A Newsletter for Residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District
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A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District Winter 2008-2009 Commitment to Excellence A Word from the Board of Education Dear District Parents, Guardians, Community Dear District Residents: It is hard to believe that the holidays have all come and gone, a new year is upon us, Members and Friends, and we are halfway through the 2008-09 school year. It has been a very busy time in Happy New Year to you and your families! the District, in many positive ways. I trust you enjoyed a wonderful holiday season surrounded by family and friends. When visiting the Warburg campus, you will notice a much smoother ride. The road The overall festivities of the holiday season repair project was completed in December – on time and under budget. The scope of were reflected in the GC7 schools through work included the following: the installation of storm drains and catch basins at book fairs, family celebrations and winter Woodlands Middle/High School; repaving of the administration building roadway concerts bringing teachers, parents, children entrance and visitor parking lot, as well as the Woodlands campus roadway; installation and our entire community together. of two areas of sidewalk on the Warburg campus; and installation of drains and catch As we return to routine activities and resume basins at tpohe front entrance of the adtministratlion buiilding togalleviate pohnding. Biddintg S the 08-09 school year, I want to share perti - the project in late fall allowed the District to take advantage of lower oil prices, which nent information with you about our goals. is one component that drives the cost of asphalt. In addition, a section of the parking lot area at Lee F. Jackson School was repaved, asphalt curbs were installed at the An American statistician, W. Edwards Transportation Garage, and sections of the roadway and parking lot area at RJ Bailey Deming, provides us 14 key principles for School were repaved. management for transforming effectiveness. His first point is the creation of a constancy The Strategic Plan process is almost complete. Prism Decision Systems LLC was retained of purpose. In short, this means maintaining during the summer to assist the District in the development of a Strategic Plan. A committee focus on the important long-term vision. (comprised of Board members, District staff and members of the community) was Since my assuming the position of Super- established and has met several times this fall. intendent of Schools last January, initiatives On the minds of most, if not everyone, is the uncertainty of the current state of the and strategies have been implemented with economy. While Albany did not reduce state aid during this school year, it is still a real the purpose of increasing coordination and possibility before the fiscal year ends. With these concerns in mind, we have started articulation across all of our schools, Pre K- 12. the budget process early. In fact, our Assistant Superintendent for Business began the The overall design will be reflected in the 2009-10 development process as soon as he arrived at GC7 in July. The budget Strategic Plan, which is in progress. development process will be thorough and inclusive. We are looking at ways to reduce Increased student achievement remains at the spending, while meeting the educational needs of our students. It is a difficult process with center of all of our work. Many professional difficult choices, but one that is most important for both children and residents alike. development activities have been conducted Sincerely, in this regard. Among these are increasing Lloyd Newland, President the understanding of how to use student Continued on page 9 Commitment to Excellence A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District Students Benefit from New Manhattanville “The attention they receive from the second teacher can make a remarkable difference in SCopolletgleigPhart tnership the learning.” What’s the best way to improve student learning and professional develop - Mr. Thorpe notes that under these circum - ment while building a lasting community partnership? The Richard J. Bailey stances, test scores have been shown to School has the answer: It’s through the Manhattanville College Professional increase, and this can happen without “teach - Development School (PDS) Program. ing to the test.” When you have this extra sup - port as a PDS, it enhances the teaching RJB has recently been honored with the distinc - to teach,” and will go above and beyond the process, explains Ms. Schiavo. “The hands-on tion of being selected a Professional expectations to immerse themselves in the cul - learning stays with the child,” she said. And Development School. It is only the fourth ture of the school. The student-teachers, much this is only one example of the different roles school in Westchester County to participate in like the program itself, will respond to the that the PDS student-teacher can play. this program, which prepares teachers of needs of the school and the students. Ms. Schiavo, in addition to offering ongoing tomorrow as it improves instructional practices Since the PDS experience is customized to support to the student-teachers, also plays a in the classroom today. each school, student- role in the school’s professional development The program is a multi- teachers may choose plans. In November, for example, she helped faceted approach to to get involved in ways orchestrate the Staff Development Day pro - education that enhan- that can include after- gram that focused on academic vocabulary ces student learning. school tutoring or out - across the curriculum in the morning and the It brings together a reach initiatives with importance of literacy in science in the after - Manhattanville College parents and/or com - noon. professor – Judy munity. “Their reward A further benefit of this collaboration is a new Schiavo, who has an is the experience and half-tuition scholarship offered by Manhattan- extensive background the relationship they ville. All Woodlands students who graduate in education, with sev - build with the District,” with at least a 3.5 grade point average may eral student-teachers said Principal apply for the new scholarship. The scholarship from Manhattanville’s “We are very proud to be chosen for this distinc - Clarkson. (open to schools that participate in the PDS undergraduate educa - tion,” said Principal Marguerite Clarkson, (l.) seated The program itself will program) aims to alleviate costs and supports tion program, and with Manhattanville College professor Judy Schiavo infuse the school. To Manhattanville’s mission of improving educa - and Theresa Breen, fifth grade adviser, standing, Bailey’s own teachers see and understand tional opportunities. during a professional development meeting. and students. “It is a the impact of the pro - true interconnection of school and community,” The other participating PDS districts include gram, grade advisers Carol Williams (sixth Port Chester-Rye Union Free School District, said Ms. Schiavo. “The goal is the education grade), Theresa Breen (fifth grade), and James of the students.” White Plains Public Schools and New Thorpe (fourth grade) were fortunate to spend Rochelle Public Schools. “We are very proud to be chosen for this dis - time at the Edison School in Port Chester, the tinction,” said Principal Marguerite Clarkson, first to join the PDS Manhattanville partnership “The focus is always on the students and their who was instrumental in bringing the partner - seven years ago. The experience galvanized learning,” said Ms. Schiavo. ship to fruition. the group who saw the possibilities in the pro - Ms. Schiavo is the Manhattanville PDS liaison gram, as it did a team from GC7 that had vis - New Alumni Directory who began the groundwork in the fall. ited the school last year. in the Works Beginning in January, she will be in the Bailey Last winter, before the District opted into the Keep your eyes on the mail for a postcard School two and half days a week, supporting program, a group from Greenburgh, including inviting you to participate in the revised Alumni the program in several ways. school board members and an administrator, Directory. The directory is being published by parents, a teachers’ union representative and Primarily, she will be on hand observing and Harris Graduate Connection, and the postcard Principal Clarkson visited the Edison School. sharing her expertise with three Manhattanville should arrive in your mailbox in late January. In October, the team of grade advisers from student-teachers who will be hand-picked by It will give you the opportunity to share your Bailey made a follow-up visit to the site, the college for the spots. The student-teachers biographical information with your former where they saw the actual benefits of the pro - will be in the school five days a week, classmates. Alternatively, you will be able to gram in action. working side-by-side with the collaborative elect not to participate. teachers. But their role is not limited to the “Imagine a classroom of 25 students, some of The directory, which will be published this classroom. special needs, and one teacher, and then year, offers a new online component that will imagine that same room with an additional “These college students will be involved in the feature class notes, reunion message board teacher, one who is very involved, supporting life of the school,” said Ms. Schiavo. and personal alumni pages. Candidates will be selected “who really want the special needs students,” said Mr. Thorpe. 2 Commitment to Excellence A newsletter for residents of the Greenburgh Central 7 School District SWpoootldi lgahndt s Fitness Center: Working out has never been easier – or more affordable At 2:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, as the school day winds down, the Woodlands Middle/High School Fitness Center gears up.