The Changing Face of Education
The face of education has changed significantly the past five years and is expected to change more in the next five years. The challenge to ensure all students are equipped with the knowledge and skills required to be ready for college or career, and the moral responsibility to ensure all students achieve at higher levels of learning forces schools to think differently about the efficient use of resources. For South Sioux City Community Schools, we are meeting this challenge by leveraging the collective talents of our teachers and administrators, and using those talents to ensure we meet the needs of all students. This “SUPTS ON” highlights a few of the changes that will positively impact the learning environment for students.
Earlier this spring, we informed our community that the school district would repurpose EN Swett making it an Early Childhood Center. Our district is committed to the goal that all students are on grade level in reading, writing, and math by the time they complete third grade. This move helps us offer FREE preschool to more families and do so at one central location. In addition to moving preschool programs to EN Swett, kindergarten teachers currently at Covington will join the preschool and kindergarten teachers at EN Swett making it a pre-kindergarten through kindergarten building. The students in grades 1-5 at EN Swett will join the Covington family. The face of Covington changes slightly as it becomes an elementary school focused on providing a quality learning experience for students in first through fifth grade.
Along with this move, Sue Galvin, the current principal at Covington, will become the principal at EN Swett. Mrs. Galvin’s background with early childhood along with her experiences in the area of literacy will help us achieve our goal that all students are on grade level in reading, writing, and math by the time they leave third grade. In collaboration with our talented pre-kindergarten and kindergarten teachers, the team at EN Swett will identify the knowledge and skills students will need to be ready for first grade and they will focus on providing quality instruction in the area of literacy. Students who possess strong reading and writing skills early in their educational experience are better prepared as they begin their elementary education experience, are equipped with the skills required to be successful in all academic areas, and are primed to take advanced courses that ultimately prepare them for college or career.
The district continues the theme of leveraging our talents with moves that impact two other buildings. Sheri Fillipi, current principal at Lewis and Clark, will become the principal at Covington. Mrs. Fillipi’s background with bringing groups together along with her experience of leading a large building will build on Covington’s very fine work in reading and math. Tangela Sylvester, current principal at EN Swett, will become the principal at Lewis and Clark. Dr. Sylvester has a tremendous understanding of our community and will bring a strong background in English as a Second Language to Lewis and Clark.
I am very proud of our students, teachers, and administrators. They have been challenged to raise academic expectations, change our culture to reflect higher academic standards, and ensure each and every child is equipped with the knowledge and skills required to successfully compete in a global economy. We have a talented group of educators who have responded well to these challenges. The moves highlighted in this version of “SUPTS ON” helps the school system take advantage of our educator’s talents, helps us focus on curriculum, instruction, and assessment, and helps strengthen the learning experiences we offer all students. WE ARE – SOUTH SIOUX CITY!
