Back to School! New Regime, New Theme - Together We Can

The following is a press release sent in by Jess Lester, representing the Spring-Ford Area School District.

ROYERSFORD - Spring-Ford Area School District faculty and staff kicked off the 2011-12 school year with a new superintendent and a new theme of "Together We Can, Together We Will" during opening day ceremonies held on Aug. 23.

Superintendent Dr. David Goodin, who began in July, introduced himself to the faculty and staff members assembled in the high school auditorium and encouraged them to work together in the coming school year to benefit students.

"None of us is as smart as all of us. I truly believe that 'we' is greater than 'me,'" said Goodin.

The morning began with a performance by the Spring-Ford High School chorus and video segments in which students and employees spoke about the characteristics that make Spring-Ford Area School District a great place to learn and work. Goodin also shared the story called "Soar with Your Strengths," a parable about a rabbit who goes to school and finds he does not like swimming. Instead of focusing on the rabbit?s strength of running, his guidance counselor takes away running class and enlists him in two periods of swimming.

Goodin said that story changed his ideas about what school should be, and said together the district should focus on promoting students' strengths. He emphasized the need to realize that every student can learn, but not all of them learn at the same pace or in the same way.

He also discussed some of the initiatives he is planning to implement in the coming year, including:

* "" - a program in which administrators will be substitute teaching in classes in order to help bridge the gap between administrators and teachers;
* A group, which will be made up of representatives from each building and will meet to discuss ideas and submit suggestions on a quarterly basis;
* A requirement that teachers who are about to receive tenure be observed by at least two administrators; and
* The administration of surveys in the fall and spring to gather feedback from the community, employees and students.

Goodin stressed the importance of flexibility and encouraged employees to question the status quo. The response "because this is how it's always been done" is not acceptable, he said, since it limits the district's ability to improve.

The morning concluded with an inspirational video set to music and the gathering of Spring-Ford students on stage wearing T-shirts emblazoned with the theme of "Together We Can, Together We Will."

School begins for Spring-Ford students today.