1426 Tanglefoot Lane, Bettendorf, IA 52722 563.359.5700•www.morningstaracademy.org November 2014 Morning Star Academy News Headmaster’s Notes - On Healthy Board Governance When I arrived at Morning Star at the tail end of the 2011-12 school year I had zero school administration experience. Needless to say, I’ve learned a lot in my role as headmaster. My understanding of board governance is an area where I’ve experienced some of the most growth. Confusion often surrounds the role of school boards. What is the board’s proper role? How should the board and administration relate? Dates to Note: • Oct 31 - Picture ReTakes, 10:30am • Nov 1 - Fall Jubilee, 1-5pm • Nov 6&7 - Parent/ Teacher Conferences No School • Nov 11 - Accreditation Meeting, 6:30pm • Nov 12 - Spelling Bee for grades 3-8, 8:45am • Nov 26- Thanksgiving Feast - 2 Hour Early Dismissal • Nov 27&28 - No School, Thanksgiving Vacation For starters, school boards should not be involved in the daily management of the school. Too often, Derek J. Keenan of ACSI says, boards find themselves “enmeshed in all kinds of ‘administrivia.’” This sort of board involvement is usually problematic. Keenan continues, “No well -functioning school has the board involved in the day-to-day management of the school.” Of course, in a school’s early days, boards tend to be very involved in the school’s operations out of necessity, but eventually, as a school grows, operational oversight should shift to the school administration (in Morning Star’s case, Cheryl Headley and me). Rather than engaging in “administrivia,” school boards operate at a higher level by strategically guiding and directing the school. Below Keenan identifies other characteristics of a healthy school board: • • • • • • • • • • • The board has only one employee, the headmaster Board governance occurs only during duly called meetings Outside of meetings, board members speak with one voice Fiduciary responsibilities of the board should be taken seriously Board deals with what should be accomplished, not how it gets done Board directs via well-crafted policies Operational authority goes to administration Board members monitor without intruding Board makes impartial policy decisions Board members contribute financially to the school Board members model the organization’s values Let’s consider how some of these characteristics might play out. Some schools hold board meetings that are open to the public. While families are certainly welcome to voice concerns at board meetings, we believe the board needs the space to debate and discuss items without compromising the “one voice” nature of a healthy board. Since the bulk of Morning Star board meetings are spent deliberating items, it is important that these portions of the meeting include board members only so that discussion can be more free-flowing. Or, let’s say a board member is approached by a school parent who describes their concerns with a facet of the school operation (perhaps curriculum or a particular procedure). The board member has no special authority in that moment because board governance only occurs during duly called meetings. The board member is free to kindly say, “I am sorry but I have no authority to deal with this matter, I suggest you take the matter up with the administration.” ACSI’s materials and training have been helpful for both the board and administration in identifying our respective roles and responsibilities. In order to keep the school moving together on these matters, I wanted to take this month’s newsletter to clarify and define this board/administration relationship. The school community should be thankful for the time and energy the board puts into their work. Not only does our board have a love for the school but they also share a desire to learn more about their role as board. Grace and peace, Casey MORNING STAR ACADEMY NEWS PAGE 2 Accreditation Meeting On Tuesday, November 11, the School Improvement Team (SIT) will hold an all-school meeting to provide an update on our progress toward accreditation through Christian Schools International. Results from the parent survey will be presented and there will be break-out sessions to gather feedback about our school goals. We want input on our school goals from parents, faculty, support staff, and board members! The meeting will start at 6:30pm in the lunchroom. Spelling Bee Once again, the Rock Island Argus-Dispatch is sponsoring schools in both the Illinois and Iowa Quad-Cities who want to participate in the Scripps-Howard National Spelling Bee. Morning Star’s top two spellers in each grade, third through eighth, will compete on Wednesday, November 12, at 8:45 a.m. in the lunchroom to determine our school spelling champion. The winner of our school bee will compete at the Regional Bee on Wednesday, February 25, at Augustana’s Centennial Hall. The winner of the Regional Bee earns an all-expense paid trip to the National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. which happens the week of Memorial Day. Parents, you are welcome to attend our school bee! Health Screenings On Friday, November 14, the Scott County Health Department school nurse will conduct health screenings at Morning Star Academy. • Vision will be screened for students in Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, and 5th grades. • Hearing will be screened for students in Kindergarten, 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th grades. • Dental will be screened for all students in Kindergarten and upon request for other grades. • Parents will be notified if the screening results require further evaluation. • If you prefer to have your student excluded from these screenings, please notify the school office. • You may contact Allison Penn RN, BSN, School Health Consultant, at the Scott County Health Department at 326-8658 if you need additional information. Parent-Teacher Conferences WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26 2 HOUR EARLY DISMISSAL (1:15) No P.M. KINDERGARTEN OR P.M. PRESCHOOL A schedule for lower school students with your assigned time has been sent home. Parents of students in 6th - 12th grade: if you wish to meet with any of your student’s teachers there are sign-up sheets posted near the office. Report cards for upper school students can be picked up at the office. Race For Education The mailman continues to bring in contributions in response to Race for Education. We are still working toward our goal of 15,000; contributions to-date are in excess of $14,203! Thank you students and parents for turning in so many mailing labels and thank you teachers for taking class time to let students write mailers. Also, we greatly appreciate Pam Israel for coordinating the Race and her helpers who worked to send out the mailers. Parents, if you would like to send thank you notes to donors who have contributed in your student's name toward Race for Education, please contact Pam Israel for a list after midNovember. Most mailers are usually received by Thanksgiving. You can reach Pam at 563.323.4081 or israeltribe@q.com. PAGE 3 MORNING STAR ACADEMY NEWS Senior Class Sponsored Events FALL JUBILEE - November 1, 1 - 5 pm - Join us for an afternoon of family fun! • • • • • • Games/Face Painting Food Bake Sale CONTESTS ($5 entry fee for each contest): Pumpkin Carving Contest - Enter your pumpkin carving masterpiece in the pumpkin carving contest! Note: All pumpkins must be carved prior to the Fall Jubilee. Chili Cook-Off Pie Eating Contest (Age groups: 3-13, 14-Adult) NOTE: all entries for pumpkin carving and chili contest must be at the school by 12:45pm. PRIZES WILL BE AWARDED. Be sure to email Mrs. Wingerd, senior class sponsor, at elisa.wingerd@msa-qc.org. BABYSTITING Mark your calendars for Senior Babysitting nights so you can plan a date night, night out with friends or get some shopping done. We will have a fun evening planned with a movie, craft, games, and a light snack. Saturday, November 15, from 5-9pm SHOP EARLY FOR CHRISTMAS Christmas is right around the corner and the Seniors have the perfect gift for your children and their teachers. We will be selling $1.00 and $5.00 Snack Shack gift certificates. They will be available in December for purchase. PAGE 4 November PTP News • Parent Teacher Conferences Thank you to all who have offered to provide meals for the teachers during conferences. If you’re still interested in helping, it’s not too late! Please e-mail Krystin Salazar (krystin.salazar@gmail.com) to see how you can help. • Upcoming Meeting Please join us on Wednesday, November 12 at 8:30am for a PTP meeting to discuss and plan upcoming events. The meeting will take place in the art room. • Teacher & Staff Appreciation This year we will once again be reserving the last week of the month as Teacher & Staff Appreciation Week. The idea behind this week is to take a moment to reach out to the teachers and staff at MSA to thank them for all that they do for our children. Each month will have a theme which is simply meant to help guide and inspire you. No gesture of appreciation is too big or too small! As you’re thinking about ways to show your appreciation, please don’t forget about music, gym, art, library, and Spanish teachers as well as the support staff and administration that helps keep MSA running smoothly! November’s theme for teacher & staff appreciation is Thankful for You. “And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. And be thankful.” Colossians 3:15 • Thanksgiving Feast On Wednesday, November 26, students will have an opportunity to enjoy a Thanksgiving feast during their lunch period. Two separate meal options will be offered, a traditional Thanksgiving meal of turkey, mashed potatoes, corn, rolls and butter as well as a non-traditional meal of chicken nuggets, french fries, fruit, rolls and butter. The traditional meal will cost $6.50 per students and the non-traditional meal will be $5.50 per student. Both options include dessert. Please make sure lunch accounts are paid so that your student can enjoy this special event. Look for more details to follow regarding how to order your child's lunch that day. • Looking Ahead.... December’s Teacher & Staff Appreciation theme will be Merry Christmas New Lunch Option Starting in November, chicken alfredo will be added to the Bowls rotation on Tuesdays.