At last week's PTO Council meeting, Dr. Marks talked about this year's budget which promises to be as tight as the previous couple of years. Some parents expressed budget fatigue and suspicion. Who can blame them? The budget dance with all its threats of cuts and union vs. BOE antics, is suprisingly similar year after year and parents are catching on.
Dr. Marks explained at the meeting that she is approaching budget discussions differently by forming a committee composed of Central Office administrators, union leaders, and a parent.
In one respect it makes sense to have union participation in the development of a budget. After all salaries make up up the lionshare of the district's operational expenses. Marks said the group is going through the budget line by line and "scrubbing it" presumably to get rid of any excesses. However a part of me can't help but wonder how any meaningful changes can be made if Marks has to run every idea by a union head who has the ability to say "no." Unions by their nature are supposed to act in the best interestes of their members, but Marks is supposed to act in the best interest of our children's education. Sometimes those interests are aligned. Many other times they conflict especially if you're asking teachers to change how they've been doing their jobs.
When Marks discussed the budget last Monday, I expected to hear the words like "rethink," "restructure," and "reorganize". I am waiting not only for a new process from our schools chief but new ideas that will bring about improved results. We'll see next week, when Marks presents the draft budget to the BOE whether we'll be singing a new tune or dancing the same old dance.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Monday, November 29, 2010
Expansions Planned at Five Schools
Five Norwalk elementary schools may be expanded to address increasing enrollment and overcrowding issues. The Board of Education's $28 million capital budget request for 2011-12 includes construction at Naramake, Cranbury, Rowayton, Columbus and Jefferson elementary schools and air conditioning at all elementary schools.
Expected for a school board vote next week, the five-year capital request will be passed on to the city's Finance Department in early December.
The school board based its capital request on an elementary school facilities study by Partners for Architecture, available on the district's homepage. In July, the firm recommended expansion at the five schools based on current space usage and enrollment projections. The middle schools and high schools have adequate capacity.
"We recognized that enrollment was going up in some elementary schools," said Mark Gorian, director of NPS facilities, who said no building work has been done in the last four to five years. There are four portables at Rowayton, a portable at Naramake and an eight-classroom portable at Jefferson Elementary to handle overflow.
Gorian said schools also need more space for the preschools housed in the elementary schools, new computer labs and classrooms for special needs students and English language learners. More elementary schools are running year-round and longer days, he said, explaining the need for air conditioning.
"We are trying to bring equity to all of the school," Gorian said. "There should be dedicated space at all the schools for the same services like art and music. At some schools, students have art brought into their classrooms on a cart and no dedicated space."
The capital request spans five years. Work at Naramake, Rowayton and Cranbury is scheduled to start next year because the "need is most immediate," Gorian said. Jefferson and Columbus are scheduled for the following year. The capital also includes funds for asphalt and concrete for improved sidewalks and driveways, stage rigging systems and curtains, and folding gym doors. Capital projects at schools are financed and managed by the city.
BOE Chair Jack Chiaramonte stressed that the capital request, even if it passed by the school board, is "preliminary". "It still has to pass through some hoops on the cityside," he said. In addition, Chiaramonte added that because of the the state's fiscal problems and deficit, the state may not be offering its usual refund to help play for school capital improvement projects.
Expected for a school board vote next week, the five-year capital request will be passed on to the city's Finance Department in early December.
The school board based its capital request on an elementary school facilities study by Partners for Architecture, available on the district's homepage. In July, the firm recommended expansion at the five schools based on current space usage and enrollment projections. The middle schools and high schools have adequate capacity.
"We recognized that enrollment was going up in some elementary schools," said Mark Gorian, director of NPS facilities, who said no building work has been done in the last four to five years. There are four portables at Rowayton, a portable at Naramake and an eight-classroom portable at Jefferson Elementary to handle overflow.
Gorian said schools also need more space for the preschools housed in the elementary schools, new computer labs and classrooms for special needs students and English language learners. More elementary schools are running year-round and longer days, he said, explaining the need for air conditioning.
"We are trying to bring equity to all of the school," Gorian said. "There should be dedicated space at all the schools for the same services like art and music. At some schools, students have art brought into their classrooms on a cart and no dedicated space."
The capital request spans five years. Work at Naramake, Rowayton and Cranbury is scheduled to start next year because the "need is most immediate," Gorian said. Jefferson and Columbus are scheduled for the following year. The capital also includes funds for asphalt and concrete for improved sidewalks and driveways, stage rigging systems and curtains, and folding gym doors. Capital projects at schools are financed and managed by the city.
BOE Chair Jack Chiaramonte stressed that the capital request, even if it passed by the school board, is "preliminary". "It still has to pass through some hoops on the cityside," he said. In addition, Chiaramonte added that because of the the state's fiscal problems and deficit, the state may not be offering its usual refund to help play for school capital improvement projects.
Cranbury Celebrates New Playground
A version of this story appears in TheDailyNorwalk.com
All of Cranbury Elementary School piled onto their new playground on a blustery Wednesday morning chanting "Playground! Playground!" The students were celebrating the official opening of the play area and its new swings, climbing structures and lots of monkey bars.
PTO President April Guilbault, along with the playground committee of Cranbury dads Bill Smith, John Claudio, Tony Brown and George Arvanitis, cut the red ribbon.
The playground had been over a year in the making, says Guilbault, who spearheaded the project. "The old playground was sad. It was small, had no swings, broken parts, chipped paint, and just wasn't safe," she said of the 13-year-old facility. "The new playground utilizes the space much better."
After becoming PTO president, Guilbault reached out to Mike Moccaie, director of Parks and Recreation, and made the case for a new playground. "It was a question of good timing, need and speaking up," says Guilbault.
The city's playgrounds, including the ones at schools, are paid for and maintained by the Parks and Recreation Dept. Cranbury's playground cost $89,000, according to Moccaie. The life expectancy of a playground is approximately 15 years, during which the city replaces equipment as needed. Wolfpit and Jefferson Elementary Schools are slated to get new playgrounds in the next year, says Moccaie.
Cranbury PTO mom Susan Zelman adds, "This school is a big believer in going outside for recess every day." Zelman's second-grade son, Alex, goes out for recess after lunch and is excited about one new playground feature. "I'm happy it has swings."
Guilbault adds that the playground is used by more than just the school. "This is a neighborhood playground," she says, noting that there are summer camps at the school and baseball games on the adjacent field. "It is used by so many kids."
Are you satisfied with the playground at your school?
All of Cranbury Elementary School piled onto their new playground on a blustery Wednesday morning chanting "Playground! Playground!" The students were celebrating the official opening of the play area and its new swings, climbing structures and lots of monkey bars.
PTO President April Guilbault, along with the playground committee of Cranbury dads Bill Smith, John Claudio, Tony Brown and George Arvanitis, cut the red ribbon.
The playground had been over a year in the making, says Guilbault, who spearheaded the project. "The old playground was sad. It was small, had no swings, broken parts, chipped paint, and just wasn't safe," she said of the 13-year-old facility. "The new playground utilizes the space much better."
After becoming PTO president, Guilbault reached out to Mike Moccaie, director of Parks and Recreation, and made the case for a new playground. "It was a question of good timing, need and speaking up," says Guilbault.
The city's playgrounds, including the ones at schools, are paid for and maintained by the Parks and Recreation Dept. Cranbury's playground cost $89,000, according to Moccaie. The life expectancy of a playground is approximately 15 years, during which the city replaces equipment as needed. Wolfpit and Jefferson Elementary Schools are slated to get new playgrounds in the next year, says Moccaie.
Cranbury PTO mom Susan Zelman adds, "This school is a big believer in going outside for recess every day." Zelman's second-grade son, Alex, goes out for recess after lunch and is excited about one new playground feature. "I'm happy it has swings."
Guilbault adds that the playground is used by more than just the school. "This is a neighborhood playground," she says, noting that there are summer camps at the school and baseball games on the adjacent field. "It is used by so many kids."
Are you satisfied with the playground at your school?
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
Marks Warns of 'Bare Bones' Budget
Superintendent Susan Marks told the district's PTO Council that she expects a "bare bones" operating budget for the 2011-12 school year even though spending is expected to increase.
Marks told the council at a meeting Monday night that she has met with Tom Hamilton, city director of finance, who indicated the school board should expect a 2.5 percent to 3 percent increase over last year's $150 million budget. Last year, the city gave the schools a zero percent increase.
"We plan to present a budget that is frugal, with no extras, but that meets our needs," said Marks, who didn't rule out cuts. "We may need to cut people or programs."
Marks said employee benefits and negotiated salary increases eat up most of that increase. She also noted that this year the district is losing $2.8 million in federal stimulus funds. In addition, Marks predicts a loss of $1.4 million in state funding.
But Marks hopes to have $500,000 carried over from a jobs bill passed by Congress in September to save teaching jobs, and she's also seeking grants.
For the past five weeks, a budget committee has been meeting and "going over each line and scrubbing the budget," Marks said. Bruce Mellion, president of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, attended Monday's meeting. "This is the first time such a committee has met. We are all involved from Day 1," said Mellion, who sits on the committee, with administrators, union representatives and parents.
Marks and Mellion emphasized the need for parents to advocate for the schools before city officials who determine the budget. Kerry O'Neill, PTOC vice president, pointed to a perceived "lack of trust" among the school board, the city and parents.
"We've been through this before," she said. Marks said she hopes to rebuild that trust.
The draft budget will be presented to the school board early next month. On Dec. 13, the PTOC will discuss it.
Marks told the council at a meeting Monday night that she has met with Tom Hamilton, city director of finance, who indicated the school board should expect a 2.5 percent to 3 percent increase over last year's $150 million budget. Last year, the city gave the schools a zero percent increase.
"We plan to present a budget that is frugal, with no extras, but that meets our needs," said Marks, who didn't rule out cuts. "We may need to cut people or programs."
Marks said employee benefits and negotiated salary increases eat up most of that increase. She also noted that this year the district is losing $2.8 million in federal stimulus funds. In addition, Marks predicts a loss of $1.4 million in state funding.
But Marks hopes to have $500,000 carried over from a jobs bill passed by Congress in September to save teaching jobs, and she's also seeking grants.
For the past five weeks, a budget committee has been meeting and "going over each line and scrubbing the budget," Marks said. Bruce Mellion, president of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, attended Monday's meeting. "This is the first time such a committee has met. We are all involved from Day 1," said Mellion, who sits on the committee, with administrators, union representatives and parents.
Marks and Mellion emphasized the need for parents to advocate for the schools before city officials who determine the budget. Kerry O'Neill, PTOC vice president, pointed to a perceived "lack of trust" among the school board, the city and parents.
"We've been through this before," she said. Marks said she hopes to rebuild that trust.
The draft budget will be presented to the school board early next month. On Dec. 13, the PTOC will discuss it.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
ConnCAN Gives Norwalk Sub Par Grades
ConnCAN, a state educational advocacy group, gave the Norwalk school district lackluster grades, mostly Cs, Ds and Fs, in student performance on its annual school report cards. On Friday, The Connecticut Coalition for Achievement Now (ConnCAN) released its 2010 School Report Cards, assigning letter grades to over 1,000 Connecticut public schools and 160 school districts based on their students’ academic performance in four categories.
“ConnCAN’s report cards..help Connecticut’s parents take an active role in securing the best possible public education for their children,” said Alex Johnston, ConnCAN’s CEO. “The data allow us to have an honest conversation about the performance of our public schools so that we can maintain a laser-sharp focus on our most important task: improving student outcomes across the board.
While Norwalk as a district fared below average, several individual schools did appear on ConnCAN's Top 10 Connecticut public schools in categories in ranging from from Performance Gains to Low-Income Student Performance and African American Student Performance. Fox Run Elementary School ranked 10 in African American student performance. Two Norwalk school ranked in the top ten in Hispanic student performance--Brookside ranked 5th and Marvin ranked 8th. Side by Side Community School ranked 7th for middle school improvement. . The grades, assigned by ConnCAN for the past five years, are based on the 2010 CMT and CAPT scores. Click here to read about the Methodology of ConnCAN’s School and District Report Cards.
Here is how Norwalk scored:
Elementary Schools
Performance Gain: B
Overall Student Performance: C+
Student Subgroup Performance: D+
Achievement Gap: D-
Middle Schools
Performance Gain: C
Overall Student Performance: C
Student Subgroup Performance: C-
Achievement Gap: D
Performance Gain: B
Overall Student Performance: C+
Student Subgroup Performance: D+
Achievement Gap: D-
Middle Schools
Performance Gain: C
Overall Student Performance: C
Student Subgroup Performance: C-
Achievement Gap: D
High Schools:
Overall Student Performance: D
Student Subgroup Performance: F
Achievement Gap: F
Overall Student Performance: D
Student Subgroup Performance: F
Achievement Gap: F
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Two Schools Lose Federal Funding
A version of this story appears in TheDailyNorwalk.com.
Cranbury and Fox Run Elementary schools have lost significant federal funding this year. They did not meet the cutoff to receive Title 1 funding, annual federal grants awarded to school districts with a high percentage of disadvantaged students. This means each school will receive approximately $50,000 less for teachers' aides, professional development and technology. It could result in a slowing of academic progress.
At Fox Run, Principal James Martinez used his funds last year to get most of his teachers trained in Readers Workshop, a new literacy program. He also used some of the funds for SMART Boards to enhance technology in the classrooms. In addition, he was able to hire aides who specifically worked with struggling students. "I put a lot of emphasis on professional development," says Martinez.
Cranbury Principal Robin Ives also used most of her money last year on staffing, specifically teachers' aides. Ives has been in a position before where she lost Title I funding. "I've learned to not count on it. I have to plan with what I know I'm getting," she says.
Since the grant focuses on elementary education, Title 1 schools get full-time literacy specialists. This year, without Title 1, Cranbury and Fox Run have to share a literacy specialist.
Ives and Martinez are concerned because their schools have been making academic strides, especially in the last year. Cranbury got off the No Child Left Behind "Needs Improvement" list. Fox Run was recognized by the Lone Pine Foundation last week for its academic gains. "The primary concern in losing funding is being able to sustain our progress without these resources," says Martinez.
Ives echoes Martinez's sentiments. "You hope you can continue the same level of progress, but it's not always the reality," she said.
According to the district's grants specialist, Italia Negroni, "The purpose of Title 1 is to give the neediest students extra resources." Schools are eligible if they exceed the average percent of free and reduced lunch students across the district as determined by Oct. 1 enrollment data. Last year, Norwalk had 37 percent free and reduced lunch students. "It's frustrating," says Ives. "You can miss out on the funds because you are one student below the cutoff," says Ives. This year, Brookside, Jefferson, Kendall, Marvin, Silvermine, Tracey and Wolfpit elementary schools receive Title I monies. The allotment varies from school to school.
Cranbury and Fox Run Elementary schools have lost significant federal funding this year. They did not meet the cutoff to receive Title 1 funding, annual federal grants awarded to school districts with a high percentage of disadvantaged students. This means each school will receive approximately $50,000 less for teachers' aides, professional development and technology. It could result in a slowing of academic progress.
At Fox Run, Principal James Martinez used his funds last year to get most of his teachers trained in Readers Workshop, a new literacy program. He also used some of the funds for SMART Boards to enhance technology in the classrooms. In addition, he was able to hire aides who specifically worked with struggling students. "I put a lot of emphasis on professional development," says Martinez.
Cranbury Principal Robin Ives also used most of her money last year on staffing, specifically teachers' aides. Ives has been in a position before where she lost Title I funding. "I've learned to not count on it. I have to plan with what I know I'm getting," she says.
Since the grant focuses on elementary education, Title 1 schools get full-time literacy specialists. This year, without Title 1, Cranbury and Fox Run have to share a literacy specialist.
Ives and Martinez are concerned because their schools have been making academic strides, especially in the last year. Cranbury got off the No Child Left Behind "Needs Improvement" list. Fox Run was recognized by the Lone Pine Foundation last week for its academic gains. "The primary concern in losing funding is being able to sustain our progress without these resources," says Martinez.
Ives echoes Martinez's sentiments. "You hope you can continue the same level of progress, but it's not always the reality," she said.
According to the district's grants specialist, Italia Negroni, "The purpose of Title 1 is to give the neediest students extra resources." Schools are eligible if they exceed the average percent of free and reduced lunch students across the district as determined by Oct. 1 enrollment data. Last year, Norwalk had 37 percent free and reduced lunch students. "It's frustrating," says Ives. "You can miss out on the funds because you are one student below the cutoff," says Ives. This year, Brookside, Jefferson, Kendall, Marvin, Silvermine, Tracey and Wolfpit elementary schools receive Title I monies. The allotment varies from school to school.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Chiaramonte Leads School Board
Jack Chiaramonte was elected chairman of the Board of Education on Tuesday evening. Chiaramonte, a District D member, has been a vocal critic of the teachers union. Former Chair Glenn Iannaccone becomes Vice Chair, and Jody Bishop-Pullan is secretary. All three were elected unanimously by their fellow board members and will serve one year terms. There were no other nominations.
Mayor Richard Moccia, who presided over the elections as an ex-officio member, and Superintendent Susan Marks thanked Iannaccone for his service and expressed good wishes to Chiaramonte. "I'm glad you chose me," said Marks referring to Iannaccone's role in hiring her, "and I look forward to working with Jack."
Chiaramonte has served on the board for three years, and he and Iannaccone are the panel's senior Republicans. According to BOE bylaws, the majority party holds the chairman and vice chairman positions, while the minority party gets secretary.
In an interview prior to the meeting, Chiaramonte said he has a "common sense approach." He said the current board has made "vast improvements" to the school district. "We selected a terrific new superintendent and have improved special education."
Chiaramonte plans to "watch how every dollar is being spent." He does not believe that money is the only answer to the issues facing the district. "We need to be frugal. Now is a time we have to do more with less."
During last year's budget reconciliation process, Chiaramonte often expressed frustration with Bruce Mellion, president of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, for not agreeing to givebacks. "There was mistrust on both sides," he said. However, he credits Marks with bringing all parties, including union members, administrators and BOE members, together in the form of a committee to start working on the budget. "She is a bridge builder and is bringing everyone to the table right from the beginning."
Mellion, too, was conciliatory toward Chiaramonte. "What is done is done," he said. "What is important now is that Jack be a positive and constructive force as a leader."
Chiaramonte, owner of Sono Silver, a jewelry store in South Norwalk, has two children at Norwalk High and is a "proud band parent." He moved to Norwalk from Queens in 1991. "I like it here. Norwalk is a real town where people help one another."
Mayor Richard Moccia, who presided over the elections as an ex-officio member, and Superintendent Susan Marks thanked Iannaccone for his service and expressed good wishes to Chiaramonte. "I'm glad you chose me," said Marks referring to Iannaccone's role in hiring her, "and I look forward to working with Jack."
Chiaramonte has served on the board for three years, and he and Iannaccone are the panel's senior Republicans. According to BOE bylaws, the majority party holds the chairman and vice chairman positions, while the minority party gets secretary.
In an interview prior to the meeting, Chiaramonte said he has a "common sense approach." He said the current board has made "vast improvements" to the school district. "We selected a terrific new superintendent and have improved special education."
Chiaramonte plans to "watch how every dollar is being spent." He does not believe that money is the only answer to the issues facing the district. "We need to be frugal. Now is a time we have to do more with less."
During last year's budget reconciliation process, Chiaramonte often expressed frustration with Bruce Mellion, president of the Norwalk Federation of Teachers, for not agreeing to givebacks. "There was mistrust on both sides," he said. However, he credits Marks with bringing all parties, including union members, administrators and BOE members, together in the form of a committee to start working on the budget. "She is a bridge builder and is bringing everyone to the table right from the beginning."
Mellion, too, was conciliatory toward Chiaramonte. "What is done is done," he said. "What is important now is that Jack be a positive and constructive force as a leader."
Chiaramonte, owner of Sono Silver, a jewelry store in South Norwalk, has two children at Norwalk High and is a "proud band parent." He moved to Norwalk from Queens in 1991. "I like it here. Norwalk is a real town where people help one another."
Monday, November 15, 2010
BOE Slated to Elect New Officers
Glenn Iannaccone wraps up his one-year term as Chairman of the Board of Education on Tuesday evening. A new slate of officers--chairman, vice chairman and secretary-- will be voted upon at the same time . "It's been one heck of a year," says the outgoing Republican chairman. "It flew by. I think it was a positive year and we accomplished a lot."
Iannaccone took over chairmanship from Rosa Murray (D) last year after the BOE elections resulted in a shift from a Democratic control to a Republican 5 to 4 majority. According to the BOE bylaws, the majority party holds the chair and vice chair positions while the secretary position is held by the minority party. Currently, Jack Chiaramonte (R) is the vice chair and Susan Hamilton (D) is the secretary.
Among his accomplishments, Iannaccone points to steering the Board through last year's zero percent increase budget. In addition, he worked with two interim superintendent and led the search process for a permanent superintendent. "Dr. Marks was an excellent choice and she's doing a great job." In addition to the BOE chief, Iannaccone says the BOE hired several new members of the central office staff. He referred specifically to Robert Polselli, the Director of IT and Pauline Smith, the Director of Special Education. "Pauline was a big coup," he said.
Iannaccone says that his strength as a leader came from "working well with both sides of the aisle." "We worked as one board in the interest of the students and staff."
BOE Vice Chairman Jack Chiaramonte is considered a likely candidate for chairmanship, since he is the next senior Republican on the Board. Iannaccone says, "My advice to the next chair is to be in control of the meeting. Don't be afraid to use the gavel.”
Iannaccone took over chairmanship from Rosa Murray (D) last year after the BOE elections resulted in a shift from a Democratic control to a Republican 5 to 4 majority. According to the BOE bylaws, the majority party holds the chair and vice chair positions while the secretary position is held by the minority party. Currently, Jack Chiaramonte (R) is the vice chair and Susan Hamilton (D) is the secretary.
Among his accomplishments, Iannaccone points to steering the Board through last year's zero percent increase budget. In addition, he worked with two interim superintendent and led the search process for a permanent superintendent. "Dr. Marks was an excellent choice and she's doing a great job." In addition to the BOE chief, Iannaccone says the BOE hired several new members of the central office staff. He referred specifically to Robert Polselli, the Director of IT and Pauline Smith, the Director of Special Education. "Pauline was a big coup," he said.
Iannaccone says that his strength as a leader came from "working well with both sides of the aisle." "We worked as one board in the interest of the students and staff."
BOE Vice Chairman Jack Chiaramonte is considered a likely candidate for chairmanship, since he is the next senior Republican on the Board. Iannaccone says, "My advice to the next chair is to be in control of the meeting. Don't be afraid to use the gavel.”
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Can a Media Exec. Lead a School System?
Mayor Bloomberg has chosen Cathie Black to be the new chancellor of schools in New York City. Black, the president of Hearst Magazines is a "world class manager", according to Bloomberg.
The decision announced yesterday, however, has left many people scratching their heads. For all of her accomplishments, Black has no experience in education. None.
In fact, there is little to indicate that she has even spent much time in a public school. She herself went to Catholic schools on the South Side of Chicago and her children attend boarding schools in Connecticut. Her predecessor Joel Klein also chosen by Bloomberg did not have direct education experience either, but he had worked for the government as an anit-trust lawyer and was a product of the NYC public school system
In her public debut yesterday, Black acknowledged that she had a lot to learn and had limited experience with unions.
So, the big question is, can someone with no education experience lead something as complex as a school system? Or do the skills one acquires in business and management easily transferable to educational systems? Do students/families equal customers, do profit and loss statments equal test scores and graduation rates?
Do you think Norwalk would benefit with someone in central office who comes from outside of education and has a pure business background?
The decision announced yesterday, however, has left many people scratching their heads. For all of her accomplishments, Black has no experience in education. None.
In fact, there is little to indicate that she has even spent much time in a public school. She herself went to Catholic schools on the South Side of Chicago and her children attend boarding schools in Connecticut. Her predecessor Joel Klein also chosen by Bloomberg did not have direct education experience either, but he had worked for the government as an anit-trust lawyer and was a product of the NYC public school system
In her public debut yesterday, Black acknowledged that she had a lot to learn and had limited experience with unions.
So, the big question is, can someone with no education experience lead something as complex as a school system? Or do the skills one acquires in business and management easily transferable to educational systems? Do students/families equal customers, do profit and loss statments equal test scores and graduation rates?
Do you think Norwalk would benefit with someone in central office who comes from outside of education and has a pure business background?
Fox Run Merits Award
On Tuesday night, Fox Run Elementary School took home a finalist distinction from the Lone Pine Foundation's Fairfield County Academic Gain Award Ceremony. While not the top prize, Principal James Martinez is nonetheless inspired by the recognition. “I’m motivated to work harder for our kids and sustain our improvements. I’m so proud of our teachers and staff .”
Fox Run was one of three elementary schools, including two in Bridgeport, receiving honors for academic improvement. Top prize went to Second Hill Lane School in Stratford. The ceremony took place at the University of Connecticut, Stamford campus and was attended by several hundred people including most of the Fox Run staff, some parents, superintendent Susan Marks, Board of Education members, central office administrators and representatives of the West Norwalk Association.
“I am so proud of Fox Run,” said Superintendent Marks. “It’s an exemplary school that shows us that every child can learn. Norwalk is continuing its legacy with this award,” she said referring to the Jefferson Elementary's win last year, when Silvermine was also selected as a finalist. In past years, Brookside has also been named a finalist. As a finalist, every full-time employee at Fox Run will get $250, part-time employees will receive half that amount. In addition, the school will receive $1,000 to be used at the school’s discretion.
John Reynolds, principal of Jefferson, was selected as this year’s keynote speaker. He thanked Lone Pine for looking at “what is working in schools, not what is broken, but what is working.” He went over strategies his school uses that have improved results like flexible regrouping of students for literacy instruction and the constant use of data to measure results. “At Jefferson we knew that Superman was not coming,. Instead we have looked for the superhero in each of us,” Reynolds concluded.
The Lone Pine Foundation's mission statement says it is “committed to breaking the cycle of poverty through education.” The foundation and Cambridge Education conducted a statistical analysis of test scores and performed site visits at all four schools, which were chosen from all public elementary schools in Fairfield County.
Fox Run was one of three elementary schools, including two in Bridgeport, receiving honors for academic improvement. Top prize went to Second Hill Lane School in Stratford. The ceremony took place at the University of Connecticut, Stamford campus and was attended by several hundred people including most of the Fox Run staff, some parents, superintendent Susan Marks, Board of Education members, central office administrators and representatives of the West Norwalk Association.
“I am so proud of Fox Run,” said Superintendent Marks. “It’s an exemplary school that shows us that every child can learn. Norwalk is continuing its legacy with this award,” she said referring to the Jefferson Elementary's win last year, when Silvermine was also selected as a finalist. In past years, Brookside has also been named a finalist. As a finalist, every full-time employee at Fox Run will get $250, part-time employees will receive half that amount. In addition, the school will receive $1,000 to be used at the school’s discretion.
John Reynolds, principal of Jefferson, was selected as this year’s keynote speaker. He thanked Lone Pine for looking at “what is working in schools, not what is broken, but what is working.” He went over strategies his school uses that have improved results like flexible regrouping of students for literacy instruction and the constant use of data to measure results. “At Jefferson we knew that Superman was not coming,. Instead we have looked for the superhero in each of us,” Reynolds concluded.
The Lone Pine Foundation's mission statement says it is “committed to breaking the cycle of poverty through education.” The foundation and Cambridge Education conducted a statistical analysis of test scores and performed site visits at all four schools, which were chosen from all public elementary schools in Fairfield County.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Fox Run Named Finalist for Lone Pine Award
A version of this story appears in TheDailyNorwalk.com.
Fox Run Elementary School has been recognized by an area foundation for its academic improvement. It is one of four elementary schools, including two in Bridgeport and one in Stratford, in the running for the fourth annual Fairfield County Academic Gain Award handed out by the Lone Pine Foundation of Greenwich.
“This is a validation of our hard work,” says principal James Martinez. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 9, during a ceremony at the University of Connecticut in Stamford.
For the 2008-09 school year, Fox Run was a school “in need of improvement,” according to No Child Left Behind standards. This year, however, the school made “Adequate Yearly Progress,” through a designation called “safe harbor,” by posting over 10 percent improvement among its minority and economically disadvantaged students. The most striking gains across the grades and subgroups were made in reading, says Martinez. “We focused on literacy. It’s key, without it, you can’t access other subjects.”
“We did it very creatively,” says Martinez, explaining the school’s progress. He had all of his teachers trained in “Readers Workshop” -- a reading methodology that provides children with reading books, individual conferencing and independent reading time. “I provided my staff as many professional development opportunities as I could,” says Martinez.
Assistant Principal Elisa Nelson ran A.M. Academy, a before-school program that provided struggling readers with extra support. The school also ran a Fluency Academy to give English Language Learners additional help with reading. Martinez said he recruited parent volunteers to give one-on-one reading and math help to students.
As a result of federal assistance through the Title I program, Fox Run had a full-time reading specialist. The school lost its Title I funding this year, reducing the specialist position to part- time. “I’m worried about sustaining our improvement without the extra support this year.”
Martinez, who has been principal for two years, believes that school climate has an effect on student learning. “I try be very positive and visible. I’m in the classrooms every day. When you have a good relationship with your staff, parents, and kids, there is energy in the building.”
The Lone Pine Foundation conducted site visits at all four schools, which were chosen from all public elementary schools in Fairfield County. Every full-time employee at the winning school will get $500, and runner-up schools will receive a lump sum of $1,000.
Fox Run Elementary School has been recognized by an area foundation for its academic improvement. It is one of four elementary schools, including two in Bridgeport and one in Stratford, in the running for the fourth annual Fairfield County Academic Gain Award handed out by the Lone Pine Foundation of Greenwich.
“This is a validation of our hard work,” says principal James Martinez. The winner will be announced on Tuesday, Nov. 9, during a ceremony at the University of Connecticut in Stamford.
For the 2008-09 school year, Fox Run was a school “in need of improvement,” according to No Child Left Behind standards. This year, however, the school made “Adequate Yearly Progress,” through a designation called “safe harbor,” by posting over 10 percent improvement among its minority and economically disadvantaged students. The most striking gains across the grades and subgroups were made in reading, says Martinez. “We focused on literacy. It’s key, without it, you can’t access other subjects.”
“We did it very creatively,” says Martinez, explaining the school’s progress. He had all of his teachers trained in “Readers Workshop” -- a reading methodology that provides children with reading books, individual conferencing and independent reading time. “I provided my staff as many professional development opportunities as I could,” says Martinez.
Assistant Principal Elisa Nelson ran A.M. Academy, a before-school program that provided struggling readers with extra support. The school also ran a Fluency Academy to give English Language Learners additional help with reading. Martinez said he recruited parent volunteers to give one-on-one reading and math help to students.
As a result of federal assistance through the Title I program, Fox Run had a full-time reading specialist. The school lost its Title I funding this year, reducing the specialist position to part- time. “I’m worried about sustaining our improvement without the extra support this year.”
Martinez, who has been principal for two years, believes that school climate has an effect on student learning. “I try be very positive and visible. I’m in the classrooms every day. When you have a good relationship with your staff, parents, and kids, there is energy in the building.”
The Lone Pine Foundation conducted site visits at all four schools, which were chosen from all public elementary schools in Fairfield County. Every full-time employee at the winning school will get $500, and runner-up schools will receive a lump sum of $1,000.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Students Get Green Light for Texting in Class
A version of this story appears in TheDailyNorwalk.com.
Most teachers don’t want their students texting in class, but not Eva Bartush. The eighth grade science teacher at Nathan Hale Middle School has figured out a way her students can text and learn. Bartush is an early adopter of “clickers,” a new technology beginning to appear in classrooms across Norwalk schools. To see how, view the accompanying video in which Bartush's student teacher, Vanessa Cum, uses the clickers to review a lab from the day before.
Here’s how they work: After going over a concept, a teacher asks her class questions, either short answer or multiple choice, to see if they understood the lesson. Each student in the class has a clicker that looks like a small remote control with letters and numbers to type in answers. The answers are then sorted and graphed, by clicker number not name, on a SMARTboard, the classroom's computerized whiteboard. The teacher gets immediate feedback on the success of her lesson.
“The best part is that you know instantly whether your kids are understanding concepts or if you are totally off and have to re-teach the material in a different way,” says Bartush. “Usually, you’d have to wait to grade papers to find out which kids understood the material.”
Another positive, according to Bartush, is the clickers require every student to be engaged, “When I use the clickers, I’m expecting an answer from every kid, not just the smart ones who have their hands up.” The software also allows teachers to create their own questions and multi-media lessons, adds Bartush.
In addition to daily lessons, Bartush uses the clickers for multiple choice sections on tests. The clickers provide Bartush with a way to give tests in different versions, to prevent cheating, or to modify tests for special needs students.
Importantly, the kids love using the clickers, says Bartush, which she offers them about three times a week. "They’re cool,” says eighth grader Alex Cardone. “You don’t have to wait to see if you got an answer right and no one can cheat off of you.”
Director of Technology, Robert Polselli, shares the enthusiasm. “They are a powerful tool,” he says. “Teachers have instant data, they save time correcting and the kids love it.” Currently, Poselli says that clickers, which run $2,400 a set, have been introduced in seven schools, mostly middle and high schools for math and science classes. He plans to have at least one set of clickers in all the schools by the end of the year.
Most teachers don’t want their students texting in class, but not Eva Bartush. The eighth grade science teacher at Nathan Hale Middle School has figured out a way her students can text and learn. Bartush is an early adopter of “clickers,” a new technology beginning to appear in classrooms across Norwalk schools. To see how, view the accompanying video in which Bartush's student teacher, Vanessa Cum, uses the clickers to review a lab from the day before.
Here’s how they work: After going over a concept, a teacher asks her class questions, either short answer or multiple choice, to see if they understood the lesson. Each student in the class has a clicker that looks like a small remote control with letters and numbers to type in answers. The answers are then sorted and graphed, by clicker number not name, on a SMARTboard, the classroom's computerized whiteboard. The teacher gets immediate feedback on the success of her lesson.
“The best part is that you know instantly whether your kids are understanding concepts or if you are totally off and have to re-teach the material in a different way,” says Bartush. “Usually, you’d have to wait to grade papers to find out which kids understood the material.”
Another positive, according to Bartush, is the clickers require every student to be engaged, “When I use the clickers, I’m expecting an answer from every kid, not just the smart ones who have their hands up.” The software also allows teachers to create their own questions and multi-media lessons, adds Bartush.
In addition to daily lessons, Bartush uses the clickers for multiple choice sections on tests. The clickers provide Bartush with a way to give tests in different versions, to prevent cheating, or to modify tests for special needs students.
Importantly, the kids love using the clickers, says Bartush, which she offers them about three times a week. "They’re cool,” says eighth grader Alex Cardone. “You don’t have to wait to see if you got an answer right and no one can cheat off of you.”
Director of Technology, Robert Polselli, shares the enthusiasm. “They are a powerful tool,” he says. “Teachers have instant data, they save time correcting and the kids love it.” Currently, Poselli says that clickers, which run $2,400 a set, have been introduced in seven schools, mostly middle and high schools for math and science classes. He plans to have at least one set of clickers in all the schools by the end of the year.
Monday, November 1, 2010
REd Apples Highlights Key Issues for Candidates
The following is an opinion piece by Lisa Thomson of REd Apples, a community coalition that supports education reform in Norwalk. REd Apples along withe the League of Women Voters sponsored last week's education debate for Norwalk's legislative candidates.
I want to thank all the State Senate and House candidates for participating in the Education Debate last Thursday night.
While our city, state and country for that matter, face many challenges with the economy, hopefully the debate highlighted the need for a well- managed and high performing educational system. As one of the largest cities in the state, if elected, candidates should consider the following:
• Education accounts for nearly two-thirds of Norwalk’s City Budget
• Everyone in the city contributes their tax dollars to the budget whether they have children in the school system or not and therefore has a vested interest in its operation
• Connecticut has the largest achievement gap in the country, and as a district, Norwalk has been on the NCLB list for many years
• Students who do not graduate with the necessary skills for either college or a trade, drive up our city and state unemployment rolls
• It becomes harder to attract businesses that need skilled labor to Norwalk or the Greater Norwalk Area
• Norwalk’s desirability as a place to live is greatly impacted by the effectiveness of its school system
I do not envy the tough choices that our politicians will have to make regarding how best to balance a state budget of uncontrolled spending versus investing in education for the next generation, so as ensure that Connecticut has a future economy. Hopefully, they can find a thoughtful, collective, non-partisan, pragmatic, and strategic path when it comes to funding and leading legislative reform in Connecticut.
Two education funding initiatives that should be near and dear to all residents of Norwalk are: Race to The Top federal funding, designed to positively drive the operational changes needed in our school system and the blatantly unfair and partisan ECS (Education Cost Sharing) formula in Connecticut which returns only .08 cents on the dollar back to Norwalk.
The future vibrancy of our city requires businesses that want to invest in a City with an educated employment base and families who want to send their children to the local schools. I hope that our politicians keep that in mind when they get to Hartford.
Thank you to everyone who participated Thursday night and good luck to the candidates.
Sincerely,
Lisa Thomson
redapplesnorwalk.org
This post reflects the views of the author and not NorwalkNet.
I want to thank all the State Senate and House candidates for participating in the Education Debate last Thursday night.
While our city, state and country for that matter, face many challenges with the economy, hopefully the debate highlighted the need for a well- managed and high performing educational system. As one of the largest cities in the state, if elected, candidates should consider the following:
• Education accounts for nearly two-thirds of Norwalk’s City Budget
• Everyone in the city contributes their tax dollars to the budget whether they have children in the school system or not and therefore has a vested interest in its operation
• Connecticut has the largest achievement gap in the country, and as a district, Norwalk has been on the NCLB list for many years
• Students who do not graduate with the necessary skills for either college or a trade, drive up our city and state unemployment rolls
• It becomes harder to attract businesses that need skilled labor to Norwalk or the Greater Norwalk Area
• Norwalk’s desirability as a place to live is greatly impacted by the effectiveness of its school system
I do not envy the tough choices that our politicians will have to make regarding how best to balance a state budget of uncontrolled spending versus investing in education for the next generation, so as ensure that Connecticut has a future economy. Hopefully, they can find a thoughtful, collective, non-partisan, pragmatic, and strategic path when it comes to funding and leading legislative reform in Connecticut.
Two education funding initiatives that should be near and dear to all residents of Norwalk are: Race to The Top federal funding, designed to positively drive the operational changes needed in our school system and the blatantly unfair and partisan ECS (Education Cost Sharing) formula in Connecticut which returns only .08 cents on the dollar back to Norwalk.
The future vibrancy of our city requires businesses that want to invest in a City with an educated employment base and families who want to send their children to the local schools. I hope that our politicians keep that in mind when they get to Hartford.
Thank you to everyone who participated Thursday night and good luck to the candidates.
Sincerely,
Lisa Thomson
redapplesnorwalk.org
This post reflects the views of the author and not NorwalkNet.
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