The consensus amongst the joint school committees is that having a two-year evaluation process is more successful than the one-year evaluation process.
On May 31, Superintendent Doug White presented his mid-cycle review of the Tri-Town school districts’ goals and their progress towards meeting those goals.
With the assistance of a subcommittee charged with forming and developing these goals, White says the school districts have seen much progress on the focus areas selected, while giving administration and staff more time to plan, execute, and chart progress, and meet expectations.
“We felt that having the longer time frame really got the chance to put a focus on those types of goals that we wanted to see within our school district and this committee was just great from the start,” White said.
Particular emphasis is placed on meeting the social-emotional needs of students of the Old Rochester Regional School District as well as within the three towns’ school districts.
“It’s all about doing everything for every single student that’s in our building,” said White. “All students receive social-emotional learning support.”
White described some of the interactive opportunities to foster social-emotional wellbeing, including some older students attending a production at The Zeiterion Theater about drug abuse. The school also hosted a viewing of the documentary “Screenagers,” hired a BCBA (board certified behavior analyst), and will implement a health curriculum at Sippican School this year.
At the high school, particular interest is placed on the development of an “intervention block” when all students would meet with guidance staff for academic and social support. Also, the school has secured an intern psychologist from the University of Rhode Island at a reduced cost for further student support.
Data that has come back from a “Community Cares Survey” will also help the districts pinpoint other areas where social-emotional support is needed.
A new kindergarten transition program at Sippican School will be implemented next year in Rochester and Mattapoisett after success in Marion. Kindergartners will enter kindergarten and will be observed and assessed before being placed in the appropriate setting.
The ANCHOR Program at Sippican also resulted in successfully reaching out to parents in the community who might need more encouragement connecting with the school staff, so White is looking to expand the program to the two other towns.
Budget enrichment is also a focus area, with particular attention being paid to the School Choice program and how it will enhance the ORR budget this fiscal year. Following and monitoring the $603,000 Capital Plan is also essential, White said.
“I feel that if there’s any goal that the committee is well in tune with, it’s the budget,” said White.
The school districts also have their sights set on expanding outreach through various media sources to connect the school with parents, community members, and town officials.
Technology and the technology knowledge of the staff and students were also emphasized to have the greatest impacts on teaching and learning, White said.
Academic rigor is also emphasized, with an example of carrying out this goal being additional Advanced Placement offerings at the high school.
“The fact that we had a year to work on these goals and really get into the trenches was much more productive than setting them in October, working on them … in January, and then having to be done with it now,” said White.
ORR School Committee member Michelle Smith said the two-year cycle is an easier way to go about the evaluation process.
“We felt more connected and more a part of this process with you,” said Smith. ”We really worked well as a team as well. We did an amazing job. Just looking back at what we’ve done this year, it’s really amazing.”
Marion School Committee Chairman Christine Marcolini added, “I loved the format, too. It was really informative.”
The next meeting of the joint school committees is scheduled for September 28 at 6:30 pm in the junior high school media room.
Joint Meeting of the School Committees
By Jean Perry