LM May 2017 Final

Future engineer at work

Interactive learning through music

Vikings ... cont’d.

a local daycare solution. With an overwhelming amount of support and interest shown in creating such programs, we began developing a handbook, creating advertising banners, brochures, and posters. It was equally important to us that the new programs mimic the goals and complement our current Pre-K and Early Childhood Education (ECE) programming. We also needed to assess space and resources. Finally, we presented our ideas to our school attorney who indicated our ability to continue moving forward. Through this process, we made the decision to offer multiple parent choices that included before school care, three-day, and five-day

time to discuss our ideas with our education association. We all know that communication is paramount when looking at any new program or idea. We were intentional about being transparent through the entire process. We met with union leadership to discuss our commitment to current programming and staff. We also explained that if we developed a new program, being able to carefully control expenses was a necessity. It was our desire to create a revenue stream and community opportunity, and that their support was essential. It was mutually agreed upon that this program could exist outside of our collective bargaining agreement, as it would help improve our financial

We often find ourselves reacting to situations and circumstances rather than stopping to dream about what could be. Three years ago, we stopped what we were doing to dream and to brainstorm an idea.

options. Each of these options allowed for full or half day attendance as desired by parents and assuming availability. Creatingboardandstaff support Once we had determined the logistics of developing the new programming, we shared the proposal with our school board during a meeting in the late fall of 2014. The principal shared parent survey results, pricing, the handbook, classroom needs, advertising, projected cost of implementation, and next steps. With full support from the school board, it was

stability as a district. Our attorney quickly drafted a memorandum of understanding. All parties signed off on the mutual agreement and the program was ready to begin. Our initial step involved hiring a “lead teacher” and assistants for the program. We involved our staff in the interview process to ensure appropriate support of our hires. Once the teacher was hired, the principal began advertising the new programs offered and shared the handbooks for all programs to our parents. The handbooks outlined times, dates, payment schedule, curriculum and the cost of the program. These

10