Thompson Falls schools move ahead with mission

THOMPSON FALLS – Often times with a new school year, change follows closely behind. For the Thompson Falls School District a number of changes have been implemented in order to improve the educational environment offered.

According to Thompson Falls Superintendent Jason Slater, a new school security system has been implemented. The system features cameras at both the elementary and high school campus. The cameras are currently up and running and were installed to create a safer environment, hopefully deterring crime at the same time.

Another improvement the school is seeing is the computer lab has been upgraded to Windows 7, parking improvements were made, and a new greenhouse is in the final stages of construction for the elementary school.

The greenhouse will offer science and agricultural experiences for the kids, something that is new to Thompson Falls.

“We’ve never had a greenhouse before, it’s just another avenue for experimental learning,” Slater said.

The kids will have the opportunity to grow some cold weather crops. The project was made possible with a $10,000 grant from Plum Creek, which paid for the majority of the project.

The district is continuing to further their strategic planning, core values and their mission focus, stated Slater. The schools’ mission statement for this year is “to work together as a school and community to provide every child an educational experience that will empower them to grow as a person and discover their individual potential.”

Slater said the focus on the mission statement will help the district move forward after a major overhaul last year. This year the school is receiving a new K-8 counselor, a junior high special education teacher and a school nurse, while last year the school experienced the turnover of a lot of teachers. Focusing on the mission statement and the core goals is one way the school can make sure they are meeting their goals.

“Change is constant in schools, but it’s important that you have guide posts to steer the direction of the school and I think your values should help guide decisions,” Slater said. “If the mission is shared by everyone, it allows them to move in the same direction.”

The goal for this year is to continue moving in that direction.

“Last year we demonstrated we can make it through large change, (now we need to) keep moving forward in instruction and learning,” Slater said.

The district is also going to focus more on increasing public awareness of the things happening within their schools, being more proactive and reaching out to the stakeholders to inform the community of things happening within the district, Slater said.

This mission will be easier to attain if everyone works together.

“Schools cannot do it alone,” Slater said. “We need parents. We want all segments of the community – grandparents and everybody that has something to offer.”