KING UPDATE
September 25, 2019
Update
I followed-up with Dr. Tremblay about the concerns mentioned at the PTO meeting. Here is the response.
September 25, 2019
Dear King Elementary School Community:
I hope this letter finds you well and adjusting to the new school year despite the transportation challenges and EEE threat that we are ALL trying so hard to manage. Given the change in leadership at King Elementary School and some changes in programming that may not have been brought to your attention previously, I thought an update from me directly would be helpful on some topics of interest, specifically as they relate to the King community.
STEAM at King
Last January I hosted a voluntary Brainstorming Session with King families to talk about some innovative ideas for a school that has committed itself to the powerful integration of science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEAM). During our meeting, we identified the need for increased project-based learning, more critical thinking and problem-solving, ways to measure success, and opportunities to partner King with businesses and organizations that lead STEAM work in our region. We discussed deepening the Makerspace classroom model and resources and better aligning and expanding the curriculum to support the great work that has been taking place.
In an effort to take action on our discussion, Amy Bright, Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Education, and I now meet twice each month with Dr. Lackard, Ms. Benabdallah, and King teachers and staff to discuss how to continue to support the advancement of STEAM at King. Watch for more information in the coming weeks about how we have committed King as the lead innovator in the Framingham Public Schools while all of our schools work to integrate learning across disciplines in this way.
Technology Pilot & Language Learning
Multilingualism is something that we value in the Framingham Public Schools. Our most successful programs, in fact, are those where students are afforded the opportunity to fully immerse in the language. Regular and consistent learning and practice are necessary to achieve proficiency or fluency in language acquisition. During the 2019-2020 school year, I am proposing the implementation of a world language exploratory program to replace the Mandarin program which was previously offered to students 30 minutes once each week. Through this interdisciplinary model, we will use 1:1 technology to afford King students, staff, and interested families the opportunity to study any one of more than 50 languages as an extended learning opportunity outside of the school day. In addition, we are exploring American Sign Language (ASL) and Coding as additional languages to add to the offering.
I am working closely with the King administration and staff to determine the appropriate rollout sequence for this pilot initiative that will give our students incredible flexibility with language
Thank you and have a great day.
Warm Regards,
Dr. Marguerite Lackard
KING ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
Dr. Marguerite Lackard
Principal
Mrs. Allison Benabdallah
Assistant Principal
508-782- 7201
https://www.framingham.k12.ma.us/king