This page contains the: Scheduling Input 12-11-07 &
Building Consensus
On Schedule For 08-09 &
Principal’s Remarks-2008 (2/6/08) &
Granby Junior / Senior High School Town Report 2007
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Scheduling
Input 12-11-07
December 11, 2007
Folks, as indicated at yesterday’s
meeting, in an effort to both empower teachers and to collaborate with students, I ask that we designate a sharing time, focused on
the proposed A/B schedule, at 1:20 pm Wednesday afternoon, December 12th (to be announced and introduced from the office).
Background facts & history of
Granby Jr./Sr. schedule discussions:
Schedule changes
have been a vital topic of Granby Jr. Sr. High School for the last five years. After much
discussion, debate, questions and delays, the time has now come to determine a schedule
change for the 2008-09 school year. The proposed block schedule presented this afternoon,
the so-called A/B or day 1 / day 2 format,
has emerged as the schedule that will give most of what our professional staff has said
they need and/or want to preserve in a daily schedule - - primarily, year long contact
within the block format.
We all
acknowledge that change is difficult - for teachers, students and administrators, but
there is much evidence to suggest, actual demand that we do better, specifically, in terms
of student achievement and success.
I am now asking
9 - 12 teachers and students to work with us
as we seek their understanding and support of
changes that need to be made.
I now ask
teachers to review the list of following scheduling needs identified by teachers, year long courses (Sept. - June): (to be read by teachers at conclusion of
announcement).
·
Maintaining
extended time.
· Consistency
in seeing students all year.
· Allowing
more exposure to vocabulary / reading.
·
Less
review time needed with courses meeting all year, continuing time in MCAS areas through
June.
·
AP
classes meeting daily.
·
P.E.
in grade specific classes.
·
Long
blocks will be preserved.
·
The
grade seven/eight schedule will not change except for
a stronger professional presence
in enrichments.
·
Maintaining
long block meets the needs expressed by art, technology, the sciences and the
humanities.
I would ask that D Block teachers use the
time and handout supplied to share with
students our work to this date. Student
questions and concerns should be recorded and returned to Mr. Lynch by the close of school
Wednesday, December 12th.
Change is difficult
No schedule is
perfect, each one having advantages and disadvantages. This proposal seeks to create year
long consistency while preserving the extended period. Of all the possible schedules, this
proposal does more for most while preserving what we value.
I ask that we
now honor this ongoing work by informal,
classroom based sharing under the guidance
and directions of our 9-12 period teachers.
Thank you for
your serious investment in this process.
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Building Consensus On
Schedule For 08-09
The results of yesterday's voting
is as follows:
5 "I strongly support this
idea. I will be a leader." 8
4, "I support this idea. I
will provide support." 17
3, "I support this idea . I
still have some questions, but I am willing to trust the
groups opinion." 7
2, "I am not sure. I need
more discussion. " 0
1, "I can't support this
idea at this time . I need more information." 2
0, "No. I cannot support
this idea. I have major concerns/reservations. I need an
alternative I can support. " 2
Based upon this determination ,
we will begin to work together to implement an A/B block schedule for the 2008-09 school
year . I will be looking for ad hoc implementation teams to convene to address concerns
and questions. I am asking for those who so voted to emerge as" leaders and
supporters" throughout this process as we work to implement this new schedule in
support of our mission and expectations.
Over the course of the upcoming
days and weeks, the results and direction of this decision can surely be referenced .
I appreciate and value the input
of all in this process.
Dan
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Principal’s Remarks - 2008 Grade 7 - 8 Conferences
Grade 9 - 12 Open House
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
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As I welcome you this evening, let me re-affirm at outset, the core and shared
belief of our professional staff that regardless of the work of the principal and teachers,
your role as primary care-givers and your educational role as parents has a primacy that is
paramount. That is, as it ought to be!!
Contemporary myths suggests that by the time your children come to this
building, to grades 7-12, that they are okay without you - - that they can make it on their
own. As a survivor of four children who successfully negotiated middle school and high
school, let me assure you that nothing could be further from the truth. Today what your
children need most is you - - especially, your time and your listening skills, your respect
and your love - - and they need it everyday. Thank-you for investing in them tonight by
your presence and participation.
For high school parents, let me re-affirm that a major change for next school year,
September 2008, will be introduction of a new block schedule, the A/B alternating day
model, replacing our current 4 x 4 model. This change emerges from an administrative
initiative and faculty consensus that we needed to do more and better, specifically in
creating opportunities for year-long instruction (Sept. - June), while preserving the value
of teaching and learning within the extended block. We begin this initiative knowing that
at first, all change is difficult and that everything is hard before it is easier and there will
be unanticipated realities. I ask for your support and presence, at home, as we make this
process work here at school.
Finally, by the end of this week, all students will have received scheduling
information and the course selection sheets. Please work with your sons/daughters on this
task. The forms need to be returned, by Friday, 2/15, with your signature. Make this a
priority at home in view of this deadline. The most valued information on success beyond
high schools that is clear from colleges is to encourage the highest and deepest exposure
to classes of rigor in all disciplines, as appropriate to skills and interest.
And, finally, I remind you that the best communication vehicle is to regularly visit
our updated and expanded website, www.granbyschoolsma.org. Check it out and stay
tuned. Feel free to contact us at any time as we are here to work with you.
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Granby Junior / Senior High School
Town Report
2007
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The 2007 calendar year continued to witness the power and impact of the Granby Junior-Senior High School mission, in that our on-going work was and is framed by it as we strive to foster “academic achievement, personal responsibility, and respect in order to develop conscientious and productive members of society.” This mission embraces our work and passion as we support our young learners and future leaders, as they grow physically and socially, intellectually and emotionally during their critical adolescence years. Our entire school staff, professional and non-professional, encompassing all aspects of school life, joins me in this commitment to excellence in achievement, respect and responsibility.
Once again, throughout the year, our building climate and school culture was focused on students as workers and learners, achieving and advancing. In those efforts, I have come to appreciate and value the roles of our teachers and support staff, our school and community support network, most especially the School Council, the Parent Advisory Council, our music parents, the Booster Club, the Lions and the Rotary clubs, and the positive presence of both the Granby Police and Fire Departments. This presence and witness is imperative, as our students face and will continue to encounter increased competition both locally and globally on a whole host of issues.
As your building principal, I am happy to report that in 2007 we continued to meet and exceed the Commonwealth’s mandate related to the Education Reform Act of 1993, MCAS results and graduation rates. We are, also, in compliance with the Federal expectations as expressed in No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and the requirements mandating the employment of highly qualified teachers. In particular, the Class of 2007 recorded the following SAT average scores as reported by the College Board: critical reading 507, math 518 and critical writing 508, all significant increases from the previous year. The Class of 2007 had an SAT participation rate of 77 percent. In 2007, we introduced a new, year-long grade seven course in health and wellness education. Throughout 2007, our professional staff implemented strategies to improve their teaching skills, to increase extra-curricular opportunities for all students, to highlight the use of data in decision-making, to improve student work in math, and to increase the availability and accessibility of technology in support of student learning. These initiatives remain in the forefront of our attention and efforts.
In 2007, the Junior/Senior High School sponsored twenty-one teams in inter-scholastic competition and participated in four additional cooperative teams, namely, football, swimming, ice hockey and skiing. Some of our student - driven initiatives were in response to AIDS, the conditions in Darfur, domestic violence and in support of the work at Baystate Medical Pediatrics. In addition, co-curricular activities and organizations, on both a regular or ad hoc basis, exceeded twenty student-based organizations with faculty presence and community support throughout. Athletically, 2007 was highlighted by girls soccer as the Western Massachusetts finalist, and girls basketball, Western Massachusetts champions, and State runner-up. Individually, in 2007, Mia Sapowsky and Genn Roy both were recognized as they exceeded 1000 career points in basketball and Emily Konieczny, as the Western Massachusetts and State champion, in the freestyle competitions in swimming. In November, 2007, Felicia Cordeiro, Class of 2008, was recognized as the third-place statewide winner in the MIAA essay competition on the value of interscholastic sportsmanship. Administrative initiatives in 2007 included a grade seven transition night for incoming students and parents, end-of-the-year award ceremonies for both grades seven and eight, and grades nine, ten and eleven. They all struck a response and supportive chord with students and parents.
On Saturday, June 3rd, the Class of 2007 graduated, as class officers led the processional of students before a capacity gathering in the Sullivan Gymnasium. While Ms. Lindsey Toth welcomed the assembled as class president, meaningful and memorable reflections were presented by Careena Henry, salutatorian, and Tamara Desrosiers, valedictorian. Mr. David Woodcock, retiring history teacher, was the commencement speaker, delivering a message of hope and optimism that resonated with both graduates and the entire community. Superintendent Pat Stevens and School Committee Chairperson, Deb Buckley, presented graduates with their diplomas. The Class of 2007 sent fifty-five percent of its graduates directly to four year schools, thirty-two percent to two year schools and four percent to further educational programs. College acceptances were granted by local, regional and national institutions of merit and distinction. Well done, Class of 2007!
Calendar year 2007 closed with hopeful progress reported on the school building project and the anticipation of a new daily schedule, the A/B block, to be implemented in grades nine through twelve, in September, 2008. We look forward to 2008 with enthusiasm and renewal as we continue the vital work before us.
1-30-08