BY GUY NAHMIACH
April is a time when we start looking forward to our summer vacations. It is also a time when we look back at the goals we set out for our school year. How many items were we able to cross off our “to do” list. Some schools had ambitious goals of raising more funds through their silent auctions and other events. A few local schools were trying to simply raise attendance and participation.
Principal Collins at Prospect Valley was very specific in his drive to raise both math and writing scores. Principal Blandone at Kullerstrand was focused on raising his reading scores.
While they can both be congratulated for succeeding with their high priority agenda, like so many driven educators, they had a mile long list and ended up with some goals yet to be completed.
The good news is that anything that was skipped over or set aside, still has a chance of being completed. Or as Springsteen wrote, a “last chance power slide”.
Blandone is determined to create Systemic Practices that will promote learning habits throughout every level at his school. As well as a staff mentorship program to help those students that need the one on one attention.
Collins will be working on a more cohesive homework policy and is set to create a mission statement that will motivate and strengthen his community through one common vision.
Of course every school is determined to finish on a high note. All of these accomplishments will be acknowledged at the district’s Celebration of Excellence on April 18th at Bear Creek High School.
Other upcoming events in our schools include the Music and Ensemble Festival at Everitt Middle School on April 21st.
Prospect Valley’s Talent Show promises to be even better than last year. Join them on May the 11th.
Brewing in our schools is also the upcoming push for the mill levy initiative. Whether you are for or against it, clearly we are in need of new solutions for our school system. It is so easy to just simply ask for more money or to reject a new way of spending our existing budget. Whichever side you are on, it is time we all got involved. If we can all agree on one issue, it is that what we have been doing in the past is simply not suitable for our future. It is time to invent a new wheel.
The next school board meeting is scheduled for May 3rd. I challenge you turn the T.V. off for an hour and get involved in your children’s or grandchildren’s future.
On a lighter note, the real estate market is climbing and so is the temperature. Bring on the summer!
If your school is planning an event or has achieved success, write me at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it so that I may share it with our community in my next column.
Safe crossings everyone!
Guy Nahmiach is a local real estate broker for Nostalgic Homes as well as the PTA President at Prospect Valley elementary. He can be reached at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .