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Notes from the Superintendent, 10/25/2024

School Year
Today marks the completion of Day 50 in the 2024-25 school year, and Halloween is soon upon us. Fall Sports are winding down, and as always, our students have performed well in all interscholastic competitions. In fact, our Middle Schools are currently underway with their girls' basketball and wrestling seasons.  

Enrollment
Current enrollment K - 12 as of 10/11/24 is at:
Grade K - 322, Grade 1 - 327; Grade 2 -308; Grade 3 - 313; Grade 4 - 335; Grade 5 - 328; Grade 6 - 320; Grade 7 - 326; Grade 8 - 274; Grade 9 - 318; Grade 10 - 276; Grade 11 - 265; Grade 12+ - 261; Total - 3,974. 
When including our Pre-Kindergarten student enrollment, the number increases to 4,113. 

Visioning/Managing Growth Community Engagement Sessions

Our next session will be held on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. At this session, cost estimates will be provided on the many ideas that have been mentioned regarding managing our continued growth and enhancing our programming and services. Participants will be asked to consider the various ideas and plan their own prioritized “Build-A-Bond.” The objective is not to exceed the amount of money Spring Hill Schools (USD 230) would have available for a possible Bond Election sometime in 2025.

 

The goal is to have a recommendation for consideration to the Spring Hill Schools (USD 230) Board of Education no later than early January 2025.

 

Student Learning Data from State Assessments

As you may know, the State of Kansas mandates that students in Grades 3 through High School complete annual assessments each Spring in Math and English/Language Arts. Science is assessed at Grades 5, 8, and 10.

There are many varied views as to the overall benefit to the annual testing. Yet, I have always felt that the data gleaned can be used as a barometer for gauging overall internal and external alignment of the approved curriculums along with how our local students perform in comparison to their peers across the State of Kansas. 

One thing to keep in mind when reviewing data from the State Assessments is that Spring Hill Schools (USD 230) also serves as the fiscal agent for the largest online virtual K - 12 school, Insight School of Kansas (https://qrs.ly/vzg9vpb), which serves more than 1200 Kansas students. These students are from all backgrounds and all corners of Kansas and do not attend any of our brick-and-mortar school buildings, nor do they receive instruction from the staff that work from our ten school sites. Yet, having the virtual option available allows them to still work towards earning a high school diploma, whereas otherwise, they may not be successful in the regular school environment/structure.

However, the Kansas Department of Education requires the Insight School of Kansas students to also take the required assessments. When results are reported for our Spring Hill Schools (USD 230) District as a whole, the Insight School of Kansas Students are included. Due to unique circumstances, comparing the data of the Insight Students with our Spring Hill students who attended brick-and-mortar sites each day is not a valid comparison of apples to apples. Thus, the results can appear skewed.

Yet, when analyzing our local student performance data from the State Assessments through the lens of only students that attended our brick-n-mortar schools, our students, as would be expected, perform VERY well. In fact, when compared to ‘State Average’, our students are far above their peers across Kansas. 

For each assessment, a student can earn a score of a Level 1 (Below Basic) through a Level 4 (Advanced). The goal is to strive for having students score at Levels 3 & 4. 

Our local Brick-n-Mortar assessment data from 2024 can be viewed on our website within our Strategic Dashboard (https://qrs.ly/1rg9vn3). This information is completely interactive, and you will find an array of student data, so I encourage you to take a look when you have time. Not to spoil your later viewing, but take note:

  • 52% of our Brick-N-Mortar students in Math scored at a Level 3 or 4 compared to the State Average of 33% 

  • 52% of our Brick-N-Mortar students in English/Language Arts scored at a Level 3 or 4 compared to the State Average of 35%. 

I’ll share additional data highlights in upcoming editions of “Link’d In”.

NOTEWORTHY

National Junior Honor Society
Forest Spring Middle School had their National Junior Honor Society (NJHS) induction earlier this week and it truly was an awesome event. NJHS membership is invitation-only and a specific honor earned rather than given. NJHS emphasizes these five pillars: Scholarship, Service, Leadership, Character, and Citizenship, which are shared values of schools, communities, and families. Congratulations to all inductees!

“SQUIRM” Music Program at Dayton Creek Elementary

Second-grade students at Dayton Creek Elementary performed their music program this past week, and it definitely made everyone ‘SQUIRM’. Great job! I enjoyed watching all the young students perform.

State of the District Breakfast

The Spring Hill School District, in partnership with the Spring Hill Education Foundation (https://qrs.ly/ifg9vxl)  (SHEF), held its annual State of the District Breakfast on Tuesday, October 15, 2024, at The Meadowlark Event Center. Over 125 attendees enjoyed a lively morning featuring a delicious breakfast and performances by the SHHS Orchestra, Middle School Cheerleaders, SHHS Dazzlers, and Madrigals. Student Council members from SHHS served as hosts, making it a wonderful opportunity to highlight the exceptional activities happening in Spring Hill Schools and showcase the talents of our students.

 


Joke of the Week
Q: Why was the witch late for school? 

 

A: She over-swept.? (Get it, a ‘over SLEPT’..ha)


 

Closing

Have a great weekend. I appreciate the opportunity to serve Spring Hill Schools (USD 230) each day as Superintendent of Schools. As always, reach out with any thoughts or questions.

Be sure and follow some of our USD 230 Social Media Sites on Facebook: SHEarlyLearningAcademy, DCESCavaliers, PCESMustangs, SHESColts, TSESRangers, WCESWranglers, FSMSChargers, SHMSMavericks, WSMSStallions

Most importantly, follow me on ‘X’ at USD230Supt. As always, reach out to me anytime with thoughts or questions.

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