2016-Annual Town Report - Laserfiche WebLink

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Mashpee Realtor Association for their many years of support along with Mashpee Police Department and Roche Bros. The Science Night had a new format this year and was intended to be a participatory fair instead of an exhibition of science projects. Scientists from NOAA, The Monarch Project, USDA Joint Base - Entomologists, Mashpee Department of Public Works, Cape Cod Children's Museum, US Coast Guard, and Mashpee High School students shared their knowledge and expertise with the students and families. At math night, teachers introduced and played math games with students and families. We welcomed our incoming kindergarten students with the annual welcome concert and their first "big yellow bus" ride. This year, Deb Flaherty and Manuela Cliff were chosen as the Kenneth C. Coombs School Volunteers of the Year. Mrs. Flaherty has been the president of our PTO for over two years. She was present nearly daily in the school ensuring the success of the many PTO events and supporting the teachers with supplies, enrichment materials and kudos. She also has added her decorative touch to the school and made the environment more warm and welcoming. Mrs. Cliff was also an integral part of our community. She has provided countless hours in classrooms and has lead fundraising efforts including `Boxtops for Education" and "Jumprope for the Heart." Additionally, over 200 volunteers at Coombs including parents/guardians, grandparents, senior citizens, community members, high school and college students all have joined our school to increase opportunities for learning daily. They have assisted teachers with all aspects of the school day, including but not limited to, copying, reading with students, engaging in math games with groups of children and providing enrichment programs. In addition they have assisted with many special programs such as the annual Field Day, "Let's Fly a Kite Day", chaperoned during field trips etc. Our volunteers play an integral part in our success and we are grateful for their commitment to Mashpee children. The PTO began the school year with a combined Coombs School and Quashnet School Family BBQ. This was a very well attended event that provided many fun family activities as well. The PTO supports the Coombs School and its mission, "to provide a strong learning environment and a supportive community" helping with many events, fundraisers and activities throughout the school year and provided materials and resources such as books, playground equipment, and school assemblies all which supported the academic objectives of our curriculum and home/school relationships. In addition, PTO sponsored the very - well attended community activities such as the Storybook Dance, The Book Fair, and the Giving Tree event which helped to brighten the holidays for families in need. We are thankful for their support of Staff Appreciation Day in May when the PTO provided lunch for all Coombs staff. The PTO is a significant and integral part of the Coombs School and we appreciate their ongoing support. PTO's primary goal was to support families and offer programs encouraging the strengthening of family ties. The Kenneth C. Coombs School continued with the Massachusetts Department of Education in a literacy partnership. Kindergarten teachers were trained in literacy principles that have supported struggling learners in districts across the state. Information learned during these workshops was used to implement the "Focus on K2," a multisensory, thematic approach to early literacy. Kindergarten, grade one and grade two implemented the Fundations Reading Program. Teachers received extensive professional development in utilizing this research based phonics program. Kristen Daly, first grade teacher, also received additional training as a facilitator and thus is able to better support and coach future new teachers. This program provides explicit instruction in phonics and balances our literacy program. All grades have made needed modifications to curriculum maps to include the additional State Model Curriculum Units. Along with all schools in the district, teachers continued implementing differentiated, targeted instruction based on results and conclusions from the data. Much of the work of analyzing data and developing interventions was carried out in professional learning communities which met regularly and on full -day professional development days. Guided by the problem solving model we have adjusted schedules and reallocated resources to address needs. Continuing the tradition of a parting gift and lasting memory, Kim Palmer, Art Teacher together with community artists Jackie Del Fonso, Kathy Timmons, Bonnie Sickorez, Michelle Law, Jeremy Steele and Kristen MacKenzie, worked with our grade two students and created hanging canvas depicting scenes from a favorite storybook. These hanging canvases are displayed from banisters overlooking the library. We intend to continue this tradition until all banisters overlooking the library are covered with hanging canvases depicting favorite storybook scenes. 133