Principal and Superintendent’s Report – January 16, 2013
School Climate
Discipline (Student Climate)
We are on track to plan our first stage of PBIS this spring and implement it in the fall of 2013. Jamie Bohn will participate in a new coordinator’s webinar this month. The team will attend a three-day training at the end of March.
Staff Climate
The first Wellness Potluck Lunch of the year has been organized by the staff climate committee and will be held on Thursday, January 31, 2013.
Wellness
Fun Fitness Friday
FFF is up and running! Our first week brought perfect weather and a chance for many students to try a new sport for the first time. We were able to find downhill equipment for three students. We are thankful for to contributions from the Montpelier Recreation Department, Power Play Sports, and three families.
Curriculum and Instruction
Math
Our work with Loree Silvis to align our first and second grade math curricula to the Common Core will continue on January 28th. Teachers have reported that this work is fruitful, as it provides the opportunity for grade-alike collaboration across the SU.
The classroom teachers and a few specialists looked at some tools to track student mastery of Common Core math standards from Kindergarten through 6th grade at our Data Day on January 4th.
Literacy
After attending a workshop with Karin Hess, Mary Carpenter has provided us with a scoring protocol for our all school writing prompts. We will meet in the afternoon in small groups to score two grade levels of prompts using this protocol. We will also hold our second all school prompt in the coming weeks.
This year, we are testing all students’ reading levels in the winter as opposed to the spring. The change allows us to be sure we have time to use the information before the summer. We’re just getting started on the testing, but we’re already seeing some great progress.
Science
Those very cold days back in the first week of January brought the chance for an experiment with the water cycle in second grade. Students, including the visiting first graders, were able to see that boiling water, when thrown into zero degree air freezes into ice or snow. Next time it’s that cold, they’ll try it with colored water.
Students who Exceed the Standards and Academic Choice
Our focus on student achievement data is allowing us to target the needs of all students, including those who are exceeding the standards.
Technology
Elizabeth McCarthy came on January 11th to help teachers create class web pages using Google Sites. We are excited to have new, easier to access, sites up and running in the coming weeks. Eric and Marissa supported teachers during this training and are working on plans to bring the same information to those specials teachers who were out with the kids for Fun Fitness Friday.
We have tentatively agreed to participate in a pilot of the 6th grade language arts SBAC test (the computer-based test that will replace the NECAP in the 2014-2015 school year) at the end of April. This will be a great opportunity to assess whether we have the technology to support the test and to get a sense of our students’ technological and academic readiness for the new test.
Other
Facilities Updates
Our floor scrubber has stopped working earlier than hoped. We are in the process of trying out and selecting a replacement. Jason will bring more information to the meeting.
Associate Nurse Contract
We have worked with the Teachers’ Association to develop a Memorandum of Agreement for the associate nurse contract.
Principal Search Process
By the end of January, we will internally post the principal position. During February and early March, candidates will be screened and interviewed by the principal search committee and recommendation for hire will be made at the March board meeting.
