A Message From the Principal Jonathan G. Vander Els
As Principal, I have the pleasure of working with a dedicated and professional staff. The collaborative nature of our work allows our new staff to quickly integrate into the various teams, continuing on the strong tradition of teamwork at Memorial. This is vital to the continued growth of the Professional Learning Communities we work within on a daily basis. Utilizing the strengths of the whole team allows all students in a particular grade level to benefit from multiple professional perspectives, resulting in a strategic, systematic team-wide response to any learning challenges exhibited by any student within our school. The development of a three-tiered response to learning has allowed for each student to receive instruction at his/her own instructional level by the appropriate professionals within our building.
We continue to refine our focus as a staff. Over the past three years we have made significant strides relative to the percentage of students meeting or exceeding their target growth rates, as measured by the NWEA. These assessments allow us to focus on each student individually and help him or her meet their individual goals based upon their age and their level of proficiency. Three years ago 48% of the students in Memorial School met or exceeded their individual growth targets. Last year, 77% of the students at Memorial School in grades 1-5 met or exceeded their growth targets. We saw increased growth in mathematics and language, as well. Nationally, around 50% of students meet or exceed growth targets in a given year. For the 2011-2012 school year, our focus is on increasing the proficiency of students’ writing and implementing a math intervention block to provide additional support in the area of math for struggling students. We take great pride in providing precisely what each student needs so that he or she may be successful.
This school year, for the first time, we will be offering CHOICE each Friday for students. Research indicates that student learning increases when students have choice within their learning. CHOICE time will be specific to specials, and will allow students the opportunity to participate in various activities they may not otherwise experience. These may include activities such as Chorus, Gymnastics, Reader’s Theatre, Flag Football, Technology, and Art Projects. CHOICE time will change multiple times throughout the course of the year so that students have opportunities to try various activities.
It is important to all of us at Memorial School that we achieve a balance in what we do with students every day. We hope to allow students the opportunity to grow academically, socially and emotionally. We encourage students to demonstrate the behaviors inherent to the Responsive Classroom model. We recognize students on a monthly basis who are exhibiting the CARES (Cooperation, Assertion, Responsibility, Empathy, and Self-regulation). Last year, we recognized over 250 students. We believe strongly that it is imperative to build a strong foundation of respect within our elementary-age students so that they may one day be successful contributors to our larger community. We will continue to strive to make respect and responsibility visibly present in our teaching and learning throughout each and every day at Memorial.
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From the Vice-Principal
Donna Johnson
Newton Memorial School is one of four schools in the Sanborn Regional School District. Memorial School offers a quality education to its ~350 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. It is a school community comprised of 19 classrooms, a cafeteria/gym, a media center and portable computer lab with wireless Dell laptop computers.
It is my great pleasure to work with a group of professional educators at Memorial School that practice the Responsive Classroom model through use of the "morning meeting" as well as responsive language and community building. Teachers also utilize 6+1 Writing Traits and Guided Reading ensuring a consistent focus on literacy throughout the curriculum. Everyday Math, a researched based math program, provides instruction to students in grades 1 – 5. Our staff is also deepening their expertise in Professional Learning Communities which allows them to collaborate in a manner that provides a range of instructional practices to support all students in our classrooms. Grade level teachers work daily during the literacy block with Special Educators, Reading Specialists and the Enrichment teacher to ensure that small group, specialized reading and writing instruction is provided for all children. Memorial School has embraced the DIBELs and NWEA MAP assessments to track student progress and the impact of district initiatives.
I am constantly amazed by the work of Memorial School’s Parent Teacher Organization. They are viewed by all as a valued resource in our school community. They have consistently earned the NH Blue Ribbon Award for a high level of volunteerism and also conduct social and school fundraising activities throughout the year. They sponsor field trips and an assembly for each grade level and are generous with their donations of time, money, and necessities for our teachers. They are working teachers this year to support a Recycling Program, Environmental Club and enrichment programs such as the First Lego League.
The teachers and staff at Memorial School are dedicated to meeting the educational needs of our students in a safe and supportive environment. I am honored to be able to work with such wonderful students and adults each day!
