From the Superintendent
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I hope you are enjoying your summer and are as excited and enthusiastic as I am about the 2023-2024 school year. As we prepare to open the doors, please accept my gratitude for allowing me to continue serving as the superintendent of the Cochrane-Fountain City School District.
A new school year is always exciting. I am motivated and encouraged by all the hard work of everyone in preparing our facilities, relocating classrooms, moving the district office next to the high school library, technology support to the previous district office, and counseling to the high school hallway for efficiency and collaboration opportunities. This spring, we started to align administrative roles to create consistency and efficiency. Starting this fall, Mr. Stoppelmoor will be the JH/HS principal and activities director, Mrs. McKay will be the elementary principal and curriculum director, Mr. Nelson will be the athletic director, and I will be the superintendent and special education director, with assistance from Mrs. Demers, who is contracted with C-FC ½ time.
Education today faces many obstacles; However, our challenge is to embrace the future and ensure that our students are ready for what lies ahead of them to become leaders in this exciting new world. We need to challenge students to think in new and innovative ways, encourage them toward understanding fundamental ideas, and drive their curiosity to discover what they don’t know. To accomplish this monumental task, we are implementing our “Portrait of a Pirate” initiative to ensure our students have the academic, career, and life skills to succeed. The “Portrait of a Pirate” recognizes each student has unique goals, skills, and interests and will rely on diverse research-based metrics to assess a student’s life, career, and academic preparedness. We will consider the whole person — the breadth and depth of their coursework, participation in extracurricular activities, standardized test scores, academic grades, employment experiences, community service, and the ability to demonstrate soft skills within and beyond the classroom — to determine student readiness. We also believe this focus will increase engagement, expectations, and student ownership in their learning.
Once again, welcome to the new school year. I look forward to working with everyone to provide a safe and productive learning environment that supports student success. Working together, let’s make this the best year ever!
Sincerely,
Troy White
Superintendent
Cochrane-Fountain City School District
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From the Superintendent
Parents, Students, Staff, Families and Community Members,
This past year has brought many smiles and tears. The excitement of starting the year with a record attendance during the open house also brought the suffering and the loss of a father. Our school and community provided comfort and continues to support the family. Throughout the year we’ve enjoyed our co-curriculars as a community, celebrating team and individual successes, accomplishments and awards. We continue to endure the loss of two of our students, with compassion, support and empathy for everyone directly and indirectly affected. We’ve witnessed our staff and students growing personally and academically through engaging projects and experiences, while surviving an exhausting winter followed by record flooding.
More could be provided in this summation of the year but while composing this, I was reminded of the speech Jimmy Valvano gave at the ESPYs in 1993 that I want to share. Although many remember what became the motto “Don’t give up. Don’t ever give up,” I want to reference his belief “that there are three things we should do every day. Number one is to laugh, you should laugh every day. Number two is to think, you should spend some time in thought. Number three is you should have your emotions moved to tears. Could be happiness, joy, or sorrow. Think about it, if you laugh; you think; and you cry; that's a full day, that's a heck of a day. You do this seven days a week, you're going to have something special.”
As we move forward, my hope for everyone is to allow yourself and others to laugh, think, and cry. This year’s experiences have taught us many things, but most important is the C-FC family will be there no matter what! This reflection reminds me why I am so proud to be the superintendent of the Cochrane-Fountain City School District. As a school and community, we will be there for each other to celebrate accomplishments and work through struggles, we are truly C-FC PIRATE STRONG!
Sincerely,
Troy White
Superintendent
Cochrane-Fountain City School District
From the Superintendent
The start of the year here at C-FC has reminded me how much I love my career, due largely to the people of this district who make the work enjoyable! I have also realized how much I still must learn. Luckily, there are numerous people on staff, in the community, and on the school board along with professional colleagues and organizations that have been extremely supportive.
The lesson here is that it is important for everyone, and especially our students, to realize that learning never ends. Another great lesson is that with all the information available, we must be willing to ask for help and develop the skills to know where to find information when it is needed. No one can ever know everything, but to be able to get the information you need in an efficient and productive manner, and then apply it, is an invaluable asset.
Expanding your mental capacity and aptitude is something that we can continue to do for a lifetime. Our students have more opportunities to gain knowledge than any of us could have ever dreamed of. It is our job to motivate them to pursue this knowledge and to never stop learning!
Sincerely,
Troy White
Superintendent
Cochrane-Fountain City School District
From the Superintendent
I would like to welcome you all back to school this year. As the new superintendent, I’m thrilled to take over the reins and since being hired, I have had the privilege of meeting many people and have really loved getting a glimpse of what the Cochrane-Fountain City District is all about.
First off, (I probably don’t have to tell you this) C-FC is a truly special place! It is evident people care about people here. I’ve witnessed the value the community places on education, the importance placed on providing students with what they need in order to be successful, and the care staff shows for one another. I have been so impressed and feel honored to be a part of this great district and community!
Education today faces many obstacles. However, our challenge is to embrace the future and assure that our students are properly prepared to become leaders in this exciting new world. To accomplish this monumental task, we will strive to provide the following: a high level of personalization in every aspect of a student's school experience, a proud recognition for individual and group accomplishments as well as for diligence and hard work, and an unwavering commitment to the development of character and civic responsibility in our young people.
To our students, I ask that you reflect on your goals and strive not only to pursue personal excellence but also to demonstrate your perseverance and integrity. Know that we are here to support and encourage you as you explore different possibilities and grow as learners. Remember that with these opportunities, comes both a personal and collective responsibility to be supportive of one another. I will count on you to go beyond tolerance and treat all members of our community with respect. I challenge each of you to contribute as we maintain and improve the long tradition of C-FC excellence in both curricular and co-curricular activities.
To our parents, it is through your support that we make a significant difference in the lives of our students. As we strive to continue to grow as an exemplary district, our partnership is critical. The C-FC community has dedicated itself completely to the education of its students and has placed great trust in our schools. I understand the importance of this trust and vow to work for the best interests of our students and community.
Again, my family and I are so thrilled to be a part of this wonderful community. Serving as superintendent of the Cochrane-Fountain City School District is as great an honor as it is a responsibility. I believe that the foundation of our future accomplishments will be found in the power of our combined efforts and the strength of our synergy.
I look forward to meeting and working with you all and look forward to a safe and productive year. Our teachers, counselors, maintenance crew, custodians, cooks, paraprofessionals, bus drivers, support staff, secretaries, and administration, stand ready to assist and guide each of you. Please let us know if we can be of any assistance throughout the year.
Sincerely,
Troy White
Superintendent
Cochrane-Fountain City School District
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Last Updated: 8/3/23 |
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