Brian M. Stack's School Leadership Blog

My New Hampshire high school made the shift to a competency-based grading and reporting system two years ago. Educators who talk to me about that experience often want to know what that change process looked like from a student’s perspective. Surprisingly, most students were comfortable with the shift provided that they believed the school and teachers were effective at explaining how their grade would be calculated. The students who seemed most reluctant to change at the beginning were the ones who were already performing at a high level in the old system. These kids knew how to play what I like to call the grading game . They didn’t always test well, but they knew they could always compensate for that by doing all their homework, raising their hand every day in class, and bringing in canned goods on Thanksgiving week for extra credit points. The problem is that these behaviors made the assumption that if students had good study habits then they must have learned. When we think ...

On behalf of the Class of 2013, I would like to welcome you, the parents and family members of our graduates, the faculty and staff of our school, the community members, alumni, and Seminary graduates, and our special guest of honor, our Governor Maggie Hassan, to the campus at Sanborn Regional High School and our graduation ceremony-the 124 th for Sanborn.   My name is Brian Stack, the Principal of Sanborn Regional High School. Tonight we celebrate the culmination of 12 years of academic achievement as we award diplomas to our students.   The Class of 2013 has experienced tremendous success in their time here, and tonight we honor them for their achievements as we help them start the next chapter of their lives. To the Graduates of the Class of 2013: Tonight you will officially close an important chapter in your lives. Tonight is a time to reflect on the last thirteen years of school and also to look forward to what lies ahead. Life will be what you make of...

To Members of the Class of 2013, There is an ancient Chinese proverb that says the following: “The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago; the next best time is now”. As you pass this major milestone in your life, I hope this quote will inspire you to set high goals for yourself and don’t wait to act on them. If I have learned one thing since my own high school graduation, it is that your life will be what you make of it. Don’t ever let anyone tell you something isn’t possible. Our world is changing at a rapid pace. The global economy needs people like you to solve our most complex problems. I know you will put your communication, thinking, and problem-solving skills to good use as an effective contributor in our community and beyond. Our future is bright with you as one of our future leaders. I am so proud of each of you for your accomplishments, both in and out of the classroom, during your years at Sanborn. It seems like just yesterday you walked through ...

This article will appear in this month's school newspaper The Sanborn Voice. It is hard to believe that we have reached the end of yet another school year. It seems like we just started. For me, this school year marks my twelfth in education. That hit home for me the other day when I realized that the current seniors started first grade the same time I first entered the classroom as a new teacher fresh out of college. I have started and ended each of my twelve years in education in much the same way – in the fall I set goals for myself for the year, and in the spring I reflect on those goals to see what I did well and what I need to work on in the future. My article this month is my reflection on my goals for this year. Goal #1: I will work to foster a positive school culture by improving the communication with students, staff, and parents. One of our three pillars at Sanborn is fostering a school culture that promotes respect, responsibility, ambition,...