We enter week three of school with staff continuing to teach our students about their expectations for learning in school. Setting clear, respectful expectations is such an essential part of learning because it makes students feel safe. The Fiske staff does an outstanding job of teaching these expectations. Over the past few school days I have noticed the following:
- A fifth grade teacher creating a classroom expectation chart with her class.
- A second grade teacher debriefing with her class after her students worked together for a while, asking, “How did it go? Was the classroom too loud?”
- A fourth grade teacher quietly awaiting her students on the rug for a daily read aloud and watching as her students entered the class following recess, got their snacks and sat in a circle without teacher direction and in less than a minute.
- A first grade teacher reviewing with input from her students how to properly clean up and store materials.
- A third grade teacher leading a scavenger hunt through the classroom, so students know where to find everything.
- A kindergarten classroom entering the class, placing their book bags in their cubbies and sitting quietly on the rug before the morning song had even ended – on the second day of school, no less!
Even as I write this, a teaching assistant is gathering students after a specialist class and telling them, “The expectations for walking in the hall is facing forward and moving quietly through the hallway. When we’re all facing forward, we’ll start walking.”
Next Wednesday, September 17 we will hold our annual Back to School Night. This is an evening for parents and guardians only to come to school and hear about classroom expectations, curriculum to be taught and any special events that may be occurring this school year. In addition, you will have the opportunity to hear from School Committee Member, Wendy Paul and me. Wendy will provide updates on the upcoming Fiske renovations, and I will discuss the important gains Fiske has made in MCAS scores, as well as our new monthly, Friday Morning Meeting curriculum.
The schedule for Back to School Night is as follows:
- 6:30 – 7:00 – visit classrooms in grades K-2
- 7:00 – 7:30 – meet with Mr. Colannino and Wendy Paul in gym
- 7:30 – 8:00 – visit classrooms in grades 3-5
I look forward to seeing you next Wednesday evening.
Sincerely,
Anthony Colannino
Principal
Principal
Fiske Community News 9/10/14