JACKSON SCHOOLS LOOK FOR SUCCESS, GROWTH IN 1997

At this time of the year, we all seem to reflect on the experiences of the past year, both good and bad. We have a great student body, a committed staff, a dedicated Board of Education and supportive patrons to thank them for so many good memories.

Our students gained state recognition in academic areas, in sports, music and many other extra curricular areas. They distinguished themselves in other communities as good citizens and good sports. The letters of commendation were frequent.

Our faculty continued to receive recognition with several state and national awards. The community spoke strongly of its belief in its youth by overwhelmingly agreeing to invest in updated and additional facilities. Patrons also packed concert halls, athletic stadiums and field house supporting our future leaders with their encouraging shouts and cheers.

This enthusiastic appreciation for the price our young people paid for excellence inspires a continuation of that excellence. We must never take that community expression of expectation for granted, for it is the foundation of good schools.

What a great year.

Another important January activity for most of us is looking ahead for the possibilities of the new year. The Jackson R-II School District has an especially strong incentive to look at itself and to consider where it can improve.

The Missouri School Improvement Program Five Year Review is slated for Jan. 21-23. Forty team members -- made up of Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education staff, university faculty and administrators, teachers, counselors and librarians from area schools -- will visit our district to evaluate our programs and services against specific standards and indicators.

The standards and indicators are separated into three main categories: resource standards, process standards and performance standards. All three areas are important in developing a school improvement plan that will follow the visit. The basic premise is that even the best schools can improve, and we ascribe to that belief.

Secondary students, parents, faculty, staff, administrators and the school board have all had opportunities to respond to questionnaires regarding their perceptions of our district. While here, the team will interview approximately 100 faculty and administrators and will meet with several support staff groups for their input.

This is a very time consuming activity, but one well worth the effort if we improve our effectiveness in achieving our mission "to provide a learning environment where all students have the opportunity to obtain a quality education."

We look forward to the completion of this assessment and we will comment on the results when they are available.

A very important part of our 1997 agenda is the work on the new addition at North Elementary School, the new math and science building on the high school campus and the new South Elementary School.

What we see initially is "bricks and mortar," but it will translate into programs and services for our students and our community as the projects are completed. We look forward to warm spring weather so construction can really begin.

As I reflect on the past year and as I attempt to look ahead, I am reminded that in my job as superintendent I am charged with the responsibility of leading a school district -- a public institution -- forward. This is an awesome responsibility. It is one that humbles me. But I am also reminded that the only way to change an institution for the better is to make positive changes for individual people.

As we look at the problems this world is dealing with, we can easily throw up our hands and say "What is the use?" On the other hand, if we each endeavor to make things better for one person, before we know it life will be better for many.

This is my challenge to all of us for 1997 regarding improving our schools -- to encourage, lend a helping hand, support and express our faith in individual children. Collectively, we will find that we have improved education, our community and our world.

Howard Jones is superintendent of the Jackson School District.