9/22/23 Principal Newsletter
Dear Parent and Student and Educator,
At GHS, our RAMS United Values are “Respect, Achieve and Improve, Make an Effort, and Serve Others.” We recognize student positive behaviors in many ways at GHS: positive postcards and emails, “Students of the Week,” sharing “Good Things,” and thanking students when they demonstrate leadership. We also work to build respectful and positive student to student relationships in the classroom by having students collaborate with each other during the learning process.
This year, our RAMS United focus is on “Respect.” In addition, one of our GHS goals on our Student Achievement Plan this year is to “Improve climate & culture for all students, staff, and stakeholders.”
“Climate” refers to how our students, staff, and parents/guardians feel when walking through the doors and interacting with us. Do they feel respected? Are they greeted professionally? Do they receive the help they need? Are they treated like a valuable partner in our school?
“Culture” refers to our shared beliefs and values. What is essential for students to know, understand, and be able to do? What does a respectful Glenwood student and graduate look like and sound like? What employability skills do we want to make sure graduates can demonstrate? For example: Do students know how to ask for help? How to persevere through challenges? How to work with others productively? How to disagree respectfully? How to resolve conflict peacefully? How to ask questions, seek to understand others, stand up for what they believe in, and take action to bring about meaningful change?
Thank you for your support!
As an educator, I am incredibly grateful for the support of parents and guardians for being the first source for teaching positive behaviors at home and for supporting the school when disciplinary consequences need to be enforced from our Student Handbook. I am grateful for students who lead with positive behaviors, even when those may not be the “cool” or easy thing to do, and who challenge other students when they recognize they can do better. I value our teachers who strive every day to help students grow and improve in their learning and performance –not just academically but behaviorally also. We have such a supportive community, and I am thankful to collaborate with you.
We are seeking your feedback
As a school leader, I know that my impact and work is limited by my own perspective. I must seek input and feedback from others. The perspectives of my stakeholders (students, teachers, and parents) ensures we provide students with the best educational experience possible.
Next Steps with School Improvement: Gaining Perspective from our Stakeholders on “Respect”.
An outside organization, Imagine Omaha, will be working with volunteers that make up 3 focus groups: students, teachers, and parents. Questions will be shared with stakeholders ahead of time. Our work with Imagine Omaha will be limited to gathering data through a focus group model. This will help us to gather multiple perspectives centered around respect. The reason why we have selected Imagine Omaha is because of expressed concerns last spring regarding the treatment of our racially diverse students. Information gathered by Imagine Omaha will be shared with our school and district administrators and combined with our school data to develop action plans as needed.
Are you interested in helping us reach higher levels of excellence in our school?
On October 9th, 2023 we are seeking volunteers to participate in our continued growth. We will be offering focus group sessions to share input focusing on “Respect” that will ask your input on our current reality at GHS and your ideas for improvement. If you are interested, sign up using one of the links below:
Here is a photo of our “Students of the Week”
Have a great week RAM Nation! Reach out if you have questions. We are here to help and welcome your feedback. Every day is a great day to be a RAM!
Mrs. Lorraine Duitsman, GHS Interim Principal