Several topics were discussed at the Marion School Committee meeting Tuesday evening, including MCAS results, assessments for college preparation, and the retirement of longtime Sippican School teacher Corinne Villa.
As for MCAS, Committee Chairman Joe Scott said that Sippican School did very well, and showed improvements from past years’ results.
“Sippican School did a really nice job this past year on really improving our scores and our growth potential,” Scott said. “[I’d like to] congratulate students, teachers, and administrators on results in the MCAS.”
Sippican Principal Lyn Rivet agreed.
“2013 was a very good MCAS year,” said Rivet, adding that officials would take a look at what areas could use improvement and adapt accordingly. “We returned to a level-one MCAS school. We are looking at what needs to be done so that we get the children where they need to be … so we know exactly what skills we want to home in on.”
Superintendent Doug White also congratulated staff and students on their efforts, and said that they’d be presenting more results from the MCAS next month.
Scott also discussed the Partnership for Assessment and Readiness for College Careers, which is a pilot program that all of Marion’s schools have been invited to take part in.
“All of our schools were lucky enough to be selected,” said Scott, adding that grade 6 would undergo a math online performance assessment in March.
Scott also said that officials were getting closer to requiring criminal background checks with fingerprinting, and that the state had identified some fingerprinting companies that they could work with in the future.
The Committee also commended former kindergarten teacher Villa for her years of service at the school.
“We wish her the very best as she starts the next journey in her life,” White said.
Villa was on hand to accept a gift from the board, and will help train a permanent substitute that will be hired in the near future.
“It’s a great school, and it’s a great town,” Villa said. “I’ve been fortunate enough to have the support of this town.”
By Nick Walecka
