CCSD gains attention on the national stage

Friends,

There are a lot of exciting things happening in the Clark County School District. Some of our educational programs were in the national spotlight last week. Assistant Secretary for Vocational and Adult Education Brenda Dann-Messier from the Department of Education visited Desert Rose Adult High School to tour the facility and find out more about what we do for individuals older than 18 who still want to earn a high school diploma or GED. Our team shared our vision of having every graduating student - regardless of age - “Ready by Exit” to compete in college or career without remediation. Students at Desert Rose can take traditional or online classes and also get job training skills for welding, hospitality, auto mechanics and more. We're telling our students and the community we won't give up on them. The efforts of the Desert Rose staff and administration show it’s never too late for a second chance at a diploma and the path to a brighter future.

President Obama made another trip to Clark County last Wednesday. Regardless of your political leanings, our District is on the national radar. During the President’s last trip to the city in August, he stood at Canyon Springs High School and talked about the importance of education. After meeting with three CCSD teachers – Claritssa Sanchez, Lori Elizabeth Henrickson, and Isaac Barron – the President spoke of a need for smaller class sizes and recognized our need to get away from the often inflexible mandates of No Child Left Behind.

The issue of smaller class sizes is directly tied to another round of arbitration with the teacher’s association. Reflecting back on last year, I know it's hard to go to work for an entire school year unsure of contract terms. Let me say, unequivocally, that I support and value our teachers and remain optimistic that we can get a contract in place that will help us lower class sizes and save jobs.

Finally, I’d like to encourage you all to read the weekly "CCSD Newsmakers" features in InfoLink. Every Thursday, you can read a profile story on one of your colleagues or the latest happenings in the District. This week's "CCSD Newsmakers" featured an interview with Lori Elizabeth Henrickson about her experience meeting the President. Between making national news and the great work you all do, amazing things happen every day. I hope your first few weeks of school have gone well.

If you have feedback, you can email me at dwight.jones@ccsd.net or on Twitter @dwightdjones.

Best,

Superintendent Dwight D. Jones