Panther Pride Volume 1 Number 2 • Winter 2010 • 10,000 Copies
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Panther Pride Volume 1 Number 2 • Winter 2010 • 10,000 copies THE SEARCH IS ON STRATEGIC PLANNING UNDERWAY Superintendent stepping down INSIDE Adopting the best practices of the nation’s top schools By Jennifer Hardy Panther Pride practices and shares them through keynote School Committee Special Report presenters and consultant services, their annu- al Model Schools Conference and As Superintendent Carlson's retirement To ensure that each student has the oppor- Symposiums, and numerous print and video date of October 3rd, 2010 approaches, the tunity to receive a world-class education, the professional development resources. Superintendent Search Committee was Marlborough Public School District recently The School Committee and district leader- assembled and began its work in December. announced that it has partnered with the ship team have developed a highly collabora- The search is being facilitated by International Center for Leadership in tive process and timeline to collect data and Massachusetts Association of School Education (ICLE) to develop a strategic five- information from the school and community Committees. Mandarins experience year plan by June 2010. "Our goal as a dis- stakeholders. To obtain critical insight and Members were appointed by Mayor Chinese culture p. 6 trict is that through this process we will be understanding, community, business, parent, Nancy Stevens and are representative of the able to identify specific ways we can better and school-based groups will be invited to school community at large: Tina M. Betley, assist students to compete in our technologi- attend meetings where they will be asked to Margaret Dwyer, Barbara Etre, David Friess, cal, globally driven society," said reflect on current district and school practices John Grace, Maureen Greulich, Jennifer Superintendent Mary Carlson. and to identify strengths, challenges, and Hardy, Malissa Labarre, Donald Landers, Founded in 1991 by Willard R. Daggett, potential opportunities, which will be used as Darren McLaughlin, Michael Nicholson, ICLE has a wealth of experience in helping the foundation for the strategic five year plan. and Joanne Stocklin. schools and districts implement organization- Additionally, each school in the district will Key dates in the search timeline are as al changes that translate into world-class cur- participate in a Collaborative School Review follows: February 11th - application dead- riculum, instruction, and learning. To fulfill its Students embark on the Continued on page 10 Continued on page 10 mission, ICLE identifies the nation's best trip of alifetime p. 16 HEAD OF THE CLASS Robey named president of MASC Last month, Marlborough School Committee member, Kathleen Robey, became president of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC). It is a prestigious honor for the Student Council taking the parent of two Marlborough High School lead at 4-7 School p. 19 graduates who began simply as a con- cerned mother In a speech delivered to the 45th annual joint conference of the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) and Massachusetts Association of School Superintendents (MASS) held late last year, Robey talked about her journey from being elected to office in 1994 to pro- gressing through various roles on the board Building community at of directors to becoming president. Jaworek School p. 22 Robey referenced what she called a “per- fect political storm” of events and initia- tives that she feels are a threat to public education. Then she identified ways in Table of Contents ................. 4 Students at 4-7 School raised money to support Haiti relief effort ... see page 12. Continued on page 3 Presented by the Marlborough Public Schools Foundation Page 2 Panther Pride Winter 2010 Marlborough Public Schools Marlborough Public Schools Strategic Planning Sprint 2010 MCAS Dates March 22–April 12 Adopting the best practices Administration period for grade 3, 5, 6, and 8 ELA of the nation’s top schools Reading Comprehension tests Check each school for specific dates The Marlborough School Committee March 23 invites city residents and other Administration date for grade 4, 7, and 10 ELA interested parties to Composition tests participate in an open conversation March 24 about the future of Administration date for grade 10 ELA Marlborough Public Schools. Reading Comprehension test sessions 1 and 2 The International Center March 24–April 12 for Leadership in Education Administration period for grade 4 and 7 ELA Reading www.ledered.com Comprehension Tests founded by Dr. Willard Daggett will Check each school for specific dates be leading this initiative on behalf March 25 of the students in the district’s schools. Administration date for grade 10 ELA Reading Comprehension test session 3 April 7 The International Center Administration date for grade 4, 7, and 10 ELA will develop key questions for Composition Make-Up tests all participants to consider ... May 10–May 27 Administration period for grade 3–8 • What are the strengths & challenges of the district? Mathematics tests Check each school for specific dates • What path does the district need to travel May 11–May 27 to ensure success for each student? Administration period for grade 5 and 8 • What are perceptions of education at each level? Science and Technology/Engineering tests Check each school for specific dates • Is the current grade configuration meeting the needs of our students? May 17 Administration date for grade 10 • Are students developing the skills needed to Mathematics test session 1 be successful today? May 18 • What can the district do to develop greater Administration date for grade 10 confidence from the community? Mathematics test session 2 • What are perceived road blocks for the district? June 2 Administration date for high school Science and Technology/Engineering tests session 1 Representatives will be visiting to meet with faculty June 3 and students, and a select group of parents and alumni. Administration date for high school If you are interested in being a part of this process, Science and Technology/Engineering tests session 2 contact any School Committee member or call 508-460-3509. In addition, stay tuned to the new Mary E. Carlson Marlborough Public Schools website Superintendent, Marlborough Public Schools for further information at www.mps-edu.org. 17 Washington Street, Marlborough, MA 01752, 508-460-3509 Winter 2010 Panther Pride Page 3 Kathleen Robey named officer but I know she will contin- tem and the Medicaid Program as president of MASC ue to stay involved and may some- Congress works to get every day make a comeback to the board. American family health insurance; MUSIC AND LIFE Continued from front page I am very excited to begin work- We stood up for the METCO Reflections of a graduate ing with this year’s Board of program that serves the students in which she and her colleagues are Directors especially with the new greatest social and economic need; By Julianne Wilner working to improve both school members who have moved up We spoke truth to power in Class of 2010 districts in general, and educa- from their role as division officers. demanding Readiness Schools that tional opportunities for students, This room is full of talented, com- will work for everyone and for The instruments glistened as the spotlights shined down upon us, across the Commonwealth. The mitted school committee members school choices that do good things anxious and determined expressions were evident on all of our faces, text of her speech is as follows. and superintendents. The board for kids rather than tear communi- and at the very back of the auditorium we could barely visualize the Like many people who run for has an obligation to the member- ties apart; three distinguished judges awaiting our commencement. Our school’s school committee, I began as a ship to advocate strongly for pub- We demanded that it be the Wind Ensemble traveled all the way to Florida for this one perfor- concerned parent who was lic schools and for the role of elect- communities themselves rather mance, to play our best and to give our all. The nervousness translated involved in the classroom and with ed local citizens to oversee them in than a bureaucracy in Boston that into excitement, enthusiasm, and pride for my favorite musical selec- PTO. I had a passion for learning their communities. decides whether you oversee your tion, October, by Eric Whitacre. As the music resonates in my mind, I how to make things better for not MASC has been lobbying and own schools; find myself emerged in a symphonic world that mirrors my own life. only my child but for all the chil- advocating for sixty years, but in We outlined for our congres- My trumpet solos throughout the piece stand out and sing over the dren of my community. all that time we have not encoun- sional delegation a federal educa- ensemble, making their mark on the rest of the band. As I play, I reflect Elected to office in 1995, my 14 tered the “perfect political storm” tion policy that is forward looking, upon my ability to shine and thrive amongst a group of people while years as a Marlborough School we are facing right now: encouraging, and helpful to every taking advantage of the opportunity to make the most of the chances Committee member make me a The most severe economic child rather than one that is given to me. The solos parallel my positions of leadership in which my baby compared to some of the life recession since the 1930s; focused on punishment, labeling, personality shines through and makes a distinct contribution to my members in this room. I certainly Unprecedented volumes of and rulemaking; school and community. Similar to the unique characteristics of the didn’t start as well prepared as I mandates and regulations, funded And we stood up for the role of solos, my positions such as trumpet section leader, National Honor am now.