Congratulations to Julie Dorsey for being named R.C. LaPerche principal! Mrs. Dorsey is an outstanding administrator, instructional leader, and teacher. Mrs. Dorsey brings a wealth of experience with her to LaPerche. She has served as an elementary teacher, instructional coach, and most recently, as the principal of Saylesville Elementary School in Lincoln.
Mrs. Dorsey was selected as the new principal at LaPerche Elementary School from over 40 applicants and eight candidates. A rigorous screening and interview process consisted of a team of teachers, administrators, and a parent representative.
We welcome Mrs. Dorsey to the Smithfield Public Schools and wish her the very best!
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Summer learning is a hot topic among educators, parents, and students. Some parents are in favor of ensuring that their children continue with their studies, while other parents are adamant about their children needing and deserving a break from the rigors of school.
The Common Core State Standards are forcing change in our schools today. The authors of the CCSS contend that in order for American-educated students to survive and thrive in the global economy of the 21st century, they must be educated with higher levels of rigor and expectations.
The industrial-age school calendars by which we currently operate are being scrutinized by education reformers and experts. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the expectations of the CCSS are very difficult to meet or exceed in the traditional 180 day school year. Additional learning time is needed. Now, more than ever, we need parents as our partners to ensure that our children are prepared to flourish in a competitive global society.
Our policies and beliefs about homework and summer learning must be re-examined. Students will need to read closely at home after school hours and during the summer months. Homework will need to be purposeful and rigorous- not merely "busy-work" for our students to develop responsibility. Parents- WE NEED YOU! Please partner with us by carving out time for your children to engage in deep reading and complete worthwhile tasks that are designed to prepare your children for success.
For more information about the importance of summer learning, please go to http://www.teachercreatedmaterials.com/curriculum_files/pdfs/lakids/LAUSD_summer_learning_loss.pdf
Happy Summer Learning!
The Common Core State Standards are forcing change in our schools today. The authors of the CCSS contend that in order for American-educated students to survive and thrive in the global economy of the 21st century, they must be educated with higher levels of rigor and expectations.
The industrial-age school calendars by which we currently operate are being scrutinized by education reformers and experts. It is becoming increasingly apparent that the expectations of the CCSS are very difficult to meet or exceed in the traditional 180 day school year. Additional learning time is needed. Now, more than ever, we need parents as our partners to ensure that our children are prepared to flourish in a competitive global society.
Our policies and beliefs about homework and summer learning must be re-examined. Students will need to read closely at home after school hours and during the summer months. Homework will need to be purposeful and rigorous- not merely "busy-work" for our students to develop responsibility. Parents- WE NEED YOU! Please partner with us by carving out time for your children to engage in deep reading and complete worthwhile tasks that are designed to prepare your children for success.
For more information about the importance of summer learning, please go to http://www.teachercreatedmaterials.com/curriculum_files/pdfs/lakids/LAUSD_summer_learning_loss.pdf
Happy Summer Learning!
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
One of the modes of communication our district leaders are hoping to improve is our use of social media and electronic forms of communication. Blogging is a method of communicating updates on our district happenings to our stakeholders.
As often as possible, I will be posting updates to our curriculum, instruction, and assessment initiatives and efforts in Smithfield. We are very proud of the leadership role we play in the education community in Rhode Island. As leaders in the transition to the Common Core State Standards, we have worked closely with the Rhode Island Association of School Principals to share our successes and challenges as we work diligently to align our curriculum, instruction, and assessment to these rigorous new standards.
For the past several weeks, teacher leaders from Smithfield have worked collaboratively with their colleagues from Burrillville, Foster-Glocester, North Providence, and Coventry to create exemplary mathematics curriculum documents and resources. As a teacher, first and foremost, I review these documents for their clarity and connection to the standards. I am thrilled to report that our latest CCSS-aligned curriculum is comprehensive and world class! Way to go Smithfield!
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