SCHOOL BEAT

Your Input Welcome!

by CAROL HILLMAN
Rockford School Board Trustee

With small signs of spring beginning daily, the spring fever and longing for Spring Break also begin. Despite snow days, that Spring Break indicates a stepping back from hectic daily life, and a chance to refuel before the last stretch of the school year. You can be involved soon after the Spring Break to help our district vision.

One of the many effective tools used within our district is the “RAMS—Rams Action Model for Success” publication that has become an expected way for the competent staff to reach goals that lead to the motto of “continuous improvement.” RAMS VIII is in process and will be ready for implementation by January 2012.

An integral part of shaping this publication is you. This community can have an important role in what the district views as important objectives during the three years following the implementation of RAMS VIII. Those three years are expected to have staff adopt the direction the RAMS publication dictates. This becomes a document to execute and guide the district. Staff is held to these goals and must report at periodic times during the year on how the goals are being addressed. Accountability makes this document integral in district successes.

You, the community member, are asked to involve yourself in this developing document. A survey will be available to you soon after Spring Break that you are asked to fill out. It will be available in a Web version as well as a hard copy form, and you will be invited to participate by e-mail.. If you need a hard copy, simply call the Rockford Public Schools Administration Building at (616) 863-6320 or stop in to any front office of the school buildings. For your convenience, however, copies will be available to you via the website at www.rockfordschools.org.

Speaking as a board member, current parent of the district, and a Rockford community member, I am truly proud of this systematic and professional procedure. I have seen first-hand during my eight years as a board member how seriously your opinion is taken and, thus, how effective the document is for the district. It supports the goal of being as transparent and available to the community as possible.

Keep your eyes and ears open for this opportunity to help form the goals of the school district by watching for the release of the survey soon after Spring Break. Watch the local newspapers, check the website and e-mail alerts coming soon. We are blessed to be in a community district that values the input of those it serves.