1990-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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There were several holiday concerts presented by our Chairman of the Early Childhood Advisory Council, has pupils at the school, a highly successful Career Day that been involved in the development of programs for young brought people with varied occupations into our building children.This is the third year that Project C.R.E.A.T.E. and supplied the children with a direct view of the world has been funded by Chapter 188 in the Mashpee com- of work.There were a number of cooperative efforts con- munity. Project CREATE provides for an integrated pre- ducted with our town's senior citizens that were school,lending early childhood library,outreach program highlighted by Halloween and winter visits to the Senior for young children and play.groups. It assists the public Citizens' Center and a joint "Walk of Life" at the exer- schools in reaching youngsters at an early age and pro- cise trail and a follow-up lunch with the seniors at the viding services to young children prior to school entrance. Coombs School. This year, Federal Special Education grants awarded Throughout the year, a.series of after-school enrich- the Mashpee Public Schools totalled$51,375.Additional- ment programs in science, art, music and computers ex- ly,funds totalling$6,050 were received to supplement ear- tended the basic curriculum in each of these areas. The ly childhood special needs programs. Kenneth C. Coombs School was one of the highly recognized exhibitors at the MASCUE (Massachusetts The Mashpee Public Schools continues to successfully Computer Exhibition) in Boston. meet the needs of children identified as Special Needs. Through a comprehensive range of program offerings, In the area of Special Education, a total of 158 students children are served within the least restrictive setting from ages three through twenty-one are currently being whenever possible in a manner consistent with their in- serviced within our system. This represents 15.6% of the dividual educational plans. school population. Special Education programs range from monitoring of a student's progress to more substan- Reading is an integral part of student life in grades K-8 tially separate programs for the more substantially disabl- in the Mashpee Public School System. The citizen of ed child. tomorrow must be a knowledgeable reader in order to best process information from the vast body of printed Mashpee continues to collaborate with surrounding matter that is in our world. The reader must be brought public school districts,human service agencies, Cape Cod far beyond basic literacy in order to survive in today as Child Development, Inc. and the Cape Cod Collaborative well as tomorrow's society. Toward this goal of achiev- for Special Needs in providing appropriate programing ing literacy and beyond, the Mashpee School System for Mashpee students. The Director of Special Education strives to present a consistent program of instruction als6 works in cooperation with Falmouth High School throughout the grades. and Cape Cod Tech personnel in providing for high school-aged youngsters with Special Educational Needs. In every phase of learning the student is immersed in a print-rich environment. The student begins with this ex- posure level and progresses through a process of formal In addition to other responsibilities, Special Needs staff and informal instruction to a mastery level of reading were kept busy with screening and evaluations. One hun- abilities in all facets of print. dred fifty-nine kindergarten children were screened this year,resulting in twenty-two referrals for further evalua- Reading and writing skills are taught in tandem. The tion. A total of 150 student's educational plans were reading-writing connection is an integral component of reviewed and updated,including full evaluations. A total any solid reading program. The process and methods of of 33 students moved into the district with educational reading instruction are a focus of a very active curriculum plans, which were implemented. Frequently, these review team consisting of professionals across the grades. students required further evaluations and meetings. This body is charged with the ongoing task of curriculum Thirty-three students were referred by teachers and review and revision. parents through our educational study team.Additional- ly, 15 pre-schoolers were evaluated after screening. Reading is at the core of all other academic pursuits. It is only through the continued community support of Jnservice has been provided to staff and parents on the our school system that will keep our reading program at issues of integration,special education processes and pro- the level of high quality that currently exists. cedures and screening.The Mashpee Public Schools was the recipient ofa Lucretia Crocker Award for which ex- At the Middle School, this year has brought about a tensive training was provided to staff in whole language major change in our classroom organization as Grades methods and approach in the classroom. 5 and 6 are now involved in a team concept in which the teachers and students are scheduled to offer the flexibili- The Mashpee Special Education Parent Advisory ty and imagination so necessary at this age level. Grades Council(SEPAQ is planning to develop and produce a 1 and 8 are still more or less departmentalized but with slide show for the community and parents that will review a major portion of the classes heterogeneously grouped the Chapter 766 process and Special Education Programs rather than by ability. This, too, has allowed our staff in the Mashpee Schools. A newsletter will be developed a tremendous amount of flexibility in working with the this year as well. The SEPAC has applied for a grant for students and the students seem to be very enthusiastic parent training. about the different class scheduling. The Director of Special Education, acting as co- 101