The preliminary results of Gateway’s “2025 Visioning Process” can be found on the district’s website (www.grsd.org) for both the survey and our first district forum. I remain pleased with the results, both those items that show that the district is doing well for our students and has much local support, and those items that we should consider for improving and expanding. In consultation with our Communications Council – a group of parents, community members, and school staff – we’re now prepared to embark on the next step in the process based upon these initial findings. To that end, we are holding a second ‘forum’ on April 12 at the main Gateway complex in Huntington with an informal dinner beginning at 6 p.m. and the actual forum from 6:30-8:00 p.m. This event will focus on three specific areas: (1) how to market the district based upon what’s available today; (2) how to develop additional student opportunities, and (3) how to increase parental support and involvement. These were all priority areas identified at the first forum and through the survey and, based upon feedback at that forum, there was a desire to hold these events more frequently and to develop action plans to move the district forward in a positive direction. We invite all prior Gateway 2025 attendees, as well as any new parents, students, staff, and community members interested in showcasing the district’s positives while continuing to improve educational programs at Gateway.
Over the next several months, in conjunction with the Communications Council and forum participants, I hope to highlight some important findings from the Gateway 2025 process. I’ll start with overall educational quality, which was clearly defined as being much more inclusive than simply standardized test scores, as was evidenced in many comments. One person wrote, “I do not believe that grades or state assessments are an accurate reflection of a student’s success in life. Success involves more than financial earnings. Our schools are small, warm, and friendly. Students know their community cares for them. We’ve had experiences in larger schools where kids are fish in a big sea. This may be fine for college but is NOT OK for young people developing security, self-esteem, morals, etc. Those are things we will sacrifice by consolidating and I’m not willing to do that. If the education lacks in any way, they will catch up later in life. They can’t catch up if they are not whole people. Teachers and staff at Gateway care. They have a vested interest in the kids because they are their own kids, a neighbor’s kids, etc. and they are willing to invest more of themselves into their school and classrooms.”
However important it is to see the school from the viewpoint of parents/community members, it’s also necessary to see what our graduates believe. The following statement from one of our graduates seems to sum up the success Gateway has had in preparing our students for their future. “I received my K-12 education through the Gateway Regional School District. As a result of the education I received and the opportunities I had to participate in a wide range of academics, athletics, and extracurriculars, I successfully graduated from a prestigious college and have been working in my chosen career ever since. Furthermore, I have maintained connections with peers and teachers from my time at Gateway that have enabled me to network, grow personally and professionally, and feel supported in the challenges that I have faced.”
As we move forward, we’re also interested in gaining the perspectives of current students and will be working on that aspect of the Gateway 2025 visioning process over the next few months. My continued thanks and appreciation to all of our students, staff, and supportive community members who help Gateway meet its mission of providing an exemplary education.
