On Friday a movie called “Waiting for Superman” will be released in New York and Los Angeles, with national release in early October. It is getting great attention from Oprah, Bill Gates, et al. The movie is a documentary about the decline of public education, from the same film maker that did “Inconvenient Truth.” It is a wakeup call to America.
I am pleased to report that Superman has arrived in Henderson, KY. The wait is over. Please read the attached bulletin from Principal Rob Carroll about an exciting event happening today at South Heights Elementary. Rob is the first to acknowledge that there are many super heroes at South Heights, most importantly the kids who have worked hard to achieve remarkable success. But credit also goes to the vision and motivation and strong belief in their ability to succeed that emanates from the school’s leaders, teachers, and staff.
While the new movie and political pundits wring their hands about the horrendous dropout rates for poor children and children of color, the South Heights story needs to be told. The answer does not lie in charter schools, firing teachers, longer school days, and all the other current fads being proposed. The answer lies in changing what happens in the classroom every day to change kids’ lives. With Project CHILD and other effective practices underway at South Heights to improve the rigor and relevance of daily instruction, by engaging students in a variety of challenging and interesting work, and by building positive relationships with students and adults, South Heights has demonstrated the keys to school improvement.
Move over Superman. I know a place in Kentucky full of super heroes.
Sally Butzin
PS. Oprah is airing a live call-in show on Friday as a follow-up to her Monday show with Bill Gates and the film’s producer. Please consider adding your voice and invite Oprah to visit South Heights Elementary to see a true success story of change and hope.
Dr. Sarah M. (Sally) Butzin
President & Executive Director
1339 Mahan Dr.; Tallahassee, FL 32308
Please click attachment below: