Your Voice Matters

The Board and I are committed to listening to all of the constituents of the Mineola UFSD.  We understand that we are in a consumer business and the customer is always right! To that end we have partnered with K-12 Insight to gather information from you.  We recently launched a new section on our website called Your Voice Matters.  We are using this portal to reach out to the community, hear your voices, and respond to your ideas.  Below is a calendar for the year of the different ways we will be listening. Please make sure to participate in upcoming surveys or drop us a note so we can demonstrate our commitment to you, your children and this community.

• August- Launch of Your Voice Matters- NEW- “Talk with Mike” link. Constituents can: ask a question, comment, concern, suggestion or compliment.
• October- Alumni E-mail Collection Survey-  Link on Your Voice Matters portal to gather Alumni information in order to launch Alumni surveys next year
• October- Community Survey- Seeking information on “How are we doing?”  Overall perception of the District and a check in on mission and core values. A special section gathers data on the possible expansion of summer recreational programs
• November- High School Focus Groups- Meeting with staff and parents in two different groups to discuss the results of last year’s HS Climate survey and inform the development of this year’s HS/MS Climate survey
• March- High School Climate Survey- Administered to Staff, Students and Parents to gather information and perspectives about the High School
• March- Middle School Climate Survey- Administered to Staff, Students and Parents to gather information and perspectives about the Middle School

Direct link- http://www.mineola.k12.ny.us/pages/Mineola_UFSD/District_Info/YourVoice

Maybe playing video games really isn’t that bad…

I recently came across the article Grand Test Auto (link below).  It is a well written piece about the possible future of assessments.  It describes a current prototype of an assessment on fractions that takes place as students play a video game.  Very interesting read!

http://www.washingtonmonthly.com/magazine/mayjune_2012/special_report/grand_test_auto037192.php?page=all

.05

I am reminded of the final scene from Rocky 3 when Apollo redeems ‘his favor’ from Rocky.  He said- “I lost by one second Rock, I have a hard time processing that” of course then he goes on to come out of retirement in Rocky 4 presumably because he beat the champ in that unofficial  bout.  I agree with Apollo- I have a hard time processing that our Marching Band ‘lost’ by .05 points.  That one is too close to call!  Congratulations to our Band for another fantastic showing in Syracuse.  The subjectively of such a close point total doesn’t diminish the wonderful season you all had. I am proud that you represent our school and community with grace and dignity.