Superintendent Weekly News

This past weekend we were saddened by the death of James Eggleston, a 6th grader in our Middle School.  Calling hours will be Friday evening from 6:00 – 9:00 at Densmore’s, and a memorial service will be at 2:00 on Saturday at the First United Methodist Church.  I’m sure you will join me in keeping this family your thoughts and prayers.

As we all returned to school this morning, our counseling staff and faculty and other adults were all ready to help our children cope with this tragedy. 
When something like this happens, our “Crisis Team” gathers to decide how best to cope with everything.  We consider the impact on our students first and how we can help them.  Then we consider our adults and what they might need.  There is information being posted on our website to guide parents as they talk to their children about such a tragedy.  We also discuss talking to the media and what information should and can be shared.  This team is comprised of our administrators, counseling staff, social workers, nurses, and psychologists.

There is a good article posted on our website entitled, “Helping Children Cope with Loss, Death, and Grief:  Tips for Teachers and Parents” that covers a wide range of topics for children of all ages.  I encourage you to read it!  Coping with the loss of a friend or loved one is as challenging for children as it is for adults.  As a resource, the District has posted a link: to our Facebook page with a parent resource, entitled “How to Help a Child Cope with Death.”

SENIOR CITIZEN DINNER AND A SHOW
The annual Dinner and Show is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 1st.  The show entitled:  “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat.”  The show will begin at 4pm and the dinner will be served immediately following.  The dinner  charge will remain at $5.00 per person.  Due to the short notice, please RSVP to Helen Bardin 654-2601.  I look forward to seeing all of you who normally attend and encourage each of you to bring along a senior friend or relative who may otherwise not ever get the opportunity to attend this event. 

The State Education Department has designated Corinth Middle School as a School In Need of Improvement.  For more information please click on the following link.  You can also find this information on the Middle School webpage.

 MOVING THE 5TH GRADE
Over the past several weeks we have had discussions about moving the 5th grade from the Middle School to Center St.  As we talked about why we should and why we shouldn’t consider this, we noted the following advantages:
            1. Age Appropriate- 10 year old 5th graders are a better fit for the elementary than for a middle    school housing 14-15 yr. olds;
            2. Provides one more yr. of continuity at the elementary delaying a transition to the middle school- the research is clear that students struggle with transitions academically...keeping them housed in the elementary will be stronger academically;
            3. Provides more AIS academic support -- (the elementary has 4 AIS teachers compared to 1 AIS teacher at the middle school);
            4. Provides needed space at the middle school to accommodate all middle school programs (for example, presently the middle school tech class is housed at the high school);
            5. There is space at the Elementary to accommodate the 5th grade class;
            6. Addressing behaviors...it is easier to deal with such issues as bullying at a K-5 elementary than dealing with bullying from 8th graders to 5th graders;  and
            7. There is a chance to expand the music program for the Elementary students.
We found no disadvantages.  There will be a change to the culture of that building with a new group of students and teachers added to it.  The conversation with the 5th grade team acknowledged this and did not consider it a deterrent.  Dr. Johnson, our Elementary Principal, has met with the 4th grade teachers recently and they are in agreement that this is good for students.
 

Dr. Johnson and I met recently with the entire Elementary faculty and shared questions and answers with them.  None of the comments from the faculty expressed that this was a bad idea.  Rather they inquired about what rooms would be used and the lockers and the lunch schedules – all items that can be addressed as we move forward.

SUPPLEMENTAL EDUCATIONAL SERVICES (Free Tutoring)
Corinth Middle School has been designated as a School in Need of Improvement. Part of that designation requires our district to offer free "tutoring" to some students. Under the federal NCLB Act, our district must offer supplemental education services in ELA and Math to eligible students. To qualify, the child must be eligible for free/reduced lunch, be in need of AIS services and attend the Corinth Middle School. Enrollment packets were sent to eligible families through the US Mail this week. Our second enrollment period is January 9-27th. Services are slated to begin on Feb. 1st.  Parents will choose the SES provider from a district provided list. This provider will work with the family, student and school to develop and individualized learning plan for the student.

MINI COURSE OFFERINGS
If you have a hobby or a special interest you’d like to share, this is a great opportunity to share it with some eager students.  The classes meet on Monday, Tuesday, or Thursday from 2:30 – 3:15pm.  We will pay you $25 an hour as an instructor and also pay for any supplies you might need for the class.  The sessions run for 6 weeks.  Classes will begin in early March.  The number of courses offered will determine the number of students we can invite. 

There is a time crunch to get started, so if you are interested, please contact Lisa Meade at 654-9005 or click here for the proposal form indicated.  But she needs to hear from you by Friday,  February 3rd!!

 JOB VACANCY

Elementary PrincipaL:  Please send Cover Letter, Resume, Certification, Letters of Recommendation to Dr. Daniel Starr, Corinth Central School, 105 Oak Street, Corinth, NY   12822.  Deadline to apply February 17, 2012.  This is a FT Position with Benefits.  Salary to be determined.  Start date July1, 2012