Message from Principal Judy Jones:

Okayeverybody grab a paddleWE'RE HEADED UP TO CALEB'S CREEK!!!

I just want to take a moment to welcome everyone to Caleb's Creek Elementary School.  We are so excited to have this honor and privilege of working with you and your children.  I can't wait to get to know you and look so forward to forming long-lasting relationships.

Let me start by telling you a little about myself.  I received my undergraduate degree in Elementary Education from Appalachian State UniversityGO APPS!  I taught for 16 years.  During the latter part of that time I obtained my Masters Degree in Educational Administration, once again from Appalachian StateGO APPS again!  I became the Assistant Principal at Whitaker Elementary, which led me to Cash Elementary, where I became principal.  And now..on to Caleb's Creek!

Bottom line.I love kids.  I love their excitement.  I love taking care of them.  I love watching them grow.  I love being able to make things happen for them.  I ask myself, "What is best for kids?" before every decision I make.  I know my day has been made when I hear the laughter of a child.

I also want you to know a little bit about my philosophies as an administrator of a school and what it takes to make good, positive things happen.  If you'll keep reading, I believe you will find a little bit more about my beliefs. 

Before I end, please feel free to ask questions as you're trying to make the best decisions for your child/children.  I will do every thing I can to address your questions and/or concerns.

I'm not so sure there is an easy answer to this question, but I would like to share my ideas of what I believe makes up an effective, successful school.  A successful school should include the following:

·         Effective supervision- Supervision includes anyone that is directly responsible for improving classroom and school instruction.

·         Commitment among the entire staff and school community to improving instruction, which may mean that provisions are made in the curriculum for students of different interest, talents, and ambitions.

·         Teachers at different grade levels work together to clarify what ideas will be learned when.

·         Students are learning CONNECTED concepts rather than simply memorizing isolated facts, formulas and technical terms.

·         Students are ACTIVELY learning.

·         Teachers welcome curiosity, reward creativity, and encourage healthy questioning.

·         A mutual respect among the entire school community, which includes administrators, teachers, parents, students, specialists, assistants, bus driver, etc., etc., etc.  Rememberwe're all in this thing together!

·         A group of individuals who work together on a common goal, yet is able to be allegiant to his/her own individuality

·         Parent participation

·         A true understanding of what teachers and schools CAN be

·         Individuals that are willing to sacrifice their own immediate gains because the common goal is perceived as far more important

·         Leaders that recognize the importance of ongoing professional and personal growth

·         An orderly but not rigid climate

·         High expectations among students and faculty members

·         Close monitoring of student and teacher achievement

·         Teachers believing that ALL students can learn

·         Personal attention to the students

·         An emphasis placed on student responsibility

·         A sense of security and safety where children and adults, alike, can ask for help and they can be assured that help is on the way!

Just remember that successful schools do not happen by accident.  They are the products of successful people.  "A successful school is foremost an organization that defines good education for itself, through its goals and desired practices, and then engages in the 'moral equivalent of war' in achieving that vision."  (Glickman 1987)  

"When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion!"   ETHOPIAN PROVERB