Region Corner

Northeast

Northeast Districts Working Together for Sustainability

Six districts in the Northeast Region have been sharing best practices through school and district visits over the past month. Duval, Clay, Volusia, Putnam, Alachua and Brevard counties have each identified areas in specific schools, or within the district, then NE BSI team connected them to schools and districts where those specific areas were strengths. Alachua and Brevard counties visited each other's district as part of their Transformational Leadership Academies and used the visits to observe turnaround principals in action at their schools. Volusia and Duval County were able to connect veteran turnaround principals with "rookie" principals and provide a perspective of turnaround from another district. Putnam County Superintendent Dr. Rick Surrency visited Mebane Middle School in Alachua County and provided great insight and wisdom to Alachua Principals about community engagement and the power of improving Tier 1 Instruction. Finally, Clay County and principal Sheree Cagle (CE Bennett Elementary) hosted six leaders from Brevard County to walk classrooms and discuss sustainable success in schools.

The power of getting outside of your district and seeking answers and options that best serve students is extraordinary. Thank you to all six districts who were willing to open their minds, hearts and doors to share and help improve the opportunities for all students in the state of Florida!

Northwest

West Gadsden Middle School has made great strides to increase the three pillars of school improvement. Through the pillar of Positive Culture and Climate the administration empowered students to be an instrumental part of the work through the development of the first Student Government at WGMS. Nazaria Mcleroy and Kevion Burns proud 8^th graders are the President and Vice President. Principal Jones has conducted data chats with the President and Vice President of SGA on the impact of the school grade. Through the SGA WGMS is building current and future leaders while leading the school community to success!

Southeast

Schools in the Southeast have utilized the last few months to respond to mid-year data by developing and implementing targeted instructional plans. Monitoring student assessment data allowed schools to pivot quickly to meet the needs of all learners. At Jesse Keen Elementary School in Polk County, this meant creating an updated focus calendar for whole group lessons based on highest need standards, and small group lessons for student-specific review. At Leesburg Elementary in Lake County, teachers will use data to drive their review of science content. All students will participate in hands-on labs and demonstrations, reading and writing about science, and daily formative assessments with support from Dr. Jarrett in the NW Region. At Chester A. Moore Elementary in St. Lucie County, the planning process continues to play an integral part in student success. Teachers plan intentionally for independent think time and varied response mechanisms to allow students to demonstrate mastery of grade level standards. All of the teachers and leaders in the Southeast continue to work diligently to provide students with learning opportunities to meet end of year grade level expectations.

Southwest

Pinellas County Schools hosted our 2022 BSI District Convening: Restore, Recover, Reimagine on Thursday, March 24th at Pinellas Technical College - St. Petersburg Campus. Participants from 20 districts across the state came to collaborate and learn from one another. Eight districts presented sessions, sharing best practices to restore, recover, and reimagine positive student outcomes for students. A special thank you to Superintendent Grego and Florida Teacher of the Year, Sarah Painter, for your inspirational words. The day ended with participants hearing from Stephanie Woodford, former principal of Lakewood Elementary School in Pinellas, who led the school in going from an F to an A. It was a great day for participants to connect with other district leaders as well as reflect on next steps to ensuring student success.