Every tree we see started as a small seed.  The shade, beauty and protection trees provide for us are the potential the seed possesses.  However, not all seeds that have this potential become trees.  Some never get the chance to even start on their way towards becoming a tree while others sprout and look as if they are well on their way only to have its potential interrupted by the forces of nature or man.  Now I'm using this seed/tree metaphor to get us thinking about how we support students on their way to becoming educated and contributing members of our community. 

The Knights Intervention period is designed to provide immediate support for students during the school day. Each 40 minute period is focused on making sure students learn, not just hear, the content they need to know. Teachers focus on what students need to know for success now and in the future as well as re-teaching essential skills students may not have learned in earlier grades.  In order for this to work teachers are focusing on:

• Skills students have and how well they can demonstrate those skills.
• What changes are we making to support high growth for every student?
• Teams of teachers creating lessons that lead to high growth for every student.
• Effectively identifying students who need similar support and providing it in a timely and effective manner.
• Informing students and parents of their progress as we support them in setting and achieving goals. ("Simplifying Response to Intervention: Four Essential Guiding Principles", Buffum, Mattos and Weber, 2012)

As a community we have to provide shelter from the storms of life we know occur.  Unlike trees our students don't exist in just one place and must be able to adapt to all sorts of changes.  The principles we are using to make sure we live up to our promise to make sure every student achieves high growth require hard work and a steadfast dedication focusing on the most important element in education: the student.