town meeting information guide - norwell high school · 2013-05-01 · town meeting information...
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TOWN MEETING INFORMATION GUIDE
May 6, 2013
-AND-
2012 - 2013 ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
The mission of Norwell Public Schools, in partnership with the entire community, is to provide excellence in education in a challenging and supportive environment resulting in well-rounded, self-reliant, responsible citizens who are prepared to engage in a global society.
SETTING LEARNING AND TEACHING PRIORITIES
NORWELL SCHOOL COMMITTEE www.norwellschools.org
Kiersten H. Warendorf, Chair
Glenn C. Ferguson, Vice Chair Amy Z. Koch Brian S. Noble Mary Lou O’Leary, Clerk
CENTRAL OFFICE ADMINISTRATION PHONE (781) 659-8800
FAX (781) 659-8805
Matthew A. Keegan Superintendent of Schools
James M. LaBillois Executive Director for Instruction
[email protected] Warren G. MacCallum
Director of Finance & Operations [email protected]
Suzan A. Theodorou Administrator of Special Education
BUILDING PRINCIPALS AND ASSISTANT PRINCIPALS
Grace F. Cole Elementary School PHONE (781) 659-8823
Eliza Y. Burns, Principal
William G. Vinal Elementary School PHONE (781) 659-8820
Trisha A. Nugent, Principal
[email protected] Patrick S. Lenz
Elementary Assistant Principal: Curriculum [email protected]
Erin McCarthy Elementary Assistant Principal: Special Education [email protected]
Norwell Middle School
PHONE (781) 659-8824 or (781) 659-8815
Derek J. Sulc, Principal [email protected]
Janice R. Mazzola, Assistant Principal [email protected]
Norwell High School
PHONE (781) 659-8810 or (781) 659-8808
William F. Fish, Principal [email protected]
Matthew A. Marani, Assistant Principal [email protected]
Diane L. Provenzano, Assistant Principal [email protected]
The mission of Norwell Public Schools, in partnership with the entire community, is to provide excellence in education in a challenging and supportive environment resulting in well-rounded, self-reliant,
responsible citizens who are prepared to engage in a global society.
NORWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
TOWN MEETING INFORMATION GUIDE
AND
2012 - 2013
ANNUAL SCHOOL REPORT
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page SECTION ONE: TOWN MEETING INFORMATION GUIDE
Foreward: 2012 Annual Report of the Superintendent ............................................... 2
Introduction.................................................................................................................. 4
FY’14 Budget Message: Setting Learning and Teaching Priorities............................ 5
FY’14 Requested School Committee Budget Pie Chart .............................................. 7
FY’14 Requested School Committee Budget Comparison by Function ..................... 8
FY’14 Requested School Committee Budget by Detailed Category ........................... 9
SECTION TWO: 2012- 2013 ANNUAL REPORT
Class of 2012................................................................................................................ 12
Norwell Public Schools does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religious creed, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, or
disability in its admission or access to, or treatment or employment in its programs and activities.
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FOREWARD
2012 ANNUAL REPORT OF THE SUPERINTENDENT
On behalf of the Norwell Public Schools, I want to thank the Norwell community for their support in passing the recent Proposition 2 ½ Override.
Calendar year 2012 signaled significant transitions within public education.
Mandates regarding new state-mandated curriculum in English and mathematics (referred to as the “Common Core”), as well as new and intricate regulations and procedures relative to evaluating and supervising teachers and administrators have impacted all public schools. Not since the 1994 Education Reform Law and the institution of yearly standardized testing (MCAS) have regulations been so broadly overhauled.
Thanks to the support of the Norwell community, the Proposition 2 ½ Override has allowed our Public Schools to move forward in many areas. Most of our very large class sizes have been addressed by the 17.8 teaching and support positions that have been added across our district’s schools. The Middle School will have its highest number of students this year and next year. Although grade 6 classes remain high, we have completed the grades 7 and 8 academic teams, restored Foreign Language to grade 6, and provided targeted teaching in mathematics, technology, and physical education/health. The High School added one teacher per academic subject. These additions address student increases that had not been met and also help to prepare for the larger numbers moving through the Middle School. We have also addressed student support needs by hiring an additional Special Education Teacher, Guidance Counselor and District-wide Social Worker. The additional teacher and support positions have already made notable improvements. Teachers are spending more time teaching and supporting individual learning needs rather than managing large classrooms. There is a true sense of appreciation from the faculty and staff in knowing the community acknowledged their needs last May.
Also, we have developed and implemented a new curriculum adoption cycle that
has allowed us to be strategic and cost-effective in the way we are managing both mandated changes. We are revising curriculum materials that were inadequate to meet the needs of our students. We are currently implementing new mathematics programs in grades PK–8 and new English materials in grades 6-12. Social Studies for grades 7-12 and High School math are in the process of review. Both are on target for new materials next year. In collaboration with the Education Association of Norwell (representing teachers’ association), we are piloting the new Supervision and Evaluation regulations that, by mandate, will need to be fully adopted for the 2013-2014 school year. Additionally, mandated professional development has begun, and we will continue to address these mandates and many others that are on the horizon.
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The Proposition 2 ½ Override has also fundamentally improved Norwell Public Schools’ technology capabilities. We have been able to address the growing demands of our technology infrastructure. The technology infrastructure of Norwell High School and Norwell Middle School has been revitalized through improvements to Internet access speed, which was last addressed ten years ago. The Cole and Vinal Elementary Schools will be upgraded with a new technology infrastructure this coming summer. All of our classrooms have been transformed into 21st Century learning laboratories complete with interactive white boards, new software, and teacher workstations.
We have embarked on a 1:1 technology initiative by placing iPads in the hands of all grades 6-8 students. Next year grades 9 and 10 students will also have iPads and the cycle will continue until we complete grades 6-12. Currently our students are using these devices as technology tools. The iPads allow our students to use digital calendars and note taking programs. Students are benefiting from access to digital content from our textbooks and the Internet. Students and teachers are also experimenting with educational Apps that help to enhance the learning process. We will continue to expand the use of 21st Century skills through these devices in relation to content, collaboration, and presentations.
We are extremely grateful to the community for the opportunity to address the curriculum and technology requirements being placed upon public education. Our teachers and administrators take great pride in staying current with the latest in educational trends, movements, methodologies, and innovations and work hard to integrate this knowledge into thoughtful and responsible planning for the benefit of our students.
I am currently completing my first year as Superintendent of the Norwell Public Schools. I am very thankful to be involved with a strong Leadership Team, faculty and staff. I am grateful for the support of the School Committee and everyone at the Town Hall. I look forward to continuing the strong reputation of the Norwell Public Schools of academic excellence and placing students first.
As our motto states: 21st Century Schools for 21st Century Students. With the support of the entire community, we will continue to take on the responsibility of preparing our students for their future. Sincerely, Matthew A. Keegan Superintendent of Schools 2/28/2013
INTRODUCTION
Welcome to the all-digital version of Norwell Public Schools’ Town Meeting Information Guide and 2012-2013 Annual School Report.
For the fifth consecutive year since its inception in 1996-97, the Information Guide and Annual School Report is not being printed and mailed to every Norwell residence. Print publication and mailing have been halted for two important reasons: first, as a cost savings measure during these challenging economic times; and second, as a way to visibly demonstrate to our students and the community Norwell Public Schools’ ongoing efforts to be more environmentally responsible. Nonetheless, the Town Meeting Guide and 2012-2013 Annual School Report still contains valuable information for the citizens of Norwell. Section One: Town Meeting Information Guide (pp. 5-10) is just that, a guide of information about the requested 2013-2014 Norwell School Committee Budget which will be before the voters for consideration at our Annual Town Meeting on May 6, 2013 in the Henry E. Goldman Gymnasium at Norwell Middle School. In order to provide the voters with a better understanding about the Requested 2012-13 School Budget, the Norwell School Committee has developed a simpler and, it is hoped, more clear description and organization of the budget categories. The required budget categories as prescribed by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education are still included on pages and 7 and 8, followed by a new outline of budget categories and figures with easier to understand descriptions developed by the Norwell School Committee (pp. 9-11). Section Two: The second part contains information about Norwell High School and our outstanding graduating Class of 2012. This section summarizes the Class of 2012’s Scholarships and Awards and College Acceptances. On the last page, we recognize our School Council members, Parent Leadership, Advisory and Fund Raising groups. We want to thank the parents and community members for their invaluable service to our schools.
Taken together, this year's all digital Town Meeting Information Guide and 2012-2013 Annual School Report represents Norwell Public Schools' ongoing commitment to providing 21st Century Schools for our 21st Century Students:
The mission of Norwell Public Schools, in partnership with the entire community, is to provide
excellence in education in a challenging and supportive environment resulting in well-rounded,
self-reliant, responsible citizens who are prepared to engage in a global society.
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NORWELL PUBLIC SCHOOLS
SECTION ONE: TOWN MEETING INFORMATION GUIDE
FY’14 BUDGET MESSAGE
Setting Learning and Teaching Priorities
Thanks to the support of the Norwell Community, last year’s Proposition 2 ½
Override has allowed our Public Schools to move forward in many areas. Most of our very large class sizes have been addressed by the 17.8 teaching and support positions that have been added across our District’s schools. The additional teacher and support positions have already made notable improvements. Teachers are spending more time teaching and supporting individual learning needs rather than managing large classrooms. There is a true sense of appreciation from the faculty and staff in knowing the community acknowledged their needs last May.
As we move forward, we are focusing on setting learning and teaching priorities.
In order to meet these priorities, we are asking for a budget increase of 3% or $664,732. In addition, we are requesting an additional .8% or $184,000 that represents an agreement regarding health insurance savings achieved last fiscal year. This savings is being transferred to the school budget. The Norwell Schools’ request is 3.8% for a total of $848,732. It is very important to recognize the efforts of the Education Association of Norwell. They have worked very hard with the Town on health insurance benefits and restructuring their contract. We have been finding more opportunities to share resources with the Town in terms of utility costs, personnel sharing, and supporting one another in the areas of technology and budget planning. All of these partnerships have enabled the Norwell Schools to bring forward a budget request that continues to address learning and teaching priorities.
Although we were able to significantly address class sizes last year, we were
unable to address all of them. The current fifth grade class has a total of 212 students – the largest class in the District. We will add a sixth grade teacher next year so that the sixth grade will have class sizes of 23 and 24 rather than 26 and 27. All of our elementary classes will meet class size guidelines next year. We are also working hard to enable Special Education teachers to provide general educators and students with increased curriculum development and individual learning opportunities. To achieve this we will reduce the number of Special Education Aides at both elementary schools and add one Special Educator to the Cole and Vinal Schools. We will also hire a Vision Specialist rather than contract the services from an outside vendor due to increased needs for this service. These Special Education changes will allow us to support our students directly with less reliance on support staff.
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In efforts to support learning, we are also focusing on our delivery of technology
and curriculum. Our Technology Department will be restructured. One administrative position will be reduced so that we can add an Instructional Technology position to the High School. This teacher will work with students and teachers as the iPads are introduced to the ninth and tenth grades next year. This will provide a direct technology support within the school. We are also adding a Technology Support Technician, who will allow the Norwell Public Schools to appropriately service the technical needs of the District. One position that has gone unfulfilled and has been a part of our Strategic Plan is a K-12 Arts and Wellness Curriculum Coordinator. This will not require additional personnel. This position will allow us to coordinate the curriculum for the visual arts, performing arts, music, and PE Health teachers. All of these areas have curriculum requirements outlined by the Common Core standards and Supervision and Evaluation regulations.
We are truly thankful to be able to focus on teaching and learning priorities. The
efforts of the Norwell community, Norwell Public School teachers, and partnerships with the Town have made this possible.
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NORWELL HIGH SCHOOL Class of 2012 College Acceptances
Barron’s Profile of American Colleges groups colleges into seven categories, with the first four categories being Most Competitive, Highly Competitive, Very Competitive and Competitive. Of the 133 students from the Class of 2012 going directly to college, 117 (88%) planned on attending colleges in the Competitive to Most Competitive categories, with 46 (34.6%) students planning to attend schools in the top two categories. The following is a listing of all the colleges that accepted graduates of the Class of 2012.
Most Competitive 42 Students – 6.7%
Highly Competitive 108 Students – 17.1%
Very Competitive 224 Students – 35.6%
Amherst College Villanova University American University Sewanee: The Univ. of the South Abilene Christian University Manhattanville College
Bates College Wake Forest University
Babson College Stonehill College Baylor University Miami University
Boston College Wesleyan University Bentley University SUNY Binghamton Brigham Young, Hawaii Murray State University
Bowdoin College Williams College Boston University Syracuse University Brigham Young, Utah Penn State University
Bucknell University Bryant University Trinity College Butler University Purdue University
Case Western Reserve University Clark University Union College Catholic University of America Quinnipiac University
Colgate University Elon University University of Connecticut Chapman University Rochester Institute of Technology
College of the Holy Cross Emerson College University of Maryland Clarkson University Saint Michael’s College
College of William and Mary Fordham University University of Michigan College of Charleston Salve Regina University
George Washington University Furman University University of Pittsburgh Duquesne University San Diego State University
Hamilton College Gettysburg College University of San Diego Eckerd College Siena College
Lafayette College Loyola University, New Orleans Virginia Polytechnic Institute Elms College Simmons College
Lehigh University Marquette University Wheaton College Fairfield University Stetson University
New York University Muhlenberg College Wofford College Flagler College Towson University
Tufts University Northeastern University Worcester Polytechnic Institute Florida State University University of California, San Diego
University of California, Berkeley Ohio State University Hobart William Smith University of California, Santa Cruz
University of Miami Pepperdine University Iona College University of Colorado, Boulder
University of Richmond Providence College Ithaca College University of Delaware
University of Rochester Rollins College James Madison University University of Denver
University of Virginia Saint Mary’s College Loyola University Maryland Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst
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Very Competitive (Cont’d) 224 Students – 35.6%
Competitive 218 Students – 34.6%
Less Competitive 15 Students – 2.4%
University of New Hampshire Arizona State University Lynn University Springfield College Ana Maria College
Univ. of No. Carolina, Wilmington Assumption College Marist College Stevenson University Becker College
University of Oregon Barry University Massachusetts Maritime Academy Suffolk University Mount Ida College
University of Redlands Bradford College Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts SUNY - New Paltz New England College
University of Scranton Bridgewater State University Mercy Hurst of the North East University of Hartford Nichols College
University of South Carolina Colby-Sawyer College Merrimack College University of Maine Regis College
University of Vermont Curry College Newbury College Univ. of Massachusetts, Boston Rhode Island College
Elmira College North Carolina Wesleyan College Univ. Massachusetts, Dartmouth Salem State University
Embry-Riddle University Norwich University Univ. of Massachusetts, Lowell
Emmanuel College Ohio Wesleyan University University of Nevada
Endicott College Plymouth State University University of Rhode Island
Fitchburg State University Randolph-Macon College University of So. Florida, Tampa
Florida Southern College Roanoke College University of Southern Maine
Framingham State University Roger Williams University University of Tampa
Franklin Pierce University Sacred Heart University Utica College
Hartwick College Saint Anselm College Westfield State University
High Point University Saint John’s University Western New England College
Johnson & Wales University Saint Joseph’s College - ME Wentworth Institute of Technology
Keene State College Seton Hall University Worcester State University
La Salle University So. New Hampshire University
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Gustaf and Ellen Anderson Scholarship:.. Elizabeth Allen
Dr. Donald J. Beaudette Public Service Award:
..............................................................Robert Carney
Frank Patarino
Black Rock Cares Scholarship:.............Ashley Allington
John C. Bond Memorial Award: ...........Brittany Cannon
Chamber of Commerce Citizen Award: .Lauren Burke Stephanie Howard
Chamber of Commerce Arthur Sewell Memorial: Steven McClelland
Church Hillers Scholarship Award:… Meaghan Dwyer Jay Corcoran Memorial Scholarship:… Kevin Bougoulas Lauren Burke Sean Staples Allison Weiler
Leonard Cox Educational Foundation: .Talia Macauley
D.A.R. Good Citizen Award:......... ........Nicholas Volpe Education Association of Norwell Memorial Scholarship- Sarah Dargon: .....................................Steven McClelland Education Association of Norwell: ........Laura Barrett
Evan Henry Memorial Scholarship: ......Patrick Birmingham Katherine Mahar
Leslie Feingold Award:..........................Allison Weiler
First Parish Pre School Scholarship: ....Paxton Colby
Dorothy S. Fogg Memorial Scholarship:.....Daniel Allen Alicia Reggiannini Reuben and Lizzie Grossman Award:…Lauren Burke Steven McClelland
Valedictorian: ........................................ Peter McDonald
Salutatorian: ..........................................Steven McClelland
Hub International Scholarship:........... Sarah Orleman
Insurance Agents of Norwell Scholarship: Craig Frehill
Ashley B. & Minnie Jones Scholarship Fund: Brendan McGreenery
Timothy Larkin Memorial Award:....... Sean Staples
Kalen Kelly Memorial Scholarship: .... Allison DeBenedictis
Douglas J. Mangone Memorial Scholarship:
............................................................. Joshua Delaplain-Zook
Massachusetts Lobsterman’s Association: Laura Barrett
Myrtle McKay Scholarship: ................ Julianne Chessia
Fr. Joe B. Naudjiunas Scholarship: .... Allison DeBenedictis Siobhan Murphy Abigail Smith Allison Weiler
North River Community Lions Club:... Diane Chen
North River Gardeners Scholarship:... Alexander Titelbaum
Norwell Grange Scholarship:.............. Leah Smith
Norwell High School Boosters Scholarship: James Arnold Allison Weiler
Norwell Middle School Scholarship:... Allison DeBenedictis Ashley Sifflard
Norwell Perseverance Award: ............ Lauren Burke Nicole Dempsey Norwell Police Association Scholarship: Christina Burns Colleen Fitzgibbons
Norwell Youth Football & Cheerleading Scholarship:
Kathleen Callahan
Brett Morgan
Alfred Pizzotti Memorial Scholarship: Frank White
CLASS OF 2012 SCHOLARSHIPS AND AWARDS
Norwell Women’s Club Scholarship: ......James Arnold Meaghan Dwyer Steven McClelland Eliza Westergard Pearl Williams
Plymouth County Education Association:Ashley Sifflard
Marion E. Scheller Foundation Scholarship: Leah Smith
Scituate Federal Savings/Allan Wheeler
Memorial Scholarship:.........................James Arnold
SF Foundation Scholarship: ...................Christina Burns
Joseph Riccuiti
Sean Staples
Madison Willis Adrian Dawn Smith Scholarship: Eliza Westergard
Sons of Italy Venezia Lodge 374: ............Brianna Perfetuo
South Shore Savings Bank Scholarship: .Peter McDonald
Nellie Sparrell Trust Fund Scholarship: .Lauren Burke Kathleen Callahan Joshua Delaplain-Zook Steven McClelland Sean O’Sullivan Leah Smith
Stetson Kindred Award: ..........................Jaclyn McBain
Suzanne S. Straley Memorial Scholarship: Allison Weiler
Sylvester Memorial Fund Scholarship:...James DiGregorio
Tri Town Rotary Scholarship:.................Christina Burns
Allan Wheeler Memorial Scholarship/Scituate Federal: Matthew Kelley
Jenni White Memorial Scholarship:........Harrison Brown
Avedis Zildjian Music Scholarship: ........Patrick Birmingham
SCHOOL COUNCILS 2012-2013
COLE SCHOOL VINAL SCHOOL NORWELL MIDDLE SCHOOL NORWELL HIGH SCHOOL Eliza Burns, Principal Trisha Nugent, Co-Chair Derek Sulc, Co-Chair William Fish, Co-Chair Scott Achorn Wendy Prentiss Rita Daddio Christine Elio Kimberly Warner Roe Blanchard Cynthia DeBenedictis Brenda Henriquez Kimberly Boyd Melissa Allen, Co-Chair Jennifer Fairfield Allison McGlinchey, Co-Chair Liza Gagnon Jean Ivas Robert Hynes David Kitchen Marianne Murphy Liz Tam Gwenn Higgins Kelsey Link Paula White Terri Keefe Chrissy Maguire Melissa McNamara Alison Link Adrienne Vavpetic Jim Kelly Katie O’Connor Jennifer Greenberg Annie Joseph Holly Weiler Gwenn Higgins PARENT LEADERSHIP COLE SCHOOL PTO VINAL SCHOOL PTO MIDDLE SCHOOL PTO HIGH SCHOOL PTO Steering Committee Officers Steering Committee Officers Jennifer Weier, Chair Sarah Jane Baker, President Anna Brown, Chair Heather Creel, President Steve McVay, Treasurer Jen Fiorella, VP in School Enrichment Jennifer Burke, Communications Michaela Robbins, Vice President Noel Ashekian Jane Twombly, VP Community Programs Maria Johnson, Events MerryAnn Hilson, Secretary Lauren Carnes Susan Boyle, VP Fundraising Aleta Scully, Fundraising Coordinator Karen Eaves, Treasurer Jess Chase Sally Schiller, VP Communications Michaela Robbins, School Community Aleta Scully Brenda Smith, VP Treasurer Rosemary Sheppard, Treasurer Allison Flynn Christina McCullough Leanne Gibbons SPECIAL EDUCATION PARENT ADVISORY (SEPAC) HIGH SCHOOL BOOSTER CLUB
Kristen Pendergast/Cole David DiMartinis, Co-Chairperson Christine Walker/Vinal Andrea MacDonald, Co-Chairperson Wendy Bawabe/Middle School Kerry Perfectuo, Treasurer Caroline Alward/High School Brenda Henriquez, Secretary Janine Birmingham/Executive Advisor
NORWELL SCHOLASTIC ARTS SOCIETY (NSAS)
Frank White, President Lynne McCauley, Membership Lead Dawn Ciardi, Vice President Debbie Hill, High School Rep. Kathy Lynch, Treasurer Lisa Moura, Middle School Rep. Ana Diaz, Secretary Sarah Summers, Cole School Rep. Bob Hynes, Advocacy Lead Silvia Murphy, Vinal School Rep.