This week we began the 2015-2016 school year with an opening day program Thursday morning for staff and a presentation to community members Thursday afternoon. After a rousing musical medley and the National Anthem by Abington Steamroller, Dr. Fecher introduced the program, our new administrative staff members, and new teachers.
Dr. Sichel then presented an overview of significant accomplishments of the past year by students, schools, staff, and the district. Everyone was welcomed and addressed by Abington Education Association president Ms. Debra Lee. Dr. Sichel then introduced the keynote speaker of the day, Mr. Jamie Vollmer.
Mr. Vollmer, shown here in several photos during his presentation – and with School Board members Andrea Lawful-Trainer and Daniel Kaye and Dr. Sichel – is a renowned educational thought leader and champion of public education.
Dr. Sichel explained that Mr. Vollmer was not trained as a professional educator. He became involved with school reform after successful careers in law and manufacturing. His primary goal now is to help educators and their allies remove the obstacles to progress and create schools that unfold the full potential of every child. He has worked for the past twenty-five years to help schools and their communities remove the obstacles to student learning, both in and out of school.
In Mr. Vollmer’s presentation to staff in the morning and community members in the afternoon, he uplifted the audience and praised our successes while emphasizing that we have the power to create a community-wide climate that supports rising student achievement. His message builds on the themes presented in his book, Schools Cannot Do It Alone, proclaimed by the American School Board Journal as “One of the top ten books of the year.” He provided staff members with several key thoughts, mindsets, and actions to help promote public education in Abington and throughout the country. He is an articulate champion of public schools.