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Schools

Going Digital Won't Come Cheap for Greenwich Public Schools

The 5-year program cost estimate comes in at nearly $18 million.

 

Key components of School Readiness

On Wednesday, April 3, the Greenwich School Readiness Council will sponsor a forum of 'Seven Skills for School Success' with Greenwich Public Schools Superintendent William McKersie and early childhood education author Pam Schiller.

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The forum will take place at Greenwich Library from 7 - 8:30 p.m. and will focus on fostering seven key components of school readiness: confidence, curiosity, intentionality, self-control, relating to others, communication and cooperation.

Work Session Goes Public Hearing

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The Greenwich Board of Education will meet for their monthly work session on Thursday, April 4 at Cos Cob School to allow for public comments. The agenda includes an update on the Greenwich High School Environmental Study that is scheduled to be posted on the GPS website on April 1. The status report comes nearly a month following the public open house held March 6 on the Environmental Study Report on Site Investigation Findings & Recommendations for Remediation at Central Middle School. (Click here for a video link to the presentation)

Security Funded

Also scheduled on the board's agenda is a Discussion of Security Staffing by Superintendent McKersie. The board approved safety and security enhancements to Greenwich Public Schools at their February business meeting at Julian Curtiss School.

While the original Safety & Security Proposal called for a $1.5 million expenditure, the board approved the request at $1,402,000 in a vote of 7-0 with board member Peter von Braun absent.

The district received unanimous approval from the Board of Estimate and Taxation on March 18 for $1.4 million for the security upgrades.

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Angle Chasing

The board also will review a proposal for mathematical instructional resources proposed by Assistant Superintendent Irene Parisi and Mathematics Program Coordinator Brenda Brush. The resource being recommended for K-8, "Math In Focus: Singapore Math" by Marshall Cavendish, is among several that were considered. The board will be asked to vote on the options presented in the Mathematics Review Update at their April 25 business meeting.

Digital Learning Implementation

In a March 28 memo to the board, McKersie presented a revised blueprint for the district's 2013-2014 Digital Learning Plan. McKersie has characterized the "outline" as a "working plan" designed to be "refined' and "modified" as necessary. 

The proposed implementation plan in broken out in two organizational levels; "district-wide" and "schools and classrooms." Among the improvements to the
GPS district-wide digital infrastructure, the intent is to have upgrades to the district network completed by September 2013.

The administration is recommending a "three-year phase in of digital learning selected schools and classrooms." Among the steps outlined in the plan: 

  • Year 1 (2013-14): Two elementary schools will be selected for full implementation of digital learning. Planning, device selection, instructional resource development and professional learning will occur from Spring-Fall 2013, with devices introduced to classrooms in winter 2014.
  • Year 2 (2014-15): The two elementary schools from year one will continue with digital learning, and one full grade level (sixth grade) will be added.
  • Year 3 (2015-16): Full implementation of 1:1 learning will be instituted across the GPS. Planning, device evaluation and modification, instructional resource development, and professional learning will continue.

The two elementary schools will be selected for next year's pilot later this month. The 5-year project budget is estimated at $17.7 million.

Warning Signs

Last week, Greenwich High School PTA held a forum on "Risky Teen Behavior," which included a panel presenting information about such behaviors as binge drinking, illegal drug use and suicidal ideation.

The panel, which consisted of Guidance Counselor Mara Adelsberg, School Psychologist Jeff De Teso, School Social Worker Bill Quinn, and Wellness Education Teacher Kathleen Steiner, talked of the red flags and warning signs that parents should be aware of.

Please click here for video link to the presentation.

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