1999-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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continues to expand and demonstrate results, evi- cation class for fourth through sixth graders. These denced by an improved level of reading in our lower additions brought the numbers of classes at the River grade classrooms.Our third graders performed well on School to nineteen. the Iowa tests and we continue to examine strategies to help us upgrade status on the statewide Massachusetts Grades kindergarten through three continued to Comprehensive Assessment System(MCAS) tests. develop the Bradley reading/language arts program concentrating on listening, phonics, reading, writing One of the major concerns during the 1998-1999 and spelling skills in addition to the reading basal and school year is the overcrowding of the Quashnet other core curriculum areas. The Bradley Program Schools. As the school population continues to enables the staff to provide all students with reading increase, this problem becomes more acute. and language arts skills and to ensure that all children read well by third grade. This is also a state initiative, The Quashnet Valley School began the school year with three classes in each grade except grade 6, which Grade four through six continued to concentrate on was comprised of two classes. curriculum information and learning as aligned with the state frameworks. These students were also Among the many extra-curricular activities that instructed in MCAS practice. Assignments simultane- took place was a highly successful "Family Math ously modeled content and the open-ended questions Night."Parents and students moved from classroom to of MCAS. Students doing poorly on WAS were pro- classroom and were faced with a wide variety of math vided remediation services in reading/language arts challenges. and math. Dr. Seuss's birthday was a daylong celebration MCAS TEST TESULTS—Ian Russell,Grade 4 and starting with green eggs and ham for breakfast and Michael Crosby, Grade 10 received commendations ending with a reading of Dr. Seuss' work selected by from Commissioner David Driscoll for obtaining the the principal. Contests and activities were held highest possible scaled score on the 1999 math test throughout the day. scores. The Annual Career Day was expanded to include Major areas of focus of the School Improvement many new and varied jobs, opportunities and hobbies. Plan were reading, math, writing and school climate. We were pleased to welcome many members of the Mashpee business community into the school to share Approximately eight Quashnet River teachers information about a wide variety of occupations. The received awards from Computers for Kids. This presentations were excellent and the Mashpee citizens enhanced technology in the building by adding com- truly enjoyed talking with the students. puters, printers and some software. Sixth grade Stu- dent Jack Lynch, entered a writing contest and won The Student Council ran several dances and fun first place. He received a $500 award and the days to purchase new equipment for the playground. Quashnet River School received a new computer sys- The most popular item was the new free-standing bas- tem for Mrs. Blackwood's classroom. Again, we are ketball nets. grateful to Willowbend Children's Charities Fund for awards made for the Grade 5 Clambake, as well as a During the annual "Random Acts of Kindness grant to purchase two Second Step Curricular Kits. Week" the funds needed to purchase several baby The teachers' efforts in writing these grants make blankets were raised by selling paper bears. These many opportunities available for the children. These bears decorated the building and reminded all of us to efforts are greatly appreciated. extend a little extra kindness and courtesy everyday. The school, once again, marched to Mash ee Hi hDuring the spring, the Quashnet River School P g entered the Massachusetts Coalition for the School to take part in the Thanksgiving Day pep rally. Advancement of Learning project in conjunction with Finally, we held three Family Bingo Nights. As the U. Mass./Amherst. The purpose of our involvement is year progressed these events gained popularity and to improve instruction from grass roots teacher over 225 parents and children attended the May Bingo involvement. The areas of concentration will be on � Night. improving writing,reading, math and the school/home The Quashnet River School began its third year connection. with an enrollment of approximately 420students in fifth The usual yearly school activities occurred. grades K-6. As a growth school, a second and Some wonderful additions to the arts in education program grade class were added as well as an alternative edu- were through presentations for the K-6 student body I i 104