The school district serves 7 million meals annually (2.5 million breakfasts & 4.6 million lunches)!

Important Dates

News You Can Use

Once again we will be hosting a series of six Town Hall Meetings. We welcome your continued input throughout the process. This series of six meetings presents us with an excellent opportunity to communicate and engage in a meaningful conversation. Visit www.collierschools.com/townhall.asp for additional information.

In future weather or other emergencies, information regarding
school operations coming directly from the school district
office will be available from five sources.
Visit www.collierschools.com/emergency.asp for additional information.

Message from the Superintendent

Our schools are always welcoming places, but that was especially true on the morning of August 20th, the first day of the new 2012-2013 school year. Our teachers and staff opened their arms wide to greet our returning 43,000 students. I had the privilege of sharing a bus ride with students headed to a high school and then an elementary school. On my visits to schools, even on the first couple of days, it seemed as if we had been in session for weeks – a high compliment to all involved in getting ready for the new year. Then just one week into the year, Tropical Storm Isaac came our way. While leaving no damage in its wake, it provided us with an excellent test of our preparedness and communications plans. We made good use of the five tools that you can use to receive information coming directly from our school district office. Given the fact that hurricane season lasts through the end of November, I suggest that you post the list of sources in a conspicuous place in the event that we have to refer to them again sometime. Finally, I am happy to announce that there will be a series of Superintendent’s Town Hall Meetings coming to a venue near you this month and next. The first stop on the tour is Everglades City School with a meeting scheduled there on September 18th. Others will be held at Barron, Immokalee, Lely, Palmetto Ridge, and Naples High Schools. I look forward to visiting with you at the meeting you are able to attend. ~ Dr. Kamela Patton

Message from the School Board Vice-Chair

Though school is now underway and children are trekking off daily to their classes, I would like to share with you a "behind the scenes" event that took place before the school year began. I was working at the School Board office one morning when I was asked if I would like to observe the elementary principals and assistant principals in their Data Dialogue with the Superintendent and her Cabinet. I had no idea what to expect. What I observed was data from a school up on a large screen regarding their reading, writing, and math scores. All principals and assistant principals presenting that day had been given a uniform set of analytical questions relating to the subjects. They analyzed the data verbally and then shared their plan for improvement of the scores of concern. Their peers from other schools observed their efforts and had the opportunity to hear of a best practice that they might incorporate in their own schools. I felt a bit of anxiety for the presenters, but that was needless as they all did a great job and I was greatly impressed by their analyses and their solutions. So with first-hand knowledge, I can tell you that no longer are scores received by a school and stashed in a drawer never to be seen again. The benefit of this process serves more than just the students. The administration can assess the need in providing resources to assist in student learning and ultimately to the Board during budget considerations. ~ Barbara Berry

Feedback Welcome

Let us know what you think about the newsletter, our website, or if you have suggestions for future newsletters. We'd love to hear from you at feedback@collierschools.com