Thursday, January 10, 2013
N/Warren Town and County News
Page Nine
DENNY WULF
Concluded from p. 1
ably become more intense with the new state proposal
which requires 36 hours of peer-r~!ated professional
development beginning in the 2013-14 school year.
In response to this data, a question was posed in our
2011 parent survey. The survey found a n~ ajority of par-
ents supported more time for professional development
at early outs. The board then requested a SIAC (School
Improvement Advisory Committee) focus group led by
Curriculum Director Mark Crady. SIAC recommended
that we add more early outs to our calendar for next
year.
Putting this recommendation in perspective, I will
use my own life as an educator. The amount of time
allocated for professional development is unchanged
since I arrived in Norwalk as a teacher in 1979. How-
ever, teachers face many more state and federal man-
dates than I did in 1979. The following was cut and
pasted from the research of Jamie Vollmer, Executive
Director of the Iowa Business and Education Roundtable
and former President of Great Midwestern Ice Cream
Company. It simply lists the "required schoolwork"
added over the decades (in addition to the traditional
three R's, fine arts and related arts), since I started teach-
ing:
1980s initiatives added to teachers: Keyboarding and
computer education, global education, multicultural/
ethnic education, nonsexist education, English-as-a-sec-
ond-language and bilingual education, teen pregnancy
awareness, Hispanic heritage education, early childhood
education, Jump Start, Early Start, Even Start and Prime
Start, full-day kindergarten, preschool programs for
children at risk, after-school progi ~ns for children of
working parents, alternative ed, uca ion in all its forms,
stranger/danger education, antismoking education,
sexual abuse prevention education, expanded health and
psychological services and child abuse monitoring (a
legal requirement for all teachers).
1990s initiatives added to teach rs: Conflict resolu-
tion and peer mediation, HIV/AIi ~S ~' ,cation, CPR
training, death education, America 200i ~itiatives, in-
clusion programming for special ~ ~uc ~n students,
expanded computer and internet iuc ~on, distance
learning Tech Prep and School to ~ ~rk p Grams, tech-
nical adequacy assessment, post-se ond ~-ry enrollment
options, concurrent enrolment opti ,ns, ~ }als 2000 ini-
tiatives (Norwalk's focused on men~ rin? ewteachers),
expanded Talented and Gifted oppo:tun s, ,~t risk and
dropout prevention and homeless c iuc~ ~n (including
causes and effects on children).
2000s initiatives added to teachers: :~ervice learn-
ing, bus safety, bicycle safety, gun sa~ .ty a d water safety
education, No Child Left Behind, b~ ty p~ ,vention, anti-
harassment policies (gender, race, ~ ~ligi n, or national
origin), expanded early childcare and wr, '~ around pro-
grams, elevator and escalator safew inF "uction, body
mass index evaluation (obesity ,itori g), organ do-
nor education and awareness prog- ~ns, rsonal finan-
cial literacy, entrepreneurial and b. now~tion skills de-
velopment, media literacy devek pmc ~t, contextual
learning skill development, healti and wellness pro-
grams Race to the Top, artifact coli, ctior ~. for the Iowa
teaching standards portfolios, required tr, ning in safety
and "Right to Know" laws and chiid ab se training.
2010-12 initiatives enacted or p~:,posed: Legislation
requiring the "Iowa Core" (a huge content and peda-
gogy change for Iowa schools), Governor's Taskforce
recommendations proposing changes t ~ teacher and
administrator evaluation and standar, s, the role of
teacher leadership and compensation ~:xpansion, in-
creased accountability reporting to the state of Iowa in
all areas, lengthy "equity accountability" to the federal
government, college and career readiness requirements,
moving from ITBS testing to a much more comprehen-
sive and "international style" testing called Smarter
Balance, third grade retention requirements, enhanced
student safety requirements and many o hers.
Despite this lengthy list of additional requirements,
Norwalk has not added any early out time in response
to these mandates since I started ~chir !~ in 1979. The
state of Iowa also requires teache to, ntinually ac-
quire credits for recertification of their t, aching license
(just like nurses, doctors, lawyers and other profession-
als). These continuing education courses are taken on
their own time and at their own expense, just like other
state-certified professions. Teachers also work toward
advanced degrees to deepen their knowledge of subject
material content, acquire more effective teaching peda-
gogy designed to move student achievement, which
increases their salaries. They also accrue these advanced
degrees on their own time and at their own expense.
The new mandates from the state and federal gov-
ernment are clear and non-negotiable. These are not
"choices" left to the discretion of teachers or schools.
These mandates require the implementation of new
equipment and technolog35 require complex and re-
search-based practices in response to data, add multiple
layers of standardized testing and mandate teacher col-
laboration for our state-required District Professional
Development Plans, Building Professional Development
Plans and Individual Teacher Professional Development
Plans. The state mandates that professional development
be done as teams, not in isolation. It also requires that
much of the work must be done while classes are in ses-
sion. The data is collected from student assessments,
midcourse adjustments to teaching are made based on
this data and students are re-tested to monitor continu-
ous improvement. So, this work cannot be done during
the summer or times that school is not in session.
Norwalk has delayed this professional development
study to fully understand the nature and longevity of
the new state and federal mandates before we ask for
additional time. The direction from government is now
clear. These mandates will not go away and will prob-
ably expand as society becomes more complex.
We have a great staff and all of Iowa knows it! You
have seen Norwalk teachers win more awards per capita
than any other school in Iowa. Norwalk is proud of our
staff and their professionalism. Multiple studies reveal
that they use existing professional development time
wisely:Simply, there is just not enough time available
to manage these new mandates. I realize there will be
people who disagree with this assessment or argue with
the conclusions. I anticipate that changing to a profes-
sional development schedule that is similar to Des
Moines, Indianola, Anken35 Waukee, Johnston, Dallas
Center-Grimes and others will create the same incon-
veniences for our families that occur in those school dis-
tricts. As superintendent, I must address this academic
issue in the same direct fashion that we addressed our
facilities issues. We will try to creatively work with
schedules to maintain the amount of student/teacher
contact that we have traditionally enjoyed. As you might
expect, it will be a challenge. We invite your input at
our website at www.Norwalk.k12.ia.us. I ask for your
understanding and support as we .move through this
process.
Go Warriors!
OVIATT
Concluded from p. 8
last for weeks, months, or even longer. In addition, when
children are sad, they can usually tell you why; how-
ever, children who are depressed typically cannot ex-
press why they are feeling so low. Some of the symp-
toms of depression in children include problems with
sleeping, nightmares and unusual anger. Schoclwork
often suffers, as children who are depresseddo mt feel
motivated to try or participate. Depressed children also
pull away from their friends and family membe:s and
become increasingly alone. It is absolutely vital hat, if
you sense your child is suffering from depressiol, you
have him or her seen and evaluated. You can begil with
the school nurse or social worker, but you willprob-
ably be referred to a child psychologist. DepreMon is
treatable and often curable. The important thin; is to
get hellS.
I
(NAPS)--State depart-
merits of transportation and
related industries applauded
recent congressional adop-
tion of a 27-month trans-
portation authorization, says
Pete K. Rahn, of the HNTB
Corporation. For more about
infrastructure investment,
contact the state department
of transportation or visit
www.hntb.com.
When employees have
peace of mind at home, they
will be more productive and
engaged when at work.
That's the opinion of Chrysler
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Tim Sullivan, the presi-
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to search at www.ancestry.
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LEISURE LINE
Concluded from p. 3
technique/form practice, workout, finisher and cool
down. You win need to bring the following to class: 5'-
1" PVC pipe (for stretching and teaching tool) one base-
ball, jump rope and water/towel. Instructor: Angie
Starmer is original founder of CrossFit Iowa, Certified
Level I CF Instructor, 2010 Sectional and Regional
CrossFit Competitor, Olympic Weightlifting Certified
and DMPD PT Consultant. Registration: Through Janu-
ary 18; Dates: February 5, 7, 12, 14, 26, 28, March 5, 7,
12, 14; Days: Tuesdays and Thursdays; Cost: $47.50
Norwalk residents, $54.50 non-residents (prorated this
session only); Class Time: 7:30 p.m.-8:30 p:m.; Location:
Oviatt Multi-purpose room (door 16); Minimum/
Maximum: 10/20.
CRAFT CLUB
This program is for children in 3rd through 4th grades
at Lakewood Elementary. The children meet once a
month after school to make special arts and crafts
projects. Registration: January 17 through January 25.
Time: 3:15-4:15 p.m.; Lakewood-Dates: January 11, Feb-
ruary 11; Location: Art Room at Lakewood, Cost per
class: Norwalk residents $11,50, non-residents #13.25;
Minimum/Maximum: 6/20.
NORWALK FAMILY TAE KWON DO
Michael Wagenknecht is the head instructor of the
school and offers programs for ages five through adults.
The classes are separated by rank (beginners and ad-
vanced) and students meet twice a week. Class meets
Tuesdays and Thursdays, in the Oviatt gym or multi-
purpose room. Beginners meet from 6-6:30 p.m. and
advanced students meet from 6:30-7:30 p.m. (Times can
vary.)
We also offer a Little Dragon program designed for
children ages five to seven. Little Dragons meet twice a
week. This program is run concurrently with the begin-
ning class.
All programs consist of hand and foot techniques,
forms, self-defense, lessons and instructions on topics
such as respect, self-discipline and perseverance.
Competition is also available for those students who
are interested. Competition teaches sportsmanship,
gives confidence and allows the students to use the skills
they have learned in class.
Families are strongly encouraged to join and train
together. We found that the kids learn better when one
or both of their parents/guardians are learning along-
side of them in class. Cost per session: (1st family mem-
ber): Norwalk residents, $57.50; Non-residents, $66.25;
2nd and 3rd Family Member: Norwalk residents, $28.75
Non-residents, $33.25 each, Maximum Family Fee:
Norwalk residents, $115, Non-residents, $132.50; Cost
of testing for belts and competition is extra. Anyone
registering for Tae Kwon Do after the registration
deadline has passed will be required to pay a $15 late
fee in addition to the cost of the program.
Registration Dates: January 21 through February 1;
Session Dates: February 5, 7, 12, 14, 26, 28, March 5, 7,
12, 14, 26, 28, April 2, 4, 9, 11; Days: Tuesday/Thursday;
Location: Oviatt Multi-purpose room (door #16). (Dates
could vary due to school functions/concerts).
OPALS- SENIOR CITIZEN PROGRAMS
(Older People with Active Life Styles)
SENIOR CITIZEN EXERCISE
Everyone ages 55 and older is invited to attend a free
exercise program that will include stretching and ton-
ing. We will meet at the Norwalk Christian Church lo-"
cated at 701 Main St. This program will run until the
end of May. Days: Monday and Thursday; Time: 10-
10:30 a.m.
SENIOR CITIZEN WII BOWLING
Do you miss the game of bowling? Not quite as spry
as you used to be? We invite you to try the gameof Wii
bowling. This game mimics actions performed in real
life bowling without having to travel to a bowling alley.
Each week teams will be assigned for those who show
up and we will have a little competition. This program
will continue until March. (Will take off during the holi-
days). Place: Norwalk Public Safety Bldg; Time: Thurs-
days, 1:30-3 p.m.
WELL-SEASONED POTLUCK
(The meat as well as the people)
All are invited, age 55 or older, to attend a potluck
dinner to enjoy and socialize with the Parks and Recre-
ation staff. Meat, tableware and coffee/beverage are pro-
vided. Dust off the cookbooks and be creative to bring a
side dish and/or dessert to share with everyone. After
the meal we will have some form of entertainment from
local talent. Let us know your email address and we
will send out reminders with what meat we plan to have
on that day. Call the office to register two days before
the event. Dates: February 1, March 1; Time: 11:30 a.m.-
1 p.m.; Place: Norwalk Public Safety Building.
