Harry Briggs Superintendent of Schools Email : harry.briggs@gcsd9.net Phone : 618 - 451 - 5800 Executive Secretary : Barb Bilbrey Email : barb.bilbrey@gcsd9.net

Superintendent's Message

We are well into the 2006-2007 school year and are amazed that the end of the first semester is so quickly approaching.  It appears that most everyone (students, teachers, parents, staff) are working diligently to make sure this is a great school year - from beginning to end.  That is how school districts become better - when everyone involved does their part to underscore the district's mission and ensure that students get the best possible education every day.  To all of our constituents we say "thank you" for continuing to do your best to make District #9 schools the best in the Metro East area.

Obviously, one of our primary objectives is to make sure we adequately teach what has always been referred to as "the 3 R's" - reading, writing, and 'rithmetic.  But to those basics, we now know that we must ask our students to
develop and practice a 4th R - RESPONSIBILITY.  Everyone knows that responsible students have a better chance of becoming a responsible adult later in life.  And that is one of the district's objectives - to develop students' abilities to become a responsible, life-long learner.

There probably isn't any one deep, dark secret that we can share to help students become more responsible.  But (according to the Parent Institute), there are seven habits that, if practiced regularly, help students achieve in school.  Below are those habits:

1.  They set goals.

  Goals keep students (actually, all of us) focused on our future.  They need to be determined with an understandable measurement included, such as:
  -  what grade would you like to get on this week's test?
  -  how do you intend to improve your grades by the end of this quarter?
- what do you need to do to reach your goals?

As one can see, goals help us focus on what is important to us.  We have now put the vision in our head down on paper or in words to another person - and with such a vision, it is much more easy to get there.  It has also been demonstrated that students with goals find it easier to say "no" to irresponsible behaviors … because they are, in effect, saying "yes" to their vision of the future.

2.  They plan their time.

 Responsible people know what they are supposed to do and meet their obligations in a timely manner (such as turning in homework when it's due or showing up to take a test prepared).  Students who use a calendar or daily planner to organize their time find it easier to meet their obligations.

3.  They study every day.

Learning is analogous to building a house - you do it a little at a time, based on a good foundation.  Responsible students set aside time for homework, reading, reflective thinking, review, etc. every day.  They do not require the teacher or parent to assign them something to do.

4.  They take notes in class.

It has been demonstrated that students who earn all "A's" have one thing in common - they take notes in class.  They understand that teachers have already sifted through the enormous amount of information and will be presenting what they think is important.  Responsible students take notes, review them before a test, and watch their grades go up.

5.  They have the tools they need.

Responsible students go to class armed with paper, pens /  pencils, etc. so that they are prepared to learn.  Ask yourself this-  would you want to be treated by a doctor who did not own a stethoscope or expect your house to be built by a carpenter without the proper tools?  Probably not.  Going to class prepared sets the proper tone for learning.

6.  They keep their commitments.

Responsible people honor their commitments, both to themselves and others.  Students do their homework to the best of their ability and turn it in on time.  They do their share of work when it is a group project.  They go to sports or music practice, even when they do not feel their best, because they know that those around them count on them being there.  Responsible people feel a true satisfaction when they meet their commitments.

7.  They get ready ahead of time.

 Have you ever noticed that morning time is a crisis period for many people?  Men shaving in their cars or women putting on makeup while in traffic.  Students who can't find their homework.  No time to eat breakfast.  Rushing here, rushing there.  Responsible students know that being late, or being early, is a choice they can make for themselves.  It is not something that automatically happens every day.  And being on time helps set the tone for the day - a more positive, relaxed way to learn.

Experts say that if a person practices an action for just 21 days, it is likely to become automatic.  Encourage yourself to act on these seven habits for the next three weeks and you will likely find yourself doing them without even knowing it.  And then be prepared to see your grades go up.