News:
UNIQUE RALLY ENCOURAGES HIGH SCHOOL FRESHMEN TO GRADUATE
Sept. 23, 2011 - MISSOULA, Mont. –
In an unprecedented event, 920 high school freshmen from five Missoula County public schools will gather at 10 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, on the turf of Washington-Grizzly Stadium at The University of Montana.
The reason? To attend the first-of-its-kind Graduation Matters Missoula Freshman Rally, in which Montana’s governor, Missoula’s mayor, UM’s president, Missoula County’s public schools superintendent, fellow students and educators will encourage students to graduate.
“This is the first time in my 36 years as an educator that I have seen the entire community come together to help high school freshmen recognize the significance of their high school experience,” said Alex Apostle, Missoula County Public Schools superintendent. “We want to impress on our students that the entire state and Missoula community care about them, and that we want them to be successful and graduate. Read more...
Graduation Matters Missoula wins 2011 ‘American School Board Journal’ Magna Award
Graduation Matters Missoula, a Missoula County Public Schools community-school partnership that is focused on ensuring that every student graduates from high school, has been selected as a Magna Awards 2011 winner. The Magna Awards is a national recognition program co-sponsored by American School Board Journal, the National School Boards Association, and Sodexo School Services that honors school board best practices and innovative programs that advance student learning.
The Magna Awards recognize educational programs with strong collaboration between school boards and the community, encouraging innovative approaches to public education. Hundreds of program nominations are submitted nationwide for the awards, with only six winners selected in each of three enrollment categories. As a winning program in the 5,000 to 20,000 enrollment category, a description of the Graduation Matters Missoula program will appear in a special supplement to the April 2011 issue of American School Board Journal.
“The Graduation Matters Missoula effort, which now has become a Montana state initiative, is an integral component within our District’s Forward Thinking, High Achieving 21st Century Initiative. GMM has a goal of 100 percent graduation which supports a community wide goal that all students will achieve academically and graduate from a rigorous program regardless of their ability or circumstance,” said MCPS Superintendent Alex P. Apostle.
Graduation Matters Missoula was officially launched in January 2010. Through the efforts of this group, the number of students that dropped out of school between June 2009 and June 2010 was reduced by 47 percent. By making 100 percent graduation a district and community goal, Missoula is fostering a brighter future for its youth. Due to the early success of the program, Denise Juneau, Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction, has adopted the program as Graduation Matters Montana, encouraging districts across the state to reach out to their communities and work together to keep students in school through graduation.
Missoula County Public Schools Board Trustee Scott Bixler will represent the District at the American School Board Journal's School Leaders’ Luncheon during the National School Boards Association Annual Conference in San Francisco, April 9-11.
For additional information, contact Bess Pallares, AmeriCorps Vista, at 728-2400, ext 1095.
Educators Note First Year Of Graduation Matters Missoula
By Annamarie Iannetta, POSTED: 4:07 pm MST January 19, 2011
MISSOULA, Mont. -- Montana's schools superintendent celebrated on Wednesday the first year of Missoula's unique graduation initiative. She noted that expectations are high.
"It’s the expectation here in Missoula … that we expect students to graduate from high school,” Montana Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau said. “I think that makes a huge difference." Read more...
Phone calls, tracking down students helped lower MCPS dropout rate
By JAMIE KELLY of the Missoulian missoulian.com | Posted: Wednesday, January 19, 2011
For a year, its banners have emblazoned the walls of Missoula's schools, its advertisements broadcast over the airwaves as part of a public-relations push to keep Missoula kids from dropping out.
But it's the phone calls and advice from school counselors to struggling students, and a concerted effort by school principals to track the faces suddenly missing from the hallway, that Graduation Matters Missoula is doing daily to reduce the dropout rate. Read more...
Graduation Matters Missoula celebrates its first year
By JAMIE KELLY of the Missoulian missoulian.com | Posted: Saturday, January 15, 2011
It wasn't long after Graduation Matters was launched that it had to change its name.
The Missoula County Public Schools initiative was quickly co-opted by the state Office of Public Instruction as Graduation Matters Montana, so convinced was state school Superintendent Denise Juneau of its promise. Read more...
Graduation matters for all our students
Guest column by DENISE JUNEAU missoulian.com | Posted: Thursday, January 13, 2011
I recently received an e-mail from a former student thanking me for believing in her while she was in high school and for giving her hope that she could do something successful in her life. Although she left school before graduating, she received her GED and joined the National Guard. She is now married, has two beautiful sons and is serving our country in Iraq. My response was that she was, and continues to be, worthy of high expectations. I believe that adults should hold high expectations of each student.
One of those expectations should be ensuring that young people graduate from high school. Graduation is a fundamental quality of life issue for individuals, their families and communities, and the State of Montana. Read more...
Apostle, Juneau to help celebrate Graduation Matters Missoula 1-year anniversary
Graduation Matters Missoula is hosting a reception to celebrate one year of success and usher in another year of raising graduation rates on Wednesday, Jan. 19 – Graduation Matters Missoula Day.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. in the lobby of Missoula Children’s Theatre and include featured speakers Missoula County Public Schools Superintendent Alex P. Apostle, Ph.D., and Montana’s State Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau.
In line with one of Missoula County Public Schools’ five measurable goals – achievement and graduation for all students, regardless of their circumstances and abilities – Graduation Matters Missoula is a program created by Dr. Apostle that aims to bring dropout rates in all district schools to zero. By encouraging students, schools, parents and the community to “take action” and make 100 percent graduation a priority, Graduation Matters Missoula hopes to offer all students a brighter future in education.
Dropout rates for MCPS fell 48 percent from the 2008-09 school year to 2009-10, and Graduation Matters Missoula hopes to bring those numbers even lower for 2010-11. Along with local success, the initiative was also adopted by the State Office of Public Instruction as the statewide Graduation Matters Montana.
Recognition of donors and new funding will be announced at the reception and refreshments will be served.
For additional information, contact Bess Pallares at 728-2400 ext. 1095.
Graduation Matters Missoula seeks community input at strategic planning sessions
Did you know that 7,000 students drop out of United States high schools each school day? Would you like to help craft a plan in Missoula that will result in higher graduation rates and fewer students leaving school before they earn a diploma?
The steering committee of Graduation Matters Missoula invites the community to participate in two strategic planning sessions on Wednesday, Oct. 6, at MCT Center for the Performing Arts, 200 North Adams in Missoula. The two sessions – the first in the afternoon from 1:15 p.m. to 3:45 p.m. and the second in the evening from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. – will feature personal testimony from students affected by obstacles on the path to graduation along with opportunities for community dialogue on how to help students overcome those obstacles and achieve graduation.
As Graduation Matters Missoula moves forward into the new school year, the initiative’s steering committee – comprised of members from local businesses, non-profits and Missoula County Public Schools – wants to hear from community members about what they see as major obstacles to achieving 100 percent graduation and how Graduation Matters Missoula can increase their impact on students.
From June 2009 to present, MCPS has reduced the number of students dropping out, but there is still much work to be done. This is not a presentation by MCPS or Graduation Matters Missoula’s partners, but rather an opportunity for the public to get involved in a community-driven enterprise to keep kids in Missoula schools and foster their academic success in the classrooms, hallways, at home and in the community.
In line with one of MCPS five measurable goals – achievement and graduation for all students, regardless of their circumstances and abilities – Graduation Matters Missoula is an initiative created by MCPS Superintendent Alex P. Apostle, along with several local businesses and nonprofits. The project is designed to reduce dropout rates in schools, get every student to graduate, and encourage Missoula community members to help keep students in school. By encouraging students, schools, parents and the community to “take action” and make 100 percent graduation a priority, Graduation Matters Missoula organizers hope to offer all students a brighter future in education.
If you can attend the GMM session in the afternoon or evening, please RSVP with Lesli Brassfield at 728-2400, ext. 1024 or via email at lbrassfield@mcps.k12.mt.us. Advance notice of attendance is not required.
Refreshments will be available at both sessions and 20 slots are available for child care during the evening session. Please RSVP to Bess Pallares at 728-2400 ext. 1095 to reserve a spot for child care.
For additional information, contact Bess Pallares at 728-2400 ext. 1095.
ROTARY TO SPEARHEAD STAY IN SCHOOL CAMPAIGN
Editor: Douglas Klein
The drop-out rate for Missoula schools is approximately 20%. This includes all grades within the district.
Rotarian Dr. Alex Apostle, Superintendent of Missoula County Public Schools, in cooperation with The Rotary World of Service committee, chaired by Dolores Bandow and President Dan Smith, is working to change this figure. The Rotary Club of Missoula has agreed to act as the facilitator in bringing together virtually everyone including business leaders, city and county departments and elected officials, schools, health department, nonprofit organizations, parent advocates and churches in a campaign to keep kids in school. Read more...
By supporting children, you’re investing in their future
Guest Column: Missoula’s Jim Caron is director of “Grease” at the MCT Community Theatre and CEO of the Missoula Children’s Theatre.
Late last fall, as I was directing “The Sunshine Boys” with several seasoned actors who share my passion for directing, I mentioned to them the game plan for my next production, “Grease,” with a cast of 50 or so teenagers. These journeyman theatre types, who are also my friends, and several of whom have teenage kids of their own, responded with a warm and supportive “Are you nuts?” Read more...
Vision for Missoula Schools
To offer some guidance, Craig Barrett, former president of Intel and co-chair of ACHIEVE, began his presentation to the Missoula Education Summit with a definition of the elements essential for a good school system: Excellent teachers, high expectations and a healthy amount of tension in the system. Read more...
Funding flagging: Missoula Flagship program plans fundraiser to avoid summer hiatus
Like a lot of grant-funded nonprofit groups, Missoula's Flagship program is suffering financially.
Flagship, part of the Western Montana Mental Health Center and active in 11 schools in Missoula County, is a community-school partnership that provides social, academic and cultural opportunities for schoolchildren, all free of cost. Read more...
Program to improve graduation rates launches in Missoula
A communitywide effort to improve the high school graduation rate kicked off Tuesday with a pointed message from Missoula County Public Schools Superintendent Alex Apostle:
"Goal No. 1 is that all students will graduate," he said. "That is a huge goal. A constancy of purpose will ensure this happens. Read more...
Graduation Matters Missoula" campaign kicks off
Missoula County educators have officially launched a effort to encourage students to stay in school through graduation. Read more...
Missoula City Council
On the celebratory front, the ducks seemed to be dancing in line. Supporters of Graduation Matters Missoula descended on the council with T-shirts after hearing Mayor John Engen read a proclamation about why it's important for kids to stay in school. Naturally, he added a quip. Read more...
Unlocking the mind: Missoula Writing Collaborative seeks funds to help student program
The poet, looking very much the stereotype, steps to the front of the class of fourth-graders.
"Good morning, my poets!" says Robert E. Lee, his bushy beard capped by his poet beret, a dashing red-and-black scarf wrapped over the lapels of his blazer. Read more..
Graduation Matters Missoula' Campaign launches Tuesday, Jan.19
A news conference and rally on Tuesday, Jan. 19, from 10:30-11:30 a.m. will formally launch “Graduation Matters Missoula,” a community-wide effort to improve the high-school graduation rate. Read more...
Proclamation by Mayor Engen
Graduation Matters Missoula Day January 19 Read more...
Graduation Matters Missoula Initiative
Today, Missoula County Public Schools Superintendent, Alex Apostle unveiled his plan to keep students in school.
Graduation Matters Missoula is a lasting, community-wide campaign to encourage students to stay in school through graduation. Read more...
MCPS: Plan in works to keep Missoula kids in school
When Alex Apostle was a boy, his immigrant mother constantly reminded him of one thing.
“Alex, you’re going to college,” she said over and over, in the face of the darkest doubts. “Work hard, because you’re going to college.” Read more...
Dropout plan needs wide support
Missoula can do much to lower the local public school dropout rate – but first, we all have to agree that the dropout rate is a problem that needs to be addressed. Read more...
Obama Tells Students: Take Responsibility
The President Gave Advice to Schoolchildren Today, In Spite of Conservative Protests Read more...
