To help Grady County schools make decisions concerning applying for charter status, how can we disiminate informtion effectively so everyone has accurate information needed to make a decision? What are questions, concerns, and ideas we need to consider as we move toward chartering decisions? What else do you want to say or ask about chartering? SCHOOL LEVEL AND INDIVIDUAL RESPONSE IS APPRECIATED.

Grady County School personnel and community, Here is basic information I'm providing at each school as part of our ongoing process of considering charters. Please participate in this blog if you have any questions, concerns, or comments. All comments will be addressed. It is important that everyone has factual information so you can make a decision concerning proceeding with the charter. 1.  My intention is not to pressure schools to write charters. Instead, I'm addressing the charter issue...

Continue reading...

Hello everyone,  Our strategic planning leadership team is scheduled to meet Thursday March 31 at 6:30 in the CHS cafeteria. One important task at this meeting will be to identify a few areas for immediate focus. Our information gathering sessions over that past couple months identified some of these areas. I believe one of the most important things we can do is create ample time for teachers to think, prepare, and teach. We have to do some things differently to reach all children,...

Continue reading...

Hello Grady County faculty, staff, and community I hope you are having a productive week. Even considering school events that take place in the fall, I believe we are in the busiest time of the year, especially when we consider testing is coming up. The high point of my week definitely was sitting in on a conversation among 15 Cairo High School students yesterday morning. Listening to them discuss what motivates them to achieve, things they enjoy about CHS, and opportunities they would...

Continue reading...

One recurring issue we are hearing during our school strategic planning information gathering sessions is professional develolpment. Here is what you are saying. Primarily, there is concensus that continuous professional development is essential for us to sharpen our skills and increase our understand of teaching and learning. In addition, you want professional development that is relevant to your jobs. You believe that we have a lot of expertise and resources right here among...

Continue reading...

For next year's calendar, I'm planning to recommend a short fall break and week at Thanksgiving, as we did this year. Please think about this and comment if wish. Last year at fall break we took a Friday and Monday. The rationale (right or wrong) was that 4 day weeks are more conducive to teaching and learning than a 3 day week (anticipation of a long holiday coming up). Several of you have indicated that is not the case, and one shorter week would be best. I would appreciate...

Continue reading...

 Hello Grady County Community I'm pleased thus far with our strategic planning efforts. We have held 6 school sessions and one evening session so far, and you have provided excellent input. Your participation in this process is essential, and I thank you. Several fairly consistent themes are developing, including meeting needs of individual learners, and the importance of trained and dedicated staff, involved parents, appropriate professional development, and technology. In...

Continue reading...

I would appreciate everyone's ideas concerning our strategic planning process. We need widespread input to be successful. For example, do you believe we will improve our school system? Why, or why not? In addition, if you have participated in one of our strategic planning sessions, I would appreciate your feedback concerning the value of the session. Thank you for your input.Tommy Pharis

I hope everyone is having a productive first week in 2011!   Now that we are into the year a few days, I'll share a couple "resolutions" with you.   Personal: Spend more quality time with my family, and deepen my faith; also, eat just a little less and exercise just a little more (I'll see how that one works out.)   Professional: I am going to reconnect with the classroom.  I have been a central office administrator for a long time, and I don't spend enough time in schools...

Continue reading...

Hello Grady County school patrons,Last night at the Board of Education meeting, the Board endorsed our strategic planning process which will begin in January. I see this process as a means to improve our services to all Grady County students, if we are committed to improvement. For strategic planning to work, we have to make sure we do it right, and  are not just going through the same old process to create another document that will not be used. There will be plenty of opportunities for...

Continue reading...

Hello Grady County community,I'm going to share my thoughts with you concerning standardized testing, primarily our high stakes tests such as CRCT, EOCT, and GHSGT.First, these test scores are crucial for individual students. Think about that statement. Without a test score, students are not eligible to be promoted to the next grade level, and also are not eligible to earn a Georgia high school diploma. Without a diploma, today students have no future. So, yes, scores are crucial for each...

Continue reading...

Hello Grady County faculty and staff (and community who are on the superintendent's blog) I hope you are having a good week at school. I've been out of town since Tuesday morning at two workshops, one in Macon and one in Atlanta, and am ready to get back home. I understand it has been an "interesting" week, particularily Thursday at CHS. I want to commend CHS for the way you handled the bomb threat. We do not think of safety plans as just something else to do, something...

Continue reading...

Question of the week: What is your opinion? Do you prefer (1) short fall break and a week at Thanksgiving, or (2)full week fall break and short Thanksgiving break?I hope everyong has a restful and happy Thanksgiving. Today I'm thankful for family and friends, and I'm thankful for the opportunity to serve our Grady County community as school superintendent.A lot is going on at our schools. Congratulations to the CHS junior class and staff for their performance on the Writing section...

Continue reading...

Monday, November 15, 2010Hello Grady County School System Stakeholders,  First, welcome to the Superintendent's Blog. I plan to use it each week to provide updates to our community concerning educational issues at the national, state, or local level. Originally, I planned to post on most Fridays, but the end of the week usually is very hectic. Instead, I'm planning to post early in the week. Most posts will be open for comments, which have to be approved by me before they show up...

Continue reading...

Hello Grady County Community, This week we are beginning the Superintendent's Blog. Through this feature, I plan to keep you informed on issues concerning your school system. Weekly, look for Friday updates. In addition, I will post any items of special interest during the week. Most of my posts will allow your comments. Thanks for supporting the students of Grady County.Tommy Pharis, Superintendent