AS our kids matriculate back into the home stretch of school year 2006-2007, I feel obliged to share some thoughts relating to our school and the people who work here.
Much has been said about the No Child Left Behind Act requirement to have “highly qualified teachers” in every classroom and rightfully there seems to be a general consensus that our children deserve no less. The main point of contention on this issue is in how we define a “highly qualified teacher.” The Board of Education’s definition with Praxis being a qualifying criterion has brought this issue to the forefront of our local banter and it continues to draw mixed emotions. There is some good data being generated through PSS which suggest that students in classes with teachers who have passed Praxis tend to perform better than those in classes with teachers who have not passed. I can say, unequivocally, that we have the exceptions to the rule and Praxis does not in and of itself measure the quality of a teacher. “Teaching cannot be reduced to list of duties and expectations, it is an art which can be practiced only with self-discipline, self-sacrifice, and self-confidence” (Conway). Every member of the San Vicente Elementary School faculty is prepared and working hard to facilitate high student achievement.
During the week of April 23-27, our 3rd, 5th and 6th grade students will all sit for the SAT-10 exams which are intended to answer three basic questions as follows: (1) How do our students compare to other students around the nation? (2) What do our students know and what can they do? and (3) Are our students making progress?
For our teachers, these tests have taken on additional significance in that their students’ results weigh in on their performance appraisals. Beyond that, if we are to continue receiving the federal funds that we get (which is a rather significant amount), we need to have 50 percent of our students performing at or above the 50th percentile as compared to other students around the nation.
Our students at SVES were able to meet this goal last year and if we are to do it again, we need to maintain meaningful collaboration between the school, the home and the community at large. We will succeed if each of us accepts our full share of responsibility, maintains the highest standards for our children, and supports one another.
“Over 30 years of research has proven beyond dispute the positive connection between parent involvement and student success. Effectively engaging parents, (families, and communities) in the education of their children has the potential to be far more transformational than any other type educational reform” (National PTA).
As a practical note, all of our kids should come to each testing day with a full night’s rest, a hearty breakfast and a smile.
To be sure, a good number of our teachers have passed Praxis I and II, completed college, achieved state certification and teach with sunshine pouring out their classrooms everyday — we should be looking to these individuals for insight. Above all, our children should remain the objects of our best efforts and we must keep their success clearly in our sight…our resolve is to “raise the bar, close the gap and make no excuses…our children will learn” (Villagomez).
Thank you for this opportunity.

JIM RAYPHAND
SVES Parent
and Acting Principal