A1,100-student school district in Minnesota had been purchasing food supplies through a buying group of five other school systems—but it wasn't efficient. "We would have to meet quite often" says Director of Food Service Sandie Rentz of Wadena-Deer Creek Public Schools. "We wrote our own bids and market basket. Then we would go out for […]
Principal Doreen McSain of Glenwood Elementary School has taken to heart the quote "Everything I know, I learned from dogs." She welcomes canines into her school in western Long Island, New York, to encourage her students to read to them. McSain also instituted a program wherein second-graders read to residents at a senior living community. […]
"Don't blame boys' bad behavior on the way we dress." That's the message—first delivered by a group of female high school students—that led Santa Fe Public Schools in New Mexico to adjust its dress code in spring 2018. "We had several young ladies who felt the dress code was somewhat sexist, and that it was […]
This spring, schools have experienced a profound increase in student suicides and attempts, as well as school shootings. Recognize that as bad as things have been this spring, things are likely to be worse next fall. Contention over race, origin, LGBTQ, and sexual assault/harassment will increase, along with contention over gun control in the context […]
Today's education leaders increasingly take it upon themselves to tackle the external challenges their students and teachers confront beyond school hours. These varied solutions also stretch back into classrooms to enhance instruction and increase achievement. The 45 schools and systems recognized by this year's District of Distinction program have created homegrown initiatives to support students' […]
Robert Runcie, superintendent of Broward County Public Schools in Florida, has enacted new districtwide safety measures. Runcie will expand mental health services and training for students, and will provide an active-assailant training curriculum for staff. Every school will also have a single point of entry and a resource officer or armed security guard, among other […]
Incorporating high-quality resources to support ELL students can have a stark impact on whether they succeed. At High School of World Cultures, we have been able to pinpoint four best practices for evaluating ELL resources. Editor's note: District Administration welcomes the insights and opinions of educators and administrators on all topics. If you would like to […]
At 1:30 a.m. on the Friday before Labor Day, the Beaverton School District's fire suppression system deployed explosively into the room that housed the heart of the district's computer network. An error in the fire-sensing system sent gases spewing through ceiling nozzles. The chemicals destroyed much of the equipment, leading to the eventual failure of […]
America's economy and our public schools are inextricably linked. In Colorado, growth industries such as advanced manufacturing, information technology (IT) and aerospace have strengthened our economy and provided the foundation for innovation and investment in our communities. To continue supporting high levels of growth and success, we must ensure that our education system is preparing […]
In 2015, Raytown High School in Missouri created a much-needed class for its student leadership organization, Jay Crew, but the course still required a concrete curriculum. So the school adopted the Lead2Feed initiative, a free program of leadership lessons that students explore through activism in local or global communities in need. For their first project, […]
