Failure is Not an Option with the “B.E.A.R.S."
Gene Kranz, flight director for the troubled Apollo 13 moon mission, used the phrase, “Failure is not an option”, to explain to his staff the imperative of bringing the astronauts safely back to earth.
His staff was asked to use any tools, materials, and methods available (which were limited) to help make this happen; they of course did.
Alan Blankstein's book about high performing schools is entitled, "Failure is Not an Option". Education leaders have begun to use this phrase to illustrate the critical nature of ensuring that all students succeed: every single one with no exceptions. Blankstein describes methods that high performing schools use to significantly increase achievement for all students.
It happens to be Boyertown Area School District's mission to "enable ALL students to succeed in a changing world."
The school district has made outstanding gains over recent years because there is a focus on the five essential factors that high performing school use. Here are the “B.E.A.R.S.”:
Students talking about High Performing Schools
High Performing Schools Update – March 9, 2010
I hope that you find the District website to be helpful to you. If there are any other ways that we can be of assistance to you, please feel free to contact my office at 610.369.7402.
Dion E. Betts, Ed.D.
Superintendent
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2009-2010 Snow Make-up Days/Calendar Adjustment
The following changes have been approved by the Board of School Directors at the March 9, 2010 meeting. There are four changes to the 2009-2010 calendar to resolve time issues related to snow:
a. Monday, April 5, 2010 will become a student day.
b. Wednesday, March 31, 2010 will also become a student day.
c. Monday, June 14, 2010 will become an inservice day for teachers only to make up the inservice time that is lost due to the March 31, 2010 change.
d. The early dismissal on May 21, 2010 will be one hour later to ensure we have enough instructional hours at the secondary level as mandated by state guidelines.
e. The third quarter marking period will also be extended by two days and will end on Friday, April 9, 2010, at the 45 day mark. The fourth quarter marking period will contain 44 days.
Please click here for the Board approved updated 2009-2010 calendar.
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Instructional Coaching Institute
March 25, April 9 and 16 Instructional Coaching Institute - View/Download
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Approved Gray Areas Effective July 1, 2009
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Redistricting Information
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