EXCELLENCE
The Bloomfield Board of Education offered a high-five for . . . high-fives.
Elementary Principal Tabitha Gilsdorf said she was not expecting to be recognized for starting the High-Five Friday program at the school, but the overwhelming response proves how supportive both the school and community is.
“Other schools are doing this, too, so I knew it was a nice program for older students and businesses to interact with our elementary students and welcome them to school on Fridays,” Gilsdorf said. “But it’s really been overwhelming with businesses around town asking when they can have their day. There’s a lot of excitement.”
Board President Deb Wragge said the leadership team agreed, which is why Gilsdorf was the first educator recognized during the Celebration of Excellence at last week’s regular meeting. Wragge said the board implemented the agenda item as always to regularly support positivity of students and staff.
Wragge said Superintendent Todd Strom has been encouraging them to recognize efforts of both teachers and students, and the board of education immediately adopted it.
“We are watching what’s going on and trying to catch people doing exceptional things to create a positive atmosphere for our teachers, students and our learning environment,” she said.
As of the August meeting, the board of education will have a specific agenda item recognizing someone — student or teacher — who is going above and beyond. The board meets twice a month, and this will be part of their regular board monthly meeting.
Wragge said the recognition could extend into the community as well.
“We’ve designed a lapel pin with our Bee mascot and also our three words that are part of our mission statement with honesty, relationships and community,” she said. “Our mission statement is ‘BEES,’ which is Bloomfield .. at the bottom. Our hope is that our kids and our students choose to wear them, and it’s a way of recognizing the ambassador ship and excellence with learning and positivity.”
Gilsdorf said Bloomfield is a supportive community, so it’s great to get residents involved in the school.
“I didn’t really know what the response would be, but the high schoolers were excited right away and interacting with the elementary,” she said. “And the community is excited, too. Seeing the board recognize what’s happening is great. It’s really nice that our staff will be acknowledged for the great things they do.”
Wragge said although there’s been some challenges within the school district the last couple of years, everyone is working hard to recognize the many great things happening.”
“It’s important that we have positivity,” Wragge said.
Also at the recent meeting, the board heard from FCCLA and FFA students. Wragge said the board was impressed with the students’ ability to address them all.
“Justin Jindra, who is one of our board members, said that. He praised the kids for having better public speaking skills that he felt he had at that age,” she said. “We’re so excited about this program because it’s the most positive thing we’ve had in a while.”
