Mr. Geoff Bontrager Ed.S.
Superintendent
Greetings Mountie Nation!
This edition of the Spring Newsletter is focused on the Renewal of Northwest Community Schools. We are on a fast track to success. In a few short months we have made some amazing changes in this great district.
· All of the buildings have implemented the Nurtured Heart Approach to building a positive culture.
· The new Common Core State Standards are being implemented district-wide.
· The school district budget is balanced to reflect fiscal responsibility and frugality.
· The teachers and support staff have finalized their contracts through amicable negotiations.
There has been a lot of momentum on all fronts! It is great to be a Mountie!
That is what is happening on the inside; what about the outside?
We have been traveling all over this vast district to meet with as many community members as possible to share the state of our aging facilities here at Northwest.
We made a video that shows the condition of the heating, cooling and building structures in our district. However, the best part of this process has been meeting all the hundreds of great people that make up our diverse fabric of our Northwest community.
Educating students is hard work and we cannot do it alone. We need your support. In the Mountie Newsletter there are various slides that explain the process that our community has gone through to develop the scope of the 2013 Bond Proposal. Please read this with a critical eye…. WE want YOU to be as informed as possible.
If you would like more information please join us on one of the following nights at R.W. Kidder Middle School Media Center for a Bond Community Meeting:
1. March 21, 2013 6:00 pm
2. April 11, 2013 6:00 pm
3. April 25, 2013 6:00 pm
Please be sure you are registered to vote! You can get voter registration information off our district website on the Bond Information tab and in this edition of the Mountie Newsletter.
Please be sure you are armed with information on the proposals. Get your questions answered. We want everyone to understand that this is a time for us to work together as a community for the good of our Mountie Nation!
May 7, 2013 is the day that you can make a difference in the quality of our future!
Thank you and remember….
We are……. Northwest!
Go Mounties!
December 17, 2012
Dear Mountie Nation,
This letter is one in which I took many hours this weekend contemplating. As your Superintendent, it is my number one responsibility to assure the safety and well-being of each and every student, employee, and volunteer that walks on our Northwest campus. It is in the aftermath of such a tragedy of what occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary in Newtown, Connecticut that I have chosen to put these thoughts on paper. As a Dad, I am reminded that it is most important that parents or guardians determine how to talk with your children about the events that took place. Below are the best resources that I have found for help in this:
http://www.childrensnational.org/files/PDF/DepartmentsandPrograms/ichoc/SchoolShooting.pdf
http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20121214/talk-children-school-shooting
While this unimaginable hostility is fresh on our minds, I wish to assure you that the Northwest Community Schools will continue to keep safety a top priority in all of our buildings. Our Emergency Crisis plans and procedures are practiced on a regular basis which includes emergency drills and lock downs. Our administrative staff will be reviewing these policies and procedures. We have security cameras in and around every building in the district. We work closely with Blackman Township Public Safety to ensure communication and emergency assistance if any threat is discovered.
While our hearts and prayers are with the entire community of Newtown, I want you to be confident that our students here at Northwest are safe while at school.
If your child is experiencing anxiety, please remind them they can speak to their teacher or a counselor at school. Remind them that this is a very rare occurrence and that there are thousands of schools in the United States and millions of children are safe at school each and every day.
A quote from Mr. Fred Rogers:
“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, “Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.” To this day especially in times of “disaster,” I remember my mothers’ words and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.”
With the upcoming holiday season we are fortunate to have a two week break in which families will be able to spend quality time together. It is great to be excited about the holiday season and celebrations. We must continue with routine and this too helps children feel safe and secure. As the saying goes “it takes a village to raise a child.” Please continue to see the greatness in our school and community.
We are…. Northwest!
Go Mounties!
Geoff Bontrager Ed.S.
Superintendent
Northwest Community Schools
4000 Van Horn Rd
September 2012
Hello Mountie Nation!
I am very excited about being your new Superintendent. I see great things happening all around this campus. Creating a POSITIVE culture here at NW is the core essence of going from GOOD to GREAT! It is my honor as your leader to be the name, face and voice of Northwest.
It is not about you,
It is not about me,
It is about WE... TOGETHER we can make history.
"Success is empty if you arrive at the finish line alone. The best reward is to get there surrounded by winners. The more winners you can bring with you, the more gratifying the victory!" ~ Howard Schultz
- At Least 5 Positive Statements to Fellow Staff Members Daily
- At Least 10 Positive Statements to Students Daily
- Professional Dress for Success
- Friday RED/BLACK Days
- Attending School Events
- Picking Up Trash…REALLY!
- Talking the Positive, Positive, Positive 24/7
Remember...
WE ARE....NORTHWEST!
Credentials Education Ed.S. EMU- Educational Leadership M.A. Spring Arbor University-Education B.A. Spring Arbor University-Education
Certification Michigan Administrator Certificate Michigan Professional Education Certificate
Professional Experience Columbia Middle School Principal Miller Elementary Principal Jackson County Elementary and Middle School Principals Association President Baker College Teacher Preparation Advisory Board Baker College State of Michigan Advisory Board Jackson County Technology Steering Committee Western School District |
| The Nurtured Heart Approach |
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9-7-12 Thought for the Day I love seeing all of the Mountie Pride with all of the black and red I'm seeing today! Remember.... We are......... Northwest!!! Go Mounties!!!!! |
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