Granton's Interim Administrator and Principal Discuss Students Having More Leadership Opportunities

Monday, December 28th, 2020 -- 11:59 AM

This year, the Granton School District is focusing on their students having more opportunities in regards to leadership at each level of the building.

I spoke with Interim District Administrator James Kuchta and Principal Amanda Kraus and they explained how they’re making that happen in the district.

Mr. Kuchta:  “I’d like to introduce our principal, Miss Amanda Kraus.  She’s our PreK-12th Principal, which is a new role for her here this year.  She’s been the Middle/High School Principal, so I’ll let you ask her questions about her background and, Amanda, why don’t you tell us a little bit about your history.”

Amanda:  “I came into the district 5 years ago.  I taught Instrumental Education here.  Then I transitioned into the administrative role for the past 2 years, I was the 6th-12 Principal here.  Then this year I transitioned into the 4K-12 Principal role.”

Mr. Kuchta:  “So, what that allowed the school district to do, the school board decided to have one principal for the entire building in charge of all teachers, all students, all support staff and then made my position, as Interim District Administrator, a full time position for the person that was hired just previous to me and then, in my role, they’ve continued with that.  Amanda, would you want to talk about your goals and aspirations this year with students?”

Amanda:  “Yeah, this year, we’re really focusing on our students having more opportunities with regard to leadership at each level in the building.  So, we have some great spotlight and reinforcements of character and leadership throughout.  We’ve started off by having a staff and a student of the month, focusing on character traits."

"So, this is done not only at the elementary level, the middle school level, and the high school level, but also with our faculty as well.  So, the students can be highlighted and spotlighted for their role as character models throughout the building, but also we can spotlight those staff that are showing specific character traits each month.”

Question:  “In regards to the strategic plan, the Granton School District has allowed students to voice their thoughts about the future of the district.  Why do you feel that’s important?”

Amanda:  “We’re a school, so we focus on academics, but we’re also sending out whole people.  We’re sending them back into the community and the surrounding communities.  And so, for us, it’s really important to hear what they feel is going on in the district and, for them, to have their voices heard and have their leadership and compassion and responsibility, kindness, and curiosity, those are our monthly characteristics that we’ve been working on lately."

"But all of those are things that our students can teach us as well in the building.  And so for them to have a voice in our strategic plan and where they see we need to move forward, just as a full picture to what the Granton greatness can look like through our strategic plan.”

Mr. Kuchta:  “I might add, in addition to that, regarding the strategic plan, we did hold those student focused group meetings last week.  So, we met with Juniors and Seniors in one group and then we met with Sophomores and we met with Freshmen."

"And we were able to focus on specific questions for them on the best things that Granton has to offer, areas, in their view, in need of improvement, and we sought their feedback and their views.  We also sent questions to all of them and even had our virtual students, the few that are virtual, give feedback as well."

"And then we also sent a survey to all students as well as staff, parents, and community members.  So, that’s all part of that strategic planning process and we were happy to have students be part of the focus groups as well.”

Question:  “Amanda, what would attribute Granton’s continued success to?”

Amanda:  “I think a lot of the community support is helpful for our students.  The staff know and know what’s going on in the student’s lives and know our students personally.  And the community is backing the students and the staff here.  So, throughout this character and leadership push this year, we’ve also had that be a highlight of our board meetings."

"Because, we do a lot of praise and reinforcement in our school itself, but a lot of times that doesn’t get out to the community or to the surrounding areas of what our students are doing.  So, by having a spotlight on education at our board meetings, our community and parents can also see some of the great things we’re doing every day."

"Some of the great character traits and leadership things that our students are showcasing in the building that we might not be able to send out every single day.”

Question:  “If people do have questions about what’s happening in the district, I assume your door is always open for parents and the community?”

Amanda:  “Yes, definitely!”

Mr. Kuchta:  “I’d like to thank Amanda for the interview and we’ll be talking more with her and with other staff members.  So, I just want to say that I’ve been, over the past 34 years, working at different school districts and I’m very happy to be here working with a professional at the level of Miss Kraus.  We’re very fortunate to have her here and for Granton to have her the past 5 years.”

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