http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php KidsRSU School District, Dresden, Hallowell, Farmingdale and Monmouth Maine en scorbett@halldale.org Copyright 2010 2010-03-10T19:47:25+00:00 http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/welcome/ http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/welcome/#When:14:24:48Z Welcome to the Kennebec Intra-District Schools (KIDS) regional school unit (RSU2) web site.  The new school unit will be made up of schools in the towns of Dresden, Farmingdale, Hallowell, Monmouth and Richmond. Questions?  Comments?  Something Missing?  Contact John Armentrout News 2008-01-24T14:24:48+00:00 http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/distinctions_between_standards-based_and_standards-referenced_educational_s/ http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/distinctions_between_standards-based_and_standards-referenced_educational_s/#When:19:47:25Z Distinctions Between Standards-Based and Standards-Referenced Educational Systems Developed by Dr. Robert J. Marzano Standards Based -  System based on defined number of learning levels -  Students advance through the system based on achievement of each level -  Standards are used to guide curriculum and student progress is measured and used to determine advancement -  Students advance through system at their own pace -  Learning is the constant; time is the variable Standards Referenced -  System based on traditional grade levels -  Students advance through the system at the same pace as other students of the same age -  Students will advance with varying levels of knowledge and skills -  Standards are used to guide curriculum and measure student progress -  Some promotion decisions may be made based on standards -  Time is the constant; learning is the variable 2010-03-10T19:47:25+00:00 http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/rsic_-_what_is_it/ http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/rsic_-_what_is_it/#When:18:30:04Z RISC - What is it? Have you heard teachers and administrators talk about RISC? Here are some facts. The Reinventing School Coalition (RISC) provides information, resources, and professional development for schools interested in moving from a standards-referenced system to a standards-based learner-centered system. Many of our teachers and administrators are very excited about the positive changes seen in the classroom when teachers begin using new instructional strategies. The four tenets of the RISC model of a learner-centered system are shared vision, standards-based education, leadership, and continuous improvement. 2010-03-10T18:30:04+00:00 http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/standards-based_system_rsu_board_ad_hoc_committee/ http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/standards-based_system_rsu_board_ad_hoc_committee/#When:15:16:30Z Standards-Based System: Ad Hoc Committee On March 3, 2010, the RSU2 School Board established an Ad Hoc Committee “To assist the RSU communities and staff in successfully achieving a Standards Based Student Centered School System.” This committee consists of parents, teachers, administrators, and some high school students from each community in RSU 2. The first meeting will be March 29th from 5:30-7:00 p.m. We are still seeking another parent representative from Dresden and a parent representative with a student at Hall-Dale Middle School. If you are interested in serving on this committee, please contact Christine Chamberlain, Director of Curriculum, at 622-6351 x 424 for more information. Following is a list of current members of the Ad Hoc Committee. 2010-03-10T15:16:30+00:00 http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/rsu_2_update_3_3_10/ http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/rsu_2_update_3_3_10/#When:12:37:01Z Marcia Buker Elementary School KIDS RSU #2 Richmond by Deborah Soule, Principal As educators, we must take every opportunity to pause and reflect on where we have focused our energies and what we will continue to emphasize as the school year stretches through spring. Service to others is an important component of our student day. While our primary activities highlight student engagement with the foundational literacy and numeracy standards infused with the newly established 21st Century skills, we also purposefully embed guidance toward characteristics that will teach our children to become more thoughtful, kind, and compassionate people. 2010-03-04T12:37:01+00:00 http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/rsu_2_update_-_february_16_2010/ http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/rsu_2_update_-_february_16_2010/#When:18:10:11Z RSU #2 Update Hall-Dale Middle/High School Submitted by Steve Lavoie, Hall-Dale MS/HS Principal Apple Distinguished School Hall-Dale High School has been selected as an Apple Distinguished School for the 2009-2010 school year. The notification from Apple’s Vice President for Education John Couch reads in part, “The Apple Distinguished School designation is reserved for schools that have become centers of educational excellence and leadership, consistently demonstrating “best practice” qualities of a 21st century learning environment utilizing Apple technology. This year, Hall-Dale High School will join 54 schools Apple is recognizing nationwide and one of four in the state of Maine.”  It goes on to say, “In reviewing the great work that is underway at Hall-Dale High School, I was especially impressed by your success in using apple notebook computers to better prepare your students to compete in the 21st century workforce. Your school serves as an example for other schools both locally and nationally.” 2010-02-18T18:10:11+00:00 http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/hall-dale_high_school_awarded_apple_distinguished_school_2009-2010/ http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/hall-dale_high_school_awarded_apple_distinguished_school_2009-2010/#When:23:38:15Z Principal Steve Lavoie accepting the award At the school assembly today February 12, 2010 Apple’s Tara Maker and Doug Snow awarded Hall-Dale High School the Apple Distinguished School award.  Hall-Dale High School is very proud to accept the award as it has worked very hard to integrate technology and 21st century skills into the curriculum.  This commitment has included a 1:1 laptop program and dedicated technology integration staff (thanks Mrs. Leimbach!) to support staff and classroom curriculum development. Doug Snow and Tara Maker display the banner that will hang in the halls at Hall-Dale High School. Apple Distinguished Schools are schools that have ubiquitously integrated Apple products and solutions and have become centers of educational excellence and leadership. Schools nominated by Apple for designation as an Apple Distinguished School must demonstrate Apple’s highest vision of a successful 21st century learning environment, a strong relationship with Apple, and a willingness to do outreach activities. The specific manifestations of these qualities include: Hall-Dale High School demonstrates “best practice” qualities of 21st century learning environment: *  Visionary leadership; *  An infrastructure (IT) that supports a learning workflow of “create-distribute-access-collaborate;” *  Engaging teaching and learning methods that capitalize on the qualities of today’s students who are mobile, collaborative and creative; *  One-to-one access to portable computers and/or mobile access devices (iPod) for all teachers and students; *  Evidence of ongoing professional development; *  A systematic approach and ongoing process for evaluation and assessment of results for education improvement and sustainability. For 2009-10, 53 only schools across the United States were selected as Apple Distinguished Schools, so this is quite an honor. Congratulations to our administration and staff! 2010-02-03T23:38:15+00:00 http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/rsu_2_update_-_january_29_2010/ http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/rsu_2_update_-_january_29_2010/#When:18:32:16Z Standards-Based System - What is it? Written by Chris Chamberlain, Curriculum Coordinator RSU #2 Many of you have heard the phrase “standards-based grading” and many of you have a general understanding of what that means in our schools. Some schools already have a “standards-based” report card, while other schools are just starting the transition, and still other schools have not yet begun to use clearly identified grade level standards.     2010-02-01T18:32:16+00:00 http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/rsu_2_update_-_january_27_2010/ http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/rsu_2_update_-_january_27_2010/#When:18:31:54Z News from the Henry L. Cottrell School January 2010 As the Henry L. Cottrell School reaches the middle of the school year, routines and schedules are clearly in place and student progress is being noted regularly. Teaching teams are analyzing assessments and making adjustments to instruction as appropriate. Within the next few days, the results of the New England Comprehensive Assessments will be made available. Third graders took this test for the first time in early October and results will be shared with families and staff.  Second grade students will be participating at the end of this month in a standardized math assessment. In early February, the entire staff will be working together to review the assessment results and make appropriate instructional adjustments. 2010-02-01T18:31:54+00:00 http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/reinventing_our_schools_bringing_hope_to_all_of_our_children/ http://www.kidsrsu.org/index.php/site/reinventing_our_schools_bringing_hope_to_all_of_our_children/#When:16:20:50Z An opportunity to attend a two-hour condensed informational overview session of the Re-Inventing Schools Coalition (RISC) philosophy with Rich DeLorenzo, Co-founder of the non-profit RISC Foundation. Maine Department of Education Commissioner, Susan Gendron, will provide information regarding the work RISC is doing in Maine. To learn more about RISC: http://www.reinventingschools.org/learning/ When: January 25, 2010; 6-8 pm Who should attend: All stakeholder members from across Maine’s Educational System- Legislators, community members, school board members, superintendents, principals, teachers, paraprofessionals and other school staff, CTE Directors and staff, curriculum leaders, students, parents, post-secondary faculty, staff, and students Fee: No cost Where: J. Duke Albanese Performing Arts Center     Messalonskee High School     131 Messalonskee High Drive     Oakland, ME 04963 Driving Directions: http://www.rsu18.org/mshs/administration/driving_directions.html View Larger Map 2010-01-13T16:20:50+00:00