March 28, 2024

Creston Community Schools update

It’s hard to believe November is here and the holidays are nearly upon us. As always, many learning activities are progressing here in our schools, and as you’ll read later in this article, upgrades continue to be made on our facilities as well. Below is a range of updates on various school happenings.

In the very near future, the new, combined Board of Education for the merged Prescott and Creston Schools (Creston Community School District) will start meeting and planning for the 2016-17 school year. Such items as budget planning, staffing decisions, etc. will begin to be processed. The initial members of the new district’s Board of Education will be Sharon Snodgrass, Galen Zumbach, Tom Eagan, Dr. Brad James and Don Gee.

Our new technology rooms are open and operating well. Students and faculty members have “gotten their feet wet” and are now attempting to fit the many new tech applications into lessons. A simple “recipe” we learned from Dr. Buddy Berry from Eminence, Kentucky, is to mix required content with a dose of technology and season it with the individual student’s personal interests. A nice challenge has been created as well. We now have several scheduling conflicts because so many teachers and classes want time in the new rooms. This demand is a good sign.

We have also begun to learn about and utilize a couple models to guide our use of new tech learning tools. SAMR (Substitution, Augmentation, Modification and Redefinition) is a model designed to help educators infuse technology into teaching and learning. Popularized by Dr. Ruben Puentedura, the model supports and enables teachers to design, develop and infuse digital learning experiences that utilize technology. The TIM (Technology Integration Matrix) model is very similar and goes into more specific depth related to learning activities and their alignment with Bloom’s Taxonomy of higher order thinking skills.

Consideration continues regarding a potential move of our first grade classes to the Early Childhood Center at Burton R. Jones Education Center (ECC) next year. At this time we are gathering pros, cons and other considerations in hopes of a Board of Education decision before school is dismissed in the spring. I have been told that a plan several years ago included this move, but for various reasons it never transpired. At this time we believe there are enough possible benefits to deserve consideration of this change. First grade and kindergarten students have very similar learning needs. Improved collaboration among a larger set of teachers at the ECC is another possible benefit. This move would also warrant the assignment of a full-time principal at the ECC, as opposed to the current position shared between buildings. Much needed space at the Elementary/Middle School could be gained as well.

As with any change, there are potential challenges as well. Challenges with scheduling, reshuffling classrooms and playground needs are all on the list along with other various concerns. All pros and cons will be carefully considered by the board before a decision is made.

I am happy to report that our bus barn is up and running. This will be the first winter since 2012 that our school vehicles will be sheltered and will be maintained in an indoor shop. Radiant heat installed in the floor will heat the entire facility, so engine blocks on the buses and school cars will remain warm. Bus engine block heaters will no longer need to be plugged in, and buses will not be started and warmed up so early every morning. Also, our shop includes a lift that safely raises buses to a height that allows us to walk underneath. Therefore, our transportation staff members are now able to clearly see and reach whatever needs attention. In addition, the new wash bay will allow our crew to keep our vehicles clean and free from the chemical, salt, brine, ice and general sludge that accumulates during the winter. All these features will vastly improve the longevity and appearance of our school rigs.

As you may recall, last year we had some controversy over record boards that were placed in the athletic hallway at Creston High School. Only one sport was represented at that time, so some friction was created. At this point, records from other extracurricular activities have been gathered and mock-ups have been developed. Boards for other activities will be installed soon. Some of the original boards will also be downsized to allow space for the new boards. Originally this was a great idea in terms of recognizing student achievements. Adjustments are now being made to build on that concept and to recognize student accomplishments in many other activities. We hope this recognition gives our younger Panthers targets to aspire to.

A few other items of interest:

Lockers in the boys locker room at CHS will be repaired and refurbished over Thanksgiving break.

Handrails have been installed in the stadium bleachers on the south aisle. We hope to install rails on the north aisle and in the visitor bleachers in the future once funds are available.

Panther pride marches on!