People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget the way you made them feel. | |
Wow! This year as Principal of the Wing School really did fly by faster than our beloved mascot Henry the Eagle can soar! On many an early morning, or early evening as I sat at my desk in the Principal’s office, glancing out at the beautiful Monet Garden, I continued to reflect and be humbled and inspired by all that we have achieved, celebrated, commemorated and yes endured (think snow!).
It has been an honor and a privilege to lead this fine school during this, the Wing School’s last year with children in classrooms. We have all been a part of this place that is special…historical in fact. We all contributed to the rich history, culture, and “Tradition of Excellence” that is the hallmark of the Henry T. Wing School. It was my aim to see that everyone who is a member of the “Wing School Family” knew that he or she is valued, included, and supported, not only by me, but also by each other. I hope that someone made that possible for each one of you throughout the year.
I am delighted I had the opportunity to re-join and serve the Henry T. Wing School Family as the last Principal. Throughout the school year, I constantly found myself thinking what an exceptional place the Wing School is and how dedicated and committed the families and staff are to the students and to the school. More importantly, the relationships and collaborations of our extraordinary students, distinctive teachers and staff and the incredible families and friends made for a remarkable year as we celebrated and commemorated all that is the Henry T. Wing School past and present. A special thanks goes to Mr. Dintino for his leadership with the Wing School Community and his unwavering support of each and every child attending this magnificent school. Our doors were always open…and many of you did stop by throughout the year. I thank all of you so very much for teaching me, and helping me to grow as a leader. I look forward to continuing on with many of you next year and some of you a few years down the road, as we step into a new future with infinite possibilities to serve the best interests of the greatest students who walk through our doors each and every day.
It has been an honor and a privilege to lead this fine school during this, the Wing School’s last year with children in classrooms. We have all been a part of this place that is special…historical in fact. We all contributed to the rich history, culture, and “Tradition of Excellence” that is the hallmark of the Henry T. Wing School. It was my aim to see that everyone who is a member of the “Wing School Family” knew that he or she is valued, included, and supported, not only by me, but also by each other. I hope that someone made that possible for each one of you throughout the year.
I am delighted I had the opportunity to re-join and serve the Henry T. Wing School Family as the last Principal. Throughout the school year, I constantly found myself thinking what an exceptional place the Wing School is and how dedicated and committed the families and staff are to the students and to the school. More importantly, the relationships and collaborations of our extraordinary students, distinctive teachers and staff and the incredible families and friends made for a remarkable year as we celebrated and commemorated all that is the Henry T. Wing School past and present. A special thanks goes to Mr. Dintino for his leadership with the Wing School Community and his unwavering support of each and every child attending this magnificent school. Our doors were always open…and many of you did stop by throughout the year. I thank all of you so very much for teaching me, and helping me to grow as a leader. I look forward to continuing on with many of you next year and some of you a few years down the road, as we step into a new future with infinite possibilities to serve the best interests of the greatest students who walk through our doors each and every day.
Nationwide there has been a lot of transformation and change in our schools that is fascinating. Some would say schools are changing too much—or too little. Although we also face continuous change and transformation in Sandwich and at Wing, we should remember what isn’t changing.
At the Forestdale and Oak Ridge Elementary Schools next year, we can count on some changes, yet so much more remains the same. First and foremost, our mission that we will continue to nurture, empower, and inspire each and every Sandwich Elementary School student remains the same. Our hours will be the same at Forestdale, and at Oak Ridge, they will be the same as they were two years ago for our fifth and sixth graders and now our third and fourth graders. Our schedule will be the same as it was this year in many respects and it will resume a five day specials schedule with the added features and offerings. Our student demographics will be very similar, and the fact that our teachers and staff will be teaching some of the finest elementary school students in the state will not change. Our district elementary staff will be quite similar to this year as the staffs move to new locations. Nearly all of our current preK-5 grade students will return with their peers. Our lunch program and after school activities will remain almost unchanged and we benefit from gaining access to what others have been offered and more. Each teacher will teach the same number of students for the same number of minutes throughout the year. Our student-teacher ratio will not change. Our academic calendar year will be very similar to the current year (however, let’s hope there are less snow days!). Our major curriculum initiatives will be the same and new approaches to teaching and learning will provide for enhanced student engagement that is developmentally appropriate to each grade level of students. The amazing support that we receive from you, the parents and families, will remain the same at both the Oak Ridge and Forestdale schools.
Some of the changes we will face are merely differences, rather substantive changes. For example, we will have two assistant principals at Oak Ridge next year. I will be at the Oak Ridge School with our Gr.3-6 students, along with Ms. MacPherson and Ms. Hill, as we look forward to a fabulous first year together in our new configuration. The amazing, hardworking, and passionate Assistant Principal, Mr. Dintino, will be at the Forestdale School with our PreK-2 students, which is no change at all from his current role. For Wing Students there will be three familiar faces on the administrative teams at both schools when we include Mr. Smith. We will have new mascots and logos that will be tailored to each school, yet be similar throughout the district. Though our facility site will change, we will still come together as one group of students and staff at each grade level PreK-6, rather than three separate entities which will U-Knight us all (I couldn’t resist!).
Having said all this, I realize, of course, that we do face continuous change. To implement change successfully, I defer to what Michael Fullan has to say on the topic. He maintains that the best way to effect positive change throughout the school is to create cultures focused on results, learning, and collaboration, and I would add building relationships. While teachers are the ones with the greatest impact on student learning at school, we must work together and learn together to achieve organizational knowledge creation:
Accepting that we will always be faced with a number of minor changes as well as a few potentially significant changes is necessary for our sanity. Recognizing how to ignore the former and learning to embrace the latter is yet another way that we move forward with our “Tradition of Excellence” each day at the Henry T. Wing School!
At the Forestdale and Oak Ridge Elementary Schools next year, we can count on some changes, yet so much more remains the same. First and foremost, our mission that we will continue to nurture, empower, and inspire each and every Sandwich Elementary School student remains the same. Our hours will be the same at Forestdale, and at Oak Ridge, they will be the same as they were two years ago for our fifth and sixth graders and now our third and fourth graders. Our schedule will be the same as it was this year in many respects and it will resume a five day specials schedule with the added features and offerings. Our student demographics will be very similar, and the fact that our teachers and staff will be teaching some of the finest elementary school students in the state will not change. Our district elementary staff will be quite similar to this year as the staffs move to new locations. Nearly all of our current preK-5 grade students will return with their peers. Our lunch program and after school activities will remain almost unchanged and we benefit from gaining access to what others have been offered and more. Each teacher will teach the same number of students for the same number of minutes throughout the year. Our student-teacher ratio will not change. Our academic calendar year will be very similar to the current year (however, let’s hope there are less snow days!). Our major curriculum initiatives will be the same and new approaches to teaching and learning will provide for enhanced student engagement that is developmentally appropriate to each grade level of students. The amazing support that we receive from you, the parents and families, will remain the same at both the Oak Ridge and Forestdale schools.
Some of the changes we will face are merely differences, rather substantive changes. For example, we will have two assistant principals at Oak Ridge next year. I will be at the Oak Ridge School with our Gr.3-6 students, along with Ms. MacPherson and Ms. Hill, as we look forward to a fabulous first year together in our new configuration. The amazing, hardworking, and passionate Assistant Principal, Mr. Dintino, will be at the Forestdale School with our PreK-2 students, which is no change at all from his current role. For Wing Students there will be three familiar faces on the administrative teams at both schools when we include Mr. Smith. We will have new mascots and logos that will be tailored to each school, yet be similar throughout the district. Though our facility site will change, we will still come together as one group of students and staff at each grade level PreK-6, rather than three separate entities which will U-Knight us all (I couldn’t resist!).
Having said all this, I realize, of course, that we do face continuous change. To implement change successfully, I defer to what Michael Fullan has to say on the topic. He maintains that the best way to effect positive change throughout the school is to create cultures focused on results, learning, and collaboration, and I would add building relationships. While teachers are the ones with the greatest impact on student learning at school, we must work together and learn together to achieve organizational knowledge creation:
- The only problems worth solving are the ones that exist within each and every organization.
- Change is forever: Problems don’t stay solved, so we have to learn to do the right thing over and over again.
Accepting that we will always be faced with a number of minor changes as well as a few potentially significant changes is necessary for our sanity. Recognizing how to ignore the former and learning to embrace the latter is yet another way that we move forward with our “Tradition of Excellence” each day at the Henry T. Wing School!
The Wing School Celebration and Commemoration Corner
Teacher and Staff Alumni Dinner
In May we celebrated and commemorated our former teachers and staff, along side some of our current staff. There were 75 staff members who enjoyed a PTA sponsored pasta dinner as they shared their wonderfully poignant and also amusing stories with each other about good times at the Wing School. Overwhelmingly, the conversation about teaching and learning at the Wing School always returned to the friendships and camaraderie with each other, as well as the relationships with students and families that made their careers all the more worthwhile. There were more than a handful of teachers who taught here when the Wing was a K-12 school, several who worked here the last time it was a K-6 school, quite a few that were here when it was a PreK- 8 school and even a couple of teachers in their first year this year. Ms. Debra Landry, the Principal shared her thoughts to start off the evening. She also recognized people in several different categories including the above, by asking staff to stand and be recognized if they fit in the category. Superintendent, Dr. Canfield, spoke about the magic that happens inside the brick and mortar. Retired Principal, Ms. Sheila Lima, shared several remembrances, tales and adventures about the quirkiness of the building itself that had everyone chuckling and nodding in agreement. A group photo and a trivia game about all things Wing complete with Wing School prizes rounded out a delightful evening
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In June, we celebrated and commemorated our former students of all ages, along side some of our current students. There were about 200 mostly former students who enjoyed PTA sponsored desserts and beverages, and a DJ in the gymnasium. Everyone got to stroll through the halls of all parts of the building and reminisce about their days as students at the H. T. Wing School as they shared their stories with each other about good times at the Wing School. Overwhelmingly, and once again, the conversation about learning at the Wing School always returned to the friendships and camaraderie with each other, as well as the relationships with teachers and staff that made the students’ education all the more meaningful. Many commented on how small the building looked from the way they remembered it. The Hall Of History was visited by many, but the biggest hit of the night was when students looking through old yearbooks and photo albums saw pictures of their younger selves. Good old memories resurfaced when seeing pictures of former classmates they hadn’t thought about in years, as well as recognizing how many former classmates they were still in contact with made for excellent and endless talk about the meaning of being one among the Wing School Family. There were students who went here when the Wing was a K-12 school, several who went here the last time it was a K-6 school, many that were here when it was a PreK- 8 school and even a dozen or more former teachers who were delighted to see their former students and what has become of them. Others like Mr. Dintino exclaimed, “What a blast! This was such a great night to see and talk with others about good times gone by!” Many shared just how appreciative they were to have the opportunity to visit and stroll throughout the building at their leisure. No one got lost in the maze of corridors, it was a homecoming and all knew their way around without a map!
Thank you WCCC! Thank you to the core group of teachers/staff, administrators, and parents whom without their devotion and support, these signature events could not have happened. A lot of planning and work went on throughout the year and these people did quite a bit of it themselves and created their own support staffs to make each event memorable. Thank you to Chris Dintino, Laura Dunn, Donna Tuohy, Trisha Allietta, Cathy Lemay, Deb Landry, Terri Palombo, Julie Heyer and Melissa Zylich | | |
STEM
Summer STEM Activities Link for Kids from Project Lead the Way.
https://www.pltw.org/news/items/201506-20-super-cool-summer-stem-activities
Please check out Sandwich STEM Academy for information updates.
http://sandwichstem.weebly.com/
https://www.pltw.org/news/items/201506-20-super-cool-summer-stem-activities
Please check out Sandwich STEM Academy for information updates.
http://sandwichstem.weebly.com/
Wing Public Forum # 2
There will be a second public forum for the Wing School repurposing study July 13th from 7-8:30 in the Town Hall. Please see the link with the attached flyer below.
http://fdprincipal.weebly.com/uploads/2/6/2/8/26282373/wing_school_public_forum_flyer_july_2015.pdf
http://fdprincipal.weebly.com/uploads/2/6/2/8/26282373/wing_school_public_forum_flyer_july_2015.pdf