Collective Responsibility

Working as the Interim Principal at Split Rock has been eye-opening for me. My teaching background is rooted in secondary social studies education and my leadership roles have usually focused on supporting teachers' efforts to integrate instructional technology in meaningful ways. Nonetheless, I have been enjoying serving as Interim Principal at Split Rock and am excited to come to work every day as I am continuously learning about the role from our faculty and staff, students, and parents. One question that many parents have is "How come my child is switching teachers for math instruction?" Or "Why is my child being pulled out of the classroom for small group literacy instruction?" What I have learned is that West Genesee supports ALL students through our commitment to "Collective Responsibility."

What is Collective Responsibility?

• Collective responsibility is the shared belief that the primary responsibility of each member of the organization is to ensure all students are moving forward with their learning. 
• Collective responsibility exists when two conditions are examined, clarified, and adopted as the foundation for the shared mission of a school: 
• We believe that all kids can consistently move forward with their learning. 
• We make the collective commitment to ensure learning occurs for every student.
• Our system of support and enrichment for all students is centered around three "big ideas" and four "big questions."

3 Big Ideas A focus on LEARNING  A focus on COLLABORATION  A focus on RESULTS

4 Big Questions What do we expect every student to know?  How will we know if they have learned it?  What will we do if they don't?  What will we do if they already know it?

Collective Responsibility Process

Our collective responsibility model helps us to ensure that every child receives the time and support needed to learn at high levels through what is known as "TEAM Time" or "WINN Time." TEAM (Together Everyone Achieves More) and WINN (What I Need Now) are interchangeable terms--I know...it's confusing! Some of the other elementary schools have dropped the term WINN in favor of TEAM, but the concept is still the same. Here's what it all means:

1. Data Meetings: We respond in different ways for different learners with the knowledge that not all students learn the same way or at the same speed. Some students require interventions or additional practice to meet essential learning targets; whereas others who have already met the essential learning targets need to be challenged with additional opportunities. Grade-level teams meet every other week to analyze student work in order to identify needs. During that time, classroom teachers, instructional specialists, special education teachers, and teaching assistants review classroom data with the help of our literacy and math instructional coaches. They discuss student performance on assessments, plan core instruction and TEAM instruction, and discuss student groupings. 
2. TEAM Time: Each grade level team has a block of time during the day called TEAM time when they provide the interventions and opportunities that each student needs. You may have heard from your child or your child's teacher that your child sometimes receives support from a different teacher during literacy and/or math instruction, whether it's with another grade-level teacher or in a small group with an Instructional Specialist--it's part of our collective responsibility to provide what students need when they need it. We think it is a winning formula for student learning. 
3. Repeat: After approximately 2 weeks, we repeat the process of assessment, data analysis, grouping students, and providing instruction for all learners based on their individual needs. 

---

Dates to Remember:

Monday, January 28th Superintendent’s Conference Day, No School for students Wednesday, January 30th PTO Grade 5 Recognition Meeting, 6:30 - 7:30, Library Friday, February 1st Family Bingo Night, 6:00 - 7:00, Cafeteria

Tuesday, February 5th Redhouse Rapunzel Show, 2:00, Cafeteria PTO Meeting, 6:00 - 7:00, Library Wednesday, February 6th Board of Education Meeting, 7:00, WGHS Library Friday, February 8th Spirit Day, Grade 3

Back to School

Dear Split Rock Community,

I’m sure that Todd Freeman’s successful appointment as Superintendent of Cincinnatus Schools is bittersweet for many of you. As I have been shadowing Todd for the past few weeks, it is evident that Split Rock is a high performing school thanks not only to his leadership, but also to the dedicated staff that prioritizes teaching and learning for all students. I am honored to have been selected to serve as the interim principal. It is my goal to support the teachers’ efforts until a new building leader takes the reins.

Split Rock certainly has a special place in my life. I was a student here from 1975-82 (back then, it was a K-6 building). I made some of my first friends in Mrs. Steinbarge’s kindergarten class; learned how to read in Mrs. Smith’s 1st grade class; learned about geography in Mr. Stearns’ 3rd grade class, where he cleared the center of the room and used masking tape to create an outline of the United States on the floor; and was instilled with a curiosity about the world in 6th grade thanks to Mrs. Stott’s slide shows of her world travels. My niece and nephews attended Split Rock as well--Emma Lounsbery is now a senior; Danny is a junior; and Aiden is in 6th grade at CMS. Of course, as a former West Genesee teacher, I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to work directly with former students of mine, including Bridget Forsythe and Kelly Fucillo. I am also excited to work with so many teachers with whom I have had the privilege of collaborating in support of their instructional technology initiatives.

In the coming weeks, I am eager to learn from faculty and staff and to support them in any way I can. My goal, to borrow a phrase from the late George H. W. Bush, is to “stay the course” and continue the standard of excellence that Todd and the entire Split Rock staff have set. I am looking forward to getting to know the students as well and would be thrilled to visit classrooms to work alongside them.

The work we are doing today will have a lasting impact on our students and am confident that together, we will make this transition as smooth as possible for the continued success of our entire Split Rock community.

Sincerely,

Rob Leo