our challenge is to create ways for all our schools to benefit from the strengths of our varied school communities.
Although it is hard to believe, the first semester of the school year is ending. Thanks to all of our staff, parents and community members for all that you do for our students.
Happy New Year.