Sunday, May 31, 2015

Principal Coffee - May

Classroom updates:
There are three classes of incoming kindergartners, four first grade classes and four second grade classes
Lindsay Scott will teach one of the second grade classes next year and will switch with Ms. Chiosi
Class size will be approximately 20 students
Next year’s third graders may have a fourth classroom with approximately a dozen students

Redistricting updates:
Newton Public Schools has acquired the Aquinas property
Lincoln Elliot will move to the Aquinas and the former Lincoln Elliot building will become a swing school
Redistricting could affect families even if they already have students enrolled in school
Currently there is no plan to add to or to renovate the Franklin
Day Middle School recently added six permanent classrooms, five elementary schools feed into day with 360 students per grade
Horace Mann School will become Newton Parks and Rec

PARCC updates:
Make sure your child is rested
Students get anxious about end of year and next year’s transition
Testing on computers went smoothly

Principal search:
Because Elaine Harold is retired there needs to be a waiver granted form the state in order for her to continue as the interim principal next week.  Paperwork has been submitted proving that there is a critical shortage
Was the failure of our search process a timing issue?  No, the timing was appropriate.  There is a shortage of experiences candidates.  It’s a hard job and not a lot of people want it.  He hours are long, the increase in pay is not significant, there is no job security, and little authority.