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Hernando Today

Taking Great Pride In Springstead High

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: July 26, 2008

When the Florida Department of Education recently announced the school grades, I felt a deep sense of pride for the students, faculty and staff at F.W. Springstead High School. In 2004-05, SHS was the first high school in the district to receive the B rating. In 2006-07, we earned a C, then received a D due to a penalty clause that the state of Florida has in place when one segment of the testing score does not meet its prescribed percentage.

As you are well aware, Springstead High School earned and received a B for 2007-08. The school was within three points of earning the A grade. Within our school district, for the past five years, SHS has had the highest total points for the FCAT school grade four times. It is also important to note that these academic accomplishments have been achieved at a high school that has a very high mobility rate (the percentage of students moving into/out of the school district), one of the highest free/reduced lunch percentages, the highest minority percentage and a high number of exceptional education students. These categories are the state's way of looking at data and achievement in a technical and rather impersonal manner. What I want to reflect on is how this school has achieved such a record of academic excellence.

When I think of what it takes to achieve a goal, I picture a shared vision, minds coming together and determination. And that is what the faculty of SHS accomplished. They shared the vision of our students being empowered with the confidence and skills to achieve. Without the intellectual process of a faculty coming together, obstacles would not have been overcome or new strategies implemented. There was a determination by the faculty to engage all students, to teach and re-teach, to care about the wellbeing of our students and to support colleagues.

The goals of Springstead High School are also strongly reinforced by the loyalty and hard work of the SHS support staff. The custodial staff provides a clean environment and facility for all, and our cafeteria staff is diligent in providing nutritious lunches each day. Secretaries provide positive and efficient responses for students, parents and staff. They also provide clerical support for the productive daily operations of the school. Our counselors interact with students to empower them with resources, resilience and the ability to make positive changes in their personal and academic growth. Parents also play an integral part in helping SHS reach our goals. Parents recognize the importance of having their children attend school on a daily basis, provide the school supplies needed for active classroom participation and provide the emotional support and encouragement for the process of educational growth.

I am in awe of the power of our faculty and staff to give our students the best possible learning community. I have immense respect and admiration for the faculty's professionalism and caring approach in teaching our students. I know that I am indeed fortunate to be working with a great faculty, staff, fellow administrators and student body. I hope that the Spring Hill community will continue to take a great deal of pride in all of the achievements of the Eagles of Springstead High School.

Susan Duval

principal

Springstead High School

Spring Hill

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