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Post by warriorpride on Feb 27, 2008 16:16:02 GMT -5
Warrior Community Members: I write this brief note with a mix of very strong emotions. After hours of reflection, I am proud to announce that I will be the new principal at Metea Valley High School starting July 1, 2008. My significant enthusiasm is tempered, though, by the inevitable loss of many strong relationships that we have built together as a high school community. I greatly will miss the Warrior traditions, the challenges and successes we have experienced on a daily basis, but most importantly, a high school community that cares deeply about all kids. Proudly, I have spent 15 amazing years wearing the Green and Gold – my personal and professional growth is a direct reflection of the opportunities and challenges that we have worked through along the way–thank you for that! As Metea Valley opens in the fall of 2009, I look forward to building a climate and culture where students are at the heart of everything we do!
Jim Schmid Principal Waubonsie Valley
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Post by momto4 on Feb 27, 2008 16:28:25 GMT -5
As a MV parent I am happy to see this announcement. This leaves WV and NV both seeking new principals... I hope they find excellent people for both openings. I still have 2 more years at WV!
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Post by warriorpride on Feb 27, 2008 16:33:59 GMT -5
As a MV parent I am happy to see this announcement. This leaves WV and NV both seeking new principals... I hope they find excellent people for both openings. I still have 2 more years at WV! yes, I agree on all counts - ED found a way to put a negative spin on this, though
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Post by momto4 on Feb 27, 2008 16:37:19 GMT -5
As a MV parent I am happy to see this announcement. This leaves WV and NV both seeking new principals... I hope they find excellent people for both openings. I still have 2 more years at WV! yes, I agree on all counts - ED found a way to put a negative spin on this, though I'm sure he won't be the only one. I don't think leaving an established school as principal to start a new school is exactly taking the same job.
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sushi
Master Member
Posts: 767
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Post by sushi on Feb 27, 2008 19:39:31 GMT -5
I think people have been b**ching so long on the other board, they forgot how to see or say anything positive. Why is this a negative? Again, it's all about "me".
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Post by chicoryowl on Feb 27, 2008 22:09:46 GMT -5
I don't get it either, why this would be turned into an anti-district thread. I think they made an excellent choice. My husband is coming up with some new nicknames for some of the posters Every thread is going to become an anti-district thread. Every thread will give somebody a reason to drudge up their hatred for the board. ETA: When is the next SB election?
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Post by momto4 on Feb 27, 2008 22:12:30 GMT -5
I don't get it either, why this would be turned into an anti-district thread. I think they made an excellent choice. My husband is coming up with some new nicknames for some of the posters Every thread is going to become an anti-district thread. Every thread will give somebody a reason to drudge up their hatred for the board. ETA: When is the next SB election? Next spring. Without a referendum, thank goodness. I wonder who will run (besides arch!).
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Post by chicoryowl on Feb 27, 2008 22:17:46 GMT -5
Every thread is going to become an anti-district thread. Every thread will give somebody a reason to drudge up their hatred for the board. ETA: When is the next SB election? Next spring. Without a referendum, thank goodness. I wonder who will run (besides arch!). Thank god. Could you imagine if it was this coming Spring? I think things will have clamed down, but there will still be an element of people who will want to redo the boundaries. ETA: I believe there will be an element of people whose sole concern will be to re-do the boundaries.
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Post by title1parent on Feb 28, 2008 6:50:21 GMT -5
Metea's first principal a familiar face in Indian Prairie
By Justin Kmitch | Daily Herald Staff Published: 2/27/2008 3:40 PM | Updated: 2/28/2008 12:27 AM
A longtime "Waubonsie Valley guy" was tapped by Indian Prairie Unit District 204 to open the new Metea Valley High School in 2009.
Waubonsie Principal Jim Schmid said Wednesday was about as emotional a day as he's ever had after he accepted the district's offer to take the Metea job.
He'll begin his new duties July 1, giving him slightly more than a year to prepare for the opening of what eventually will be a 3,000-student school on Eola Road.
Metea, which is scheduled to open its doors in fall 2009, will house only freshmen and sophomores during its first year.
"I've proudly worn the green and gold for 15 years so this was a big decision, a big step," Schmid said minutes after announcing the move to administration and faculty via e-mail. "Ultimately I made a personal and professional decision to act on an opportunity that doesn't come along very often in this field."
Schmid began his teaching career at Waubonsie Valley in 1977. He left the school a year later and returned in 1992 as dean of students. He then served as the school's guidance counselor, director of guidance and assistant principal before being named principal in 2004.
He said he doesn't believe his departure will send the wrong message to the Waubonsie community.
"That's a good question and my initial response is that I hope not and I think not," he said. "I hope and believe in my heart that all three schools are and will be well received in the education community."
A written statement by Deputy Superintendent Kathy Birkett, who opened Neuqua Valley High School as principal in 1997, called Schmid a "great fit."
"Jim is student-focused and extremely well respected by his staff, students and parents," she wrote. "He will build a strong foundation for Metea Valley and its future."
During the next year, prior to Metea's opening, Schmid will hire staff and meet with students who will attend the school in August 2009. The opportunity to "build a culture and climate in a new school is both humbling and exciting," he said.
"My big push at Waubonsie and what I anticipate will happen at Metea Valley is to be completely student-centered," Schmid said. "I hope that together with the students, their families and the faculty, we can create a culture and climate of 'Why not try this?' or 'Is this the best way to deliver this set of information to these students?'"
Coming into the job with a "highly competitive" personality and an "athletics-oriented background," Schmid said he doesn't think he'll have a hard time getting everyone on board.
"Together, lets determine that enthusiasm and passion will be at the heart of what we do," he said. "Having pride in what you do and passion happen if you're living in the right place emotionally."
His competitive fire may quickly be put to the test as Metea goes through its growing pains, especially regarding athletics.
"I expect the biggest challenge I'll encounter will be working to create an atmosphere where we're initially going to get knocked around a little bit," he said. "We're starting with freshmen and sophomores, yet we'll still be expected to compete, almost immediately, at the varsity level. It's going to be tough building that tradition or spirit early on when the desired results may not be there."
Schmid's transition to Metea and Neuqua Valley High School Principal Michael Popp's recent promotion to the district administration now leave Indian Prairie with principal openings at both its high schools.
Administrators anticipate naming replacements for both men in the spring.
Schmid said he believes the Waubonsie community has nothing to fear.
"I know that an excellent principal will replace me at Waubonsie Valley," he said. "They are steeped in tradition and committed to excellence, so no one has anything to fear in that regard."
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Post by title1parent on Feb 28, 2008 6:57:40 GMT -5
Local principal to take on lead role at Metea
February 28, 2008 By BRITT CARSON bcarson@scn1.com
Those who know Jim Schmid will say the man practically bleeds green and gold.
The Waubonsie Valley High School principal has been a warrior for the past 15 years and is now embarking on a new challenge of being a Mustang, principal at Metea Valley High School.
"I'm conflicted," said Schmid, who made the announcement Wednesday to his staff and the community. "This is very emotional for me. Green and gold runs pretty deep."
» Click to enlarge image Schmid
Schmid, whose two sons graduated from Waubonsie, said he is looking forward to the chance to open a new high school. "This is an opportunity for me to start a new culture, a new climate from the foundation level," he said. "I was able to do all that without changing my personal address and at the same time I know the community and know my bosses."
Metea is slated to open in the fall of 2009 with freshmen and sophomores. The 3,000-seat high school will be built at Eola and Molitor roads.
"This allows me the opportunity to do something very different that I never thought I would have the chance to do, but it has exciting potential," Schmid said.
Kathy Birkett, deputy superintendent of Indian Prairie School District 204, knows what Schmid is going through. Birkett, who also taught at Waubonsie Valley, opened Neuqua Valley in 1997.
"Jim is student-focused and extremely well respected by his staff, students and parents," Birkett said. "He will build a strong foundation for Metea Valley and its future."
Schmid began his teaching career at Waubonsie Valley in 1977. He left the school after a year to teach outside the district before returning to Waubonsie Valley in 1992 as dean of students. He later served as the school's guidance counselor, director of guidance and assistant principal before being named principal in 2004.
Schmid's new position will begin July 1. In the year before the school opens, he will be involved in hiring staff and meeting with students who will attend Metea. Administrators will name Schmid's replacement this spring.
The administration is also working on replacing Mike Popp, principal at Neuqua Valley, who is becoming the new director of school improvement and planning for the district.
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Post by gatormom on Feb 29, 2008 7:42:42 GMT -5
When Jim Schmidt took over WV as principal, the old principal was somewhat of a dinosaur. Not the most effective, IMO. As the dynamics of WV had been changing, I do not think she had a handle on it at all.
Jim Schmidt did an outstanding job of improving both the learning environment and social environment of the students. I really think that change was what led me to love the school so much.
He will be missed at WV but will definitely lead MV through all the pains of opening and growing.
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