Absolutely! Newburgh Elementary is one of the best "regular" schools around. The school is organized and operated in many traditional ways. Our dedicated staff works diligently, following the district's mission statement, policies, and curriculum. Our accomplishments include but are not limited to:
*Making AYP
*Active PLC's
*Implementation of RTI
*Reading interventions
*Math interventions
*Student Assistance Teams
*District wide Benchmarks
*District wide Assessments
These accomplishments have come with a cost. We have all felt the pressures of teaching to the test, rushing students through work and subjects, and forgoing lessons that actually engage students due to "lack of time." Last week, a teacher proudly shared she finally taught all the required lessons prior to the District's mid-year math assessment. I congratulated her on this success and asked how she managed it. Sheepishly she replied, "I left out all the exploration lessons, even though those are the most fun."
Despite the pressures, there are times the Newburgh Staff is able to push past these restrictive requirements. There are some traditions we are just not willing to let go of. They include but are not limited to:
*Collaborative teaching
*Grades k-2 sing together at the end of each day
*Cross-grade and whole school activities
*Buddy read every Friday
*Before school recess
*Book bag program
*School wide disciple plan adapted from Schools Where Everyone Belongs by Stan Davis
*Family Fun Nights
*Service Learning
*Warm cookies and homemade bread
So, perhaps Newburgh Elementary School is just a "regular" school. Traditions die hard. Sadly, we won't be able to implement more changes, as our school is closing this June. I will miss the community of learning that has been created for our students and staff. And I will certainly miss the smell of bread cooking while teaching.
It looks like your school is working hard and I am glad to see that even though you have some restrictive requirements you are still able to provide students with some enriching activities. Collaborative teaching, school wide disciple plan, service learning, cross-grade and whole school activities are activities that the students will remember and definitely grow from. In education its not so much what we teach them but what students take away from school because these are the tools and things they carry with them into the future. If it is not meaningful for the student then they will not learn anything. I am sorry to hear that your school will be closing.
ReplyDeleteAfter taking a class last semester in regards to students at risk of dropping out, I realize even more the importance of hanging on to, or implementing programs such as those that your school has maintained. It is so important that we take the time to foster individual growth in tandem with academics.
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