It's Singapore Math for Greenwich School Students

This article was posted by Barbara Heins. It was reported and written by Sue Rogers.

At last week’s Greenwich Board of Education meeting at Riverside School, the board unanimously approved the district’s move to a new mathematics textbook, “Math in Focus: Singapore Math,” an important step in aligning the Greenwich Public Schools’ curriculum with the Common Core State Standards (CCSS.)

At the April 4 work session, a mathematics presentation and review of the district’s current math curriculum revealed that Everyday Math not only fails to align with the CCSS, but also Superintendent Dr. William McKersie said that Greenwich is “a year and a half behind from other districts” when it comes such alignment in math. The board’s work session agenda on May 2 will begin with an update on Common Core State Standards.

Additional Educational Opportunities

The board will also take a First Reading, Monitoring Report E-001, Additional Educational Opportunities, which details “three educational programs that serve students ages 3-5 (Greenwich Preschool Program), students with disabilities ages 18-21 (Community Connections) and high school students who require a location other than Greenwich High School (Greenwich Alternative High School-ARCH  School/Community Learning Program/ACE).

The Greenwich Alternative High School serves students who “need a smaller more supportive environment, a flexible schedule, a more individualized program, and or/specialized instruction.” Further, the students are “behaviorally difficult and academically challenged” with “poor attendance” records as well as “typically failing the majority of classes.” The program is off-campus and is currently located in 8 classrooms and 4 offices at St. Catherine of Siena’s O’Connor Building in Riverside.

According to the report, “incident rates among GAHS students are significantly greater than the average GHS student.” The data indicate that “last year, 47% of the ARCH students and 24% of the CLP students were either adjudicated, have had police or DCF involvement or have been hospitalized; this year it is 73% for the ARCH students and 22% for the CLP students.”

The ARCH/CLP satellite location was cited by the administration as one that is frequented by School Resource Officer Carlos Franco when the recommendation was made to add an additional resource officer to help coverage of Greenwich Public Schools. Further, Greenwich Chief of Police James Heavey said that a second SRO would “allow us the opportunity to provide more coverage at the Middle Schools and ARCH/CLP programs.” 

Last week the board voted 2 in favor and 6 opposed to the addition of a second SRO.

Effective Learning Environment

Also on the board’s work session agenda is a First Reading, Monitoring Report E-040, Effective Learning Environment. Under the Effective Learning Environment, the administration focuses on “environments that are positive, safe, effective and conducive to learning by establishing and enforcing regulations and practices in Instructional Management, Class Size, Classroom Placement, Parental Involvement and Information, Educator Quality, Resource Management, Facility Management and the School Year and Calendar."

SEED Vote

At Thursday’s meeting the board is expected to take Action on CT SEED Implementation Option.  A report summarizing “the options allowed by the CT State Department of Education (SDE) for implementation of SEED (System of Educator Evaluation and Development) in the 13-14 school year” will be reviewed.

The board will need to approve “implementation of a teacher evaluation system that complies with SEED core requirements with all certified staff except Guidance Counselors, Speech Therapists, Social Workers, School Psychologists and Library Media Specialists during the 13-14 school year,” recommends the request.

The board meeting will take place at 7 p.m. in the Havemeyer Building, 290 Greenwich Ave.