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Growth is the biggest challenge for Henry Leavenworth Elementary School, the principal said.
But Stacy Graff said it’s also an opportunity.
The principal said the Leavenworth school’s student body has about 40 additional students this year. And the school has added a teacher.
He discussed the school’s growth Tuesday with members of the Leavenworth Board of Education.
In addition to a regular evening meeting, school board members meet once a month during the day at one of the district’s schools.
Graff said the average class size for kindergarten through the third grade is probably 19. The average class size for fourth grade at the school is 26.
He said the fact that the school building is new may attract some people. The building opened in the fall of 2010.
“Everybody wants to be involved in a new building,” he said.
Graff indicated he welcomes the opportunity to provide more students with a caring and friendly environment and to grow with diversity.
The principal said this is his 19th year in education. This is his 15th year as an administrator.
“I’ve had a wide range of experience,” he said.
He said the last school year was the first time he’d opened a new school building.
Graff was asked if he has communication with parents. He said he interacts with parents during parent teacher organization and site council activities.
He said parents also can visit him at the school.
“I have an open door policy,” he said.
He estimated that 15 to 20 percent of parents come to see him at the school.
“I would say that’s a good percentage even though it’s low,” he said.
Graff said the district’s early release days have been invaluable.
About twice a month, students are released 90 minutes early to allow time for professional development for teachers.
Board member Nancy Klemp said she’s glad to hear the early release days are beneficial because including them in the calendar had been a big decision for the board.
Board vice president Marti Crow said the early releases are preferable to completely eliminating student contact days for teacher in-service.
Growth is the biggest challenge for Henry Leavenworth Elementary School, the principal said.
But Stacy Graff said it’s also an opportunity.
The principal said the Leavenworth school’s student body has about 40 additional students this year. And the school has added a teacher.
He discussed the school’s growth Tuesday with members of the Leavenworth Board of Education.
In addition to a regular evening meeting, school board members meet once a month during the day at one of the district’s schools.
Graff said the average class size for kindergarten through the third grade is probably 19. The average class size for fourth grade at the school is 26.
He said the fact that the school building is new may attract some people. The building opened in the fall of 2010.
“Everybody wants to be involved in a new building,” he said.
Graff indicated he welcomes the opportunity to provide more students with a caring and friendly environment and to grow with diversity.
The principal said this is his 19th year in education. This is his 15th year as an administrator.
“I’ve had a wide range of experience,” he said.
He said the last school year was the first time he’d opened a new school building.
Graff was asked if he has communication with parents. He said he interacts with parents during parent teacher organization and site council activities.
He said parents also can visit him at the school.
“I have an open door policy,” he said.
He estimated that 15 to 20 percent of parents come to see him at the school.
“I would say that’s a good percentage even though it’s low,” he said.
Graff said the district’s early release days have been invaluable.
About twice a month, students are released 90 minutes early to allow time for professional development for teachers.
Board member Nancy Klemp said she’s glad to hear the early release days are beneficial because including them in the calendar had been a big decision for the board.
Board vice president Marti Crow said the early releases are preferable to completely eliminating student contact days for teacher in-service.
