Celebrating the Blessings We Have Received this Year

Dr. William C. Skilling, Superintendent

 

As a school district we have received so much encouragement from our students, teachers, parents, and community members this year. We have had students express their appreciation for the improvements in technology and facilities. Many students have communicated their support for the veteran teachers and the new teachers hired this year. Our student discipline referrals and unexcused absences have decreased this fall. I believe this is a direct reflection of how well the teachers are doing in the classroom. Teachers have shared what a great year they are having even with the challenges of change and financial constraints. We have had a very productive and positive negotiations process with the Webberville Education Association since last spring. I have personally had the opportunity to perform teacher evaluations for the new secondary teachers. They are doing a great job and are a great addition to our teaching staff. Our parents and community members have also demonstrated their continued strong support for our school. We greatly appreciate the number of volunteer hours given for tutoring, elementary classroom activities, athletics, booster groups, fund raising, and donations made to the school district. With everyone pulling together we can do so much more.

 

This school year we grew by 32 more students. This is our third year of growth. We have gone from being the district with the fastest declining enrollment in Ingham County four years ago, to one of the fastest growing districts in Ingham County in the last three years. Since February of 2004, our student count has gone from 607 students to 672 students this fall. Our schools of choice numbers have increased by 21 students this year. Last year we had 51 students through schools of choice and this year we have 72! At the same time the number of students who have left through schools of choice has continued to decline for the third year in a row. These enrollment trends are a big indication that Webberville Community Schools is on the right track. We have become a “ School of Choice” for many families.

 

Some other highlights for this year have been the recognition of Eileen Slider with the Green Apple Award from the College of Engineering at Michigan State University. Our Middle School received the Michigan Association of School Boards Curriculum Excellence Award. There are three winners in each category. They then went on to receive the Michigan’s Best Award for being the top winner in the state. They competed against 42 other schools for this honor! In addition, we just learned that our elementary school will be receiving a visit from the Michigan Department of Education as they are being considered for the Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School Award. This is the highest honor a school can receive at the state level. They are evaluated on student achievement, school improvement, innovation in instruction, community involvement, leadership, organization and culture, curriculum, and professional community. They are competing against schools of all sizes in the state of Michigan.

 

There has not been a school in Ingham County recognized as a Michigan Blue Ribbon Exemplary School since the early 1990s.

 

We can be thankful for our students and the successes they have had this year in athletics, where our boys’ golf team won the conference championship, the performing arts groups had a great marching band season and we heard a great fall choral concert. Our student performance in the classroom is improving, our elementary and middle school test scores have improved, our disciplinary and attendance referrals are down, and our students have been good ambassadors for our school when they have gone on field trips and competed in athletics at other schools. We can be very proud of our students.

 

I want to say thank you again to our community for providing our school and our community with the Spartan Center, our new agricultural facilities, and our outdoor athletic facilities. These new amenities have been greatly appreciated by the students, staff, parents and community members who have used them. They are another strong indication of the support the community has given the school. Thank you again for the many blessings you have given our school district and I wish you and your family a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!