While large meetings and grand symbolic actions play a part, the most significant change in work culture is accomplished in one-to-one personal interactions. (Sagor, 1992, p. 18)
Individualized interactions play a key role in the success of any culture, including school buildings and individual classrooms. Together as teachers, students and parent/guardians, we must possess the skill of listening to establish positive interpersonal relations. It is important for us to be active listeners, and it is just as important that our students learn to do so as well.
Through engaged listening, we have the opportunity to put into practice a main theme of a favorite book and movie of mine, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. In both versions of this classic, Atticus stresses to his daughter, Scout, the importance of seeing things from the other person’s perspective. By actively listening to others, we enable ourselves to genuinely know another person. However slightly, this improves our little world. Take time to actively listen to each other and the children in your care.
Curiosities and Concerns
Many of you shared that you were surprised that I did not apply for the Oak Ridge Principal; quite frankly, no one was more surprised than me. I had the intention of doing so since this summer when I first learned that Patrice Hurley would be retiring early. However, personal circumstances that may have future implications required me to make a most difficult decision not to seek the job this time. While there has been some speculation about the reason, I appreciate that most have respected my privacy. I do want to let everyone know there is no concern for my personal health. I wish the timing could have been different, and I hope that these personal circumstances change.
Rest assured that I love being Principal of the H.T. Wing School, and I am thankful for the opportunity to lead and serve the students, parents and staff during this last year at Wing. The pace and the tasks required of the position are rewarding and invigorating and I hope I have another opportunity to be a principal again (preferably in Sandwich). People are also curious about my ability to return to the assistant principal role next year. Last spring when I was first asked then appointed to be the Principal of the Wing School, Ms. Hurley had not yet planned to be retired. I accepted the Principal position with the understanding that I was guaranteed my position back. In that regard, the original plan for me will remain the same for now.
I look forward to returning to the Oak Ridge School next year to lead our grades 3-6 students and families with Trish Hill. I have had opportunities to see her teach students at Oak Ridge. She is an excellent teacher. I would expect that she will lead as Principal, the way she teaches and therefore the Oak Ridge School will be served well in the coming years.
Individualized interactions play a key role in the success of any culture, including school buildings and individual classrooms. Together as teachers, students and parent/guardians, we must possess the skill of listening to establish positive interpersonal relations. It is important for us to be active listeners, and it is just as important that our students learn to do so as well.
Through engaged listening, we have the opportunity to put into practice a main theme of a favorite book and movie of mine, To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee. In both versions of this classic, Atticus stresses to his daughter, Scout, the importance of seeing things from the other person’s perspective. By actively listening to others, we enable ourselves to genuinely know another person. However slightly, this improves our little world. Take time to actively listen to each other and the children in your care.
Curiosities and Concerns
Many of you shared that you were surprised that I did not apply for the Oak Ridge Principal; quite frankly, no one was more surprised than me. I had the intention of doing so since this summer when I first learned that Patrice Hurley would be retiring early. However, personal circumstances that may have future implications required me to make a most difficult decision not to seek the job this time. While there has been some speculation about the reason, I appreciate that most have respected my privacy. I do want to let everyone know there is no concern for my personal health. I wish the timing could have been different, and I hope that these personal circumstances change.
Rest assured that I love being Principal of the H.T. Wing School, and I am thankful for the opportunity to lead and serve the students, parents and staff during this last year at Wing. The pace and the tasks required of the position are rewarding and invigorating and I hope I have another opportunity to be a principal again (preferably in Sandwich). People are also curious about my ability to return to the assistant principal role next year. Last spring when I was first asked then appointed to be the Principal of the Wing School, Ms. Hurley had not yet planned to be retired. I accepted the Principal position with the understanding that I was guaranteed my position back. In that regard, the original plan for me will remain the same for now.
I look forward to returning to the Oak Ridge School next year to lead our grades 3-6 students and families with Trish Hill. I have had opportunities to see her teach students at Oak Ridge. She is an excellent teacher. I would expect that she will lead as Principal, the way she teaches and therefore the Oak Ridge School will be served well in the coming years.
News from the Curriculum Coordinators
Reminders about some changes regarding K-6 Report Cards this year –
We are moving to three semesters instead of four semesters
Grades 3-6 will have Standards Based Report Cards in 2015-2016.
We are offering multiple opportunities for families to learn about the new K-2 Report Cards.
Stop by between 9am and 11am, Curriculum Office at the Superintendent’s Office @ Oak Ridge School
November 17th, November 24th, December 1st, December 8th and December 15th
Please reach out with questions or comments.
Clare Brady, PreK – 6 Math Curriculum Coordinator [email protected]
Maureen Wiklund, PreK-6 ELA Curriculum Coordinator [email protected]
Standards Based Report Card Overview
The Sandwich Standards Based Report Cards have been developed by teams of Sandwich teachers at every grade level, using the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks which reflect the Common Core State Standards. A Standards Based Report Card lists learning objectives for each subject and communicates where each student is on his/her progression to meet the objectives. The report card allows parents and students to clearly understand the expectations at each grade level.
You can learn more about Standards Based Report Cards at: http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/350-rethinking-report-cards.gs
And
https://www.naesp.org/resources/2/Leadership_Compass/2006/LC2006v4n2a3.pdf
We are moving to three semesters instead of four semesters
- The first term ends on Dec 1, 2014
- Report Cards go home Dec 8, 2014
- Parent-Teacher Conferences are Dec 10 & 11, 2014
- you may see some changes in the grade 5 & 6 ELA Categories which have been changed to better reflect how we teach and to make them the same across the district
- Grade 5 no longer has Honor Roll. Grade 6 will have Honor Roll for this year only. There will not be Honor Roll in 2015-2016.
Grades 3-6 will have Standards Based Report Cards in 2015-2016.
We are offering multiple opportunities for families to learn about the new K-2 Report Cards.
- Wednesday November 12 - Parent Council Meeting @ Central Office @ 10am
- We are hoping to be on the agendas at PTA Meetings at Wing (November 20th @ 6:30), Forestdale and Oak Ridge in November
- There will be informational materials at Parent-Teacher conferences
Stop by between 9am and 11am, Curriculum Office at the Superintendent’s Office @ Oak Ridge School
November 17th, November 24th, December 1st, December 8th and December 15th
Please reach out with questions or comments.
Clare Brady, PreK – 6 Math Curriculum Coordinator [email protected]
Maureen Wiklund, PreK-6 ELA Curriculum Coordinator [email protected]
Standards Based Report Card Overview
The Sandwich Standards Based Report Cards have been developed by teams of Sandwich teachers at every grade level, using the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks which reflect the Common Core State Standards. A Standards Based Report Card lists learning objectives for each subject and communicates where each student is on his/her progression to meet the objectives. The report card allows parents and students to clearly understand the expectations at each grade level.
You can learn more about Standards Based Report Cards at: http://www.greatschools.org/students/academic-skills/350-rethinking-report-cards.gs
And
https://www.naesp.org/resources/2/Leadership_Compass/2006/LC2006v4n2a3.pdf
Grateful for our PTA
Last week, every student and staff member enjoyed an energetic and fun filled presentation from "Ooch" sponsored by the PTA. "Ooch" shares a powerful message of positive life choices and delivers it in a very entertaining way with amazing yo-yo tricks and lots of dancing and movement. “Ohhhhhh Yeah!” He modified each of his presentations in a developmentally appropriate way for the K-2nd, 3-4th, and 5-6th grade audiences.
The PTA has great success with Box-tops and Labels for Education. They recently submitted a set of Box Tops that earned the school $624.30. The next submission deadline is November 1st. The Labels for Education helped purchase art supplies for Ms. Edward's art class including paints and brushes. They are also ordering 24 pedometers for Ms. Joy's morning group! Please keep sending in both your Box-tops and Labels - they really make a difference!
The PTA has great success with Box-tops and Labels for Education. They recently submitted a set of Box Tops that earned the school $624.30. The next submission deadline is November 1st. The Labels for Education helped purchase art supplies for Ms. Edward's art class including paints and brushes. They are also ordering 24 pedometers for Ms. Joy's morning group! Please keep sending in both your Box-tops and Labels - they really make a difference!
New Cycle for Specials to begin November 3rd On November 3rd we will enter a new cycle in our specials schedule. This will result in a shift in the "extra" special students are receiving. You will be getting a notice of the changes sent home that will explain how these changes affect your child's specials classes. | Sandwich Learns TogetherRemember to check out the District's new online magazine entitled Sandwich Learns Together. It is a fantastic resource to learn more about the amazing things going on here in Sandwich. Please take some time to peruse the content available on this page and check back often. If you would like to be notified when additions to the magazine are made, you can sign up for email notifications at the bottom of the magazine. Click here to see what is going on in SPS! |
Henry T. Wing School Annual Columbus Day Run
By Wing PE Teachers Elena Novero and Allyson Joy
October 9th 2014 was our annual Columbus Day run. This event has been taking place at the Wing school for the past 20 years and is always a huge success. The students look forward to this run and always enjoy it. This year we were blessed with some fantastic weather and despite some confusion at the start it went off with great success. The run is just about a mile and students in grades 1-6 come out and participate, some teachers even take part in running with their students. At the finish line, each student receives a popsicle stick with the number in which they came in for the race. This year was the first year without the 7th and 8th graders and they were missed, however it did open up the opportunity for 6th grade to receive some of the first few places in the run.
This Columbus Day Run is one of the three mile runs that we do at the school. Our next run is a Turkey Trot, which is held in November. With this run, we pair up with the Toys for Tots and collect new unwrapped toys to be distributed in the Sandwich community.
This Columbus Day Run is one of the three mile runs that we do at the school. Our next run is a Turkey Trot, which is held in November. With this run, we pair up with the Toys for Tots and collect new unwrapped toys to be distributed in the Sandwich community.
Vacations
While we realize it is sometimes necessary to take children out of school for reasons other than illness, every effort should be made to schedule family vacation during school vacation.
Should you have a planned absence for extended periods of time (over five days); please fill out a Student Leave of Absence form available in the office. While students can make up paper assignments, they will miss class time learning activities and discussions. There is nothing that a teacher can send with a family that can duplicate the learning that goes on in the presence of a skilled teacher.
Currently, school procedure is for students to read each day and keep a journal when on a vacation scheduled during school time. Please know that it is not my expectation that teachers will provide "packets" of work for students to complete if a family decides to take an extended vacation during scheduled school days.
Should you have a planned absence for extended periods of time (over five days); please fill out a Student Leave of Absence form available in the office. While students can make up paper assignments, they will miss class time learning activities and discussions. There is nothing that a teacher can send with a family that can duplicate the learning that goes on in the presence of a skilled teacher.
Currently, school procedure is for students to read each day and keep a journal when on a vacation scheduled during school time. Please know that it is not my expectation that teachers will provide "packets" of work for students to complete if a family decides to take an extended vacation during scheduled school days.
Welcome Back and Thank you | Morning Games Class with Ms Joy |