Dear friends & families:
Education has been in the news a lot in the last few weeks, from the release of the NECAP (New England Comprehensive Assessment) scores to changes in the Vermont teacher retirement system. The NECAPs, administered annually to students in grades 3- 6 in all Vermont schools, measure student skills in Reading, Math and Writing (grade 4 only). Waitsfield Elementary School students maintained the distinction of scoring above state and, in several cases, supervisory union averages. However, there continues to be room for improvement. 16 of our assessed students did not show evidence of meeting the proficiency level (achieving Vermont grade level expectations) in reading and 22 did not in math. A pilot change in the writing assessment keeps us from getting any writing scores back this year (this is true throughout the state). While each child progresses at individual rates, our goal is to move towards more students meeting the standard—as in our recent Science NECAPS, where 94% had this distinction. As a staff, we’ve been looking at the tools we use to assess students and identify those children needing additional support. We’ve also been working on building a more comprehensive system of interventions and supports that we can provide to students who may be struggling. While kids are enjoying the outdoors on Wednesday afternoons, we’re doing this professional work that we hope will lead to greater success for all children and move our school from good to truly great.
I am currently working with a mentoring program called “Everybody Wins!” to establish a program where adult reading mentor volunteers would be paired with students to read once a week during lunch/recess time. More information on this program can be found at www.everybodywinsvermont.org. We are in the planning stages and applying for a grant to help us fund the start-up of this program, which would roll out next school year. If you’re interested in serving on the planning committee for this great program, please let me know. A small stipend is available, through the grant, for helping to do some of the legwork of pulling the plans together.
While my own children are not yet of school age, I do appreciate the challenges of getting your children ready for the day and out the door in the morning. Thank you to all for making this happen each day! Between 7:30 and 7:40 a.m., over 150 students arrive at school. Your help in making this arrival safe for all kids is much appreciated! PLEASE:
· • Do not stop near the entrance to drop off children. It is unsafe and backs up traffic in the parking lot and Route 100. Pull into a parking space to drop off children (or drive further down the lot to wait for a space to open).
· • Do not leave your car idling in the parking lot.
· Thank you!
Respectfully,
Kaiya Korb, Principal
The Waitsfield Ways
