The school year is off to a good start at North Judson-San Pierre, according to the two building principals. New Middle/High School Principal Jim Polite told the school board Tuesday enrollment is up by 14 over projections. Polite adds he was pleased with the tone of the initial staff meeting.
“The goals of setting high academic and conduct standards for students, the importance of consistency with enforcing policies. Exploring opportunities to expand the use of technology, and building positive relationship with students was stressed,” Polite said.
The staff also spent time discussing the importance of embracing change during the transition to a 7-12th grade school.
“This is a new chapter in the history of N.J.-S.P. schools. I reminded the staff that we’re setting the stage for future success by how we all approach this current school year and how we are all willing to adapt to this new 7th through 12th configuration,” Polite said.
N.J.-S.P. Elementary is now a kidnergarten-6th grade school. Principal Mike McBride says he’s very pleased with the leadership the 6th grade students are showing and with everyone’s adherence to the Bluejay Way.
“They’re all treating the staff and each other with respect and caring, so that’s always a good thing,” McBride told the school board. “Of course you know there’s always a honeymoon period, so a few will start to test you, but I feel really good about where we’re going to go from here for the rest of the year.”
McBride adds nearly 80 students are enrolled in kindergarten at N.J.-S.P., which made for some large classes. Rather than have 26 to 27 students per teacher, McBride says they’ve added a fourth section of kindergarten without an additional charge to the corporation’s general fund. That was done by transferring Sharon Fields from Title 1 to kindergarten teacher and rearranging the special schedule so teachers can provide Title 1 coverage.
