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Superintendent's Notes

November 3, 2009

I enjoy reading press releases about schools that have begun a new project or service. It shows how schools are trying to keep up with this ever changing world. One example of this was a press release today in a newspaper that told about how “technologically advanced” a particular school district was by beginning a new program. The reason that I find these stories so interesting is that many of these programs are old news to little old Comstock. Here are some examples:

• Raptor Technology. This is the system that we use to keep track of our visitors to the school. This system also checks every visitor against the Sex Offender Database. I read a couple of months ago where a large district was implementing this system and how cutting edge they were. Comstock has had this system in place for (yawn) 5 years now!
• Mass messaging system. This is the technology we use to send recorded phone and email messages to our parents. It is with regularity that I read about districts implementing this ‘new’ technology. Little old Comstock is now in its (another yawn) 4th year of using this system.
• Promethean Boards (Smart Boards). With the flood of Stimulus monies, many districts are taking the huge step of purchasing this cutting edge technology for their classrooms. It literally changes the way teachers teach. Once more, Comstock is out front. We are in the (now I am getting sleepy) 2nd year of enjoying this technology.
• One-to-One Laptop Projects. Again, with the massive amounts of Stimulus monies, many schools are implementing One-to-One Laptop Projects. I read today about how “cutting edge” two particular district were because they are beginning laptop projects. Who would have ever thought that Comstock would be “cutting edge”? We are now in the 2nd year of our One-to-One Laptop Project in our high school.
• H1N1 Scare. With the recent scare about the H1N1 virus, many schools are beginning to provide hand sanitizing stations in bathrooms and classrooms. Once again, Comstock is leading the pack. We installed hand sanitizing stations in our classrooms and bathrooms during the summer of 2008.

Comstock should pat itself on the back. No, in reality, Comstock parents and students should shake the hands of the members of the School Board. They are the ones that have had the foresight to take the giant steps to ensure that Comstock ISD is indeed ahead of the pack. The trick is remaining there and keeping up with the speed of change.

 

October 10, 2009

Open House will be a little late this year. Historically, we have had Open House in September. Our goal is to make Open House will be a little different this year. It is scheduled for Thursday, October 22nd. We will begin the festivities at 5:30 PM, when parents can visit their children’s rooms. At 6:00PM, we will gather again in the cafeteria to hear our special speaker for the evening. We will conclude the evening with a meal prepared by the PTO.
Our speaker, Aric Bostick, is one of the most inspiring and sought after motivators for students in junior high, high school and universities around the country. He will be sharing his powerful message of how students can live their dreams with parents at Comstock School on October 22 at 6:15PM.
Bostick has spoken to over half a million teens, adults and youth leaders across the country. He also hosts the Camp of CHAMPS for Gen Y, today’s generation of teenagers. He is known for helping kids set clear goals and develop their own plans for success so they can start living their dreams, not later in life but right now.
As an extension of his work with kids, Bostick also helps parents, educators and adults to “speak teenager.” He taps into what makes kids tick and shows the adults around them how to communicate effectively, respectfully and authentically. “So much of what adults want to communicate to kids is great, but unfortunately it gets lost in translation,” says Bostick. “My hope is to inspire adults to empower the kids they parent, teach or employ.”
Bostick has been nicknamed “Mr. Enthusiasm” for his ability to fire up and inspire any audience. He believes that every child can realize his potential and aims to share the essential tools for successful living.
While his speaking engagements with kids are highly effective, it’s the adults and educators who are “in the trenches” each day. “Our kids, although they sometimes seem so tough on the outside, are so impressionable,” says Bostick. “They can be lost with just one word, one look. Adults need to be aware of what they are saying, what they are not saying, and their manner of delivery in order to ensure success with today’s students.”
Please take a moment to visit Aric’s website, http://www.aricbostick.com . We are very excited to have him speak to our students as well as to parents. We hope that this year’s Open House will be outstanding.

 

September 20, 2009

It is a rare occurrence, but when an incident occurs on one of our buses, I have to change my hat and become an investigator. There are witnesses, victims and offenders that have to be talked to. Then I have to decide what really happened as there is always two sides to every story. It is really amazing the stories I sometimes hear. Here is an example of a recent conversation with a student:

Detective Wolf: Does So and So sit by you on the bus?
Student: I don’t know.
Detective Wolf: How often do you ride the bus?
Student: I don’t know.
Detective Wolf: Who sits by you everyday?
Student: I don’t know.
Detective Wolf: Do you not know their name?
Student: I don’t know.
Detective Wolf: What do you know?
Student: I don’t know.
Detective Wolf: Are you sure?
Student: I don’t know.

If all my witnesses were this knowledgeable, my investigations would be very short.
There is light at the end of my investigative tunnel. This summer, the School Board voted to have security cameras installed in our buses. We have been waiting to install them until our new bus arrived. By the end of the week, all cameras should be installed. If nothing else, they will serve as huge deterrent to any mischief that might occur on our bus routes.
Sadly, this will also spell the end of my Bus Misbehavior Investigation (BMI) career. I won’t need to question witnesses. My witnesses will be the cameras. There will be three cameras giving three different views. There will even be audio. I will only have to show offenders the video and ask why. Life couldn’t be any easier.

 

 

August 25, 2009
School has started again! I am very excited about the 2009-2010 school year. The 2008-2009 school year was very successful, but I am expecting even more this year. Last year’s accomplishments were:

1. We received Recognized District rating from TEA, the third time in the last four years.
2. The District purchased Promethean Boards (smart boards) for every classroom.
3. We purchased MacBooks for every faculty member.
4. A One to One MacBook Program was initiated for all High School Students. To facilitate this program, our wireless Internet system was updated.
5. Teachers were trained in implementing the Promethean boards and MacBooks in their curriculum.
6. Our One Act Play advanced to the District level of competition.
7. The High School UIL Academic team placed second in District Competition. Eleven members of this team qualified to go to regional competition. The Elementary/Junior High UIL Academic team also placed second in District competition.
8. Our High School Lady Panther Basketball team was Area Champs.
9. Several members of the Cross Country Boys and Girls teams advanced to Regional, with one athlete advancing to State. Four athletes qualified from the High School Track Team to the Regional competition.

Considering all that was accomplished, it can be said that the 2008-2009 school year was a huge success. It is the goal of our administration, faculty, and staff to make 2009-2010 an even better year. If we want to accomplish this, we have to work harder; expecting more from ourselves and from our students. To this end, the following steps have been taken:

1. The District implemented CSCOPE curriculum program. CSCOPE, developed by Texas Education Service Centers and a team of content experts, is a comprehensive, customized, user-friendly curriculum management system built on the most current research-based practices in the field. Its primary focus is to impact instructional practices in the classroom to improve student performance. Our faculty has received training this summer in how to implement this system in the classroom.
2. The faculty received additional training on implementing technology in the classroom.
3. The District hired two additional teachers which allow us to expand our course offerings in high school science and in elementary music and art.

Comstock ISD has great students and a great faculty and staff. It is my desire that we offer a world class education to all of our students. This means that there is much work to be done. We cannot rest on our past accomplishments. Having said that, I need to quit writing; I have a lot of work to do!