As we begin the 2009-2010 school year, we face excellent opportunities with the passing of the Levy to create and implement innovative strategies that will create platforms of success for our students, to prepare them academically and for life. As a resident of Richmond Heights and an educator, thank you for the privilege to serve our community as the new superintendent, and for your support as I advocate for our children. I am excited and honored to serve you in this critical role for the Richmond Heights Local School District.
The school district strives to continually raise the achievement bar for all students and to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of programs and services. We have lost student population, but I want to bring students living in the Richmond Heights community back. To accomplish this, 21st century teaching and learning must ensue. Students must be able to critically think, be creative, and collaborate with others to solve problems in innovative ways by understanding the global economy and the use of technology. Thus, our students need to become world-class thinkers, innovators, and leaders. To accomplish this five guideposts are envisioned that will lead us to making progress.
· Strong academic strides by promoting learning core subjects in new and different way. New initiative like the Early College High School.
· Collaboration with parent, teachers, and community to raise student achievement. Establish a Parent Leadership Institute that will empower parents and help them get involved to make a difference.
· Teacher enhancement & advancement that enhances teacher quality by changing the overall culture with collaborative teams focused on learning, incorporating best practice and current reality.
· Technology that raises the bar for students to become technically savvy in preparation for today’s marketplace, using new innovations like the Kindle to accentuate using media that traditional teaching does not incorporate.
· Real world experiences – High school students interested in learning more about careers in health care and other demand industries, as we begin our discussion with the Cleveland Clinic in introducing a nursing program.
Changing times require new solutions that produce results and a commitment to continuous improvement to focus on effective learners, collaborators, and communicators. Together we the Richmond Heights School District – parents, students, district employees and community members can work together for a great cause, our children’s future.
Yours for kids,
Dr. Linda T. Hardwick
Superintendent
W.U.S.E. (We UnderStand Excellence)
2/2/2010