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SOUTHWICK-TOLLAND REGIONAL
SCHOOL DISTRICT
REPORT OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
SCHOOL COMMITTEE:
Linda Bathel, Chair 2005
Elizabeth Sullivan, Vice Chair 2006
Charles Condron 2007
Elizabeth St. Pierre 2007
Nancy Stenberg 2005
James Vincent 2006
Theodore Locke, Tolland, Secretary 2007
OFFICE OF THE SUPERINTENDENT OF SCHOOLS:
Thomas E. Witham, Superintendent
Paul R. Petit, Assistant to the Superintendent
For Business and Community Services
Kathleen Lynch, Administrative Assistant
Cynthia Lamoureux, District Accountant
Allison LeClair, Director of Instructional Programs & Grants
Patricia Benoit, Financial Clerk
Diane Enoch, Financial Clerk
Elaine St. Marie, Financial Clerk
SUPERINTENDENT'S OFFICE
(STRSD & GRANVILLE PUBLIC SCHOOLS)
Address: 86 Powder Mill Road, Southwick, MA 01077
Telephone: (413) 569-5391 FAX: (413) 569-1711
School Days: 8:00-4:00
Non-School Days: 8:00-3:30
The office is open daily Monday through Friday except legal holidays. Appointments to see the Superintendent may be made by calling the office.
ADMINISTRATIVE STAFF BY SCHOOL:
Woodland Elementary School (K-4)
Beverly Phaneuf, Principal
Jonathan Rodgers, Assistant Principal
80 Powder Mill Road
Telephone: 569-6598 or 569-1721
Powder Mill Middle School (5-8)
Ronald Peloquin Principal
Charles Joyal, Assistant Principal
94 Powder Mill Road
Telephone: 569-5951 or 569-1713
Southwick-Tolland Regional High (9-12)
Michael Camerota, Principal
Michelle Boudreau, Assistant Principal
93 Feeding Hills Road
Telephone: 569-6171 or 569-1722
Student Services:
Noell Somers, Director
63 Feeding Hills Road
Telephone: 569-0111
SCHOOL CALENDAR
2004/2005
August 31 District Opening - Staff
September 1 Schools Open (Gr. 1-12)
6 Labor Day
October 11 Columbus Day
November 11 Veterans' Day
24 1/2 Day
25-26 Thanksgiving Holiday
December 24 - January 1, 2004 Holiday Vacation
January 3 SCHOOLS REOPEN
17 Martin Luther King Day
February 21-25 Mid-Winter Vacation
March 25 Good Friday
April 18-22 Spring Vacation
May 30 Memorial Day
June 16 LAST DAY
23 5 Snow Days
Schools Close June 16 or whenever 180 days have been completed.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF NO SCHOOL:
Closing school because of weather conditions or other emergencies will be broadcast over radio stations WTIC-1080 am; WAQY-102; WMAS-1450 am, 94.7 fm; WPKX-97.9 fm; WHYN 560 am, 93.1 fm; and
TV stations WWLP (22); WGGB (40) and CBS(3).
DELAYED OPENING:
When the School Opening is being delayed it will be announced over the local radio and TV stations.
1. Buses will run two hours later, depending on the announcement.
2. Classes will start later.
3. Lunch will be served at the usual time.
4. Dismissal will be at the usual time.
5. Morning Pre-school and Kindergarten classes will not be held.
If a delay is announced, it will be best for parents to continue to listen for further announcements since the delay is also used when weather and road conditions are uncertain or are in a period of change.
ATTENDANCE:
School attendance is required by law but equally important is regular attendance. Illness should be the only excuse for being out of school. If your son/daughter is ill, it would be appreciated if you would notify the school by calling the school office.
SCHOOL DIRECTORY
WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Beverly Phaneuf, Principal, CAGS
Jonathan Rodgers, Assistant Principal, CAGS
Lynn Adzima, M45 Brenda Allan, M45 Lenora Anderson, M Marlene Bach, OT, B15 Lois
Baetens, M45 Patricia Bessette, B15 Candis Bloomrose, M45 Mary Lou Chunglo, M45 Christina DeLoreto, B15 Mary K. Devine, CAGS Charlene Diaz, METCO Joyce Dintzner, CAGS Lauren Dion, M Cynthia Drapeau, M45 Julie Ethier, M45 Mary Fernandez-Sierra,M Judith Fortier, M45 Debra Gardner, M45 Barbara Garri, CAGS Susan Garvey, B
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Diane Graham, M45 Debbie Hartman, B15,LOA Johanna Halbeisen, M/2 Nanette Higgins,
M Pauline Jones, M Susan Jurgenson, M Christine Keefe, M30 Lori LeClair, M Shawn Ostertfund, CAGS Debra Patryn, M Andrea Prova, B Deberlee Rice, M45 Sandra Santinello, B15 Pennie Sibley, M Darcy Slessler, B Judith Spytek, CAGS Kerry Streeter, M Bonnie Whalley, M30 Joann Welch, CAGS Deborah Woodford, M/2 |
PRESCHOOL:
Donna Shea, M45
Barbara Price, M
Kristin Joyal, M, .5
TEACHER ASSISTANTS:
Heather Allen Rebecca Bergeron* Maureen Berry* Bridget Brennan Debra Cloutier Katherine Cronin Adrienne Daniels* Lois Dittrich Mary Drummond* Linda Faust* Melissa Fitzsimmons Judith Frenette Cynthia Grannells* Carol Haskins* Jacqueline Hebert* Deborah Higgins* Susan Hosmer-Pitts* Gloria Howard |
Bonnie Jones Brenda Kaputa* Laura Kinney Brad Kreikamp* Dawn Labarre* Robert Lataille Sharon Messenger, Office Heather Ramsey Susan Quinn* Lorie Tencati, Technology Rebecca Thomas Virginia Ruscitti* Judith Stearns Elizabeth Taylor Clara Valdes Nadine Ward Nichole Ward* Paula Young* |
*Denotes Special Education Funded
POWDER MILL MIDDLE SCHOOL
Ronald Peloquin, Principal, M
Charles Joyal, Assistant Principal
Mark Archambeault, B15 Kathleen Arduini, M Gail Arslanian, B15 Fred Baker,
M Michelle Barnes, M Susan Barnett, M Marisa Blais, B15 Richard Burke, M30 Richard Carra, M30 Robert Casinghino, M Charles Emery, M Ramona Flynn, M/2 Sharon Fouche, M45 Pamela Gentile, M, LOA Edward Goddard, CAGS Beth Grady, M Laura Hendrickson, M Emma Hynes, M Patricia Labulis, M Joanne Mahoney, B15 Elizabeth Marcinowski, M45 Isabel Marshall, B15 Phyllis McCullough, M/2 |
Kimberly Christenson, M Kevin Clark, B15 Thomas Condon, B15 Patrick Connors,
M Christine Coz, M Zach Danziger, M Terrance Day, M Jane DeBarbieri, M45 Marlene DeJesus, M Ramona Dumont, B Olga Michael, M Abdoulaye Ngom,M Susan Pac, M45 Aaron Pearsons, B James Pickering, B Vanessa Radke-Yam, M Marsha Ramah, M45 Katherine Schlichtig, M Philip Sousa, B15 Janice Tingley, B15 Art Travis, M Joyce Vanderleeden, M John Vershon, M45 |
PMMS TEACHER ASSISTANTS:
Nancy Beausoleil, Guidance Lesley Bradbury* Crystal Brooks* Irene Colvin* Theresa
Gonet* Denise Hills-McGarry, Media Gail Johnson, Office |
Sandra Matroni* Donna Phillips* Alina Piskorowski* Anne Poulo* Colleen Reyes, Technology Betty Soper* Jason Young |
*Denotes Special Education Funded
SOUTHWICK-TOLLAND REGIONAL HIGH
Michael Camerota, Principal, M/2
Michelle Boudreau, Assistant Principal, M
James Ash, B15 Diane Bazyk, M45 Diane Alicia Belanger, M Sandra Blackak,
B Geraldine Bliven, M Ann Marie Briggs, B15 Andrew Charko, B Marcy Coviello, M, .5 Lynn Centore, M45 Kathryn Chandler, B15 Peter DeMello, B15 Erin Daugherty, B Mary Downie, M Todd Downie, M Daniel Eplite, B15 Van Farrier, M30 Judy Friel, M30 Michael Garcia, M Marie Galanek, M Jane Glushik, CAGS Christine Granfield, CAGS Janis Grimaldi-Ogden, B15 Janet Grunwald, M David Hendrickson, B15 Linda Jacobs, M45 Jason Jean, B15 David Jones, CAGS |
Mary Louise Kearns, M/2 Melanie Kellogg, M/2 Joanne Krawczyk, M45 Matthew LaBlanc, M Gary Larese, CAGS Paula LeBlanc, M45 George LeBlanc, CAGS Astrid Lindstrom, M Wayne Lis, B15 Pamela Mahoney, M Maryanne Margiotta, M Andrew Mojkowski, B Frank Montagna, B Ann Murphy, M Lawrence O'Connor, B Carol O’Donnell, M45 Marsha Owczarski, M Susan Pelligrinelli, B Amy Pomeroy, B George Romeo, M Constance Rota, M Frank Rucki, B15 John Tarpinian, M45 Maria Vasquez, B David Wallis, B Shamis White, M, .5 Barbara Wrega, B |
TEACHER ASSISTANTS:
Linda Bodman, Media Michelle Case* Patricia Cloutier* Richard DelBarba Linnea
Lamoureux, Office J.R. Richard LeBlanc Carolyn Locke* |
Eileen Kleis Luann Savva Barbara Tatro* Carol Winters*
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*Denotes Special Education Funded
ALTERNATIVE PROGRAM:
Morgan Gall, M30
Marie Alamed, T.A*.
SECRETARIES:
Frances Allen, WES Phyllis Cain, WES
Karen Stubbs, PMMS Barbara Antonellis, PMMS
Joanne Sico, STRHS Cathleen Woodman, STRHS
Linda Barthelette, STRHS Guidance
Carol Drapeau, Special Needs
DIRECTOR OF STUDENT SERVICES:
Noell Somers, Director, M
Janet Caruso, School Psychologist, CAGS
Robin Bennett, Speech, M
Robin Berube, 1/2 Time School Psychologist, CAGS
Mary Patricia Cullen, M, Autism Specialist
Marilyn Holcomb, M, Teacher of Visually Impaired
Dana Parenzo, T.A., Wsfld. Voke
HEALTH:
Mary Ellen Reed-Yopak, R.N. School Nurse Leader
Dawn Turgeon, R.N., STRHS
Catherine Caruso-Draghetti, R.N., PMMS
Rene Wiater, R.N., WES
MAINTENANCE & CUSTODIAL:
Eric Morgan, Supervisor
Roxanne D’Amours, PMMS Edwin Enoch, PT, Technology Thomas Gavin, PMMS Daniel Kelly, WES Diane Lavertue, PMMS Candace Most, PT, STRHS |
Craig McLaughlin, WES Kenneth Phillips, Maintenance Carey Tancrati, STRHS William Tessicini, STRHS James Villecco, PT, WES George Favreau, Maintenance
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BUS DRIVERS:
Ray Snow, Supervisor and Head of Bus Maintenance
Norman Boucher, Mechanic/Driver
Fred Baceski Linda Bathel Michael Bannish Avola Berndt Laurie Berry, Van Carol Burns Stanley Brzoska Carol Calabrese Laurie Crepeau, Van Christine Creswell Margaret Creswell Theresa Davidson Nancy Detraglia, Monitor Charles Dunlap William Fors Christine Fortier Cynthia Hersey, Van |
Donald Holmes, Van Lynn Holmes Luther Hosmer Mary Kibby Sheryl
Longhi, Trainer Carolyn Malochleb Francis Mason Don Morris Sandra Pepe, Monitor Kimberly Petit Jennifer Ryan Cynthia Saulenas, Van Joseph Smith Mary Smith Laurie Straut Bobbie Joe
Thibault Suzanne Wendzel Karen Wzorek |
CAFETERIA:
Kathleen Jorgensen, Director
Deborah Dunn, Secretary Jean Despard, PMMS Mgr.
Barbara Hall, STRHS Mgr. JoAnne Ferris, WES
Linda Pepper, PMMS Colleen Smith, WES Mgr. Theodora Herbele, STRHS
PART-TIME HELPERS:
Helena Dudley, PMMS Terese O’Neil, WES Dana Legault, STRHS Dorcas Zomek, STRHS Carolea Hayden, STRHS Carrie Slaimen, PMMS |
Rebecca Emerson, WES Gloria Penney, PMMS Dawn Plucker, WES Jacqulin Velez, STRHS Susan Case, WES |
SOUTHWICK-TOLLAND R.S.D.
PER PUPIL TUITION CHARGES
The FY2005 tuition charges between the Granville School District and the Southwick-Tolland Regional School District for students that attend each other’s school district is calculated by a formula delineated in an agreement dated March 9, 2004.
The agreement utilizes a five-year average student enrollment coupled with a three-year average tuition. This averaging helps to stabilize the tuition costs from year to year. The per pupil tuition charges, therefore, can be looked at in two different ways – either as an average tuition or as the actual by taking the current year’s charges divided by the actual number of students enrolled.
The per pupil tuition charge for Granville students going to Southwick-Tolland Regional High School is as follows:
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Actual Per Pupil Tuition |
Tolland Students at |
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Granville Village school |
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$6,488 |
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Granville Students at |
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Southwick-Tolland Regional High |
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$6,450 |
FUNDED PROGRAMS 2002-2003
IDEA |
Expanding Special Education |
$400,440 |
Noell Somers |
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TITLE VIB EARLY CHILDHOOD |
Development of Early Childhood Program |
$11,036 |
Noell Somers |
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TITLE I |
Emphasis on Intensifying Instruction of Reading |
$89,178 |
Allison LeClair |
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SPECIAL ED. SUPPORT |
Access to curriculum |
$10,230 |
Noell Somers |
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TITLE V |
Innovative Programs |
$3,487 |
Allison Leclair |
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METCO |
Racial Imbalance Program |
$108,230 |
Allison Leclair |
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DRUG FREE SCHOOLS |
Substance Abuse & Violence Prevention |
$7,023 |
Allison LeClair |
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TITLE II |
Formerly Eisenhower |
$53,422 |
Allison LeClair |
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TITLE II |
Enhancing Education Through Technology |
$3,919 |
Allison LeClair |
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ACADEMIC SUPPORT SERVICES |
MCAS Tutoring & Summer School |
$12,373 |
Allison LeClair |
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ENHANCED SCHOOL HEALTH |
School Nurses |
$51,360 |
M.E. Yopak |
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RIVER WEST SCHOOL TO CAREER PARTNERSHIP |
School to Career Programs |
$1,369 |
Allison Leclair |
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COMMUNITY SERVICE CONTRACT |
Expelled & Suspended Youth in W. Mass. |
$195,000 |
Allison LeClair |
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SPED ASSISTANCE: SPED PROGRAM REVIEW |
MA DOE Audit Assistance |
$3,000 |
Allison LeClair |
REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
2004 brought many changes to the Southwick Tolland Regional Schools. First, is the departure of former superintendent, Gary Mala, who left in March to take a new position in Connecticut. His shoes were filled by Bev Phaneuf acting as both interim superintendent and Woodland Elementary principal. The district sends thanks to Mrs. Phaneuf for a job well done.
I was hired as the new superintendent and began the transitioning immediately. Although my actual start date was not until July 1, 2004, I managed to work with the district on several issues prior to that time. Getting up to speed on the building and renovation project was the first priority.
There were two other administrative changes made in the district. We welcomed Jonathan Rodgers as the new assistant principal at Woodland Elementary School. He came to us from Ludlow, MA with strong credentials in administration, special education, and early childhood education. Mr. Rodgers has been a welcome breath of fresh air to the district.
The high school saw John Miller leave to become principal at Cathedral High School. Everyone was happy for his success and wished him well. Mr. Miller was succeeded by Michelle Boudreau. She comes to us from Southbridge, MA with administrative experience in administering an alternative educational setting. Her background also contains strong experience in special education and teacher evaluation. We are enjoying working with her and hope to continue our relationship for many years.
Other than administrative personnel changes the largest challenge has been the building project. Many thanks are owed to the Building Committee, under the chairmanship of David Kononitz, who tirelessly worked to put forth a project that would improve our buildings’ maintenance and solve an enrollment problem. After much controversy and many presentations, the voters at Town Meeting in November chose not to support the plan to place modular classrooms at Powder Mill Middle School and move the fourth grade into a newly created Intermediate School housed within the middle school. Now, in 2005, we are faced with finding a new solution that will handle the large student body at Woodland Elementary School.
The Southwick- Tolland Regional High School completed its two year long accreditation process. I am happy to say that they have received their accreditation from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). Although we have received continued accreditation, we have been placed on warning status in the areas of assessment and community resources. Teachers and administrators are working to improve assessment procedures and opportunities for students. This will be a long, gradual process as teachers investigate and change their methods of assessing students.
The main issues causing our warning status for the Community Resources Standard center on the lack of funding for our schools. Statistics are cited that show we are well below state and federal per pupil cost averages. The lack of up-to-date science labs was another concern. They all need serious renovations to properly teach a twenty-first century science program. Principal Camerota, and his NEASC Follow-up Committee, must file a progress report on steps to correct these issues in the spring of 2005 and a two year report in the fall of 2006.
High Stakes testing, otherwise known as the MCAS tests, continues to maintain a high priority within the district. I am happy to say that all schools met their required targets, or what is commonly known as AYP (Annual Yearly Progress). Analysis of our test results has prompted MCAS support classes at the high school and a change in the schedule at the middle school to increase the focus on mathematics.
Curriculum work in all major areas has been completed and is now being collated, typed and will be posted on our newly organized website (http://strsd.southwick.ma.us). Constant curriculum review is a must and we are beginning the process of connecting teachers, building to building.
Please take note of our website. It grows every week as we identify more documents and information that we believe will help the general public, parents and students identify with our schools. Some things you can expect to see are School Committee agendas and minutes, district policies, professional development opportunities, school lunch menus, and the school calendar. We even hope to get the parent/student handbooks up on the web for next year.
This is an overview of some of the activities taking place this year. I am very fortunate to be associated with this wonderful school system where there is an exceptional administrative team leading dedicated teachers in the quest to provide a high quality education for the students. Decisions are being made that put the children first. We will all continue to strive for excellence and seek to ensure that all students receive an appropriate, high quality education.
Respectfully submitted,
Thomas E. Witham
Superintendent of Schools
REPORT OF THE SECRETARY OF THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE
The 2003/2004 school year was a mixed year for the school district. Financially the state increased our transportation and Chapter 70 funding. The school committee was able to restore some of the cuts in program and positions that were made in prior years because of cuts in state funding. Also this took off some of the pressure for large increases in both of the town’s assessments.
The State School Building Assistance Bureau (SBAB) was moved from the Dept. of Education to the Treasurer’s office. This means that there will be no state assistance for any building projects until at least 2007. Because of this the Building committee was charted to come up with a new plan to solve our space and maintenance issues. In the spring of 2004 they came out with a 5 million dollar project that would put 7 modular classrooms onto Powder Mill and redo the roofs, replace all doors and windows at all three schools.
The Curriculum Committee continued to update and align all curricular areas. The new math curriculum was put in and textbooks were purchased. We have started to see improvement in the Math results on the MCAS at all schools. This improvement will continue as the students spend more time in the new curriculum and alignment.
December 2003 Gary Mala announced that he was leaving his job as superintendent. The school committee immediately started a search for his replacement. Mr. Mala left at the end of March and we turned to Beverly Phaneuf to be the interim superintendent until we could hire and bring in a replacement. In May we hired Tomas Witham to be our new superintendent. Tom started on July 1st. I would like to acknowledge the hard work that Beverly did - not only doing the job as principal of Woodland but covering the superintendent job. Also I would like to acknowledge the work done by the administrative staff in the District office and their long and hard hours in taking up the slack during this time.
This year we also had the NEASC accreditation team visit. The hard work that was done in the High School really paid off when the visit went off without any problems. We had some very good comments at the exit presentation by the team.
I would like to thank all of the volunteers who are involved in our schools. They make a big difference in filling the gaps that come up and enhancing the atmosphere in our schools. There still is a lack of involvement on members of our communities in coming out to the school committee meetings. We do welcome their input and seek it.
Respectfully submitted,
Theodore Locke, Secretary
Southwick-Tolland Regional School District.
WOODLAND ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
ANNUAL REPORT
As Principal of Woodland Elementary School it is my pleasure to submit the annual report for 2004. Working with the School Council, we are guided by the goals and objectives defined in our School Improvement Plan. This advisory board helps identify school needs, and offers budgetary recommendations.
School Council members include:
Beverly Phaneuf, Principal, Co-Chair
Lois Baetens, Teacher, Co-Chair
Bridget Felix, Parent, Secretary
Diana King, Parent
Michelle Munday, Teacher
Patty Bessette, Teacher
Lora Monroe, Parent
Sharon Cournoyer, Parent
Jennifer Kavrakis, Community Rep.
The School Improvement Plan outlines the following school-wide initiatives:
· To improve school climate.
· To develop a program to recognize student/staff accomplishments.
· To maintain AYP in Mathematics and English Language Arts for all students in third and fourth grade.
We began our work on the school climate initiative by surveying students, staff and parents. Once results were compiled and analyzed by the School Council, an action plan was drafted to respond to concerns. A procedure to recognize staff accomplishments has been developed and will be put into place in January 2005. We received the Department of Education notification that Woodland had met “Adequate Yearly Progress” for 2004 in the fall.
We adopted a new District mathematics curriculum in January and purchased an Everyday Mathematics Program for K-4. Everyday Mathematics is a comprehensive and balanced program that teaches basic arithmetic skills, as well as a broad range of concepts, including data and probability, geometry and spacial sense, measurement, numeration and order, operations, patterns, functions and sequence.
In February, we wished Helen Nadeau all the best as she retired from teaching after 34 years with the Southwick-Tolland Regional School District. We formed an elementary band directed by Mr. Garcia. Fourth graders, who had begun music lessons in October with students from Westfield State College, were invited to join rehearsals held before school on Tuesdays. Their musical accomplishments were highlighted in a combined concert with the high school jazz band at the end of the year.
Family and friends gathered for our sixth annual ziti dinner and auction in April. Classroom “theme” baskets, gift certificates and household items were just some of the things up for bid. Over seven thousand dollars was raised through the efforts of P.T.O. Work on the “Paint the Walls” project continued throughout the year. Selecting a “town common” theme our volunteer artists added colorful murals to the cafeteria walls over the summer months. When students returned to school in September, an orange moving van at the back of the room held a message board. A big red school house, with flag flying, marked the doorway for 2nd grade. A variety of shops and whimsical characters decorated the once plain white walls.
A number of other changes were also in place in September. We welcomed Jon Rodgers as our new Assistant Principal. Jon had served as School Psychologist and Early Childhood Director in Ludlow before coming to Woodland. New curriculum documents had been approved by the School Committee in all major content areas and new textbooks were in place in all classrooms.
When the 2004 MCAS results were published, we reported seventy-one percent (71%) of our third graders as “Proficient” readers, twenty-five percent (25%) received “Needs Improvement” and five percent (5%) received “Warning” status. On the fourth grade English Language Arts test, sixty-five percent (65%) of students received “Advanced” or “Proficient” scores, thirty percent (30%) received “Needs Improvement” and five percent (5%) received “Warning”. In mathematics, forty-four percent (44%) of fourth graders received “Advanced” or “Proficient”, forty-eight percent (48%) received “Needs Improvement” and eight percent (8%) received “Warning”.
Our first annual golf tournament was held on a chilly Saturday in October at the Southwick Country Club. Parents and friends came out to “Swing for Our School” and raised the funds needed to purchase “sound proofing” panels for the school cafeteria.
“Honoring Those Who Serve” was the theme for our Veterans Day Program in November. Our guest speaker was Senior Master Sgt. Gary Allen, Jr. Joining our celebration were Commander Ron Hodgkiss, Past Commander John Andres, Trygue Peterson, and Ted Ryan from VFW 872 and Norm Crowley from American Legion Post 338 of Southwick.
In December a group of third graders spearheaded a campaign to raise enough money to purchase an Ark full of animals for people in need. The students read the story of “Faith the Cow”, which tells about the first Heifer Project to children in other classrooms. Having set a goal to raise $5,000, they placed “cow” cans to collect coins throughout the building and read the commercials they wrote promoting their project as part of morning announcements. With everyone’s help, the school raised $3922.94. An anonymous donor provided the rest. The check for the purchase of an ark was mailed to Heifer International on the last day of school in December.
This has been an exciting and productive year. Our volunteer program continued to flourish. Our P.T.O. has been especially supportive as we struggled with both space and financial concerns. Working together we continue to create an outstanding environment in which to work and to learn.
Respectfully submitted,
Beverly Phaneuf, Principal
POWDER MILL MIDDLE SCHOOL
ANNUAL REPORT
The administration and staff begin each school year, reviewing the first release of MCAS data. Upon clear evaluation, we make programmatic adjustments that will assist students in maximizing their potential. Our emphasis on writing and application based mathematics, during the 2003/04 school year, had an impact on student performance during the springtime 2004 MCAS testing cycle. Performance scores are noted below:
During the 2004/05 school year we instituted a number of new programs and continued to strengthen those launched during the previous year. As we approach a new testing cycle we believe that these changes will once again yield positive results.
Student performance scores on the “MCAS”, (Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment), provides data to the federally based performance assessment program known as “No Child Left Behind.” This initiative contains a requirement that all students be Proficient or Advanced in English Language Arts and Mathematics by the 2013-2014. It also contains a requirement that all students make “AYP”, (Adequate Yearly Progress). The aggregate student population at Powder Mill Middle School has done well in meeting or exceeding the performance requirements outlined in the NCLB initiative. During the 2004/05 school year, we have placed specific focus on programmatic changes that will help students in a subgroup population attain performance levels specified and that will keep them in pace
with these outlined requirements. One such initiative was the development and implementation of our “AMAB”, (Advisory Mathematics Activity Block) program. All teachers and administrators in the building meet with students forty minutes per week to assist them in building mathematical problem solving strategies. Our focus has been on open response problems with a specific attention to developing student critical thinking skills. We are particularly proud of this program and believe that it will yield positive results for our students at the middle school.
 We continue to believe in the importance of maintaining a positive learning environment at the middle school. A respectful learning community creates a solid foundation on which to build healthy programs. As a result of this philosophy, we continued, during the 2004/05 school year, to support programs that insure student safety and create classrooms where children can learn and teachers can teach.
Support programs, such as Advisory Mathematics Activity Block, Fall Writing, and the newly acquired internet based “Study Island MCAS Preparatory”, are readily available to our students at the middle school. Students have access to learning activities, both within and outside the school day, that are designed to develop skills in Mathematics, English Language Arts, and Science Engineering/Technology. Learning must not be limited to the confines of the school day. It is a collaborative effort between school and home that will make the difference and help our children to excel. During the 2004/05 school year we have continued to emphasize the importance of this relationship.
A vital part of our learning community continues to be our school council. This year’s membership includes:
Ron Peloquin, Principal
Chad Joyal, Assistant Principal
Jim Pickering, Teacher
Karen Contois, Parent
Bernadette Bain, Parent
Victoria Hickey, Parent
Marsha Ramah, Teacher
Jane DeBarbieri, Teacher
Allison LeClair, Community Member
Our School Improvement Plan for the 2004/05 school year has been outlined below:
Goal #1
All Students Proficient or Advanced in Reading/English Language Arts and Mathematics by 2013-2014
Specific Objective:
To introduce teaching and learning strategies leading to grade level student mastery in the areas of reading and writing, support teaching instructional methodology that provides opportunity for learning for all ability levels, application based mathematics program at all grade levels, and improve MCAS performance scores for all students.
Goal #2
All Students Educated in Learning Environments that are Safe, Drug-Free and Conducive to Learning
Specific Objective:
To expand implementation of a successful bullying prevention program and safety program at the middle school. Through expanded implementation, secure the creation of a healthy education environment which enables all students to achieve at optimal level.
Goal #3
All Students Graduate from High School
Specific Objective:
Expand articulation and dissemination of student data throughout the K-12 continuum. Coordinate curriculum and instruction in all content areas leading to a more seamless transition from year to year and level to level.
Goal #4
All Students Taught by High Qualified Teachers by 2005/06
Specific Objective:
To advance teacher skill level, access to most current practice, professional development specific to instructional methodology required by newly employed curriculum.
Educational programming and the art of teaching is ever evolving. At Powder Mill Middle School we strive to remain current in practice, employ data driven change and remain strongly committed to excellence in education. With the support of our parents and community we have made substantial strides towards securing the best possible educational experience for the children of Southwick. We will continue to set high standard for our students and ourselves.
Respectfully submitted,
Ronald W. Peloquin, Principal
POWDER MILL MIDDLE SCHOOL
STUDENT ACTIVITY FUND ACCOUNTING
Balance June 30, 2003...............................$25,646.64
Received...................................................$118,945.77
Expended..................................................$124,642.05
Balance June 30, 2004...............................$19,950.36
SOUTHWICK-TOLLAND REGIONAL HIGH SCHOOL ANNUAL REPORT
I am pleased to submit my second report as Principal of Southwick-Tolland Regional High School. In my short tenure of two years, I have witnessed the dedication of the School Committee, the district administration, the professional staff of the high school, the School Council, the students, and their parents. We are working together to transform Southwick-Tolland Regional High School into a learning community characterized by high expectations and high standards. We continue in our mission as a school:
Southwick-Tolland Regional High School strives to provide a safe, supportive, respectful environment dedicated to the academic, personal, and cultural evolution of every student.
To this end, we effectuated a number of changes to enhance learning and to promote the safety of students:
· The addition of an Integrated Mathematics Program to our Mathematics curriculum, focusing on practical applications and preparing students for the MCAS tests.
· The establishment of an after-school MCAS Tutorial Program.
· The elimination of the lunch privilege, by which students could leave school in their automobiles during lunch.
· The establishment of three lunch waves, making the lunch periods less frenetic and less crowded.
· The shortening of the lunch periods from forty minutes to thirty minutes, adding to time on learning.
· The establishment of a Step Discipline Program, clearly defining discipline responsibilities, establishing procedures for monitoring classroom behaviors, and prescribing early interventions.
· The implementation of a Video Use Policy, which establishes guidelines for the use of videos/DVDs and links their usage to the curriculum and instructional objectives.
· The creation of an Academic Integrity Policy, which clearly defines plagiarism/cheating, prescribes penalties, and identifies the responsibilities of faculty and students in maintaining academic integrity.
More importantly, a team from the New England Association of Schools and Colleges visited the high school last May and evaluated our program. The Report of the Visiting Committee was then reviewed by the Commission on Secondary Schools, which voted to continue our accreditation with warning status in two areas: Instruction and Community Resources for Learning. A warning indicates there are deficiencies in adherence to one or more of the Standards of Accreditation. Accordingly, we must submit a Special Progress Report to the Commission by July 1, 2005. This report must indicate how a number of recommendations made by the Report of the Visiting Team have been addressed. Some of these recommendations include the following:
· Engage teachers in designing and implementing a systematic, long-range professional development plan based on the school’s academic expectations, identified needs, and “best practices” to broaden and enhance the instructional and assessment strategies used by teachers.
· Design and implement a formal process for teachers to dialogue about “best practices,” share instructional strategies, and examine student work to improve instruction and student learning.
· Report on steps taken to ensure an adequate and dependable source of revenue to provide and maintain appropriate school programs, personnel, services, facilities, equipment, technological support, materials, and supplies for student learning.
The Commission also commended Southwick-Tolland Regional High School for a number of reasons, including the following:
· The safe, positive, and respectful environment designed to support learning.
· The use of technology to support instruction and to improve student learning.
· The many high quality opportunities to extend learning beyond the normal course offerings and the school campus.
· The many creative and informal ways that all faculty, staff, and professionals, in addition to the guidance department, personally connect with every student.
· The authentic assessment opportunities provided by student internships and coordinated job placements.
· The school community for its consistent recognition and celebration of student success.
Accordingly, we have established a number of goals as we try to transform Southwick-Tolland Regional High School into a school of the 21st Century. They include:
· Improving school climate.
· Establishing a learning culture of collaboration and reflection.
· Improving instruction within the eighty-five minute block.
· Improving assessment and employing alternative assessments (portfolios, rubrics, authentic).
· Ensuring that the Mission and Expectations for Student learning are woven into the culture of the school.
· Ensuring that the curriculum is aligned with the Mission and Expectations for Student Learning.
· Ensuring that the Expectations for Student Learning drive decisions about content, instruction and assessment.
· Employing school-wide rubrics to measure student success in achieving the Expectations for Student Learning.
Those Expectations for Student Learning have been clearly identified and require all students to:
· Read, write and communicate effectively in English.
· Develop communication skills in a second language.
· Develop an appreciation and understanding of other cultures.
· Use mathematics, computers and technologies effectively.
· Identify, define, analyze and solve problems.
· Explore and express ideas through the arts.
· Acquire, process, apply and integrate knowledge.
· Attend regularly, participate, study and work effectively.
· Demonstrate personal, educational, social and civic responsibility.
Each of these Expectations for Student Learning must be measurable, demonstrating that we are accomplishing what we profess as an educational institution.
Moreover, the Southwick-Tolland Regional High School Council is guided by the goals and objectives defined by the School Improvement Plan. The Council’s role is to identify school needs including budgetary recommendations. School Council members included:
Kelly Glista, Student
Katie O’Meara, Student
Amy Rapisarda, Student
Wayne Lis, Teacher
Amy Pomeroy, Teacher
Mary Louise Kearns, Teacher
Valerie Dulude, Parent
Joseph Molta, Alumni Representative
Russell Pike, Community Rep. & Co-Chair
Kirk Sanders, Parent
Susan Hepburn, Parent
Michael Camerota, Principal and Co-Chair
The School Improvement Plan outlines the following school-wide goals:
· Enhance educational excellence.
· Develop and implement programs for civility, safety, and responsibility.
· Sustain and increase student, parent, and community involvement in the life of the school.
· Continue to promote and provide professional development for staff.
This marked the seventh year we have administered the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS) tests to all tenth grade students. Student performance on the tests, particularly in Mathematics, continues to improve. Those, who have not met the competency determination (score of 220), continue to be offered a variety of methods and opportunities to meet this passing grade, including retests and a portfolio appeal which contains samples of student work and attests to their competency. To date, no student has failed to graduate because of the MCAS competency requirement.
The number of graduates in the Class of 2004 was 124. Of these, 82% furthered their education at college or technical school; 2% entered military service; 7% sought employment; and 9% were undecided. Graduates attended a number of schools including: Holyoke Community College, Westfield State College, University of Massachusetts, American International College, Western New England College, Bay Path College, Bentley College, Elms College, Duquesne University, Fairfield University, Ithaca College, Marist College, Massachusetts College of Art, Northeastern University, Siena College, United States Merchant Marine Academy, Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Southwick-Tolland Regional High School is committed to the education of the entire person by providing a wide variety of co-curricular programs. Student Council, Students Against Destructive Decisions (SADD), Math Team, As Schools Match Wits, Debate, Model Congress, Mock Trial, Voice of Democracy, World Affairs Seminar, Hugh O’Brien Youth Program, Interact Club, Scanner (yearbook), Spectator (newspaper), Probe (literary magazine), Visual and Performing Arts Festival, Art-All State, Music All-State, Dual Enrollment and numerous athletic teams and competitions enrich the lives of our students. The Renaissance Program, the Principal’s Awards for Academic Excellence, the Anabasis Chapter of the National Honor Society, the Richard Atkinson Scholarship, the Teachers’ Scholarship Fund, and teacher
commendations encourage and promote academic, civic, and cultural excellence.
The Diversified Learning/Business Education Alliance continued to bridge the school community and the world of work. A number of students participated in the internship program and external grants provided monies for teachers to attend Business Education Alliance externships. The Recognition Reception for students and their mentors was well attended by parents and friends of the Diversified Learning students.
The Fine Arts Department hosted many events during the school year. Events included the Pops Concert, Winter Concert and Art Show, One Act Plays, a Drama Club production and a musical.
Athletics, the other half of education, continues to play an important role in the lives of our student-athletes. Approximately 305 student-athletes participated in a number of sports:
· The Wrestling Team won the Western Massachusetts Championship
· The Girls’ Track Team had an individual win at the Western Massachusetts Division II 200m relay
· The Golf Team was Valley League Champion with a record of 19-1
· The Boys’ Soccer Team won the Holley League Title
· The Girls’ Soccer Team, the Boys’ Basketball Team and the Field Hockey Team all advanced to the Western Massachusetts Tournament
In closing, we have accomplished a great deal as a school, and we have much to accomplish as we continue to transform our school into a learning community for the 21st century. In the words of the Chinese philosopher, Lao-tzu:
A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.
Respectfully Submitted,
Michael J. Camerota, Principal
Student Activity Fund Accounting
Balance July 1, 2003...................$69,272.69
Received...................................$135,836.07
Expended..................................$143,299.65
Balance June 30, 2004...............$61,809.11
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