1985-09-26 Thu Leaders of Business.pdf

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22A HERALD TIMES Thursday, Sapttmbar 24, 1995
EDUCATION
Inside Gaylord enrollment quality
Teamwork, communication keys to school success
GAYLORD — Contrary to trends In many
other Michigan school districts, enrollment
at Gaylord Community Schools keeps going
up.
Despite the increased number of students,
Supt. Tom Gill said the school system has
been progressing smoothly. Teamwork and
communication have helped.
"This year has started out, probably as
smooth, or even more smoother than any
previous year," Gill said. ^
The number of students has surprised
him. While he had estimated the system
would be up about 40 students, the increase
is more like 100. Official fourth Friday
enrollment counts will be done on Friday,
Sept. 27.
Gill said that the Gaylord schools, though
achieving national and state recognition in
the past, are working harder today to work
toward earning an "Excellence in Education"
rating.
Gaylord High School won a national
recognition award from the US Dept. of
Education in 1904, and Gaylord Middle
School duplicated the honor this year.
"There are more teachers doing things in
a quality way for the students," Gill commented.
"They have incorporated some new
ideas and methods. The children will be the
winners in the total education program in
Gaylord.
"In regard to the quality of workmanship
and production, we are not only getting production
from the teachers, but quality of
workmanship."
RON EMMOREY, president of the
Gaylord Education Association, said
teachers and administrators have
developed a mutual respect.
Teachers have avenues, for example a
faculty council, for communication with the
administration. Meeting points between
teachers and administrators has made the
relationship more realistic.
"You can't solve everything," Emmorey
said, "and teachers are more willing to say,
'yes, that's true'." There is a recognition of
administrative limits, he added.
EDUCATIONAL COMPLEX - The
South Maple Elementary School (I)
Larger class sizes comprise the biggest
challenge for the district now, he said.
Programs are putting an emphasis on
positive approaches, both in and outside of
the classroom.
About 80 of the district's 120 teachers went
through the motivational "Born to Win"
program this past summer.
Emmorey indicated that the experience
could help teachers deal positively with confrontations
and resolve disputes amicably.
MASTERY LEARNING, a program to
help more students achieve in school, is in
an initiation stage in the district.
"Some (teachers) are starting to use it,"
Emmorey said.
While much has been said and written
about the program, he put Mastery Learning
into a nutshell: "It's just plain not being
willing to let kids fail."
The program can involve peer tutoring,
establishing clear goals, and repetition of
material, he explained. Planning is the key.
Other school staff members make important
contributions, including the cafeteria
people.
"They try to encourage children to eat, by
and the Gaylord Middle School
dominate this bird's eye photograph.
providing nutritious meals," Gill remarked.
"The custodians take pride in their
buildings.
"The future of the district will depend on
the outcome of what children learn and what
they can produce, rather than the
methods," Gill stated.
"We will be more interested in the test
results. Along with this, we will expect our
students to become very competitive in the
market place."
He added the self-confidence teachers
have given students will continue to make
impressions in the educational system.
Kindergarten builds for St. Mary
GAYLORD - St. Mary Cathedral Schools
has been experiencing expansion.
The Rev. James Suchocki, superintendent,
noted that at the elementary level, two
new teachers have joined the staff. A new
math teacher has started in the high school.
"We have added a second kindergarten
class this year," the Rev. Suchocki noted.
"Last year we had 18 students. This year we
have 41." Last year's class was the first
Community contact stressed
kindergarten offered at St. Mary.
Regarding attendance at the parochial
school, he mentioned the elementary is up
one student, and the high school has about 10
fewer students than last year.
"The 41 in kindergarden is an increase
over the size of the classes in the past
years," he remarked.
Father Suchocki says the elementary
level has changed over the years in that the
school has been able to add a prayer room.
The children have access to this room during
the day.
He stated Angela Lebrato, who works in
the high school as a religion instructor, will
also be in charge of retreats throughout the
high school.
"The spirit is good, with integration between
the religious and academic aspects,"
Father Suchocki said.
Student count up slightly at J-L schools
JOHANNESBURG - Ray Hyek,
superintendent of the Johannesburg -
Lewiston Area Schools, said the district has
come a long way this year.
Hyek said tbe overall attendance in the
district Is up a bit, "probably about 13-15
students, district-wide. It is just a little
more than we expected."
Hyek noted the schools have hired a couple
of new teachers, and have added com-
puterized drafting to the educational program.
"The youngsters are learning this technique
of computer aided drafting," he explained.
"It gives the student an opportunity
to do the dbrafting on the board, providing
both speed and accuracy."
When asked how he compares this fall
with the last school year, Hyek noted, "I am
very pleased with the way we have started
this year. The morale and attitudes are
good.
"There is good support from the community,
including a lot of interest and participation.
As long as we cater to these people
and provide the ideas they suggest, I
think we have a good future." he remarked.
He said the types of educational programs
offered by the school system are important,
and it is vital to listen to what the communi-
He indicated the values of the education
system can offer a combination as good
academics, and a "God experience."
Father Suchocki noted a committee has
been formed for long range planning.
"The emphasis will be on academics,
spiritually as well as a holistic approach to
education. This will include service to the
broader community and service to people in
general," he concluded.
ty wants in regard to improvements.
As for student performance, he said recent
test results from SAT and ACT exams
are significant.
"It shows students are improving." Hyek
commented. "I believe the attention these
test results are getting makes people and
educators pay more attention to these test
levels."