Of all the ideas articulated in our Portland Public Schools Teaching and Learning Priorities, the one that resonates most clearly of late, is our “commitment to building a climate and culture that is intellectually, physically and emotionally safe and welcoming for all students and adults.” I see this validated each and every day in our classrooms and throughout our schools; a clear and unequivocal commitment toward one another.
Whether it’s at the girls’ winning playoff basketball game I attended in Hartford last night, spending time in Johnna Cunningham’s grade 4 classroom today watching her teach a masterful lesson about reading historical fiction, or observing English teacher, Jake Carpenter deliver a powerful and engaging lesson on Shakespearean language last week—(yes, Shakespeare can be engaging)! I am constantly reminded of this significant core value. Our work is about fostering caring and compassionate relationships with our students----no matter where they live, no matter the place they were born, no matter how they identify!
So while there has been plenty of thought-provoking (and sometimes disturbing) news occupying the airwaves and social media, the most inspiring thing I have witnessed in this district is how fervently focused people are in their work with our youngsters. As superintendent, I assure you that learning never stops in Portland and we remain committed to and passionate about “shaping the whole child” and persistently growing our student’s enthusiasm for learning. Portland remains committed to safeguarding our children and ensuring that each and every one of them has access to safe, welcoming learning environments—despite where they live, despite the place they were born, and despite how they identify themselves!
Principal Search Process
As many of you know, the Principal Interview Committee has identified five finalists for the two elementary principal positions being vacated by Laurie Boske and Eileen Katz on June 30 2017. Three of those five candidates will be visiting Gildersleeve School on a different day this week and the other two will visit Brownstone next week. During their morning visitation, each of the candidates will be observing a real lesson taught by a Portland teacher and then each candidate will be conducting a post-observation conference with their designated teacher. At the conclusion of the observation cycle, I will be bringing each candidate for a tour of the school and some interaction with staff and students as we walk through the building.
I am indebted to each of the five teachers who have taken a HUGE risk and opened up their classroom for observation and feedback from a candidate. This is yet another sign of our teachers' commitment to growth, their true affection for our school district, and genuine interest in bringing the very best school leaders to Portland. I will be naming the two new principals later this week or early next week.
Physical Education Teacher Swap
From our Athletic Director, Chris Serra
On Wednesday, February 22, 2016, the Portland Physical Education & Health Department teachers stepped out of their daily teaching roles to teach at a different school within the district. The goal of this "rotation experience" was to allow the PE/ Health teachers to get a better understanding of each others roles, problems of practice, curriculum challenges, as well as to provide feedback and suggestions to each other in our team’s effort to enhance the valuable teaching and learning that goes on in Physical Education classes throughout our district. Dave Kraszewski made a huge leap from the high school to go to Valley View. Mr. Eric Grant taught at Valley View for the day, while Mr. Michael Carpio visited previous students at Brownstone. Mr. Fox went to the Portland Middle School to share the day with our 7th and 8th grade students and Mr. Bengston taught at PHS for the day.
During our next department meeting, the teachers will be discussing the challenges, successes and various suggestions with each other as we keep growing our department, curriculum and lifelong fitness experiences for our students. The buzz around this initiative last week could be felt in every gymnasium throughout our district as we better define our 21st Century practices.
Robotics Achievements
From Team Coach & Math Teacher, Patty Blodgett
On Saturday, February 18th, the Portland Cybernetics Robotics team traveled to Green Farms Academy in Greenwich, CT to compete in the First Tech Challenge State Championship, "Battle at the Beach". The team first competed in January at a qualifying meet and made it to this state meet as a result of being awarded the Think Award, which celebrates the team that demonstrated the design process most effectively with a well-developed engineering notebook. (Quite an effort went into the robot design (and redesign) prior to the tournament.)
At the meet, the team started off well with 2 match wins. During the 2nd match, the robot stopped moving! This was devastating to the team, but our students quickly moved into trouble shooting mode. Checking numerous parts and power modules, programs, fuses, battery packs, cord and working with other teams at the meet, our team was able to isolate and fix the problem. The students then reloaded software on a replacement phone (a student's) and were able to get the robot back moving in time for the 5th and final match. They worked together, brainstormed, enlisted support, tested and were successful.
So, although they did not finish high enough in the rankings to make it to the final rounds, the meet and the season were considered a success! Led by their President, Chris Dinnis and Vice President, Shannon Dolan, they learned programming, engineering design, communication skills, working together cooperatively and perseverance.
Sincere appreciation goes out to the school administration, PHS office, M & J Bus Inc., our devoted parents, and local sponsors (Promold Plastics and Jarvis Airfoil). These learning opportunities would not be possible without this support!
An Update from the Director of Curriculum, Technology and Instruction, Dr. Karch
Medical Profession Opportunity
Mr. Serra and I recently met with Middlesex Hospital’s CEO, as well as the VP of Patient Care Services and the Director of Physical Rehabilitation, as they continue to explore potential avenues for creating a medical pathway for our students in our curricular offerings. While the conversations were preliminary, they spoke about the possibility of Portland Schools forming a collaborative partnership with the hospital to increase student involvement with medical career opportunities.
Their reception could not have been more openly received as they talked with us about the potential for our high school students attending an annual career opportunity fair hosted by the hospital, student volunteer and internship offerings, guest speaking venues where hospital personnel would come to Portland, STEM strands for our elementary learners, and even a formal course offering scenario. It certainly is exciting to see potential opportunities that could be developed between our district and the hospital over the course of the next couple of years.
Four Portland students received awards for excellence, in performing or visual arts, from the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS) Celebration of the Arts Festival. Award recipients (pictured from left to right), Camille Kopacz, Heidi Nelson, Gregory Ives, and Bryson Graves, attended the 18th annual CAS awards dinner banquet on February 7th with their parents, teachers, and principals.
Update from Dr. Morris
i-Ready Math
As I visited several special education classes this week, it was exciting to see staff and students working on i-Ready Math, our new researched-based math intervention program. This new program is a proven diagnostic and prescriptive math intervention tool aimed at closing the gaps in math skills, individualized for students with disabilities. It is aimed to supplement (not replace) students’ specialized instruction.
Recently, we conducted a training session for staff, which resulted in strong teacher support and I was quite pleased with the upsurge in student participation. I know that with consistent use and teacher reinforcement, we can anticipate strong gains in math skills for our students with disabilities.