2010 Winter Break Edition-
"From the Superintendent's Desk" Letter
This school year, we have seen many signs of progress. We’ve had our highest enrollment increase in over a dozen years. Our menu of school options has expanded—we now have 30 charter and magnet schools, compared to only 16 in 2006. 48% of our elementary and middle school students attend “Excellent” rated schools—twice the state average. Thanks to public support, the capital building program will continue to transform our county, modernize our classrooms, and empower our teachers and students with today’s technology. And best of all, our students continue to out-perform their peers across the state in most categories tested by annual elementary, middle, and high school assessments.
To be sure, we have our challenges. I have recently said that I’m encouraged, but not satisfied, with our results. Every day, we are driven to accelerate and improve. We must close persistent achievement gaps between groups of students. We must prioritize public education funding. Severe budget cuts—worsening each year—threaten our students’ progress and demand that we change the ways in which public schools get funded in our state and county.
But I am absolutely confident that we can tackle these challenges together, and make them a thing of the past. On the strength of effective teaching—the Victory is in the Classroom!—hard work and commitment to our students, we will continue to make progress. Our work is never easy, but it is the most important work in the world, and I am privileged to join you—our staff, parents, partners and volunteers—in this mission to ensure that every student graduates from CCSD prepared to succeed in college and the 21st Century workforce.
Thanks again for everything you do to contribute to this mission. As we pause for two weeks of winter break and furlough days, I send you best wishes and hope you have a memorable and peaceful holiday with friends and family. I look forward to seeing you back and in—or supporting—our schools on Monday, January 3rd!
Watch Dr. McGinley's Winter Break Video Message to CCSD Employees
