| RESOURCES : You said it!!
A few comments from our member schools and team volunteers:
Steve McIntyre, Internal Coordinator, Bowie High School, Bowie, Maryland
Accreditation puts it out there. You see what you're doing, and it gives you
a real seious magnifying glass.
Yvonne Blake, Internal Coordinator, Weequahic High School, Newark, New Jersey
The urban school needs Middle States to look at us! This is very personal. We
like the idea that we can bring about change as a family and as a team.
Rear Admiral Peter A. C. Long, USN (Ret), President, Valley Forge
Military Academy and College, Wayne, Pennsylvania
Thanks for the great visit. We are a better institution, both for our evaluation
preparations as well as the advice and recommendations provided by the Visitation
Team. I am pleased to note that we have already addressed a number of key areas. I
look forward to receiving your letter on accreditation and conducting the follow-up
program.
David Wilcomes, Principal, Union Hill High School, Union City, New Jersey
The entire process was conducted in a highly professional manner. The CSS worked
well with us as we prepared for the validation process. The process and result was
very well-received by our entire staff.
Noreen Andrews, Assistant Principal, Union Catholic High School, New Jersey
I cannot share enough wonderful accolades about our Chair. He was outstanding in his
professional approach and in commanding the same in his team members. He was a delightful
conversationalist and an insightful visionary. The Chair was a great match for our high
tech environment. It was both a pleasure and a blessing to work with him throughout the
entire process.
Dick Jung, Head, SEED Public Charter School, Washington, DC
We found incredible benefit internally from going over our belief statements,
looking at the “now” versus “when the school was hatched.”
Sr. Jeanne M. Ross, CSJ, Principal, Sacred Heart Academy, Hempstead, New York
If you could clone this team, you would have a perfect Visitation Team. They
were a perfect compliment to one another---an even flow of minds. Thank you for
sending them.
David Randall, Director, Rabat American School, Morocco
I want to thank you for making it possible for Rita and Kathy to be a part of
a visiting team. They had a great visit and came back fully charged
as I was sure they would do. Serving on a team and being able to see the end product
really makes it come to life. To me, this AFG process is very exciting. From November
2002 when I first attended an AFG workshop with you in Rome to serving on a visiting
team to today it has remained, in my mind, the process that really fit the needs of
Rabat American School. Under the wise leadership of Kathy and Rita, our team has reached
a decision on two broad objectives. One was expected, but the other was not. That is
what makes working with a diverse team so exciting and rewarding. Different perspectives
came to the table where they were considered and a consensus decision was reached. Both
of these objectives will address critical issues at RAS. The AFG process will enable us,
as an institution, to deal with these critical matters and, as a result, make our school
better. It is going to be a fascinating journey.
Dr. R. Gerald Longo, Superintendent, Quaker Valley School District, Sewickly, Pennsylvania
(--to the chair of the Visiting Team)
I wish to thank you and congratulate the AFG Visiting Committee and you
on an excellent report. I have read the report and I believe that it provides good
insight and direction for our high school. It also enables the superintendent and
school board to understand and support our high school as it reforms its mission
and its implementation of that mission. Over the years, I have read many Middle
States reports and I have participated in the Middle States Visiting Committee
process. I have never read a better written and more thoroughly constructed document
than the one that your team provided to Quaker Valley.
Recently, Quaker Valley High School was chosen by the Pennsylvania Department of
Education to participate in Project 720. Project 720 is a high school reform project
that includes grants and expertise for participating schools. The report that you
have provided to Quaker Valley High School will serve as a compass to us as we engage
in the planning and implementation of our Project 720 goals.
On behalf of Quaker Valley, its administration and board, I commend you for this
helpful and professional report. I believe that it will provide us with the guidance
we require to move our high school to the highest levels of achievement.
Sr. Kathleen Letts, SSJ, Dean of Studies, Mount Saint Joseph Academy, Flourtown, PA
Our visiting team has just departed and I need to say it was a very good experience
for our Mount community. It provided room for growth, yet confirmed and affirmed what
we are about as a secondary school. The team was gracious, warm, and open to the
culture of our school. The team also seem to be pleased with us which certainly helped
the staff and students feel comfortable in their meetings.
Cyntiah Robbins, President, Maya Angelou Public Charter School, Washington, DC
Assembling the plan and also working to demonstrate how we met the standards
has driven our school even more closely toward a good planning model and toward
meeting our goals. It is a wonderful thing to have a group of visitors who come
to the school to share observations and insights.
Sr. Theresa Kelly, FMA, President, Mary Help of Christians Academy, North Haledon, New Jersey
We had a wonderful Validating Team Visit last week. After they left on Friday, we had a joyful
ice-cream party with the faculty and staff! It was a great celebration because the team left us
feeling very affirmed, uplifted and encouraged to continue our journey of educational growth for
the good of our young women here.
The members of the team very all very professional and nice people. Everyone felt at ease with them.
The one great thing which made me very happy was that the team found that what we said in our Planning
document was what they saw. Thanks again for all your help - it was invaluable.
Sr. Kathleen Karich, RSM, Principal, Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
The Committee Visitation was a beneficial, educational experience for
our school community. Beginning with the previsit and continuing
through the committee visitation, the evaluation experience was
positive, supportive, and mutually beneficial for all involved. The
Chair and members of the visiting team exhibited professionalism and
high level of interest, concern, and enthusiasm throughout the visit.
Large and small group meetings were both challenging and encouraging as
the committee and members of the community united around the goals of
the AFG process.
I experienced the visiting committee’s sincere interest in our
community, our goals and objectives and our school improvement efforts.
My interactions with the team members, as individuals and as a group,
were positive and encouraging. I valued the opportunities we had for
sharing, and I believe the members of the committee did as well. The
visitation experience was genuine sharing of wisdom and educational
experiences, rooted in a common desire for school improvement. The
visiting committee offered a tremendous service to our school. Its
efforts complemented the process of school improvement and growth,
which began when we selected the AFG protocol for our accreditation.
Lea Ybarra, Executive Director, Johns Hopkins University Center for Talented Youth
We are very favorably impressed with the work of the Visiting Committee.
We are also appreciative of the early work that the CSS staff did with us
to design an instrument appropriate to our organization. The whole enterprise
has been stimulating for all of us. We are mindful of the recommendations of
the Visiting Team and are fully committed to addressing them in a timely manner.
Missy Kennedy, Supervisor, Cornell Abraxas Youth Center, South Mountain, Pennsylvania
Thank you for all of your help and guidance during our accreditation process. The
overall process and our "team visit" has proven to be such a great experience and
learning tool for myself and our education department.
T. Chandler Hardwick, Head, Blair Academy, Blairstown, New Jersey
Having the Internal Coordinators do AFG visits in the previous 6-9 months to
our visit was essential to our success.
...and from our team volunteers:
Team Member to Stone Ridge School of the Sacred Heart, MD
As usual, it was just about the best learning experience an educator can have.
Team Member to Academy of Notre Dame de Namur, PA
I always enjoy working with a team, not only for the professional development and
learning experience, but also for the opportunity to make new friends and professional
contacts.
Team Member to Penn Wood High School, PA
All educational professionals should serve on a team.
Team Member to William Penn High School, PA
It was a wonderful experience - I would gladly participate again. It truly broadened my
understanding of an entire school. It will make me much more aware of how my home school
handles all areas within the 12 standards.
Team Member to KIMA Charter School, DC
I feel that I am a better educator because of this experience. I will also be a
better member of my school's accreditation team.
Team Member to Bishop Hannan High School, PA
It was a wonderful experience - professionally and personally. I have recommended
to my colleagues that they participate if possible.
Team Member to All Hallows High School, NY
I feel this is a real growth process. It has broadened my experience and
knowledge of different educational models and given me the opportunity to mix
with other professionals.
Team Member to Henry Snyder High School, NJ
Very valuable as a professional -- every teacher and administrator should be made
aware of this experience and its availability.
Team Member to Cornell Abraxas Youth Center, PA
...an outstanding experience once again! It re-inforces my idea that education is
important, and that it is possible to get excited about my profession all over again.
Team Member to Swenson Arts and Technology High School, PA
This experience was the most rewarding of my educational career. To have recently
experienced the AFG process allowed me an opportunity to fully internalize the
importance of teamwork, commitment, and the school's vision. I am determined to
remind my staff to constantly reflect on the AFG process. The future of every school's
Improvement Plan is embedded in the AFG process. Every school needs to have a team
to come and examine its mission, goals, and instructional programs.
Team Member to St. John's College High School, DC
This experience was incredible! I thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with the members
of the team, and I value the experience of observing another school's operation and
vision.
Team Member to Westfield High School, NY
A very worthwhile experience. It was very beneficial to me. I enjoyed it immensely.
Team Member to Bishop Hannan High School, PA
This was excellent! I'm very happy to have attended!
Team Member to Central Catholic High School, PA
The visit was a very affirming experience since the school was well run and very academically
sound. It was a very worthwhile experience that made it worth missing 4 days from
my building.
Team Member to Palisades Park Junior/Senior High School, NJ
This experience was one of the most professionally rewarding times of my
teaching career. Thank you for the opportunity to serve on this committee. I
greatly admired the leadership of the Chair. This was my first experience as a
Middle States Visitation Team Member and the Chair guided me through the process
in a professional and efficient manner.
Team Member to William Allen High School, PA
Attention to detail and strong organization made the process smooth. Roles
were clearly defined. Benchmarks and timelines with models of desired outcomes
gave clear direction for the entire process.
Team Member to Allentown Central Catholic High School, PA
This was an exceptional experience! The Chair was outstanding and extremely
well-versed in the protocol and the process. I truly enjoyed the evaluation. I
hit the jackpot! The school was an amazing school in all dimensions.
Team Member to Westlake High School, NY
The Team Chair’s professionalism and capacity to draw upon the strengths of
the members permitted a smooth and effective experience. The Chair’s kmowledge
of the AFG protocol lent confidence to the team and permitted a focused review.
In addition, the Chair’s administrative experience transferred into his being
able to be flexible and lead in a positive manner. This was a broadening
experience. My being able to review objectives in relation to a school site,
not my own, enabled me to reflect on improvements and cultural barriers, as well.
Team member to Alexander Hamilton High School, NY
The Chair is a dynamic and personable leader. He developed an atmosphere of
cooperation and professional responsibility among the team members. He made this a
truly productive educational experience for the Elmsford community and I am sure his
leadership has helped to make this evaluation become a positive tool for the promotion
of a great educational environment.
Team Member to Palisades Park Junior/Senior High School, NJ
The experience was very valuable. As a future administrator, I enjoyed seeing
and taking part in the evaluation process and hearing views of students, teachers,
administrators, and district administrators.
Team Member to Sanaa International School, Yemen
I am writing to express to you my extreme thanks for allowing me the opportunity
to travel on a Middle States Accreditation Team. I have never had such a balance between
hard work and fun. I was very nervous about the visit and report writing but [the chair] helped
all of us. The Team was truly that: a Team. We laughed together and worked hard together. It
is one of the highlights of my teaching career.
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