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.
Teachers at HLC have been meeting regularly to learn more about Standards Based Learning. Seven classroom teachers have attended the Reinventing Schools Coalition (RISC) Symposiums this year. Conversations are focused and exciting as teachers work together toward standards-based learning for the school. In addition, Principal Deborah Emery visited schools in Denver, Colorado earlier this month to see the schools in the Adams 50 District as they implement standards based learning. The funding for this trip was from Federal grants and from the RISC Coalition. The key components of standard based learning are the establishment of clear, transparent learning targets for children and the opportunity for children to work in leveled groups that afford every student a chance to learn and progress at an individual pace. Throughout the winter, Deborah Emery will be talking to schools and parent groups in the RSU to share insights about her site visit through the slides of Denver classrooms.
For HLC, February is the start of spring when the greenhouse is reopened to the planting of vegetables, flowers and herbs. Under the watchful eye of a parent volunteer, every student in the school participates in the planting and care of the greenhouse bounty. Classrooms establish planting themes connected to the curriculum while also planting for the school gardens, gifts and annual plant sale. At the end of May, HLC hosts a plant sale, which is a highly attended local event connected to the school art show. All proceeds from the sale are used to keep the greenhouse program operational. In December, the Cottrell School received a grant from the Cabot Cheese Corporation to support local growing and school gardens.
The Cottrell School receives tremendous support from some local fund raising organizations. The Monmouth Parent-Teacher Organization continues to provide support for our field trips and guest speakers. At a recent meeting, PTO recognized the budgetary constraints faced by the district schools and agreed to fully fund a spring field trip for each grade level including admission fees and transportation costs. The Cottrell School also has the support of Team Monmouth, a relatively new organization that provides equipment, programs and special events at the school. In the spring, every grade level participates in a wellness trip, from a walk to the library, hike up Mt. Pisgah or a biking trip around town and Team Monmouth assists with these events. The Vestry in Monmouth should also be recognized for their continued support through their grant program for the purchase of equipment and special programs.
The Cottrell School continues to be student-centered school focused on excellence each and every day. The saying on the weekly newsletters states, “Education makes hope happen”.
If you would like to learn more about anything in this article please contact Deborah Emery, Principal at 933-4426.
Submitted by: Susan Corbett
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