Superintendent's Newsletter
December 2016
Growth Involves Change
It seems a bit ironic to talk about growth when we are getting smaller as a district, yet growing in terms of getting better and improving always involves change. Schools are dynamic organizations so the change that is involved in improvement can sometimes feel significant.
Our district in many ways has been a leader in the state by responding to declining enrollment with a decision to close a school. This type of a decision is never easy because it represents a change to an existing reality, yet is a responsible fiscal decision that demonstrates a commitment to doing what is best for students. We are not unlike other school districts who are experiencing a significant decline in enrollment that we anticipate will continue. In last month’s newsletter I reviewed the parent focus group that was held on October 24th; you can see a summary of the discussion by going to our district homepage and scrolling down to the bottom of the page on the left to the "Utilization" link. As always your interest in our schools and willingness to take the time to contribute is appreciated and makes us better. Along with the Board of Education I will keep you informed about the the plans regarding the use of the Korn School building as well as the decisions regarding any changes to our existing elementary schools. At this time planning and discussions are on-going and no final decisions have been made on either.
Recently a group of parents asked the Educational Resources Committee of the Board of Education as well as the full Board of Education to make a plan for the completion of the project involving the Field House and lights on the football field and tennis courts. The Board made a commitment at the December 14th meeting to begin exploring the possibility of including it in next year's budget. The best way to get a comprehensive overview of the discussion is to read the minutes of the Board meetings which can be found on our school homepage: http://www.rsd13ct.org/Board-of-Education/Meeting-Schedule-and-Minutes/SY2016-2017/index.html
Enjoy the extra moments of time with your family in the coming week and know that we appreciate your involvement and support of our improvement efforts.
Dr. Veronesi and winners of the MSSA Award Recipients Kaylie LeMere and Garrett Puchalski
Seamus Doyle and Dan Turecek: High School Reimagined Project In the Hall of the House
CRHS senior class trip in Washington, DC
Professional Growth and Learning
Our focus on teaching and learning and how to improve both continue with enthusiasm and dedication as administrators, teacher leaders, teachers, and staff work together to understand and implement changes in the curriculum, refine and improve instructional strategies, and analyze and use results of various forms of assessment. Professional development has been and will continue to be provided to teachers to support their daily work and includes topics such as Reader’s Workshop, instruction in math and science in light of new standards, responding to students' mental health needs, STEM program planning and alignment, and vertical articulation in the Music department.
Super Reading Powers at Lyman
Keys to Reading at Brewster
Looking In Theater at Strong
Come Celebrate!
Our students and staff from the Music Department have done a wonderful job entertaining school guests with their holiday instrumental and vocal concerts. Please join us at Coginchaug High School this Wednesday, December 21st at 7:30 p.m. for the Holiday Concert.
Thanksgiving Football Game
4th Grade Concert at Memorial
Lyman Winter Concert
Community Round-Up Success
The 11th Annual Community Round-Up demonstrated that our school community in collaboration with the local Wellness Coalition and other agencies continues to host one of the most fun and most successful food drives in the area. To see a video on this year’s event: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBTzUwn4UB0&feature=youtu.be
Emergency Notifications
Many of you received the text message asking you to opt-in to text messaging from School Messenger. Please remember that you also need to go into InfoCenter to choose which messages you receive as a text.
If you did not receive a text message, but you provided us your cell phone number or have added your cell phone number to InfoCenter, you can still opt-in. All you have to do is send a text message to phone number 67587 and type the letter Y as the message. You’ll receive a text response letting you know that your opt-in was successful.
Kathryn Y. Veronesi, Ed.D.
Email: kveronesi@rsd13.org
Website: http://www.rsd13ct.org
Phone: (860) 349-7200