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Pfleuger welcomes staff to new school year |
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September 2, 2016 |
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Boundary
County School District 101
Superintendent Gary Pfleuger |
All staff of Boundary County School District 101
met at the High School Auditorium on Monday to
hear Superintendent Gary Pflueger lay out his
thoughts for the upcoming school year.
"Our task needs to remain focused and united,"
Pflueger told those assembled. "Our jobs are
very difficult and emotionally charged, the
target needs to stay simple. These targets are
teaching and learning — and keeping the needs of
our students first."
Pflueger pointed out that when he was first
hired into the school district years ago at the
elementary school level, he told the hiring
committee that his motto would be the words
"Safe, Civil, and Productive." He indicated his
intent to make these same three words something
of a touchstone for the entire school district.
"This simple and easy to understand three-word
motto is far from an elementary school concept,"
he said. "These terms will help all of us, both
students and staff, to improve basic behavioral
and academic expectations. This philosophy will
lead to advanced performance, improved daily
etiquette, and better relationships. These words
are not just a words, they are actions."
He went on to define exactly what he meant by
those three words:
"SAFE is both physical and emotional safety.
This means no fighting, bullying or trash
talking.
"CIVIL behaviors allow us to live in a polite
and cooperative society; expected behaviors are
helping others and using manners.
"PRODUCTIVE is accepting our role and
responsibility to make it all work by completing
given tasks to the best of our ability.
Productive is simply doing our jobs."
Pflueger then outlined three basic goals he has
set for the school district this year.
1. To raise the academic and behavioral expectations for both
students and staff. "I believe we can all do our
jobs better," he said. "This will start with
me."
2. Create a budget that is clear and easy to understand. "This need
was clearly shown by negotiations going to
mediation. Our current system is ineffective on
both sides of the table. It needs repair,"
Pflueger said. "In addition, this is a levy
year. Continued clarity is needed."
3. Sportsmanship on and off the courts and fields. "Our community
needs to re-learn how to cheer for our teams,
not against the other. And yelling at the ref or
coach are neither civil nor productive," he
said.
Pflueger said that people will often tell him he
has a very difficult job, and sometimes he
starts to believe what they say, and starts to
feel sorry for himself.
"But then," he said, "I walk into a kindergarten
class. Oh my gosh! How do you do it? Then I stop
in any elementary classroom. The need for
strength, consistency and purpose is
overwhelming. The ability levels in all rooms
are huge; the needs are great!
"Then I walk into the high school. There you see
a small microcosm of the entire world. Expertise
is required. You people are charged with getting
young adults ready for the world. The challenges
are great! Finally I walk in the middle school.
Teaching in the middle school is uniquely
challenging. Some days it can be compared to
working in “Whoville” with Dr. Seuss.
"After leaving our schools and knowing what the
bus drivers and lunch servers deal with," he
continued, "I know each of us has a very
difficult job to do."
He then went on to offer words of caution
regarding social media. "Please be careful of
Facebook. Bad humor or an inappropriate or
hostile comment can work against a person’s
professional status. Personal conversation will
always be better than social media."
Pflueger concluded his remarks to the staff with
words of encouragement.
"Thank you for believing. Through your help,
dedication and support, our students will enjoy
what they deserve. Our focus must remain on the
kids! It is their time, not ours! Enjoy your
year! Make today a great day through kind words
and respectful choices! Thank you!" |
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