A visit to a Public School the week before 1st day of the 2013-14 school year:

My point of view: one comparative data point goal has not been achieved in this school nationally recognized for preparing students for college and the world. This is a sword held over everything.  District employees circle, checking on adequate time spent on data discussions.

·      12 classrooms are under construction for at least another month as they are split in half in order to accommodate more students than the building was designed to serve. Displaced teachers are still negotiating for a physical place to hold class.

·      Counselors huddle figuring out the puzzle of individual student schedules in response to a drastically changed schedule sent to teachers two weeks ago.

·      Temperature hovers in 90’s. Email from Facilities Manager explained the system to keep it from going even higher. How long does it take custodians to open windows at night to let in cool air and close windows and draw shades in day to keep out sun?

·     Floors are still shiny. Everywhere I go I run into the main custodian solving multiple issues simultaneously.  We tease each other. That has not changed.

I I still catch glimpses of hope that this year the activities, the room arrangement, the curriculum, the classroom community will reach every single student.  Yet when we catch each other’s eyes, the usual excitement is heavily mixed with anxiety and insecurity—will the hard-won foundation of this school hold?