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KASB President's Perspective: Let's remember that we are all in this together


Posted Date: 01/25/2021

KASB President's Perspective: Let's remember that we are all in this together

By Lori Blake

KASB President and member of Southeast of Saline USD 306 school board

We are all in this together. Been there, done that, bought the T-shirt … OK it was a gift that I proudly wore on the first day of school and was honored to be included with such a prestigious staff as my home district at USD 306, Southeast of Saline.  It sounds cliche, but it's true and this mother of a 2020 grad can't help but hum the tune from "High School Musical." It was a soundtrack that we lived and breathed at the Blake House for over a decade. I envision the jocks and artists and intellects all pulling together. It's a utopia where everyone supports each other in the end. It didn't just happen and there was turmoil, but over three years they win the championship, create an incredible summer show and overcome stereotypes to find themselves at graduation. (If you haven't seen the movies, you should at least listen to the song. it's a real earworm https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iFu8Z-cV0Xk) 

It seems a bit trite, but it's the environment we all dream of for our kids and ourselves. It’s the goal we strive for in Kansas schools, but COVID has derailed us a bit in order to protect the health and safety in our communities. For all the good that’s been happening to overcome these obstacles, we know it's not enough to achieve the fictional paradise. We know in Kansas schools every day people feel excluded; every day, people come to school with burdens we can't understand; and every day people are judged. But, we are Kansans and every day, we have the opportunity to choose to face these realities and strengthen our culture of family. 

Family looks different for everyone. There are trials and tribulations, agreements and disagreements, strengths and weaknesses. In families that stay together, the strengths are developed and unity is forged from the fires of living life together. We are in the flames right now, glowing from a history steeped in traditions and expanding into a blaze coming from the unknown. 

Our hopes as local school board members are to emerge from 2020 as a new body, fortified by the lessons learned to evolve into a system to meet the 21st century student and global economy. With a new legislative session emerging and new year ahead, we must remember that in 2016, the Kansas State Board of Education adopted the following mission which remains our focus and priority to meet each child’s needs for the future: 

Kansas State Board of Education Mission: 
To prepare Kansas students for lifelong success through rigorous, quality academic instruction, career training, and character development according to each student's gifts and talents. 

Kansans CAN Vision: 
Kansas leads the world in the success of each student. 

Definition of a successful Kansas high school graduate:  A successful Kansas high school graduate has: 

The academic preparation, cognitive preparation, technical skills, employability skills and civic engagement to be successful in postsecondary education, in the attainment of an industry recognized certification or in the workforce, without the need for remediation. 

Outcomes for Measuring Progress: 

  • Social/emotional growth measured locally 

  • Kindergarten readiness 

  • Individual Plan of Study focused on career interest 

  • High school graduation rates 

  • Postsecondary completion/attendance 

We are all in this together and will need to remain focused on this fact as party politics will try to divide us. We are non-partisan, elected officials with the responsibility to keep to educational outcomes of our students, the respect and exemplary professional development and pay of our staff and the responsible allocation of resources from our patrons in our home communities at the forefront. Your help is critical as we redefine what it means to be a Kansan and to emerge as honorable, global citizens committed to finding our passions regardless what barriers life may throw our way. When we remember we are all in this together, we can reach and exceed our goals.