Greetings,
GreenMount Community,
Welcome back, and Happy New Year! It was great to see the students this morning
–they all seemed happy to be back in school (can you believe that?), and
especially happy to reconnect with their friends. The friendships that our students develop
while at GMS are the kind that I know from experience will last a
lifetime. Believe it or not, I still
have several friends that I see regularly that were my friends from elementary
school. In fact, we had our 10th
annual elementary school reunion last year.
To see these people at least annually is a testament to how we connected
so many years ago. I certainly hope, and
I do anticipate, that the kids here will have the same wonderful experience.
So, it’s 2012!
Have you made all those resolutions?
I recently heard that one should not make resolutions but rather set
goals. As we think about the bright
future of The GreenMount School, we have some very specific goals for 2012. These goals are based on The GreenMount
School Vision that is attached to this bulletin for your annual review. It is important that we consider the Vision often,
for it is from the Vision that we derive our goals.
If
we look at the Vision for students, a clear goal is to constantly improve our
instructional program and strengthen the skills of the teaching staff. One way
we will be doing that this year is by reviewing our science curriculum as a
committee of parents and teachers. Also,
at our first staff meeting for 2012 on Friday, we will be reviewing the adult
learning that has taken place over the last year and setting goals for future
professional development based on what is best for your children. It is only through a strong, committed,
learning faculty that we will continue to have a steady curve of improvement
and refinement of best practices.
A
goal for parents is to facilitate communication and opportunities to
participate effectively in the educational process and contribute to the health
of the school.
The
administration will look for every opportunity to improve leadership skills in
working with students, parents, and teachers.
The
Board of Trustees will provide supportive oversight of the school and monitor
the financial health of the school as it sets tuition rates and replenishes our
reserve fund for future growth and security.
“The major
reason for setting a goal is for what it makes of you to accomplish it. What it
makes of you will always be the far greater value than what you get.”
Jim Rohn
As expressed in the quote above,
the staff at GMS believes that the process is often more important than the
product. As we have seen with so many of
our students who go on to other educational experiences, they are well prepared
to meet almost any challenge that faces them.
This is because we value the learning experience above what is learned.
The experience of reaching a goal as an individual or as a school is
what will continue to make us an exceptional place for students and adults to
learn and grow to be capable, competent, contributing and confident. I look forward to this new year and wish each
of you happiness and satisfaction, especially as they relate to your child’s
life as a GreenMountineer.
Cheers,
Steve
