Assistant Superintendent Update
June, 2019 Volume 2 Issue 5
Celebrating a Fabulous Year of Teaching and Learning in North Providence!
"Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow." Anthony J. D'Angelo
Success with RICAS, PSAT 10, SAT, and RI Next Generation Science Assessments! Students and teachers created cheers, mantras, mottos, and positive testing environments for all during our RICAS assessments in Reading and Math for Grades 3-8. It was a very successful second year of RICAS thanks to everyone's efforts! Our RI Science Assessment (RI NGSA) was also a huge success thanks to the excellent work by all - especially our students! | Grade Level Elementary Professional Development We continued with our Spring Professional Development with Grade Level meetings in Elementary Grades K - 5. We focused on Math instruction this spring including examining how we revised our scope and sequence to best align to the instructional needs of our students and state assessments. | Curriculum Matters - ELA and Math - Grades K - 8 We continued our excellent progress on our ELA and Math curriculum in Grades K - 8. We examined our current curriculum, revised scope and sequence, added to the rigor of tasks and are working on common assessments. We analyzed our curriculum compared to the MA curriculum frameworks which is most closely aligned to the RICAS assessments. We will continue this work next year which has been most productive, positive and successful with our teacher-based teams. |
Success with RICAS, PSAT 10, SAT, and RI Next Generation Science Assessments!
Grade Level Elementary Professional Development
Curriculum Matters - ELA and Math - Grades K - 8
Continuing to Build Strong and Positive Relationships = North Providence Community
We have visited schools, classrooms, and students every week and continued to build important relationships with all. It is wonderful to be a part of our students’ learning! Some of the events we have been part of: school events, concerts, special school academic events, P.B.I.S., and community events. We are very proud to be a part of the North Providence School Community!
#npsdpride #npsdlearns #npsdfeedthepositive
North Providence School District
Curriculum, Instruction, Assessments and More...
- Summer Reading and Math Initiative continues the second year for Grades K -12; all resources have been sent to families and are easily accessible through our district website under "Parent" "Resources"
- Completed the successful conduction of the PSAT10 and SAT assessments at NPHS; completed RICAS assessments in Grades 3-8; and RI Science Assessment in Grades 3, 8, and 11.
- AIMSWeb Plus Universal Screening (ongoing) by Reading Specialists to support teachers and Special Education Teachers at the Elementary Level; In addition, there was support of the analysis of data and progress monitoring for students
- Completed Spring District Universal Screening Assessments at the Elementary (AIMS Web Plus) and Secondary Levels (STAR); Utilizing data to provide interventions and progress monitor students; At both the Elementary and Middle School Levels students demonstrated evidence of improved reading proficiency
- Completed Spring Fountas and Pinnell reading assessment to support identifying and improving students' reading instructional levels; positive growth was evident at all levels
- Examined data at all levels using templates for school-wide conversations
- Received and sharing results of screenings with administrative team, staff, and families.
- After receiving 207-18 RICAS data https://lms.backpack.education/public/ride we reviewed and analyzed all data at district and school level in an effort to target areas of need in Reading and Math Grades 3-8
- Created a District Wide Action Plan to respond to our RICAS/SAT/PSAT Datahttps://docs.google.com/document/d/1bm8EguMz-ubeT3ivy58miGz4H2hLzGrG6RQIEq1j9hg/edit?usp=sharing
- All of our Principals created School-Based Action Plans in response to related RICAS and SAT/PSAT10 data for NPHS
- Continuing our work on consistent systematic review and analysis of district and school-wide data to improve both instruction and achievement
- Fundations program (Phonics/Pre-Reading Skills) in Grades K - 2 has gone very well. There is evidence this program is having a positive impact on our K - 2 reading achievement based on our spring AIMSWEB Plus and F & P data. www.wilsonlanguage.com/programs/fundations
- Successful piloting of the Summit Learning program www.summitlearning.org in Grade 5 at both Whelan and Stephen Olney Elementary School to support personalization of students' learning; Parents continue to be kept informed about this program and our students' success.
- Piloting of the Summit Learning program at Birchwood Middle School and a modified version for Ricci Middle School in Grade 7 for next year to bridge the Elementary program and the Middle to High School program. We are also looking to expand into other elementary schools (Centredale and Greystone) in the future.
- IXL Program continues www.ixl.com for all students in Grades K - 8 to support Math and Reading Interventions and Enrichment; Our student usage continues to grow each month with many classes and students receiving special awards from IXL for their success!
- Achieve 3000 Program continues www.achieve3000.com for all students in Grade 7 to support Reading Comprehension through Social Studies, Science, and ELA content; Usage and success in this program continue to grow at both Middle Schools; We are seeing improvements based on our STAR Reading Spring data.
- Achieve 3000 ongoing Professional Development including coaching and classroom teacher support
- Granted pilot of https://www.lexialearning.com/ to support literacy instruction through this personalized platform for our most at-risk students in ELL, Reading and Special Education for Grades K - 12. We are purchasing this outstanding reading intervention program for these students to support their literacy achievement.
- Continuing curriculum professional development at both Elementary and Secondary levels: Math, ELA, and integration of Blended Learning resources in all curriculum.
- Completed Reading Grade level P.D. for Grades K - 5 both Fall/Spring; Teachers collaborated to examine Fundations program success and continued success in their Reading Workshop and Grades 3-5 collaborated in improving Guided Reading strategies and continued success in their Reading Workshop
- Middle School Content Professional Development successfully conducted in the Fall/ Spring in collaboration with one of our teachers and FUSE Fellows, Mrs. Katie Bowers
- Our NPHS Science - Chemistry department was awarded a grant from the U.S. Office of Naval Research (ONR) to support further Blended Learning experiences
- Ongoing Science Professional Development in coordination with East Bay RI Collaborative at the Elementary level and ongoing support of RI Science Assessment, Spring, 2019
- NAEP Assessment was successfully conducted at Stephen Olney, Greystone, Birchwood and Ricci Schools
More Supports at All Levels...
- Technology: 1:1 Devices for all students Grade 3-5; continuing to add more devices for primary students at the Elementary Level; ongoing 1:1 at Middle School Level; adding more Chromebooks at NPHS.
- Continuing new 504 forms and procedures Grades K-12 introduced last year.
- Continuing our District R.t.I./M.T.S.S. Committee to review our current District Guide and how procedures, intervention forms and intervention resources are moving forward.
- Continued Universal P.B.I.S. programs at Elementary and Middle level with further expansion at Elementary schools with no formal behavioral support programs.
- Continued M.T.S.S grant work (American Institutes for Research) with McGuire Elementary and Birchwood Middle School; seeking supports at other schools for next year.
- Our PTECH (Pathways in Technology Early College High School) program at North Providence High School continues to be a huge success and is recognized statewide for its achievements! We are so proud of our 82 students' outstanding work in the health field led by our Director, Mrs. Melissa Caffrey and team.
- Our Marine Trades program at both the North Providence High School and Birchwood Middle School continues to be an outstanding and real-world pathway for our students. Our Marine Trades Program at NPHS has received accreditation as a CTE program.
- The Mechatronics Program at Ricci Middle School and S.T.E.A.M. Program at Birchwood Middle School continue to be successful and growing!
- We have applied for CTE program approval for our Pre-Engineering/Robotics program at NPHS as part of a 3 year accreditation process.
- Awarded Champlin Grant for S.T.E.A.M. program at Birchwood which will be utilized to build a greenhouse/outdoor classroom; construction will be starting soon! Groundbreaking ceremony took place in May!
- The American Institute for Research (A.I.R.) continues to support our teachers at the Middle and High School levels in Math as part of the Better Teaching Math Network (B.T.M.N.). They will be working on improving Mathematical instructional practices and student engagement. Here is an article from the Valley Breeze regarding the successful B.T.M.N. program: https://bit.ly/2EwQYpI
Some Other Highlights:
- Continuing to conduct, review, and revise current Elementary and Secondary curriculum documents and resources on district teams in an effort to improve coherence and consistency of curriculum K –12; our teams for ELA and Math have met several times and will continue to meet at least once after school gets out to complete this important work.
- Met with all NPHS Department Chair teachers to review and discuss all curriculum documents.
- Coordinating meetings between NPHS Department Chairs and Middle School related Content teachers to collaborate on the vertical alignment of curriculum Grades 6-12
- Monthly meetings with K-12 Reading Specialists to work on curriculum, data analysis, and support collaboration. Continued work on a District Reading Website to share resources, materials, and strategies for teachers and families.
- Monthly meetings with Administrative Team, Elementary, and Middle School Administrative teams. Our goal is to improve communication, collaboration and support best leadership and instructional practices at all levels.
- Met with District Family Engagement Committee to support efforts for increased parent/family involvement at all levels. We are planning several activities for this year.
- Continuing to mentor an Elementary student in the district this year.
- Both Middle Schools and the High School P-TECH program sent student teams to the Junior Achievement Fair earlier this year in Providence.
It has been such a pleasure and honor to share and celebrate all of the exemplary teaching and learning we have experienced in the past several months. We have the best students in the world!!
CAMP OUT! Title I District Reading Family Literacy Event In May we celebrated our Title I District Family Literacy Event with a camping theme at the NPHS library! Families and students enjoyed various literacy games and activities. Our Elementary Reading Specialists supported all of our students and families as they took home some great ideas and resources to support literacy at home. | NPHS Scholarship Night Students from NPHS were awarded many extraordinary academic and community scholarships this year! All of these scholarships will certainly help our seniors as they move forward into their college and other career experiences in the future. Congratulations to all of our NPHS Seniors on their amazing achievements! We wish you continued success in your future! | Birchwood Middle School Celebrates Career Day Birchwood Middle School celebrated many diverse careers as many presenters came in to share their talents and expertise with our students. Students learned about careers in finance, writing, television reporting, police, fire, hairstyling, management, advertising, and more. It was a very motivating and meaningful experience for all as we encourage our students to think about multiple pathways in North Providence. |
CAMP OUT! Title I District Reading Family Literacy Event
NPHS Scholarship Night
Birchwood Middle School Celebrates Career Day
Happy Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week! Our school district recognized and celebrated our teachers and staff in a variety of special ways this past May. Every school had special events, celebrations, and gifts to honor the amazing dedication and commitment of our teachers and staff in North Providence! | NPHS Student Government Day It was an honor to take part in this wonderful event with our NPHS juniors and seniors. Students were able to take part in a mock School Committee and Town Council meeting. Students were able to shadow different school department and town leaders as well as tour the different departments. | Yoga Class at Greystone Elementary School Through a partnership established with our School Nurse Teacher, Mrs. Zelano and Shri Yoga, students have been practicing yoga and mindfulness activities each week. It has been a great experience and connects to our district goals of improving social-emotional skills. We hope to continue and expand this partnership next year. |
Happy Teacher and Staff Appreciation Week!
NPHS Student Government Day
Yoga Class at Greystone Elementary School
North Providence Teachers of the Year! At our May School Committee meeting we recognized and celebrated all of our schools' Teachers of the Year. Congratulations to our District Teacher of the Year from Ricci Middle School, Mrs. Teresa Connors! We are proud of all of our teachers who were recognized for their outstanding teaching. | Ricci Middle School Honors Night In May both Ricci and Birchwood Middle Schools recognized and celebrated students at their respective Honors Nights. Students received special awards for their academic achievements and excellence. | Blended Learning - Continuing our Success! Blended Learning experiences and learning continues to grow at all levels. Students are utilizing technology through various platforms for interventions, enrichment and overall learning to improve their academic achievement. |
North Providence Teachers of the Year!
Ricci Middle School Honors Night
Groundbreaking Ceremony for our Birchwood Greenhouse Classroom Katie Bowers, our S.T.E.A.M. Academy teacher and the Birchwood team were awarded a grant and are ready to begin building a greenhouse on the school grounds. Donations from a local nursery, Jackvony's, is helping to build the foundation and donating other important supplies. We are very excited about this authentic learning environment for our students. | "Mulan Jr." Performance at NPHS from Greystone Elementary Students What a fabulous performance of "Mulan Jr." by the students of Greystone! Their singing and acting was wonderful! Special thanks to Mrs. Turcotte and her team at Greystone for leading such a tremendous performance. Their hard work and dedication truly showed! | NPHS Unified Night of the Arts The NPHS Unified Arts department showcased all of the musical, artistic, robotic, and boat building skills of our students in a very special event. There was a terrific turnout of families and staff. It's so important to celebrate and recognize all of our students' special talents and skills in this showcase. |
Groundbreaking Ceremony for our Birchwood Greenhouse Classroom
"Mulan Jr." Performance at NPHS from Greystone Elementary Students
NPHS Unified Night of the Arts
Stephen Olney Elementary & our Elementary Grade 5 Classes Celebrate Stepping Up to Grade 6 Our Grade 5 students were recognized and celebrated as they joined family, friends, teachers, and staff in special "Stepping Up" ceremonies at all of our Elementary schools. We wish all of our Grade 5 students the very best as they move forward into Middle School. | Kindergarten Orientations at all of our Elementary Schools Welcome to our new Kindergarten students and families! All of our Elementary schools welcomed our incoming Kindergarten students and families as they learned more about our schools and the Kindergarten program. Students visited the classrooms and shared a story with the teachers and other students. PTA board members and other support staff introduced themselves and their roles led by our school principals. | Title I Community Budget Presentation Mrs. Stephanie Ganim, our Title I Coordinator, presented our annual Title I Budget to our community in early June. Parents, teachers, principals, and staff listened to the presentation which demonstrated growth in literacy for our students. Mrs. Ganim also shared how funds are spent and what resources have been used to support both students and families. |
Stephen Olney Elementary & our Elementary Grade 5 Classes Celebrate Stepping Up to Grade 6
Kindergarten Orientations at all of our Elementary Schools
Title I Community Budget Presentation
SOS Upcoming Grade 5 Summit Parent Information SessionPrincipal Napolitano and her Grade 5 team of teachers met with families of incoming Grade 5 students to present information about the Summit Learning platform. New England Basecamp Director Donna Stone and Coach Nicole Grant were also there to answer any parental questions. Superintendent Goho and I also made a few statements about the purpose and successes of this platform as an instructional resource in our students' 21st Century learning experiences. | Final Induction Meeting with Coaches and Mentees We celebrated and recognized all of our first-year teachers' success in North Providence. It was wonderful to hear their individual and collective reflections about their professional experiences as well as feedback for us to improve our Induction coaching experiences. We are very proud of their commitment and dedication to learning and improving as they continue to grow as educators. They all agreed that North Providence educators supported them at every level to be the best they could be for all of our students. | Final Meeting with our District Reading Teachers At our final meeting, we reviewed and analyzed our schools' reading data based on our universal reading screenings at both the elementary and secondary levels. There is a great deal to celebrate in relation to our students' achievement. We also celebrated and reflected on our year in literacy and our major accomplishments at all levels. We are excited about continuing this momentum as we move forward into the 2019-2020 school year. |
SOS Upcoming Grade 5 Summit Parent Information Session
Principal Napolitano and her Grade 5 team of teachers met with families of incoming Grade 5 students to present information about the Summit Learning platform. New England Basecamp Director Donna Stone and Coach Nicole Grant were also there to answer any parental questions. Superintendent Goho and I also made a few statements about the purpose and successes of this platform as an instructional resource in our students' 21st Century learning experiences.
Final Induction Meeting with Coaches and Mentees
Final Meeting with our District Reading Teachers
North Providence High School Class of 2019 Graduation On June 6, 2019 the 2019 Senior Class of North Providence High School graduated at Veteran's Memorial Auditorium in Providence. It was a beautiful ceremony filled with remarkable speeches and memorable dance to the theme of "Don't Stop Believing!" We wish all of our graduates much success and happiness in their future endeavors! Congratulations to all! | Ricci Middle School's Moving Up Ceremony Celebrates our 8th Grade Students On June 10, 2019, the 8th Grade class at Ricci Middle School was celebrated and recognized for the successful completion of their three years at Ricci. As the students move up to Grade 9 they received inspiring messages from Principal Mellen and Mayor Lombardi. It was a beautiful ceremony that was enjoyed by all. The band and chorus also performed for this special event. | Celebrating our 8th Grade Class from Birchwood Middle School Our Grade 8 students were celebrated and recognized at the Birchwood Middle School Moving Up Ceremony on June 10, 2019. Assistant Principal Palazzo, Principal Gilmore, Mayor Lombardi and School Committee member Mrs. Gina Picard offered special congratulations and sage advice as our students move up to North Providence High School. We also enjoyed the band and choral performances. |