Assistant Superintendent
for Pupil Personnel Services Patti White-Lambright facilitated last night’s
presentation on Kindergarten in the Melrose Public Schools. She introduced the
principals of the five elementary schools and invited each to describe their
school and speak to its unique characteristics. Hoover principal Jenny Corduck reviewed
highlights of the English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum, speaking to the daily
90-minute literacy block including the fact that students should be up and
moving, have fun, and play in order to “captivate them” into learning.
Assistant Superintendent for Teaching and Learning Dr. Margaret Adams spoke to
the 75-80 minute daily math block and that fact that mathematics builds on
previous learning, that educators need to ensure that students retain
mathematical content and skills, and that students should actively engage in
the language of math. Explaining employment of the D.I.C.E. concept (more info
here: http://tinyurl.com/mgx32k7) she spoke to the
importance of students understanding that they can tackle any problem and that
in the process, they can show what they are thinking. Dr. Adams also talked
about the social studies curriculum (including community and holidays as
themes), and the science curriculum (where students learn to observe, make
predictions, and draw conclusions using the themes of animals and
wood/paper/the properties of matter). Students will do one research project in
each of these two subject areas over the course of the year. The Powerpoint
presentation will be posted on-line soon and all registration information is
online now at melroseschools.com.
Parents
asked excellent questions:
· * Does the order in which
your registration is submitted impact receiving your choice of school (i.e.
first submitted/better chance of first choice)? No, all on-time submissions are considered equally.
· * How do art, music, PE,
and recess work? There is one 40-minute
block per week for art, music, and PE. There is a 15-minute structured movement
block each morning, and a 20-minute (hopefully!) outdoor recess after lunch.
· * What does Kindergarten
screening entail? Screenings take about
30 minutes and include movement (hop, skip, balance), as well as conceptual-type
screenings (e.g. stacking items, identifying shapes, etc.).
· * What is homework like? Parents should read with their child every
single night. There may be a math sheet added to that regimen later in the
year. There might also be on-line opportunities for math practice.
· * Can students from one
school participate in an after-school club at another school? Generally not (for logistical reasons).
· * What kind of technology
is available at the schools and is it equitable? There is variation between the schools (often depending on the
limitations of the facility) except for the fact that every classroom has a
Smartboard. There are Chromebooks in most schools, 2-3 computers per classroom,
and a small number of computers in the libraries. Newer schools have computer
labs too.
· * Are there OT and PT
services at all schools? Yes, as well as
speech services, a part-time school psychologist for social/emotional support,
and a full-time nurse.
· * Do the schools differ
in their nut/allergy policies? No, in all
schools, classrooms are nut-free and there are designated nut-free areas in
each cafeteria. In addition, no celebration goods are brought in for a class;
each student brings in a “party-in-a-bag” type celebratory snack.
· * Is there foreign
language instruction either during or before/after school? Most if not all schools offer Global Child language instruction (for a
fee) after school although the languages may differ by school. There is no
foreign language instruction during the school day.
· * How much standardized
testing is there? Students are formally
assessed three times per year in a one-on-one setting for very brief periods of
time. There may be quick assessments (< 1 minute) during the year to ensure
that students are learning concepts as they go along.
· * When will parents be
notified regarding school placement? The
majority of families will be notified on or around 4/17 by mail. If the
district was unable to place a family in their first-choice school, they will
be contacted by phone.
· * Are there school buses
in Melrose? No, general education
students are not transported by bus.
· * Are spaces generally
available in the after-school program or are there waiting lists? In the past, there have been slots available
for families who want them.
· * What is lunch like? Lunch is scheduled generally mid-day and
lasts for 20 mins. Students can choose to bring a lunch or purchase a hot lunch
(for which students notify teachers in the morning). Pizza day is once/week.
Lunchrooms are staffed with an ample number of adults.
· * What is security like
in the buildings? After students are led
into the buildings, the doors are locked and visitors must ring the doorbell
and be buzzed in. Visitors must come into the office immediately, sign-in, and
wear a visitor badge throughout their time in the building. All staff members
are required to wear badges. When students are outside, adults supervise them.
Teachers of younger students do a “hand-to-hand” dismissal so that the teacher
and family member make eye contact to ensure a safe transition. All teachers
are CORI checked and undergo a fingerprint background check. All volunteers undergo
a CORI check.
Ms.
MacPherson in the Parent Information Center is happy to answer families’
questions and can be reached at 781-662-2000 or amacpherson@melroseschools.com.
