Recently, we presented information to the School Committee on the progress of our Level 4 schools from the site visit monitoring reports prepared by School Works, an independent organization hired by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. While we still have much work to do in Springfield, the good news is the vast majority of our Level 4 schools are making satisfactory progress through the hard work of students, teachers, support staff, administrators and instructional leadership teams. In my view, the collective impact in our Level 4 schools goes beyond the boundaries of their individual schools and is worthy of recognition as a “mission moment.”
Mission moments are opportunities to share affirmations, reflections, encouragement or personal testimony about positive things happening in our school district. As superintendent, I’ve tried to include mission moments as a regular part of our senor leadership, principal and cabinet team meetings. It’s wonderful to hear staff share examples of their direct observations by capturing mission moments in their own words. Simply put, mission moments connect the district's vision, mission and core values with everyday occurrences.
As stakeholders in the school system, we all have a vested interest to take time to reflect upon and reinforce the vision, mission and values of the organization. This is particularly important in the midst of a national climate and culture of naysayers, critics and cynics.
So as we prepare to celebrate this Thanksgiving Holiday, let’s all commit to find time to give thanks to the countless number of educators who are making a difference in the lives of Springfield's students.
Best wishes to all for a safe and happy Thanksgiving holiday with family and friends!
Monday, November 21, 2011
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Reading Success is a Goal Shared by Many
The Campaign for Grade-Level Reading is a long-term effort by foundations to improve third grade reading proficiency for all students and close the gap in reading achievement that separates many low-income students from their more affluent peers. This campaign strives to make grade-level reading proficiency by the end of third grade a national priority.
On Nov. 8, we heard from Ralph Smith, Managing Director for the Campaign for Grade Level Reading and Senior Vice President at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. He emphasized the key levers to improved student reading achievement as: kindergarten readiness, improved student attendance and summer learning opportunities.
Locally, there is much work underway through the "Read! Reading Success by 4th Grade," which has been spearheaded by the Davis Foundation and a host of collaborative partnerships. There are also a number of entities who have come together in working with the district to help address reading achievement through a series of strategies.
Some examples include: Hasbro Games’ summer learning initiative; WGBY’s summer reading program in five elementary schools; Regional Employment Board administration of a program at two Springfield Housing Authority sites funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation (Talk/Read/Succeed which is a placed-based program for children and families with a goal of children’s reading proficiency, parent education partnership and work force development programming); Ready! for Kindergarten (parenting education); Springfield Parent Academy; Springfield museums and libraries; the Springfield Education Association and SPS Collaboration for Change; and high quality early education care to help leverage school readiness across the city.
While there are plenty of challenges and opportunities, there is no shortage of commitment and a willingness to work together on the part of many, to help accelerate reading achievement for all students in Springfield.
On Nov. 8, we heard from Ralph Smith, Managing Director for the Campaign for Grade Level Reading and Senior Vice President at the Annie E. Casey Foundation. He emphasized the key levers to improved student reading achievement as: kindergarten readiness, improved student attendance and summer learning opportunities.
Locally, there is much work underway through the "Read! Reading Success by 4th Grade," which has been spearheaded by the Davis Foundation and a host of collaborative partnerships. There are also a number of entities who have come together in working with the district to help address reading achievement through a series of strategies.
Some examples include: Hasbro Games’ summer learning initiative; WGBY’s summer reading program in five elementary schools; Regional Employment Board administration of a program at two Springfield Housing Authority sites funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation (Talk/Read/Succeed which is a placed-based program for children and families with a goal of children’s reading proficiency, parent education partnership and work force development programming); Ready! for Kindergarten (parenting education); Springfield Parent Academy; Springfield museums and libraries; the Springfield Education Association and SPS Collaboration for Change; and high quality early education care to help leverage school readiness across the city.
While there are plenty of challenges and opportunities, there is no shortage of commitment and a willingness to work together on the part of many, to help accelerate reading achievement for all students in Springfield.
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