GREEN BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK)- The recovery of a struggling school and a look towards the future of the Green Bay Area School Distirct was the focus of Green Bay District superintendent Michelle Langenfeld’s State of the District Address Thursday.
Langenfeld began with praises for Fort Howard Elementary School.
School Principal Deann Lehman said the school made a big turn around.
“Four-and-a-half years ago we were identified, it was very shocking,” she explained.
Langenfeld recognized the school for improving from failing then to exceeding expectations in 2017.
Langenfeld also highlighted the district’s accomplishments, challenges and plans looking ahead.
She says the district is adopting a ‘Turn-Around Model,’ similar to the ‘Every Child, Every Way’ approach used at Fort Howard.
“With the right support and the right amount of time, students can be successful,” explained Lehman.
Langenfeld said they are also working to provide more support for the cities growing diverse student population.
“We serve more than 4,500 students whose first language is not English,” said Langenfeld. “Recognizing the fact that a child is not only learning content, but also learning a new language, is often a need for additional resources.”
She says the Turn-Around Model will include extending educational opportunities to adults inside the homes of students.
“That’s what we hope to see particularly when we talk about a community school effort,” Langenfeld said. “Bring the whole community in.”
