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Message from Principal Lynne Beattie June, 2010
Link to the Principal's Blog Here |
Dear CMS Families,
As the end of the year fast approaches, also will a flurry of activity, both academically and socially. For many students, the end of the year arrives accompanied by mixed feelings. The excitement of "freedom" from academic responsibility intermingles with some dismay at separation from school friends as they depart for myriad summer activities.
This school year has left us with much to think about. Students at CMS continue to strive for academic excellence. For some this comes naturally, and for others, not without a struggle. Staff has helped students to accomplish a great deal over the year. Here are just a few examples of student experiences:
In 8th grade, math and science teachers implemented an interdisciplinary graphing unit early in the year. Math, at all levels, began the year reviewing linear equations and teaching related sentences and dimensional analysis to support the math skills necessary for success in science. In science, a list of common terms was developed, and a common assessment was used. Students benefited from this dual effort with important algebraic skills, and efforts will continue to identify other topics for which integration may provide a similar result.
In 7th grade, teachers in English and social studies worked through the year to make connections through components of culture relevant to both disciplines. Students met shared outcomes for journal and open response writing and oral presentations. Analysis skills were applied through tasks involving the connections among Greek myths, the values of Greek culture, and the Odyssey. Active reading skills from English were applied for the reading of The Tao of Pooh in social studies.
Students experienced a number of new technologies in their learning. Two online classrooms were piloted, in Instructional Technology at Sanborn, and 7th and 8th grade math at Peabody, teachers used the District Moodle site to provide an interactive online learning environment supplementing the in-class experience. Students had the opportunity to use interactive modeling, access tutorials, submit assignments, and view grades through this model. In world language classes, students focused on building their speaking skills through use of Quicktime, Wikis, and video. In 8th grade social studies, students were interviewed and filmed by a CCTV-trained teacher about their Holocaust study.
In addition to academic work, we have focused intensely on our community and on how we can build a more positive climate for learning and growth. In response to recent tragedies both locally and nationally, there is an urgency to our normally routine and continuous reflection of student support services. We are fortunate at CMS to have a talented and dedicated guidance staff who look out for our students on a day to day basis. As we move forward, we will be working to respond to new legislation around bullying and harassment to see what we, as a community, can do better to help our students navigate through their teenage years. With the community, we will develop educational programming for both schools and families to better understand and respond to lifeís challenges.
To this end, CMS staff has agreed that we will apply a singular focus to our work next year. We plan to center our efforts around developing strong Habits of Mind in all of our students. In this way we will be able to approach both academic and social skills explicitly. Skills like perseverance, self-regulation, and the ability to generate trust and maintain personal standards are infinitely valuable in all arenas of life, and support our core values of Community, Achievement, and Lifelong Learning.
As always, I am interested in your thoughts and ideas. Please feel free to contact me to share your or your childís interests.
Sincerely,
Lynne Beattie, Principal
978.341.2490 x6110
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Sanborn Building 835 Old Marlboro Road, Concord, MA 01742 Main Office: 978.318.1380 |
Peabody Building 1231 Old Marlboro Road, Concord, MA 01742 Main Office: 978.318.1360
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Voice Mail Directory 978.341.2490
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