Fredericksburg Parent

20 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • September 2023 20 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • September 2023 FREDERICKSBURG CITY SCHOOLS A small, urban school district, Fredericksburg City Schools struggled pre-pandemic with test scores. However, under new Superintendent Marci Catlett, the district realized significant improvement in SOL performance from the 2021-22 school year, to the 2022-23 school year. Catlett has also sharpened teacher focus on student achievement, built community sup- port for the system through her Superintendent's Roundtable, and led the charge to build a much-needed new middle school. Though much work remains, FCS is moving in a posi- tive direction. Q&A With Superintendent Marci Catlett FP: What is your greatest challenge coming into the year? MC: Our greatest challenge is to build on our academic growth and continue to meet the individual needs of each student, which includes closing the achievement gap in a safe and nur- turing environment. We also acknowledge the critical need for recruiting, retaining, and compensating teachers and staff. FP: What is your district's greatest strength? MC: Our greatest strength is that we work together as a com- munity - school board, city council, admin. team, faculty, staff, students, families, and community partners- to collaborate, cel- ebrate our diversity, and achieve the common mission of pro- viding a high-quality education to each student. Our greatest strength is also that, as a small division, we continuously work at allocating resources towards the betterment of all school programs. We are action oriented. FP: What do you want parents returning to your district, or entering for the first time, to know? MC: We love our students. We consider them our "why;" our students are the center of all our decision-making processes, and we want our parents to be active partners in our amazing and robust support systems. Critical Data Number of Students: 3815, Pre-K through 12 Number of FULLY CERTIFIED Teachers: 214 Number of Provisionally Certified Teachers: 60 Number of Unfilled Teaching Positions: 8-10 Percentage of Low-income Students: 56% Special Education Coordinatorfor District: Maris Wyatt, Ed.S Director of Special Education 540-372-1127 ext 2556 Instructional Coordinator for District: Lori Bridi Chief Academic Officer 540-372-1127 ext 2583 "If it's all about winning, you're undervaluing the potential of [education] and the value of the work." – Ben Gucciardi It's difficult to struggle, and it's more difficult to watch a child struggle. But struggling is essential to gaining an education that will benefit your child long after they've graduated. When students are struggling, very often it's because they're being pushed into situations they're unfamiliar with. Learning how to handle the adversity and succeed (even if "success" means a grade of C or B, and not an A) better equips him or her to handle the more-complex challenges that await. Here are two simple steps to dealing with struggle. 1. Don't Ignore the Problem Procrastination is often caused not by laziness, but fear. When your child is putting off assignments, or making excuses to not do them, there's a good chance it's because they're struggling to understand what is happening in class. Don't ignore the problem. Instead: 2. Listen, and Start a Dialog It's important to really listen to what your students are saying. Learning to listen to their struggles without judgment will help you better appreciate what they're feeling, and help you to know how to deal with it. Then start a dialog with your child. Understand why something is hard, and what you can do to help. As important, reach out to the teacher and work together to find a solution. "This above all: to thine own self be true And it must follow, as the night the day Thou canst not then be false to any man Farewell, my blessing season this in thee!" - Hamlette Act I, Scene III In my many years of teaching, coaching and writing about teaching, I've come to appreciate how much kids want people to support them and their interests. That can be hard, because we all have differing visions of what success looks like. Here are a couple of ideas for supporting your children. 1. Avoid Comparing From Apgar scores at birth, to first step and first words, parents naturally want to compare notes. But in school, keep the focus on your child. Each child truly is unique, and grows at different rates. Give them the freedom to grow at their pace—not someone else's. 2. Support Their Interests Whatever interests your child pursues, support them. Even when those interests aren't your own. Wherever their interests take them, follow along. And learn together. SCHOOL DISTRICT PROFILES Let Them Struggle Let Them Be Themselves How Does Your School Systems Measure Up? con nued from pg 19

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