August 2010
Dear Students and Parents,
I hope your summer has been filled with relaxation, reflection and that you are refreshed and ready for an exciting and enriching 2010-11 school year.
The start of the school year is always one of great excitement and anticipation. I am sure your teachers are excited about welcoming you back to their classrooms.
To those of you new to the North Country Supervisory Union, you will find no finer educators than your North Country colleagues. We are pleased to welcome Mr. Stephen Earley, Principal and Dr. Eric Erwin, Assistant Principal of Newport City School, Mr. Christopher Young, Principal of Troy School, and Mrs. Pamela Kennedy, Coordinator of Early Childhood Education. These administrators have a breadth of background in his or her level of educational experience and have accepted the challenge to meet the high expectations of NCSU. Please welcome them to NCSU when you have the opportunity.
Offices throughout the Union have been a hub of activity for the past several weeks as the staff has been busy preparing for your return.
Many of you may be aware of the Vermont Challenge for Change that requires the department of education to set targets for 2012 budget reductions. NCSU target is a reduction of $744,964 SU-wide. This represents a large number for an SU with low spending districts. Due to the budget uncertainty, I plan to post periodic updates regarding items of importance throughout the SU.
Our focus this year will remain student achievement. We have made some improvements:
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6th through 8th grade Mathematics text materials
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Response to Intervention (RTI) will be a focus in all of our schools. The earlier a student's needs are identified and addressed the better the chance for success.
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The second half of ARRA ( American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) in Title I and IDEIA Funds will be put to effective use in helping students achieve.
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All elementary schools are engaged in part or whole of the Responsive Classroom.
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Four elementary schools and NCUHS are being proactive in regard to student behavior by implementing Positive Behavior Intervention Supports (PBIS).
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Third year of our Professional Development Program providing opportunities for teachers to enrich their skills and knowledge in seven different strands aimed at effective teaching and management.
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Third year for our Leadership Academy where all administrators participated in three and one-half days of professional development from review of special education rules, Response to Intervention, and effective teaching strategies.
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Standards-based report cards in Grades K-4 through Power School.
Welcome back and I wish you a most rewarding school year!
Sincerely,
Robert W. Kern, Ed.D., Superintendent
