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9-R champions forward-thinking approach

Some students visit classrooms ahead of Monday’s opening
Logan Munn, 5, son of Abbi and John Munn, checks out his cubby space in Lauren Pietrack’s kindergarten classroom at Needham Elementary School. School begins Monday for 9-R students.

The calendar indicates that it’s still summer, but schoolchildren and teachers know better.

Only the weekend stands between them and a new routine.

Durango School District 9-R students were visiting their respective classrooms Friday to drop off supplies and to meet teachers.

A day earlier, district Superintendent Dan Snowberger spoke to teachers, nonteaching staff members and community leaders at the annual convocation to give perspective to the upcoming school year.

At Needham Elementary School, fifth-grade teacher Amber Schenk awaited students curious about their new setting.

“I have 16 students. Unheard of,” said Schenk, who has taught as many as 29 in Denver.

Preston Sellers, 10, arrived with mom Angela Sellers. He started school at Animas Valley Elementary, moved to Scottsdale, Arizona, and now lives a couple of blocks from Needham.

“Vacation was nice, but I’m ready to come back,” said Preston, who had no questions for Schenk. “I like math and reading, and I want to get into football, lacrosse and wrestling.”

At the convocation Thursday, Snowberger said the approach to education needs to change.

Old attitudes about what to teach, how to teach and whom to teach are out, Snowberger said. Instruction must be forward-looking and include all students, even those whose potential isn’t immediately evident.

“The key is looking at what we need to do differently,” Snowberger said. “What we do isn’t about us but about our children and the community.”

Recently released results of academic performance statewide show Durango students more than holding their own in many areas.

But weaknesses exist, math being probably the most notable, Snowberger said. As a countermeasure, the district invested $285,000 in a new elementary math curriculum that will kick in with the start of school.

Among points Snowberger made:

Students have to prepare for jobs that don’t exist now. It’s up to educators and the community to see that they’re able to meet the challenge.

School is no longer just 13 years of seat time. Students – quick studies and slower-paced students alike – must be accommodated.

In order to graduate with marketable skills, students must achieve a year or more of academic growth from August to May. Students entering sixth-grade this fall must test proficient in reading, writing and math in order to graduate from high school.

The district needs to take chances on new approaches.

“We can’t wait until we’re 100 percent sure,” he said. “If it doesn’t work, get up and go on.”

The district sees parents as partners in educating children.

Tests can point to solutions when learning difficulties arise.

The gap between underachievers and their better-performing peers must be closed. Slow learners will receive increased attention.

Students who don’t catch on immediately aren’t failures. The Beatles were told by a music teacher that they had no talent, he said.

Snowberger said educators must recapture their profession.

“If we don’t change results, we’ll have it done for us. Reform will be forced on us,” Snowberger said, a reference to legislators in Denver.

Personal commitment to the task is expected, he said bluntly.

If district employees aren’t ready, willing or passionate about their mission, maybe 9-R isn’t the best fit for them, Snowberger said.

In concluding, Snowberger said: “We can do better. With help, all kids can meet with success. We won’t settle for less.”

daler@durangoherald.com



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