As we embark on the second half of the 2011-2012 school year, I would like to take some time to reflect on the year and what has been accomplished while also looking forward to where we are going.
Over the summer, SA received preliminary MCAS data from the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. We immediately identified that our 10th grade students performed very well. However, some of our middle school students struggled. In order to address this, several initiatives were started and put into place for the upcoming school year. An additional reading class was added in eighth grade for students who were identified as struggling readers. A full-time middle school special education teacher was hired to provide individual and small group support both in and out of classes. Finally, we applied for and received a grant that would fund tutoring sessions for both eighth and ninth grade students who scored in the warning or needs improvement categories on the 2011 MCAS. These sessions will begin in early spring 2012.
We kicked off the school year with a New Student Orientation that featured a cookout for new students and their families. Both staff and administration were on hand to meet and greet and to hopefully make the students feel comfortable in their new school. A scavenger hunt also took place and students were awarded SA memorabilia as prizes. The day concluded with a cookout luncheon held in the cafeteria because of the rain. Most of our new students and members of their families were in attendance and we look forward to making this a Smith Academy tradition in the future.
Before all of the students returned, our staff was introduced to the new Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks in Math and English Language Arts. These frameworks were adopted by the state and released to schools in March 2011. This presented us with the opportunity to take a look at our curriculum school wide. All staff members are in the process of reviewing and streamlining their curriculum onto a new universal template that we eventually hope to put online so that the entire community will have access to it. The English and Math curricula have been identified as priorities, and those departments expect to finish their work by the summer of 2012. This is a tremendous amount of work and I am pleased to recognize our staff for their dedication on this project.
Beginning in September, all staff began reviewing the Smith Academy Program of Studies that describes all of the courses offered to our students. Our Program of Studies has not been updated in several years so this really needed to be done. We expect to be completed in the spring of 2012 and hope to make this available online as well.
At the end of the summer, just before all students started their school year, our gymnasium bleachers were refurbished and motorized. Looking ahead to next summer, we are looking to replace all student lockers and to replace the original carpeting in the hallways with new tile floors. Down the road, we are also looking to replace the roof in our building.
New X-Block offerings for students were introduced in September. As Schools Match Wits maintains eight students that prepare for their January 29 match against Pioneer Valley Regional. A SAT review course is currently open for students to sign up for and will begin on Tuesday, January 24. Next year, new X-Blocks that are being explored include a drama club, web page design, SADD, YOU LEAD and a diversity club.
In September, we began practicing mandatory safety drills (fire drills, lockdowns, and bus evacuations) in conjunction with the HFD, HPD, and the Massachusetts State Police. As of this writing, we have completed all planned bus evacuations, but we still have at least one more fire drill and one more lockdown drill to go. Local authorities have commended all staff and students for their participation in these drills.
In the first two weeks of October, all students attended presentations given by our guidance counselor, Mrs. Pescitelli, which was developed by MARC (Massachusetts Aggression Reduction Center), on bullying prevention. Four of our staff members, as mentioned in an earlier blog, have been trained to deliver the Owning Up bullying prevention curriculum. In December, a survey on bullying was sent out to parents to help improve school policy and procedures in SA’s bullying prevention plan.
On October 24, Smith Academy welcomed a distinguished visitor, author Ji-li Jiang, who addressed our students in the gymnasium. The public was also invited. Ms. Jiang is the renowned author of Red Scarf Girl. In this memoir, she narrates the experiences of herself and her family in Shanghai during China's Cultural Revolution in the 1960's. This address, presentation and reception were made possible with a grant from the Hatfield Education Foundation.
In the last week of October, we received results from the SPIFFY (Strategic Planning Initiative for Families and Youth) survey taken by students last spring. The district Health Advisory Council has started to respond to identified needs, and an evening where results are presented to parents will take place in the spring of 2012.
On October 28, an assembly was held so that Smith Academy faculty and staff could celebrate the career and contributions of Ms. Sherry Webb after thirty-six years of service. At this event, the Smith Academy gymnasium was dedicated to Ms. Webb. The official ceremony dedication is planned during the high school basketball season on February 9, 2012 at the boys game against Turners Falls. All are invited to attend.
The fall sports season was a success as our four varsity teams went on to compete in tournament play. While no team made it past the first round, the outlook for the future proved very bright. Currently, our basketball teams are doing well also with the girls’ team at 4-2 and the boys at 6-1.
During the month of November, physical education teacher Ms. Dena Polverari secured a grant from the New England Dairy and Food Council to promote healthy eating and physical activity plans for students at Smith Academy. Ms. Polverari will also be working with Mr. Ron Williams, our food service director, on this project.
Also in November, SA and the local Hatfield Community Television began an agreement to work more closely together and to support each other on various projects. Two immediate results of this project include an increased use of HCTV air time to advertise upcoming school events and the airing of sports games and various other activities. Past events can also be seen online at http://hatfieldtv.pegcentral.com/.
In December, the technology department put into action a long developed plan that allows parents to check their child’s grades online at anytime between report cards. Log-in information was mailed home to all parents and hard copy progress reports are still available upon request during mid-term. The Edline System has been proven a success in many other school districts but please do not hesitate to contact the office with questions or concerns.
Also in December, the community was treated to two shows that were put on by the Music Department. On December 6, Ms. Kathy Marks led the HES and SA Chorus through a concert that received rave reviews. On December 14, Mr. Longstreeth and Mrs. Muellejans put together a band and art show that further demonstrated the importance of the arts at Smith Academy. A sincere thanks to all that attended.
Several committees also started their work in the month of December. One group involves the Student Council and a group of staff members that are working collaboratively to review SA’s policy on the use of handheld electronic devices. With technology changing as rapidly as ever, the goal is to develop guidelines for students that promote the responsible use of technology as well as personal accountability.
Another committee that is starting to take shape addresses the upcoming accreditation process by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. NEASC will visit Smith Academy in fall of 2014. Next year we will begin our year of pre-self study. The first step in this process is to review our school mission statement, now referred to as Core Values, Beliefs, and Learning Expectations. This committee has started to identify SA’s core values and possible mission statement and will be seeking input from the community in late spring 2012.
The last committee that started work in December is an Advisory Design Team. This group, made up of staff and students, will begin the process of implementing student advisories at Smith Academy on a pilot basis in January 2013. Student advisories can be described as structures in which an adult and a small group of students meet regularly for academic guidance, to coordinate between home and school, and to find ways to ensure student success while connecting to a peer group. Some schools have advisory for ten minutes a day so that each student is known well by an adult. Other school advisories meet less frequently but for longer periods of time. Advisories are a new requirement by NEASC but are beneficial to students and schools on a variety of levels.
The School Council, made up of parents, students, and staff, also meets monthly at 6:45 am. The council’s major point of responsibility is to develop and implement the school improvement plan. Our current plan expires at the end of the school year so we will be working on a plan that will take us through 2015. The School Council also has input into most aspects of Smith Academy, including advisory implementation, reviewing the electronic device policy, and addressing the SPIFFY survey results. These are open meetings and the agendas are posted ahead of time. Our next meeting will be held on January 19.
Finally, if you are looking for an easy way to help our school and you grocery shop at Stop and Shop, please go online and sigh up for A+ school rewards. Go to http://www.stopandshop.com/our_stores/bonus_bucks/index.htm and register your Stop and Shop card today. The program expires on March 29, 2012.
While I am sure that I have not included all of the Smith Academy highlights, projects, or initiatives over the last half of the school year, I hope that this updated report is beneficial. Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns. Have a happy and healthy New Year!
Stefan Czaporowski Principal Smith Academy