Avoiding Mediocrity!

Once in a while I get a little time after school, before an evening event, to sift through Twitter to search for interesting bits of info to share with staff or put on the Blog.  Today I saw this little piece on what causes someone to be mediocre.  This is from a Blog by Seth Godin located at http://sethgodin.typepad.com/seths_blog/2014/01/the-four-horsemen-of-mediocrity.html

The four horsemen of mediocrity

Deniability--"They decided, created, commanded or blocked. Not my fault."

Helplessness--"My boss won't let me."

Contempt--"They don't pay me enough to put up with the likes of these customers."

Fear--"It's good enough, it's not worth the risk, people will talk, this might not work..."

The industrial age brought compliance and compliance brought fear and fear brought us mediocrity.

The good news about fear is that once you see it, feel it and dance with it, you have a huge opportunity, the chance to make it better.

Physical Science is "Flipped" at Belle Plaine

Starting this semester at Belle Plaine the students in Physical Science will be experiencing a Flipped Classroom.  For those not familiar with this term, a Flipped Classroom is a form of blended learning in which students learn new content online by watching video lectures, usually at home, and what used to be homework (assigned problems) is now done in class with teachers offering more personalized guidance and interaction with students, instead of lecturing.  In Flipped teaching, the student’s first study the topic by themselves, typically using video lessons prepared by the teacher.  Students will be able to access the videos on any internet based electronic device including their phones.  Students who may not have these tools available to them will be allowed to view lessons at school using a computer in study hall or by checking out an I-pad.  In class students apply the knowledge by solving problems and doing practical work.  The teacher tutors the students when they become stuck, rather than imparting the initial lesson in person.  Flipped classrooms free class time for hands-on work. Students learn by doing and asking questions. Students can also help each other, a process that benefits both the advanced and less advanced students.

Physical Science teacher Ricky Kremer researched the method for much of the first semester and felt this method of instruction would allow him to more effectively meet the individual needs of his students.  His video lessons will be approximately 10-15 minutes in length and students will be required to take notes on the information initially to help with monitoring students understanding of the information.  The Flipped concept does not mean that students will never have traditional homework but a majority of the work will be completed in class with the teacher present to provide guidance and support.  One of the main resources Mr. Kremer used was, Flip Your Classroom, Reach Every Student In Every Class Every Day, by Jonathon Bergmann and Aaron Sams.

It’s exciting to see teachers incorporating new methods of teaching and I’m anxious to see how the students respond and how learning is influenced through the use of the Flipped method of teaching.  Periodic updates on this will follow in future Blog postings.

The Problem Solving Chain

For much of the first part of the year I have spent time listening and observing many different aspects of the Belle Plaine school system.  There are many great things occurring within our schools that are very exciting to be a part of and there are many things I look forward to being a part of the growth and development of.  For a school our size we have a great many offerings schools of similar size do not provide their students.  AP classes, multiple foreign languages, and the alternative school are just a few of the special opportunities students have available to them.  With so many good things going on, one might ask, what needs fixing?  The answer I often use is we can always do everything better.  Our academic scores can be better, our facilities can always be upgraded, the teachers can always learn new teaching strategies, and the principal can always improve how well he puts people in the position to succeed.  One of the key pieces to success is communication.  One of the main areas I’ve identified as an area of future growth is communication.  This includes student-student, teacher-student, teacher-parent, and school-parent.  I’ve emphasized all year that we as a staff need to communicate more with students and families to build stronger and better relationships.  This is an ongoing process that I think we have seen progress with, but still have plenty of room to improve.  One way I’ve used to get more information out to the community is through social media.  This Blog and Twitter have been a way for me to communicate information and build relationships with the community.  Social media can also have its downside with communication.  Sites such as Facebook and Twitter can also become forums with inaccurate information that causes people to react and communicate in ways that become harmful and create an obstacle for effective communication.  The strategies below are intended to provide a guide for students, parents, and community members to effectively communicate with the school to resolve problems in a timely and effective manner.  By no means is this the cure for every issue, but it is at least a plan for everyone to work through the process together. 

PARENT/STUDENT PROBLEM SOLVING

Suggested Steps for Resolving Problems & Concerns

Step 1. Clearly IDENTIFY the problem.

Answering the following questions will help you clarify the problem for both yourself and those who can help you solve the problem. It is helpful to write down the answers for use as a reference when discussing your complaint.

·       What happened, or what is the problem?

·       Who was involved? (names, titles, student or students)

·       Where did the problem occur?

·       When did the problem occur?

·       Why did the problem occur?

·       How does the problem affect me, and how does it affect my child?

·       What steps should I take to get the problem resolved?

·       Who can help solve the problem? (names, titles, school or district of employment)

·       What is an acceptable solution?

Step 2. REVIEW local district regulations, policies, and procedures.

Reviewing the following types of information will help you determine whether any specific rights or policies were violated. This information might also help you answer some of the questions in step one.

·       district policies and administrative regulations

·       student code of conduct or discipline policy

·       school district grievance procedures

This information should be available at your local school, local board of education, or central administrative office. Note the school district’s policy regarding the appropriate chain of command and any time limits on when a complaint can be filed. For most school districts the chain of command is: teacher, principal, superintendent, and then local board of education.

Step 3. COMMUNICATE your complaint.

Once you have clearly identified the problem and decided whether a specific policy has been violated, it is time to communicate your concerns by writing or speaking to the appropriate person. Be sure to include all pertinent information in your letter or conversation, including the answers to the questions in step one.
In order to resolve the issue as quickly as possible, it is usually best to first try to resolve the issue directly with the person with whom there is a problem (e.g. teacher, coach, counselor, principal). If there is a need to communicate your concerns to others, follow the appropriate chain of command until the issue is resolved.

Step 4. Keep RECORDS of your communications.

It is important to keep records of all correspondence and conversations you have with individuals during the communication process. If a solution is reached, put it in writing and follow up to be sure that the appropriate steps are taken. If you are unable to resolve your problem, these records will be very helpful should you decide to take further action.


While the Department of Education can inform school districts of parental complaints, they have limited authority in matters of a local school district since districts are autonomous and governed by a local board of education. Each local board has the authority to make reasonable regulations necessary for the proper establishment, maintenance and management of the public schools of the district.

End of Semester Testing Schedule For January 13-15

Due to the cancellations we have chosen to use Monday January 13^th as a make-up day and the first day of our end of semester testing.  Should we have a cancellation on Friday we will still plan to begin testing on Monday.  Within this testing schedule, if a 9^th-12^th grade student has a study hall period, they are allowed to leave the building during that time.  If they stay at school they will to report to the cafeteria for study hall.  At the end of the testing period on Tuesday and Wednesday, students may leave, attend study hall in the cafeteria, or work with individual teachers. 

Monday January 13^th, 2014

Period 1 – 8:10 – 8:47

Period 2 – 8:51 – 9:28

Period 3 – 9:32 – 10:09

Period 4 – 10:13 – 10:50

Period 6 – 10:54 – 11:30

Period 5 -   1st lunch students will eat from 11:34 – 11:55

                   3rd lunch students go to 5th hour class

                  3rd lunch students will eat from 11:59 – 12:19

                  1st lunch students go to 5th hour class

                  Period 5 class from 11:34 – 12:19

                  Junior High students eat from 12:21 – 12:44

                  Continue to 6th period at 12:48 – continue normal afternoon

Period 7 Final HS – 12:23 – 1:48

Period 8 Final HS – 1:53 – 3:18

Tuesday January 14^th, 2014

High School students will take final exams for periods 1, 3, & 5 on Tuesday, and periods 2, 4, & 6 on Wednesday.

                                    High School                  Junior High

Period 1-                        8:10- 9:35                      8:10- 8:50

Period 2-                                                            8:54- 9:35

Period 3-                        9:39- 11:04                    9:39- 10:19

Period 4-                                                            10:23- 11:04

Period 5-                        12:08- 1:33                    12:08- 12:48

Period 6-                                                            12:52- 1:33

Period 7-                                                            1:37- 2:25

Period 8-                                                            2:29- 3:18

Wednesday January 15^th, 2014

                                    High School                  Junior High

Period 1-                                                            8:10- 8:50

Period 2-                        8:10- 9:35                      8:54- 9:35

Period 3-                                                            9:39- 10:19

Period 4-                        9:39- 11:04                    10:23- 11:04

Period 5-                                                            12:08- 12:48

Period 6-                        12:08- 1:33                    12:52- 1:33

Period 7-                                                            1:37- 2:25

Period 8-                                                            2:29- 3:18

Thank you for your cooperation and flexibility as we work to provide our students the best opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned this semester.

Todd Werner

Jr./Sr. High School Principal