December 2016 JHS BOE Briefs

 The JHS student council met twice during December and organized efforts for a December toiletry drive as well as their ongoing support of gratitude and looking for the good at JHS.  On 12/1 and 12/2 students and families participated in the PTO-sponsored Holiday Sale on December. A special thank you to Sisto Melillo for his support and generosity during this event in addition to the PTO support.  On December 5th Math coach, Meg Peterson and JHS teachers attended the ATOMIC math conference in Cromwell and they will share their learning during math PLCs.  On 12/5 the PTO held their monthly meeting to discuss upcoming events through the holiday season and beyond.  An exciting parent/family forum on Substance Abuse was held on Tuesday 12/6 at the North Branford Auditorium. The event was led by Superintendent Schoonmaker and Principal Welch and included distinguished panel members from across the shoreline.  JHS held the annual Night to Care on Thursday, 12/8/16. The night included holiday cheer, arts/crafts, spirited music from the JHS staff chorus, and moving performances by the JHS student chorus. Many gifts and food items were donated to local families in need.  The RtI Team continues to meet in support of students academically and behaviorally. Under the direction of Donna Gallagher (while Erica Bozzuto remains on maternity leave) the team and the RtI program has continued their push-in and pull-out services to support foundational reading skills and mathematical practices for all students.  During the month of December, Principal Welch continued his participation in the UConn PreK-3 leadership program with sessions held at ACES, UConn, and at exemplar PreK programs throughout the state.  On December 15th the JHS chorus hosted seniors from Evergreen Woods and the North Branford Senior Center as well as many local grandparents for a concert at JHS; beautiful songs and holiday cheer moved all audience members.  At the December 15th BOE meeting. JHS student council members, NBHS Dream Team members, and faculty leaders presented a video and description of the JHS student council and the gratitude project.  Under the direction of literacy coach Patti Darragh and math coach Meg Peterson JHS grade level PLCs worked in December to continue the development and revision of curriculum and assessment grids.  Throughout December, Dean of Students/School Psychologist Beth Parker continued her work with all classes on social emotional learning through the Second Step Curriculum and the Yale RULER program’s mood meter.  JHS grade levels will celebrate the holidays 12/19-12/23: kindergarten classes will be celebrating with craft centers, First Grade will be celebrating with “Polar Express Day”, which includes centers and literacy integration, and Second Grade will be celebrating with literacy and craft centers.  On December 23rd, JHS will host the student/parent monthly KIND assembly with a theme of caring and spreading holiday cheer. The event will include skits, performances, songs and holiday readings.