Student Achievement has been and will continue to be at the forefront of the work we do in District 69. Last night at our monthly Board of Education meeting, I was incredibly proud of our District for several reasons. First, I was proud of our students for the caliber of presentations they shared with our Board. I was also proud of our teaching staff for giving these students the skills and knowledge to present. The students not only demonstrated an understanding of Science in general, but also an understanding of Ecology, “going green,” creative thinking, public speaking, cooperation and improvisation. Second, it occurred to me as I looked out into the audience that we had more students in attendance than we did adults. I thought to myself that one could go to Board meetings throughout the state/country and ask Boards of Education, “What is most important to you?” and all would likely say “Student achievement”. If you asked them to prove it, however, I wonder what the response would be? Confusion? Anxiety? I’m not sure. Last night at our Board meeting, you could have asked our Board what is most important to them, but the fact is, you would not have had to. Just looking into the audience, seeing that students were there to present creative solutions to ecological needs, and the fact that we started the Board meeting with student presentations was demonstration of what is most important. Don’t tell me that student achievement is most important, show me! We should all be proud of our students, teachers, Board of Education and community at times like this when they show us the good work they are doing!