Valley Insight: Positive Change Benefits Students At TVHS
By DR. MICHAEL BENDICSEN
Principal, Tippecanoe Valley High School
The sixth century Greek philosopher Heraclitus claimed “Change is the only constant in life.” At Tippecanoe Valley High School we recognize that change is a normal and necessary part of the education profession.
In many ways it is inevitable. It can be sudden or structured or it can be mandated or self-initiated. It is the role of the school to ensure that the change is in the best interest of the children we serve.
Mandated change can take the form of state or federal regulations, standardized testing, budget constraints, curriculum, immunizations, and graduation requirements. In these cases schools most often need to react. Proactive changes, on the other hand, are set in motion by the school itself. Good examples are professional development, course offerings, student programs and extracurricular opportunities.
We are very fortunate at Tippecanoe Valley High School to have a variety of stakeholders; students, teachers, parents, support staff, administrators, community members, coaches, etc.; that not only respond reliably to change, but also initiate positive change. Some constructive examples of change that have, and continue, to occur at TVHS are:
- Suicide prevention training for all students grades 9-12 with the inclusion of this training regularly into the health class curriculum;
- Increased and improved communication including a regular newsletter and Facebook page;
- New dual credit offerings including Spanish and United States History;
- The Yellow Ribbon Suicide Prevention Program;
- The introduction of archery as a component of our physical education classes;
- The acquisition of cardio equipment for the weight room with access for community members;
- Hunter Education classes included as a regular part of the health class curriculum;
- The development and introduction of teacher lead, small group, study halls to help struggling students;
- The Rachel’s Challenge Group;
- The development and introduction of improved English as a New Language classes;
- The continued progression toward a Professional Learning Community model at TVHS;
- Social Studies textbook adoption to reflect new standards and technology; and
- New ECA, standardized testing, computer software for English and Mathematics.
We pride ourselves at Tippecanoe Valley High School with responding to, and initiating, change in a positive and productive manner. Constructive dialogue with stakeholders makes this process practical and beneficial for the students we serve.