Comments on: Business First Bites http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/30/business-first-bites/ Superintendent of Schools writes about learning and school management in rural Western New York. Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:30:25 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.2 hourly 1 By: proppspropaganda http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/30/business-first-bites/comment-page-1/#comment-4153 proppspropaganda Fri, 01 Jun 2007 21:10:04 +0000 http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/30/business-first-bites/#comment-4153 I agree that the ranking is frustrating! I too, challenge any one to come to our school and actually experience what goes on at Gowanda High School. Over the past three years, our principal has worked very hard to create challenging classes for our students who are more than able to compete with students at other schools. The rewards at Gowanda are very heart felt. We are able to build relationships with students who really need us and are also able to experience fantastic victories. Does the ranking really matter? We know we are working hard and doing a great job! In my mind, that is what matters! I agree that the ranking is frustrating! I too, challenge any one to come to our school and actually experience what goes on at Gowanda High School. Over the past three years, our principal has worked very hard to create challenging classes for our students who are more than able to compete with students at other schools. The rewards at Gowanda are very heart felt. We are able to build relationships with students who really need us and are also able to experience fantastic victories. Does the ranking really matter? We know we are working hard and doing a great job! In my mind, that is what matters!

]]> By: tgray http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/30/business-first-bites/comment-page-1/#comment-4148 tgray Fri, 01 Jun 2007 03:21:52 +0000 http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/30/business-first-bites/#comment-4148 Kim (and the rest of G-Town!) I have long hated "Business First Week" as I affectionately call it. The week of spitting out the top 10 districts in every category - hearing about the "volley ball match" between the top two high schools. And most importantly - what it does to teacher/administrator morale. Since we all hate it and don't think that it values what we value (after all - it is called Business First!) what do you say we create our own list? How about a "Kids First" listing from each school district out there about the success they have had in their building or district? There are enough folks out there reading just your blog that we ought to have a solid list of what really matters - our students. Anyone game? Kim (and the rest of G-Town!)
I have long hated “Business First Week” as I affectionately call it. The week of spitting out the top 10 districts in every category – hearing about the “volley ball match” between the top two high schools. And most importantly – what it does to teacher/administrator morale.

Since we all hate it and don’t think that it values what we value (after all – it is called Business First!) what do you say we create our own list? How about a “Kids First” listing from each school district out there about the success they have had in their building or district? There are enough folks out there reading just your blog that we ought to have a solid list of what really matters – our students.

Anyone game?

]]> By: Jude Andolsek http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/30/business-first-bites/comment-page-1/#comment-4144 Jude Andolsek Thu, 31 May 2007 14:33:00 +0000 http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/30/business-first-bites/#comment-4144 I'm proud of G-towns accomplishments and the bond that we all have. Kim, keep up the fantastic job-you are an inspiration to all of us and I thank you from the bottom of my heart. I’m proud of G-towns accomplishments and the bond that we all have. Kim, keep up the fantastic job-you are an inspiration to all of us and I thank you from the bottom of my heart.

]]> By: Crystal http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/30/business-first-bites/comment-page-1/#comment-4143 Crystal Thu, 31 May 2007 12:27:52 +0000 http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/30/business-first-bites/#comment-4143 I agree with Maggie! I agree with Maggie!

]]> By: Maggie http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/30/business-first-bites/comment-page-1/#comment-4142 Maggie Thu, 31 May 2007 11:57:21 +0000 http://ghsprincipal.edublogs.org/2007/05/30/business-first-bites/#comment-4142 I saw our ranking yesterday during lunch. Channel 2 was nice enough to have all of the good, bad, and ugly listed on their website so I saw who we beat and didn’t beat. Seeing us at the bottom like that was just depressing. It wasn’t a total surprise; I read the State Report Card and know what our test results are like. But when you’re here everyday, working really hard with great colleagues and some of the toughest kids, seeing their accomplishments, no matter how small; you don’t feel like a loser who’s ranked #91. When I got to sign an award certificate yesterday for a kid who was a complete pain in the butt at the beginning of the year, but has improved his grades and behavior dramatically, I didn’t feel like a loser. When a Senior who I’ve known for the past 3 years (through good times and bad) comes to my room during lunch and tells me how excited he is about next year because he got into his dream school and insists that I have to come to his graduation party, I don’t feel like a loser. When I get an email from a former student who dropped out, but is now almost done with her GED and looking forward to a career that will allow her to be a good mom, I don’t feel like a loser. I know the rankings matter to a lot of people. They don’t tell the whole story, but they matter. So for the next few days, while the media pounds us with the Top 20 and reminds us that we’re nowhere near that, I’m going to try to think about the positives, because to the kids who actually live in G-Town, and will probably never read Business First, that is what really matters. We have an amazing Principal who has changed the climate around here for the better. We have programs that look promising, and lots of professional development opportunities coming up to help us achieve the goals we’ve set for ourselves and our school. Miracles don't happen overnight and I'm confident that we won't be at the bottom of "The List" forever. I saw our ranking yesterday during lunch. Channel 2 was nice enough to have all of the good, bad, and ugly listed on their website so I saw who we beat and didn’t beat. Seeing us at the bottom like that was just depressing. It wasn’t a total surprise; I read the State Report Card and know what our test results are like. But when you’re here everyday, working really hard with great colleagues and some of the toughest kids, seeing their accomplishments, no matter how small; you don’t feel like a loser who’s ranked #91.

When I got to sign an award certificate yesterday for a kid who was a complete pain in the butt at the beginning of the year, but has improved his grades and behavior dramatically, I didn’t feel like a loser. When a Senior who I’ve known for the past 3 years (through good times and bad) comes to my room during lunch and tells me how excited he is about next year because he got into his dream school and insists that I have to come to his graduation party, I don’t feel like a loser. When I get an email from a former student who dropped out, but is now almost done with her GED and looking forward to a career that will allow her to be a good mom, I don’t feel like a loser.

I know the rankings matter to a lot of people. They don’t tell the whole story, but they matter. So for the next few days, while the media pounds us with the Top 20 and reminds us that we’re nowhere near that, I’m going to try to think about the positives, because to the kids who actually live in G-Town, and will probably never read Business First, that is what really matters. We have an amazing Principal who has changed the climate around here for the better. We have programs that look promising, and lots of professional development opportunities coming up to help us achieve the goals we’ve set for ourselves and our school. Miracles don’t happen overnight and I’m confident that we won’t be at the bottom of “The List” forever.

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