Superintendent's Ramblings
Lots of Good Stuff Happening!
Two Employees Recognized for Efforts with El Potrillo Above & Beyond Award
Two employees received the El Potrillo Above & Beyond award for December for going beyond their normal expectations to make life better for others.
Jacob Johnson is the evening custodian at Lyons Middle School and Lyons High School. While the staff was short an employee this fall, Jacob picked up the slack by covering his normal duties as well as a lot of other areas.
First grade teacher Tawanna Berry helped do lesson plans, preparations, and supervision for another class while the teacher was away for a family emergency. Mrs. Berry worked with the substitute teacher to ensure that quality instruction continued while the other teacher was away.
Congratulations to these two outstanding selfless individuals for being recognized. Congrats also to the other nominees for the month of December: Leah Bowers, Alyssa Solis, Bill Allen, Kole Clarke, Russel Douglas, Alisha Carlton, Shannon Hendricks, Leanna Payne, and Tina Ludwig.
Jacob Johnson
Jacob Johnson (M) being recognized by LHS Principal Derek Carlson (L) and LMS Principal BJ Smith (R)
Tawanna Berry
First grade teacher Tawanna Berry
Strategic Planning Continues
Over 50 different community members, board members, and faculty and staff members worked on creating a new vision for USD 405 during meetings in November and December. The results of those meetings are being used by district board members and administrators to set new short-term and long-term goals for the district. The plan should be presented to the whole board at their February meeting for consideration. A follow up meeting with the community will take place after the board has adopted a final plan.
Community input being reviewed
Administrators and board members develop goals based on the results of recent community input
New goals being formulated
New Board Member Elected
Due to an unexpected vacancy on the USD 405 Board of Education, the Board advertised for interested persons to apply to fill the open seat. After an interview, former Lyons Middle School teacher Debra Burgess was selected to fill the position beginning February 1st. Her years of education experience and knowledge will serve the community well. Congratulations Mrs. Burgess and welcome aboard!
Snow Days!
It's been a few years since the Lyons area saw a 10" snow, but that is what happened on January 8-9. What that meant for staff and students was a couple of SNOW DAYS on the 9th & 10th!
No School Monday
There is no school on Monday, January 15 because it is a teacher in-service day. Teachers will be reviewing student data and building goals and action plans and making adjustments for the future.
School Board Appreciation Month
January is School Board Appreciation Month. It is not easy being a school board member. Members have a delicate balance between providing the best possible education possible while remaining fiscally responsible to the taxpayers of the district and state. The board sets the overarching goals and direction for the district and its schools and programs. They deal with the very large issues of student achievement, staffing, curriculum & instruction, budget, facilities, safety & security, community relations, and more. Board members also listen to input from the public on a variety of issues and attempt to find the balance between being an advocate for constituents while following state and federal law on open meetings, open records, and confidentiality of staff and student matters and boardsmanship principles and protocol. Thank you to the current USD 405 Board of Education members: George Stover (president), Jeremy Showalter (vice president), Gary W. Smith, Cathy Rose, Kendra Grizzle, and Ken Troyer!