Posts filed under 'Education & Training'
September 29th, 2008
This morning I attended the Business Forum with a representative from Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates. Also in attendance were representatives from the Chamber, RAEDC, RACVB and a major restaurant. After discussing strengths and challenges of the District 205 School District, we opened up about key characteristics of the new superintendent that we thought were important.
The need for a Strategic Plan was one of the first requirements; a Plan approved by the board so that the superintendent would execute. It was apparent that this plan does not exist and needs to be available as they start to finalize the candidates. It seems that some work to the end was being done and hopefully would be made available before a final selection was made.
Strong leaderships skills, engaging with the “customers” a collaborator, one who could “roll up his/her sleeves” and connect with the various organizations in the community were among the major characteristics that we thought were important. As business people and organizations, we see the workforce element of the job very important so the person need not a straight academic but one who has business skills to better understand what the community (customers) needs.
We all felt that the process was good and as it develops, we hope that input will be asked again as the finalists are narrowed down and more of us get the chance to add our opinions. It’s an important selection, so stay tuned.
September 26th, 2008
. . .of the following schedule for focus group meetings with Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd., a search firm that specializes in assisting boards with the identification and selection of superintendents.
The RPS School Board invites you to participate in the identification of Leadership characteristics by attending a focus group and/or completing a Leadership Profile Survey form (see below).
  Focus group schedule - in 3 rooms at 201 S. Madison:
    Monday Sept. 29  8:00am    Higher Education
                                9:00         Community Organizations
                                                 Faith based organizations
                                                 Government Officials
                                10:00         Legal Community
                                 11:00         Business Community
                                4:00pm      PTO leaders
Â
     Tuesday, Sept. 30 1:00pm    Other Educators (outside RPS, Regional, Retired..)
                                  4:00         Student leaders
Â
If you are unable to meet with the consultants at your focus group time, please note that you will be able to share your thoughts with the consultants at one of the open Community Forums. The seven Community Forums, which will be facilitated by a member of the consultant firm, will be held on Monday, September 29, 2008 at 8am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, and 7pm at the District Administration Building, 201 S. Madison, rm #207, Rockford, IL and also at 7pm Monday at Booker Washington Community Center (1005 S. Court) and St. Elizabeth Community Center (1536 S. Main Street).
Please complete and bring the Leadership Profile Survey form to a Forum. If you will be unable to attend a Forum, please see the Rockford Public Schools web site www.rps205.com or mail/fax your completed form directly to the address/fax number indicated at the bottom of the form by October 1, 2008. Â
Thank you in advance for your assistance with this most important task.
Sincerely
Nancy Kalchbrenner
President – Rockford Public Schools Board of Education
September 24th, 2008
It’s now five weeks into the school year and the ACE High School students have been to the IMTS Show, participated in hands-on activities at Rock Valley College, listened to guest speakers, taken a trip to the Burpee to view and test Rock River water samples, and have a trip planned to the electricians’ union.
In this time, the teachers and staff continue to work on the soft skills so many employers desire. We realize the best trained or educated worker adds no value to a company if he/she cannot show up on time or shows little respect for what goes in the work place. Our golden rule at the school is “Respect First.”
Many in the community have asked how they can help make ACE a success. As we look ahead, we will need places for students to experience a full work day their junior or senior year. If you desire to build a relationship with a student who can become a potential employee please contact the school at 815.966.3036.
September 21st, 2008
I saw Superintendent Hernandez this morning and she said that the attendance has increased from the 46 when it was opened a few weeks ago to 52 students now. She commented that students are already been energized by what they are learning. So they are telling their friends and they are now signing up!
This is a great way for this school to increase in attendance. When students get excited and spread the word, great things happen.
Principal Michael Cermak and the ACS/205 staff are doing a great job! Keep it up!
September 19th, 2008
Manufacturers, take part in the process….
As you may be aware, the Board of Education has initiated its search for a superintendent of schools for the 2009/2010 school year. To provide counsel to us in this important process, the board has retained the services of Hazard, Young, Attea & Associates, Ltd., a search firm that specializes in assisting boards with the identification and selection of superintendents.
Â
A very important step in this process is the identification of the characteristics we will be seeking in a superintendent. We invite you to participate in the identification of these characteristics by attending a Community Forum and/or completing the Leadership Profile Survey form on the www.rps205.com web site.
Â
The seven Community Forums, which will be facilitated by a member of the consultant firm, will be held on Monday, September 29, 2008 at 8am, 10am, 1pm, 4pm, and 7pm at the District Administration Building, 201 S. Madison, rm #207, Rockford, IL and also at 7pm Monday at Booker Washington Community Center (1005 S. Court) and St. Elizabeth Community Center (1536 S. Main Street).
Â
Please complete and bring the Leadership Profile Survey form to a Community Forum. If you will be unable to attend a Forum, please see the Rockford Public Schools web site or mail/fax your completed form directly to the address/fax number indicated at the bottom of the form by October 1, 2008.
September 19th, 2008
Here’s a link to the latest monthly report on manufacturing from the Federal Reserve of Chcago….
http://www.chicagofed.org/economic_research_and_data/files/cfmmi_july2008.pdf
I heard William Strauss from the Federal Reserve in Chicago give Boone County a review of the economy. The meeting was open to the public and there must have been 50-60 people in attendance. Although he covered various economic data and topics, he made a number of points about manufacturing:
1. Manufacturing output is slightly below similar period of 2007.
2. Manufacturing Output is at record levels. Output may be down on those producers of consumer goods, but is up for those making equipment for industry. Example cited was the large $10 million CAT truck. CAT is also expanding their facilities for these vehicles and their backlog goes into year 2012!
3. Although Lite vehicle and lite truck sales are falling 11% and 19%, car sales are falling only 3%
4. Between Detroit Big 3 auto and the New Domestics (Honda, Toyota, etc) production in the U.S> from 1980 to now is about the same.
5. Buy America: Ford Mustang has a 70% U.S. content, Toyota Sienna has a 85% U.S. content.
6. While the Big 3 production and sales are declining over the past 28 years, U.S. made sales of Honda, Toyota, Nissan and the others is growing.
7. Productivity is key and recently it has been averaging twice the historical rate.
In all, what I heard didn’t make me want to jump out of the nearest high rise building.
September 19th, 2008
I saw Superintendent Hernandez this morning and she said that the attendance has increased from the 46 when it was opened a few weeks ago to 52 students now. She commented that students are already been energized by what they are learning. So they are telling their friends and they are now signing up!
This is a great way for this school to increase in attendance. When students get excited and spread the word, great things happen.
Principal Michael Cermak and the ACS/205 staff are doing a great job! Keep it up!
September 16th, 2008
This has been bumped up in case you missed it the first time….how will their policies affect Rockford’s manufacturing economy? Let’s hear from you…..
As Barack Obama and John McCain move into the next stage of the Presidential campaign, there’s one economic question they won’t be able to escape: What should Washington do to reverse the decline in manufacturing jobs? How each candidate answers that question might help decide which one wins.
Manufacturing’s political importance in this election year depends partly on geography. The crucial swing states of Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania have seen their manufacturing bases implode. Altogether, they have lost 200,000 factory jobs in the past two years alone.
Read further….
http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/08_26/b4090042435180.htm
September 14th, 2008
By the time we all get to work on Monday, our team will be 1/2 way through their day in Sweden.
Monday 15th 7 AM Departure Hotel Haga to the E-days
7.30 AM-5PM E-days conference
7 PM Anniversary Banquet
SACC-USA Anniversary Gala Banquet Dinner,
Nordiska Muséet, Djurgården
Follow them here….
http://rockfordelegationtosweden2008.blogspot.com/2008/09/flying-to-sweden.html
Previous Posts
