Holbrook Schools Aim To Ready Students For Future

By Tammy Gray-Searles
   When the school year starts in the Holbrook School District on Thursday, Aug. 6, students will be greeted by nine new teachers, as well as new goals and programs within the district.
   New teachers to the district include Rebecca Anderson of Sacramento, Calif., who will teach first grade at Park Elementary School; Kimberly Dedman of Chinle, who will teach kindergarten at Park; Rick Miller of Chinle, who will serve as behavior literacy coach at Holbrook Junior High School; Angela Miller of Chinle, who will teach gifted classes to students in kindergarten through sixth grade; Justin Madden of Sacramento, who will teach English at Holbrook High School; Kimberly Duffy of Pennsylvania, who will teach English at HHS; Jessica Zimmerman of Holbrook, who will teach fourth grade at Indian Wells Elementary School; Kara Gardner of Woodruff, who will teach third grade at Indian Wells; and Michelle Carlson, who is returning to teach in Holbrook once again from South Dakota, who will teach sixth grade at HJHS.
   District Superintendent Dr. Robbie Koerperich, who took over the reins this summer from Mary Koury, explained that there will be only one other administrative change. HJHS Assistant Principal Dr. Pam Sparrow will serve half-time as assistant principal, and half-time as grants or federal projects administrator.
   “That was the result of some budgetary decisions,” Koerperich remarked.
   In addition to striving for high academic achievement throughout the school year, Koerperich explained that the district has also set goals for the emotional and social development of students. He explained that a program is being put in place to identify and assist at-risk students who might need assistance to overcome emotional, mental or social problems. When an at-risk student is identified, school staff will come up with a plan for assisting that student, including coordinating resources outside of the school system.
   “It’s a ‘response to intervention’ program that will identify at-risk students and allow us to come up with a game-plan that we can follow through on,” Koerperich noted. “We need a plan to address these types of problems. We are doing the best we can already, but we need to continue to develop systems to be better.”
   To help get the program going, district staff members will be attending free training provided by the Arizona Masonic Foundation for Children. Koerperich noted that the training would cost about $12,000 if the district had to pay. Educators from Winslow, Chinle, Whiteriver, Round Valley and Blue Ridge will also be in attendance. The Navajo County Attorney’s Office and Sheriff’s Office are also sponsoring the training.
   The three-day training session is designed to help teachers and other school staff learn not only how to identify students who are at risk, but also how to intervene and what other community resources are available to assist such students.
   “It’s about what can we do to help,” Koerperich noted. “Not only can we help in the schools, but we can reach out to community resources.”
   He also remarked, “Academics is a high priority, social development is a high priority. We need to be able to offer emotional support to help students become all they’re capable of becoming.”
   According to Koerperich, area rancher and former school board member Bill Jeffers was instrumental in setting up the training.
   Other goals for the school year include a community outreach program to keep parents and citizens informed about what is going on at the schools. A series of open house events are planned, with topics such as school budgets, anti-bullying programs and Arizona Instrument to Measure Standards (AIMS) testing to be presented. Koerperich noted that the public will have the opportunity to come and ask questions of staff and administrators, and also learn about the challenges being faced by the schools.
   A new reading program, “Storytown,” will be put in place at the elementary schools this year, and at the high school, enhanced audio-visual programs will be offered. Koerperich explained that part of the program will include putting the high school newspaper online.
   Schools will continue to focus on extracurricular activities that lead to well-rounded development, and Koerperich noted that he hopes to see expanded music programs and more performances at the George Gardner Performing Arts Center.
   As for academics, which Koerperich emphasized is the main focus, district schools will be working to improve learning programs, raise test scores and ensuring teaching is relevant.
   “We have high expectations, and they need to be able to apply the skills they learn to the real world,” Koerperich remarked.
   He explained that all schools in the district met the No Child Left Behind criteria, and that the Arizona Learns profiles are looking good.
   “I’m comfortable that we’re on the right track,” Koerperich said. “When we hand out a high school diploma, I want them to be able to have the skills to do whatever it is they want to do. We’re on the right track to providing the best education to allow them to do that.”
   The first day of school for district students is Aug. 6. Meet the teacher events are planned from 2:30 to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 5, at Park, Hulet and Indian Wells elementary Schools. Koerperich noted that parents and students are also welcome to visit HJHS and HHS during that time if they wish to see the school or visit with the teachers.
   Returning teachers and staff will report on Aug. 4, and teachers who are new to the district will start today (July 29).