“We plan for the whole child,” said Debra Bentley, director of instruction and communications for
JCS. “When a child feels safe, when a child feels
mentally and emotionally sound, then the academics will come.”
Professional development for teachers is centered
squarely on student achievement. All instructors in
the system – including those who work in parttime positions, like classroom assistants and tutors
– have full teaching credentials.
High academic expectations are the district-wide
standard at JCS. Instead of thinking in terms of
what 70 percent of students can achieve, Dr. Bentley said, the goal is always 100 percent. School
and district culture supports this, as do community
members and local funding bodies. Throughout
the district, higher-order thinking and instructional
differentiation are hallmarks of instruction.
“When you can hire someone to work four to five
hours a day to work with at-risk students or kids
struggling, it’s great if they are fully credentialed
as teachers,” Dr. Bentley said.
Facilitating this at the district level requires
outstanding administration at each school.
“The expectation of high standards, and the
personal needs of all students, begins with the
building principal,” said Dr. Bentley. “The district
has strong leadership in all schools.”
JCS committed $2 million to RTI2 investments two
years ago, funding system-level RTI2 coaches and
allowing JCS to build RTI2 programming intentionally. This proactive approach has helped the
program be successful, Dr. Bentley said.
Setting the stage for academic success, JCS
deploys a range of programs to ensure students
are very well supported. For example, thoughtful
food services ensure all students have access
to nutritious meals and snacks. High-schoolers
have the option of a pick-up breakfast after first
period, since many kids this age tend to arrive
at school just before class. Kiosk service offers
healthy snacks throughout the day. Kids needing
help with meals over the weekend can opt into a
backpack program that sends food home Friday
afternoons.
Individual schools have programs to h