Learning about other worlds and schools at BOE

Sharon Speck, a senior at Housatonic Valley Regional High School, gave the monthly student report to the Board of Education at their meeting on Wednesday, Feb. 1.

She said that, in general, the high school community is close-knit. One drawback that she noted, though, was a lack of diversity. While changing the makeup of the population is not possible, she observed that an initiative to foster awareness and acceptance of diversity would benefit all students.

Teachers Kathleen Robey, Rebecca da Silva and Jennifer Menniti each gave brief oral presentations to the board about a new strategy for teaching reading called Early Literacy Groups. 

While all three noted that some form of this practice had been in place previously, these reading groups do have a few key differences. Students are grouped according to ability level, and students from more than one classroom can be in the same group. 

Meeting daily, teachers focus for six lessons on a skill until students demonstrate mastery. Following periodic assessments, the students are regrouped if necessary. All the teachers emphasized the importance of the support staff in facilitating these reading groups.

Next, Liz Radday, a teacher at The Marvelwood School and parent of two daughters at Kent Center School, spoke to the board about her study of education in Finland in 2016 as a Fulbright Scholar. 

Finland’s education system consistently ranks among the top in the world. Radday observed two factors at the elementary level she believed were responsible:  play, and craft education. 

Both, Radday observed, are lacking from American education. Much of a kindergartener’s day in Finland is spent in unstructured play. Adult intervention is minimal, allowing children to develop problem-solving skills, and collaboration among peers. 

In addition, students learn various crafts throughout their schooling career, such as knitting, sewing, woodworking and metalworking. This also fosters problem-solving and teaches students how they can apply these skills in a real-life context.

Principal Florence Budge described a recent visit by Oliver Wolcott High Technical High School representatives to provide information to eighth-graders about the programs offered and admissions process. Later that day, the eighth-graders toured Housatonic Valley Regional High School. 

Board member Gonzalo Garcia-Pedroso of the wellness committee noted that the price of the salad bar had increased by one dollar.  The school will also pilot a breakfast program in the spring. 

He reminded the board that the fourth-grade’s annual field trip to the Fife ’n Drum restaurant is coming up.  During this trip students learn restaurant manners and how to navigate a menu. The experience culminates in a tour of the kitchen. 

Region One Superintendent Patricia Chamberlain spoke about Kent Center School enrollment. At the peak in 2010, the school had a K-8 population of 286. Currently enrollment is at 235. 

Chamberlain also shared thoughts from a focus group comprised of parents and teachers that recently met to discuss the district calendar for the 2017-18 school year. The addition of two Jewish holidays in September was the biggest change. 

Some concern was  expressed about the number of half days. A parent who was at the meeting (and who also took part in the focus group) said she felt that the teachers were restrained in their critique of the number of half days and wanted to be sure teachers felt comfortable to speak their minds.