Carrie A. BalkPrincipal - Three Rivers High School

I am an educational leader with proven ability to enhance the quality of education students receive through effective communication, public relations, collaboration, research based instructional strategies, curriculum alignment, technology and supportive leadership. As principal at Three Rivers High School (MI), I have developed and continue to support a positive learning environment ensuring the involvement and success of all stakeholders. Exemplary practices in communication, team building and secondary positive school climate serve as the cornerstone of my tenure as building principal.

Exemplary PracticesCommunication, Positive School Climate and

Team Building

Carrie A. BalkPrincipalThree Rivers High School (Three Rivers, MI) June 2014 – Present (1 year 8 months)

Assistant PrincipalThree Rivers High School (Three Rivers, MI)June 2012 – June 2014 (2 years 1 month)

Classroom TeacherThree Rivers High School (Three Rivers, MI) August 2007 - June 2012

Classroom TeacherHamilton High School (Hamilton, MI)August 2002 - June 2007

Carrie A. Balk

Exemplary Practices

High School Principal: Carrie A. BalkCommunication

CommunicationPromotional Video

Purpose: Project a positive impact of Three Rivers High School.

Intended Audience: Students; Parents; Community Members; Individuals Considering School of Choice to Three Rivers HS

Feedback from Stakeholders:

“I really liked the video. It was a great way to reflect on what happened during the first semester. Sometimes people forget all the great memories that happen in high school. I'm a junior and I know that I forget all the good times I've had at TRHS, but this is just a great way to help remind us of those memories before we all graduate and move forward with our future.” - TRHS Student “Thank you for sharing this fine piece of work.” - Board Member

“Just wondering if that video will be available to purchase? Thanks!” - Parent

Outcome: Having transitioned significantly over the last four years under new leadership, the high school has transformed from a challenging setting where student interactions were primarily negative (six years ago) to a building where positivity reigns (present day). Creating a video that highlights all of the amazing programs and opportunities Three Rivers High School offers not only reinforces a parent’s decision to send their student to TRHS but also allows the community of stakeholders a look into our building.

CommunicationWeekly Student/Parent Email

Purpose: Connect on a personal level with high school students AND keep parents informed.

Intended Audience: Students, Parents and Members of the Board of Education

Feedback from Stakeholders:

“I love the weekly emails! They're funny and they show that you care.” - TRHS Student

“I do like that you send the weekly emails. It keeps me informed about what's going on.” - TRHS Student

CommunicationWeekly Email to Student Body - Example

Hello kids!

Week thirteen is upon us! This week's updates are brief.

1. Sturgis High School and Sturgis Middle School sent 12 administrators and teachers to TRHS last Friday. The group, as you know, wanted to learn more about our Positive School Climate initiative - Respect * Responsible * Resilience. I would like to thank all of you who took the time to stop and say hello to our special guests. :-) They were impressed with TRHS and, more specifically, student behavior, teacher commitment to maintaining a positive atmosphere and a general sense of academic focus throughout the building.

2. I have a special project I'm working on. It's a secret. Don't tell ANY of your teachers. On December 1, we have early release but your teachers have professional development until 4pm. Part of the agenda that afternoon includes a reflection on the first three months of our Positive School Climate implementation. I can talk and talk and talk (LOL!) about how it is going but I think it would be a better idea if you shared your thoughts on Respect * Responsibility * Resilience. If you're willing to share your thoughts, please send me an email and I'll get back to you with more information on what I'm planning and how you can help. Parents, you are welcome to participate as well -- send me an email with a few sentences describing your thoughts on the initiative.

3. Week 13 humor! Take a look at the attached picture of our family dog, Henry. He somehow managed to get into the algae-killing, blue-water making substance we put in our pond. Henry is hereby referred to as smurf dog. He looks concerned, doesn't he? HAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! Don't worry.....Henry took a shower and quickly returned to his natural color!

Enjoy your week kids! Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Mrs. Balk

CommunicationSocial Media

Purpose: News media often presents a negative image of schools. For this reason, it is important that school administrators take the time to “tell our own story”. Social media offers a perfect opportunity to engage with students, parents and community stakeholders to present a positive image of Three Rivers High School.

Intended Audience: Students; Parents; Community Members; Individuals Considering School of Choice to Three Rivers HS

Feedback from Stakeholders:

“I think a very positive and supportive image of our school is presented via social media.” - TRHS student

Outcome: Social media has served as a wonderful platform to connect with a variety of stakeholders and is the most popular avenue in which to highlight the amazing educational opportunities Three Rivers High School offers students. There is a concern among school administrators that social media provides parents an easy opportunity to attack district initiatives and broadcast personal agendas to large groups. However, my experience has been quite the opposite. Using social media to present the POSITIVE has resulted in a loyal following of students, parents and community members.

Samples of Social Media Communication

Three Rivers High School Sharing Student Work

Samples of Social Media Communication

Three Rivers High SchoolConnecting with Parents

Samples of Social Media Communication

Three Rivers High SchoolSharing Student Art Work

Samples of Social Media Communication

Three Rivers High SchoolPromoting Academic Opportunities

Samples of Social Media Communication

Three Rivers High SchoolPositive School Climate

@ThreeRiversHS

Carrie A. Balk

Exemplary Practices

High School Principal: Carrie A. Balk

Positive School Climate

Positive School Climate - MTSS Framework

1. We can effectively teach all children.

2. Intervene early.

3. Use a multi-tier model of support.

4. Use a problem-solving method for decision making.

5. Research-based interventions/instruction to the extent available.

6. Monitor student progress to inform instruction.

7. Use data to make decisions.

8. Use assessment for different purposes.

What is Positive School Climate?

Three Rivers High School’s secondary “Positive School Climate” initiative promotes the social, emotional, civic and intellectual learning of all students with the goal of creating an environment where all are welcomed, supported and safe. Schools are filled with conditions that promote resilience in young people and we are pleased to share our Positive School Climate initiative focused on Respect * Responsibility * Resilience.

Three Rivers High SchoolPositive School Climate

April 2014 - Administration selected team members (staff)

May 2014 - Initial team meeting/timeline and goals established

June 2014 - Positive School Climate Introduced to entire staff - staff assigned task to assist in creating the building-wide expectations matrix.

July 2014 - August Professional Development planning

August 2014 - Opening Professional Development focused on Positive School Climate Year-One Implementation

September 2015 - Phase II Implementation Rollout

NOTE: Since initial implementation of Positive School Climate in September 2014, Three Rivers High School has welcomed eight schools from across the State of Michigan into our building to learn more about our program.

Implementation Timeline

Carrie A. Balk

Exemplary Practices

High School Principal: Carrie A. Balk

Team Building and Staff Morale

Three Rivers High School 20 Day Staff Challenge

Three Rivers High School Staff Member of the Month

Three Rivers High School Staff Team Building Activities

Three Rivers High School Staff Team Building Activities

Contact InformationCarrie A. Balk

Three Rivers High School700 Sixth Avenue

Three Rivers, Michigan 49093269-279-1120