Superintendent Newsletter

October 2013

350 Mountain Road | Suffield, CT 06078 | 860-668-3800 | https://www.suffield.org

Quicklinks:

District Calendar

Faculty and Staff Directory

LMS Student Portal Login

LMS Parent Login

Virtual Backpacks

Upcoming Events:

Superintendent
Office Hours:

October 24, 2013
7:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

November 7, 2013
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Partnering with Parents Presentation

November 13, 2013
6:30 p.m.
Suffield High School

Superintendent
Office Hours:

I will be holding regular opportunities for parents to come to the office, 350 Mountain Road, and discuss with me matters related to our educational program and how we are working to meet the needs of each child.

Please mark the dates below on your calendar; I look forward to seeing you.

October 24, 2013

7:45 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

November 7, 2013

5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.

Transportation:

M & J Bus Company is providing transportation services for the community this year. We had a difficult opening of the year relative to bus routes, the timing of routes, safety protocols, and overall service. There are standards of performance in the contract between the Board of Education and M & J Bus Company and the company is being held accountable to meet these standards. Any bus transportation concerns should be reported to the Interim Business Manager, Phil Russell at 860-668- 3800.

A Message from the Superintendent, Karen Baldwin

The 2013-2014 school year is well underway, and I will be using newsletters to engage parents in
learning about the change and improvement work in the school system and how the changes positively impact students and learning. The four strategic goals (see below) are drivers of the change process in the school
system. The change we desire is to create a school system that ensures the success and achievement of all students through the creation of collaborative interactions among students, educators, parents and families emphasizing the importance of clear expectations, a rigorous standards-led curriculum, inspired instruction, personal effort and engaging relationships.

Four Strategic Goals 2012 - 2017

1. Complete the policy, practice and cultural shifts needed to transition to a digital learning environment.

This school year represents the start of the Bring Your Own Technology (BYOT) practice for students in grades 3-12. As a district we are encouraging students to use technology throughout their school day. Students may use their devices to take notes or conduct research or complete classwork. Individual teachers will decide how and when to infuse the BYOT plan in their classrooms. Throughout the school year, specific digital learning projects will be implemented utilizing a new Learning Management System (LMS) provided by FinalSite. This LMS will help facilitate students’ ability to communicate, collaborate, research, and create and problem-solve in new and exciting ways. Important information about the Learning Management System is below. All parents MUST have a PowerSchool Parent Portal account to have access to the Learning Management System. Parents only need ONE account on the LMS to access all of their children enrolled in our district.

2. Design and implement a systemic plan for professional learning aligned with district needs.

3. Systemically use data to drive and improve practice.

4. Create an aligned and accessible curriculum that embeds 21st Century skills and is aligned with Common Core Standards.

This year the district is implementing a new teacher and administrator evaluation model.

Research has proven that no school - level factor matters more to students’ success than high - quality teachers and leaders.

The plan has four components:

1. Student growth and development
2. Observation of teacher/administrator performance and practice
3. Peer or parent feedback
4. Whole school learning and/or student feedback.

The district analyzes data at the individual classroom, and school level to guide decision making in teaching, learning and programming.

Data points of interest:

Class of 2013
209 graduates
171 took the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT)
Average scores:

Reading 528
Math 547
Writing 531

According to the College Board, the national average in 2013 on the SAT was 1498 out of a possible score of 2400.

The SAT is one of several indicators the district examines to determine our students’ readiness for college and career.

The math curriculum is currently aligning to the Common Core State Standards.

The Common Core State Standards emphasizes a deeper focus in concepts at each grade level through the 8 Mathematical Practices.

The English Language Arts curriculum is aligned K-11 with the Common Core State Standards. The Common Core State Standards emphasize regular practice with complex texts, building knowledge through content rich non-fiction, and writing that is supported by evidence from both nonfiction and literary texts.

Last year, K-5 educators began the first year of implementing that curriculum in the area of writing. The transition to the CCSS is significant and requires a strong system of professional learning for our staff to be able to challenge all children to engage in rigorous learning opportunities.

Suffield Public Schools
350 Mountain Road, Suffield, CT 06078
Phone: 860-668-3800