THURSDAY NOTES

JANUARY 19, 2017

The purpose of school report cards is to communicate
information to parents, regarding their childs academic
progress and achievement, and social growth. The report
cards reflect the current levels of performance based on
year-end Nevada Academic Content Standards. From the
school point a view, report cards are considered to be one
part of a larger accountability system. Report cards will be
sent home next Thursday, January 26, 2017.

SCHOOL ORGANIZATION TEAM

The purpose of the School Organizational Team Purpose is as follows:
Assist and advise development of the plan of operation each spring.
Provide continued assistance and advice to the principal in carrying out the plan of operation.
Assist in the discussion of any additional authority to be transferred to schools to carry out responsibilities.
Meetings are public, but not subject to Nevada Open Meeting requirements.
Public can attend and there is public comment.
SOT chair and Vice Chair are selected.
Quorum for voting is when a majority voting members are present.
Team must meet at least once per month.
Notice must be posted at least three working days before each meeting.

Walker Upcoming Events

th

January 20
th
January 24 (4:30-6:00 PM)
Th
January 25
th
January 26
st
January 31

End of the First Semester

School Organization Team Meeting
Eagle of the Month Assembly
Report Cards Sent Home
Academic Awards Assemblies

PTA
Please mark your calendars for these upcoming PTA events:
January 24, 2017 6:00-8:00 p.m. Skate Night at Crystal Palace
February 24, 2017- Family Dance
March 11, 2017- City of Henderson St. Patrick's Day Parade
March 24, 2017- Talent Show

FYI: Upcoming Library Events

Feb 22
Feb 27-March 3
March 1
March 2
March 3
March 22
March 28-30
April 7
April 26
May 4-12
May 31

8:00 am
2:00 & 2:30
1:45 & 2:20
2:30
8:00 am
3:20-4:00
2:15
8:00 am
8:30 -4:00
8:00am

Book Club in library

Nevada Reading Week.
Student Storytelling Assembly
Author Assembly
Snuggle in and Read
Book Club in library
Battle of the Books (BOB) in courtyard
BOB School Final Assembly for grades 3-5
Book Club in library
Book Fair
Book Club Battle of the Books in library

Dr. J. Marlan Walker

The following interview was printed in the Review Journal, November 5, 2014, and was written by Caitlyn Belcher.
Dr. Walker, our schools namesake was born in Southern Utah. After high school graduation, he served a church
mission to Mexico. After the mission, I stayed there and went to the university in Mexico City to get a degree,
Walker said. I was already employed with the government down in Mexico near the border, but I came to visit my
sister in Henderson around 1952. During the visit, Walker met with his sisters friend and former Clark County
School District superintendent Lyal Burkholder. He said they needed a language teacher at Basic High School,
Walker said. I hadnt planned on teaching or even staying in Henderson, for that matter, but I thought I would
give it a try.
For 36 years, Walker taught Spanish and Latin at Basic and ran the schools language department. He taught
some of Nevadas most influential people, including Sen. Harry Reid and former Gov. Mike OCallaghan. Walker
said he was presented with opportunities to advance into administration, but he declined them to continue
working with students. I had some opportunities to earn more money, but why would I want to leave something I
loved so much? he said. With the rapport I felt with them and the love a teacher has for their students, teaching
gave me a great deal of fulfillment and satisfaction.
Walker continued visiting Mexico, Peru and Guatemala while teaching. He started exchange programs and
planned trips to Mexico so students could immerse themselves in the language. I wanted students to have the
opportunity to be involved in Spanish, but the classroom wasnt long enough, Walker said. So, we developed
extra programs so that kids could learn to really love the language. Although Walker took teaching seriously,
former students said he had a great sense of humor. Mark Prime attended a two-week trip to Mexico with Walker
in June 1963. While visiting some Aztec pyramids, Walker encouraged Prime to barter with a vendor for an onyx
carving. I was able to get the vendor to cut the price by half, Prime said. Proud of myself, I told (Walker) what I
had done and how much I paid. He smiled and said I still paid twice what it was worth.
Walker retired from the school district in 1989 but continued promoting education abroad. At 86, Walker helps
run the Las Gaviotas Foundation, a humanitarian project that helps students attend secondary school to prevent
poverty in Mexico, Peru and Guatemala. I will continue traveling until I get old and cannot move anymore,
Walker said. This is the love of my life.
At the monthly El Premio luncheon, Dr. Walker converses with the students in Spanish, and presents them with a
certificate of achievement. Dr. Walker said, Ive visited the children in different grades over the years, and Im
amazed at what they learn. Its given me a great deal of pride and satisfaction to watch them develop and grow
into citizens of our society.

FUNCTIONS OF THE SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONAL TEAM

School Organizational Teams have a clearly defined role and function in the reorganization of the Clark County School
District. The Teams main duty is to assist and advise the school principal in development and implementation of the
school plan of operation, consisting of the school performance plan and the strategic budget.
DUTIES AND MAIN FUNCTIONS OF THE SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONAL TEAM
The School Organizational Team is responsible for:

Providing assistance and advice to the principal regarding the development of the school plan of operation.
Providing continued assistance and advice to the principal in carrying out the school plan of operation.
Assisting in the discussion of any additional authority to be transferred to the school to carry out responsibilities.
Assisting with the selection of the next principal when a principal vacancy occurs.
PLAN OF

STRATEGIC BUDGET

SCHOOL PERFORMANCE PLAN

Use data sources to identify trends.

Prioritize needs and identify root

cause(s).

Develop action steps and a monitoring

plan.

Write goals that are clear, detailed,

and attainable; explain expected
performance outcomes.

Identify funding sources available.

Analyze school data to identify
potential focus areas for effective
spending.

Align budget and other resources to

meet school needs and attain goals.
Maximize funds to achieve goals
outlined in the school performance
plan.

ADDITIONAL RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE SCHOOL ORGANIZATIONAL TEAM

The School Organizational Team is additionally responsible for:

Voting to support the school plan of operation.

Supporting the principal when the school plan of operation is presented to the community.
Functioning as a collaborative team that will foster student achievement.
Participating actively in School Organizational Team meetings to help inform principals decision-making.
Aiding the principal in sharing progress and results of the implementation of the plan of operation with the
community.

Although principals may periodically seek the Teams input on other matters, the principal retains responsibility
and accountability for school decisions.

Clark County School District