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Engaging Students from the Beginning

Seminole County Superintendent Walt Griffin explains why his district sends a care package to every family with a newborn in the county.

Walt GriffinBy Walt Griffin2 min read
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Parent reading a picture book to a baby in a library engaging learners from birth

Seminole County Public Schools reaches out to every family with a newborn in the county with a care package.

Play video: In Focus: Dr. Walt Griffin (8 minutes 4 seconds)
In Focus: Dr. Walt Griffin8 min 4 sedCircuit on Vimeo

A superintendent who guides his district to make a difference from birth

A newborn baby wearing a red and white knit hat is wrapped snugly in a soft gray blanket looking up with wide eyes against a softly blurred background

Dr. Walt Griffin, Superintendent of Seminole County Public Schools, just north of Orlando, had an epiphany on March 8, 2013 about how his district can reach out to the very youngest in the community. On that day, he was at a local hospital, having just become a grandfather and while talking to other new grandparents, it became clear just how many single mothers were giving birth.

Walt’s eye opening moment became the genesis of the district’s Great Start program. The program reaches out to every family with a newborn in Seminole County with a care package that includes literacy learning tips, phone numbers for medical, mental health and family services and even a bib with the class year on it (Class of 2034 for this year’s babies).

A young girl with long brown hair in a pink shirt is sitting at a desk writing in a notebook She looks toward the camera Pens and books are scattered on the desk in front of herIt’s all done to remind parents and caregivers to start thinking about school and graduation from the very beginning. As Walt puts it, “I think we have an opportunity here to reach out to families the day the infants are born to start developing trust and connection at a very young age so that they are comfortable with our district.”

Walt’s way of thinking and action has turned the district around since he took over in 2012. Before Walt arrived, the only time parents heard from anyone at the school or district was when their child was in trouble. Programs like Great Start and others, like the new Career & Technical Education program, are vastly improving the district by connecting with both parents and students from the earliest stages of life through graduation and beyond.

This article was originally posted in the Huffington Post .

Further Reading

  1. Education Dive – Branding is key to standing out in a school choice environment
  2. Fox 35 Orlando – Seminole County school district is the first in the state to try new “Panic Button” smart app
  3. Miami Herald – Schools, employers try to lure students to manufacturing

More on Administrators

  • Walt Griffin
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    Superintendent, Seminole County Schools

    Walt Griffin was appointed Superintendent of Seminole County Schools on July 1, 2012.

    View all posts
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