Freeport superintendent's view: Help us make school the center of our community

As the new school year approaches, I have set out several priorities to guide my work as superintendent in order to move the district forward.

One primary focus is to promote consistent two-way communication and meaningful parent involvement to help build support for our schools. Building strong and effective partnerships that will enhance student achievement requires schools to talk and listen to parents, community groups, business leaders and others with a stake in student learning. I am currently meeting with individuals in the community to gain their perspective.

The district also is looking at several different avenues to reach out to all stakeholders. This includes looking to expand the district’s social media presence and to initiate more coverage by local media. I am looking forward to having several community forums throughout the school year to discuss specific topics such as finance and curriculum, which will allow us to gather feedback and to identify ways to improve.

There is also clear evidence that expanding schools’ outreach beyond families into the community has a measurable positive impact on student learning, family engagement, school effectiveness and community vitality. The Freeport School District needs to be the center of our community. With this in mind, the school district would like to increase the number of volunteers coming into its buildings by looking for positive role models who are willing to tutor, mentor, read or maybe just share a lunch with students.

Finally, it is easy to locate the state test scores of the Freeport School District, which are lower than the average and show an increased achievement gap. We will continue to address these issues in a variety of ways. To improve academic achievement, the district continues to develop and implement rigorous programs through critical thinking and 21st-century, student-centered learning experiences.

Our students have access to a balanced curriculum that focuses on the core subjects and the fine arts. We will continue to provide resources and support to our teachers and students in order to address the needs of each individual student. However, there is more to a district than one test score. Successful schools offer a wide range of academic and extra-curricular opportunities. Here are a few in our district you may not be aware of:

— CollegeNow and dual credit opportunities with Highland Community College

— AVID College Readiness Program in middle and high schools

— Advanced elementary opportunities through the Magnet school and HAPP program

— NJROTC receiving national recognition

— All schools participate in helping others both locally and internationally

— K-2 Discovery Center field trips funded by the Community Foundation of Northern Illinois

— CareerTec Program, which helps those going into the workforce

— A partnership with the Boys and Girls Club that provides quality after-school programming

— Fine Arts opportunities include our Grammy Foundation-recognized music program and annual World Arts Festival

The parents, students, staff and community take tremendous pride in the Freeport School District. There are concerns in the district that we will begin and continue to address. In order to be successful, we all must take ownership of our students’ academic success and work as one unit. We must seek the right people, share the right plans and stay on the right paths.

I look forward to meeting you out in the community and at school events. I also ask you to stop by and share your thoughts with me. Let’s get out there and continue to positively promote our school district. My hope is that you will stop someone in town and say, “Hey, let me tell you about the Freeport School District and all the things it's doing to help our future.”

Mike Schiffman is superintendent of Freeport School District 145.