Greetings from Paula Dawning, Superintendent of Schools

Thank you for visiting the Benton Harbor Area Schools web site. I encourage you to explore the site to visit some of our outstanding programs and schools. Our site also contains reference material and information, and I hope that you will visit often as we are constantly updating and adding information.

I would like to share some of my hopes, dreams and plans for the BHAS District with you. The Board of Education and I have a fundamental strategy for our schools. We refer to this strategy as “the Four P’s”.

Progressive Student Achievement
We will provide the means by which our children will achieve so that they will be competitive in today’s world.

Parental Involvement
We will provide parent-friendly schools so that parents, grandparents and guardians will be comfortable in our buildings and be actively involved in our children’s education.

Public Accountability
The BHAS Board and Administration will share our goals, publish reports on our achievements and accurately account for funds.

Partnership
We must partner with parents, community, businesses, colleges and government.

I have met with many students since I arrived in Benton Harbor, and I know that I may trust our children to do their part. I tell the children that they also have four things to do to achieve success. Those four things are:

1. Have a big dream. Small plans do not motivate you or sustain you through the difficult times. You must know what is possible and believe in yourself.

2. Do your best…don’t short-change yourself.

3. Don’t be afraid of doing things that are difficult. You learn and grow by doing hard things, and, after you do the hard things, they become easier and easier the next time around.

4. Have a good attitude. You will gain much respect by being pleasant and saying “please” and “thank you.”

Children are our seeds of hope. It is our job to help them step into their greatness. Someone helped you achieve your goals, and we must help our children succeed.

It is the commitment of our entire organization to do our part to help the children meet their goals. We welcome you, as you join us, to do your part. No one person has all the answers, but together, we have it all.

Sincerely yours,

Paula Dawning, Superintendent of Schools