Superintendent's Weekly Message: October 23, 2020
JP Schools Family,
As we wrap up the first nine weeks, we want to ensure that we continue to keep everyone safe while we provide high quality instruction in our schools. Despite the pandemic, 2024: The Future Our Kids Deserve remains a focus for our actions. Additionally, the state's accountability remains a part of our educational processes. Professional development sessions, which we refer to as cluster meetings, remain a key initiative to boost teaching and learning. This past week, we held district-wide cluster meetings for principals to offer tools and best practices to better support teachers and all students. This also provided an opportunity for principals to share processes on their campus that are yielding positive student outcomes.
This year has presented many unique challenges, and I am proud of the way our team has remained focused on student learning to provide the best outcomes. We must continue to work towards our goals and do everything we can to guarantee all students show continuous growth throughout the year. As long as we put students at the center of everything we do, we will keep moving in the right direction. If we are meeting our students where they are, providing them with high quality instruction and ensuring that each child grows and learns every day, then we will be in a position to succeed.
This week I was pleased to announce the participants in our 2020-21 Superintendent’s Councils. These five councils, including the Superintendent’s Parent Council, Principal Council, Student Leadership Council, Teacher Council and Special Education Council, are critical to help inform and improve our decisions at the district level and provide the opportunity for our stakeholders to have a seat at the table.
I also want to congratulate Haynes Academy for Advanced Studies and Patrick F. Taylor Science & Technology Academy for having two of the top three 2019-20 average ACT composite scores in Louisiana. These scores are a testament to the hard work and academic excellence taking place every day.
Thank you for entrusting Jefferson Parish Schools with your students. Together, we will create the future our students deserve.
Regards,
Dr. James Gray