Welcome to the new school year

By Jerry Ness | The Daily Journal

Published Wednesday, August 27, 2008

Welcome to the 2008-09 school year and the Fergus Falls Public Schools! August is always filled with anticipation for students and staff alike. The students wonder who’s their teacher and who are their classmates. Staff members are eager to develop positive relationships with students and parents so they can begin the learning process on the first day of school.

This year also brings a bit of anxiety because of the unusual number of staff changes, building additions and the late access to our facilities.

Teachers usually have access to their rooms early in August so they can prepare for the new school year, but this year they were not able to start working on their rooms until August 25. The staff will be working diligently during the fall inservice days, August 26-28, to prepare their rooms and to focus on learning, as well.

Because of the time crunch, we have scheduled open houses for Cleveland (grades 3-5), Eisenhower (grade 6) and the High School (grades 7-12) on Monday, Sept. 8. The Adams School (grades 1-2) open house is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 27. At McKinley School, teachers will meet individually with kindergarten parents on Sept. 2 and 3, the first two days of school.

District Goals:

The School Board sets annual goals for the district, recognizing that common objectives are crucial to the health and success of the district. The five goals chosen for this year are:

1. During the district’s reorganization and remodeling process, educating our students is the district’s No. 1 priority.

2. Fiscally responsible practices will be used district-wide to improve the district’s financial condition.

3. Improve public relations: Implement the “Otters A.R.E. Always Otters” program to establish a positive atmosphere and a standard for expected behavior.

4. The district will work with the community to improve our school system.

5. Best practices and standards will drive all curriculum, instructional practices and assessments.

Superintendent Office Move:

As an educator, I believe I need to be accessible to staff and immersed in the day-to-day education of our students. Since Aug. 4, my office is located in the vocational wing of the High School in the former 544 Education Foundation office.

My mailing address, 1519 Pebble Lake Road, and phone number, 218-998-0544 x1010, remain the same as last year. Mindy Fuder, director of the 544 Education Foundation, has joined the remainder of the district office staff at the Heritage Office Building, 1519 Pebble Lake Road.

RtI Grant:

We are very pleased our district was awarded a $249,863.00 grant that allows us to employ four teachers who will concentrate on reading and math in grades 1-6 through a program called Response to Intervention (RtI). Different teaching strategies will be used to engage struggling students and improve test scores.

Web site:

Please visit our Web site, www.isd544.org, for up-to-date information and District 544 news. There is an opportunity sign up for instant messaging and other features that will inform you promptly of Otter news and schedule changes due to weather or other emergencies.

Bus Transfer Site:

Our bus transfer site for the 2008-09 school year is the lower parking lot near the Middle School tennis courts (check out a map of the site on our Web page). Numerous staff members will be on hand at the transfer site to make sure students get on and off the buses safely.

We are looking forward to partnering with parents and the community to provide an excellent education for 544 students. Please contact me if you have any comments, questions or concerns with our district. Go Otters and OAAO (Otters ARE Always Otters)!

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Jerry Ness is the superintendent of the Fergus Falls school District. His column appears on Wednesday.