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DESE Public Forum

The DESE Public Public for Normandy Schools Collaborative was a comprehensive event highlighting the district's current status and future plans.

Normandy families and community members joined DESE officials and district leaders to hear updates from key district departments, including the Superintendent's Office, Safety and Security, and Business and Student Support Services, on Monday, December 19, 2024.

Participants actively participated in tabletop discussions on three critical topics: Normandy’s Academic Performance, School Safety, and Family and Parent Engagement. These collaborative discussions provided valuable insights, with each table presenting their findings and recommendations.

The event served as a vital platform for stakeholders to deepen their understanding of the district’s operations and its unwavering commitment to achieving educational excellence.

You can watch the Public Hearing here and download the presentation deck here.

 

Department of Elementary and Secondary Education

Normandy Schools Collaborative

Public Hearing

December 19, 2024

 

Normandy Schools Collaborative (NSC), in partnership with the Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), is required to host two Public Hearings annually. The second Public Hearing for 2024 was held on Thursday, December 19, at Beyond Housing.

After welcome remarks from DESE officials Dr. Karla Eslinger, Commissioner of Education, and Lisa Serino, Assistant Commissioner of Education, the district officials presented an overview of the district by Dr. Michael Triplett, NSC Superintendent, Norman Campbell, NSC Security Director, and Dr. Tony O. Brooks, Assistant Superintendent of Student Support Services

At the conclusion of these presentations, Audience members were asked to participate in a Tabletop Exercise, during which they shared insights and suggestions on key topics.

The focus areas included:

  • Academic Performance

  • School Safety

  • Meaningful Family Participation

 

Below are Highlights from the Tabletop Exercise:

Academic Performance

What’s Working

Current successful strategies include:

  • Academic Coaches & Interventionists: Providing teachers with support and instructional guidance.
  • Data-Driven Instruction: Using data analysis to tailor teaching strategies.
  • Community Partnerships: Collaborating with organizations to enhance education.

Strategies for Improvement

To further boost academic performance, schools should:

  • Expand Career Readiness Programs: Introduce more vocational and career-prep courses.
  • Increase Parental Involvement in Literacy: Offer parent reading mentoring.
  • Offer More Tutoring Opportunities: Utilize after-school sessions and business volunteer tutors.
  • Strengthen Social-Emotional Learning (SEL): Continue in-school SEL initiatives and involve parents.
  • Improve Classroom Management: Address behavioral challenges to create effective learning environments.
  • Mentor New Teachers: Provide guidance from experienced educators.
  • Enhance Parent-School Communication: Hold meetings to address learning barriers and trauma-related issues.
  • Encourage Parental Responsibility: Implement contracts addressing absences and behavior.

School Safety

Community and School Responsibilities

  • Shared Accountability: Safety is a collective effort involving students, parents, staff, and the community.
  • Teacher Burden: Reduce teachers’ sole responsibility for maintaining security.
  • Proactive Measures: Enforce school uniforms, introduce electronic hall passes, and install parking lot cameras.

Addressing Security Concerns

  • Strengthen Building Security: Add security measures at entry points.
  • Limit Cell Phone Disruptions: Implement phone pouches to minimize distractions and conflicts.
  • Conduct Regular Safety Drills: Ensure preparedness for emergencies, including active shooter scenarios.
  • Combat Bullying: Address bullying at all levels, including student-staff interactions.
  • Trauma-Informed Support: Provide counseling and resources for students dealing with stress and trauma.

Meaningful Family Participation

Increasing Parent Involvement

  • Expand Communication Channels: Improve phone, email, and text outreach.
  • Flexible Event Scheduling: Offer evening events and volunteer opportunities.
  • Enhance Parent Organizations: Strengthen PTO participation from elementary through high school.
  • Survey Families Regularly: Assess and address barriers to engagement.

Building a Welcoming Environment

  • Improve Staff Interactions: Ensure families feel welcomed by greeting them warmly.
  • Address Basic Needs: Organize coat drives and support housing stability.
  • Enhance Personal Communication: Schools should directly engage families instead of relying on mass messaging.
  • Encourage Consistency: Students seek routine and reliable support from both educators and parents.

By focusing on these key areas—academic achievement, safety, and family engagement—schools can create a more supportive, structured, and effective learning environment. The goal is to foster stronger student outcomes while building stronger connections between educators, students, and the community.