1. Carrie A. Balk
Principal - 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 Practices
Communication, Positive School Climate and
Team Building
2. Carrie A. Balk
Principal
Three Rivers High School (Three Rivers, MI)
June 2014 – Present (1 year 8 months)
Assistant Principal
Three Rivers High School (Three Rivers, MI)
June 2012 – June 2014 (2 years 1 month)
Classroom Teacher
Three Rivers High School (Three Rivers, MI)
August 2007 - June 2012
Classroom Teacher
Hamilton High School (Hamilton, MI)
August 2002 - June 2007
4. Communication
Promotional 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.
5. Communication
Weekly 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
6. Communication
Weekly 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
7. Communication
Social 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.
8. Samples of Social Media Communication
Three Rivers High School
Sharing Student Work
9. Samples of Social Media Communication
Three Rivers High School
Connecting with Parents
10. Samples of Social Media Communication
Three Rivers High School
Sharing Student Art Work
11. Samples of Social Media Communication
Three Rivers High School
Promoting Academic Opportunities
12. Samples of Social Media Communication
Three Rivers High School
Positive School Climate
14. Carrie A. Balk
Exemplary Practices
High School Principal: Carrie A. Balk
Positive School Climate
15. 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.
16. 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.
18. 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
19. Carrie A. Balk
Exemplary Practices
High School Principal: Carrie A. Balk
Team Building and Staff Morale
