WESTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2020/2021 Student & Staff Accomplishments
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WESTFORD PUBLIC SCHOOLS 2020/2021 Student & Staff Accomplishments ELEMENTARY Submitted by K-5 Principals: Susan DuBois, Kevin LaCoste, Lori McDermott, Scott Middlemiss, Chris Louis Sardella, Hilary Sturgis • The elementary school leadership team is pleased to present you with our accomplishments for the 2020-2021 school year. • The team worked throughout the summer to safely and successfully plan and welcome back students to school last fall after the shutdown as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Staff participated in two weeks of professional development at the start of the year. This preparation allowed for a smooth transition from full in-person instruction to the hybrid learning model and the Remote Learning Academy model. We made several pivots throughout the school year to reassign students between classes according to their learning model preference and geographic residential location. In February, we pivoted again and planned for the full return of students on April 5, 2021. Students and staff were thrilled to be back to school full time! • As part of the reopening plan, in the fall, students in grades 3-12 were surveyed to identify and determine the level of support they may need to actively participate in school and their learning. In the spring, K-2 many teachers completed the Panorama Teacher Perception of Students Survey for each of their students. Based on this data, social emotional interventions were implemented to address the social-emotional needs of our students utilizing resources within our school and community. Teachers had access to a Playbook in their Panorama accounts providing a valuable resource complete with lessons in targeted areas. • We also streamlined our focus on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. A district wide BARWE (Building Anti-Racist White Educators) program was started and individual school groups were also initiated in which monthly building based meetings were held by volunteer facilitators. A full day of professional development in May was devoted to cultural proficiency with Dr. Kalise Warnum. In the afternoon, we met in discussion groups to process the presentation and learn more about how we can integrate this new knowledge into our work with students. We also viewed and discussed ADL peer leader activities. We look forward to continuing this important work. • We celebrated our grade 5 students as they prepared to move on to the Blanchard and Stony Brook Middle Schools. Fifth grade teams across the district planned fifth grade fun days and completion ceremonies. The school teams also planned transition activities for grade 2 students moving on to 3-5 sister schools. Principals visited second grade classrooms to provide an overview and answer questions. This was followed by small group tours of their new school as well as virtual presentations for parents. • This year we implemented a new tool in place of the Everyday Math (EDM) end of the year assessment, the iReady Math Diagnostic Assessment. This resource is research-based and nationally normed. It is an adaptive assessment that adjusts its questions based on students’ performance. The results provide actionable data that give teachers a foundational understanding of students’ strengths and areas of need-making it easier to determine next steps for instruction. In addition, as we move forward next year with its use, we will be able to track student progress and growth. • Kindergarten through fifth grade teachers were trained in an updated way to think about reading comprehension. The staff created a district definition of reading comprehension. They then used this knowledge to explore a new reading assessment called Next Step in Guided Reading. Through this training our goal is to develop a common language districtwide when discussing a student’s comprehension abilities. • We are focusing our discussions around students’ strengths or areas of need in vocabulary, background knowledge, summary, and analysis and evaluation of text. Many teachers are piloting the assessment this Spring. In grades 3-5, students all take 2 whole class comprehension assessments three times a year. This helps us to determine who will receive a Reading Assessment Conference for more detailed information on the student’s comprehension skills. Teacher feedback has been positive as class patterns in strengths and areas of need have emerged. In grades K-2 teachers will be assessing students’ listening comprehension in a whole class assessment three times a year. Teachers will then use this information to guide which whole class read alouds and discussions to facilitate with their class. They will also have a reading assessment conference with each student to determine their instructional level of reading. MIDDLE SCHOOLS Blanchard Middle School - Submitted by Principal Tim Hislop • Anya G. initiated a fall food drive. Students and staff at Blanchard were incredibly generous with their donations and provided food for many families in need. pg. 1 • Blanchard’s PRIDE Alliance was formed with advisors Kevin Merrigan and Kelly Wolber and held monthly virtual meetings throughout the school year. • Blanchard’s AMC Math Team had a successful year! Congratulations to Adam G., Katrina Y., and Krish B. for earning top three AMC 10 scores at Blanchard. Katrina was also awarded a Certificate of Distinction for her impressive score. A special congratulations to Adam G. for earning Honor Roll of Distinction honors and for becoming the first Blanchard Middle School student to qualify for the AIME invitational and earn multiple perfect scores. • In the spirit of giving back during these challenging times, Harlow C. suggested we show our gratitude to local healthcare workers. A link was provided for any interested student to submit an electronic thank you letter (or attach photos of art). Students also wrote handwritten notes. • Señora Brumbaugh and her 8th grade students invited Gloria L., mother of Ian H., to present remotely in three classes. Students learned about her trip to Gijón, Spain and some unique holiday traditions that are celebrated in Spain. What a wonderful opportunity to learn from one of our Spanish-speaking community members! • Blanchard teamed up with students from Westford Academy in a food drive that collected enough food to fill an entire car. • In November, students donated Halloween candy and created handmade cards for troops overseas. • Blanchard and Stony Brook sent 10 students to the Virtual Eastern District Music Festival. Students auditioned virtually, creating videos that were then presented via Youtube for the district judges to evaluate. Over 550 students from the Eastern District auditioned and only 305 were accepted to perform in the virtual band, jazz band, chorus, and orchestra ensembles. The following Blanchard students were chosen to participate in this highly competitive music festival: Joanna F., Joshil N., Stephanie P., Hailey P., Emily W., and Helen Y. • Frau Gillett hosted remote cooking classes for her German students demonstrated from her kitchen. As she spoke exclusively in German, students watched, listened, and were able to cook up some of their own German mac and cheese! • Blanchard’s Cradles to Crayons clothing drive led by Westford’s Project 351 Ambassador, Anya Gesin was a success. Blanchard students and staff donated 16 bags full of clothing to help children in need. • Congratulations to the following seventh and eighth grade Blanchard students: Isabela A.P., Allison Y., Karthik B., Krish B., Anya G. and Orion S.! These A World of Difference peer leaders participated in a Virtual Peer Leadership Summit sponsored by the Anti- Defamation League. Students attended inspirational keynote speeches and workshops to increase their understanding of the causes of prejudice and its manifestations such as name-calling, bullying, and cyber-bullying. Thank you to AWOD advisors Amy Bailey, Catherine Pastore, Meg Ryle, and Kelly Wolber! • In collaboration with students and staff, the PTO created the 2020/2021 Blanchard Yearbook. Many students submitted entries for the yearbook cover and poetry contests. Congratulations to front cover artist Sahana V. and back cover artist Isak B.!. The yearbook will also feature original poetry from Tanya D. and Mairead C. • Congratulations Mrs. Benschneider, Mrs. Ottesen, Mrs. Garino, and Mrs. Mejia! On April 7th, Westford was named one of the Best Communities for Music Education by the NAMM Foundation. More information about this outstanding achievement is included below. Stony Brook Middle School - Submitted by Principal Chris Chew • The middle school Anti-Defamation Leagues’ A World of Difference program continued to have a significant impact on Stony Brook and was able to extend that impact to the entire district during our May professional development day. Student members created very insightful videos modeling some of their activities as well as their discussion protocols for the entire district staff to watch and discuss in small groups Under the direction of faculty members Mrs. Amy Bailey and Ms. Meghan Ryle, Stony Brook students representing both seventh and eighth grade became peer leaders in fostering courageous conversations that promote respect and empathy through their work with the Anti-Defamation Leagues’ A World of Difference campaign. The 2020-2021 A World of Difference Peer Leaders were returning eighth graders Pranav Bala, Ajok Bul, Noah Bramanti, Addie Chandler, Sarah Cunnife, Sahil Dua, Keira McPhee, Alana Parks, Lara Rodruiguez, and Carissa Wong; new eight grade members Varnika