CITY SCHOOLS CHIEF SEEKS TO BOOST MORALE

Cape Girardeau's new school superintendent didn't waste any time trying to boost morale and parental involvement in the school system.

Dr. Dan Steska, who became superintendent July 1, visited teachers and students in every kindergarten classroom in the district's six elementary schools and took a picture of every child.

Those 300 pictures were sent home to parents this week along with a letter Steska said he hopes will encourage parents to be involved in their child's education.

"Please feel welcome in the school," he wrote. "Become involved, be supportive and work with us hand in hand to achieve our common goal: The very best for that special little person in the picture we're raising together."

Steska said he wants parents to know their children are not just seen as enrollment statistics.

"It hopefully lets parents know we're taking a special interest in their child and we see them as a special little person," he said. "We have the children for six or seven hours a day, so we feel like we have a responsibility to work hand in hand with the parents, not only academically but to help develop their child's character and personal development along the way."

Plans were instigated earlier this week to surprise employees today with an apple and an early paycheck. The Paychecks weren't supposed to be released until Monday.

Steska said the district's staff worked hard to make sure school opened on time last month, and the early surprise was a "one-time special" to let everyone know their efforts were appreciated.

"Some of them really have worked hard under adverse conditions since early August to get the schools opened on time," Steska said. "It's kind of a long time to wait for their first paycheck. So we thought with it being Friday, and in an effort to let them know we're concerned and appreciate their opening-of-school efforts, that we'd go ahead and send the paychecks out Friday."

Steska said he recognized a need for improved morale even before accepting the position here. And, he said, he also saw the potential for a great district.

"We're trying to send a real positive note to the community and to our staff here," Steska said.

Steska has worked hard to get the word out that he thinks Cape Girardeau schools are great. For starters, he adopted a motto for the year -- "Renew the Vision, Maintain the Mission" -- that can be seen on everything from pledge cards to T-shirts to banners throughout the district.

He also established an open-door policy for employees, parents and patrons with school concerns.

"We've got some negative and some positive calls, but overall I think people are pleased with the way we have started out the school year," said Steska.

Although he is working with other school officials to improve the district's financial condition and keep construction projects on track, Steska also likes to have fun. That is why he often can be seen greeting employees by throwing up his hands in a gesture meant to represent the motto "Renew the Vision, Maintain the Mission."

Another morale booster being implemented is Project SMILE, which was developed by the district's community relations committee. Each month one building adopts another building in the district and performs a special project.

"The intent is just to build supportive relationships within the staff and to encourage one another and say we appreciate you," Steska said.

Steska said he will continue to try to boost morale.

"It doesn't really cost very much to do that, and hopefully it says we appreciate your efforts," Steska said. "For the staff, I think it's very important that job satisfaction be very high, because it ultimately affects kids' achievement in school."