August 2007
The Manatee County School District welcomes you back to a new and exciting year. While we have made great strides with our school district's strategic plan, EdVantage, many challenges remain to be met and a number of goals are yet to be achieved. Our mission is to “Inspire our students with a passion for learning, empowered to pursue their dreams confidently and creatively while contributing to our community, nation and world.” It is with this mission in mind that we embark on a year of significant institutional change.
The school district has approached Kaplan Learning, a nationally renowned educational agency, to develop a new and creative curriculum plan for our system. We will begin this year by designing a new middle grades curriculum plan and pacing guide. This plan will meet the rigorous demands of the recently upgraded Sunshine State Standards adopted by the Florida Department of Education. Full implementation of this plan will begin in the 2008-09 school year. During each succeeding school year, we will add one more grade level above and one below the middle grades until all grade levels measured by the state's accountability system are included in the assessment. When fully operational, the curriculum plan will broaden and deepen the district's academic standards in the core curriculum areas of language arts, math, science and social studies.
We have also developed a new school schedule for all students in the district through the recently adopted Modified Instructional Week. This schedule provides for a thirty minute longer school day four days per week and a ninety minute shorter school day on Wednesday. In addition to providing a total of thirty more instruction minutes per week, this scheduling modification provides for faculty and staff members to engage in professional development and planning activities. This change plays a critical role in moving our school district from good to great. Although there will be challenges in making the move to the new schedule, school personnel are ready to work with parents and community members to make the transition a smooth one. All elementary schools have after-school programs, and we will add the availability of a “Wednesday Only” after-school program for those families who need it. We are also surveying the parents of middle school students during the first two weeks of the school year to determine the need for middle school programs as well. The Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA and other community agencies are prepared to assist us in providing programs.
As you enter the 2007-08 school year, remember that a passion for learning comes first from the home, so never understate the significance of your contribution to your child's success. Only together can we make a difference. We look forward to a productive year that leads our students closer to becoming productive, action-oriented citizens of the 21st century.
Dr. Roger Dearing
Superintendent of Schools
Contact information for Dr. Dearing:
FAX number is (941) 708-8686
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