Edgartown School invites more parent involvement

0
Ralph Stewart

The Edgartown School opens its doors for the 2012-2013 school year on September 6 to 355 students. The school especially welcomes 41 kindergarteners who will experience half days until September 17 when they attend school for the full day. On the first day of school, parents will be offered a light breakfast by PTA volunteers and be greeted by a welcoming staff who have been preparing for the opening of school over the summer.

Our students continue to excel academically, socially, and athletically due to a collaborative effort on the part of teachers, students, and parents. The town’s administration, elected officials, and voters provide financial support which ensures that the school has the resources it needs to provide the best possible educational services. Students in grades 3 to 8 continue to make gains in reading and math on the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System, which is a reflection of the rigorous instruction delivered in the classrooms.

There are three new faces joining the faculty this year. Nichole Page will teach art to students in grades two to eight. Eric Herman is the new Spanish teacher for grades three to eight, and Lou Smadbeck joins the faculty as enrichment math teacher for grades five to seven. We are very excited about the newest members of the school’s teaching staff and would like to welcome them to our community!

This year’s goals for the school center around the School Improvement Plan crafted by the School Advisory Council and approved by the School Committee and Superintendent. These goals speak to improving the quality and efficiency of instruction, making students more accessible to current technology, improving student performance in mathematics, increasing parent involvement in the social curriculum, exploring new ways to strengthen the home-school connection, and ensuring that the enrichment program meets the needs of students.

Parents and community members are urged to become involved in the school by participating in any of the following school groups:

The School Committee meets at 7 pm on September 12 in the school’s library.

The PTA meets at 8:20 am on September 18 in the faculty dining room.

The School Advisory Council meets at 10 am on September 11 in the cafeteria.

The school’s website, www.edgartownschool.org is an excellent way to keep up with what’s happening at the school. The website contains teacher web pages, sports events, lunch menus, calendars and a front page detailing current school events and activities. It also contains news from the PTA and School Advisory Council.

John Stevens, a graduate of Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School, was hired as Edgartown School’s principal in 2007 after serving as a high school principal in Lantana, Fla.