February 2006 Newsletter Joanne F. Gannon, Principal James T. Ferdella, Asst. Principal

Calendar

Barry Burbank visits St. Mary School

Mr. Burbank holds up the St. Mary School shirt Ryan and Mr. Moakley presented to him during his visit. Did you see our students on Channel 4 @ 6:44 a.m. the next day?

“It makes me very happy knowing that everyone enjoyed my presentation. The students were courteous, polite, attentive and appreciative and I like that a lot.”

Barry Burbank, Channel 4 meteorologist

The Video Club’s Creation

Our video club has created a new school video. The new video was produced for our open house last month. It features photographs and video from a variety of events and activities enjoyed by our students from the past two years. Kevin Looney,Grade 6, spent time in the SPAC television studio editing the video to make the final version perfect. Jared Giordano, Grade 8, viewed the video and wrote and read the voice over for the new school video. It will air this month on our local Shrewsbury cable station. Keep an eye out for it; you may see your children!

Monthly Tours of Our School

Remember to tell a friend about our monthly tour dates and call the school to register to attend.

Preschool dates, all Wednesdays @ 1:00 p.m.

• February 8
• March 8
• April 5
• May 3
• June 7

K-8 school dates, all Fridays @ 12:15 p.m.

• February 10
• March 3
• April 7
• May 12
• June 9

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Differentiated Instruction Class

By Colleen Johnson, Gr.3 Teacher

As we continue our journey into the 21st century, we continue hearing about the importance of differentiated instruction. What is differentiated instruction, you might ask? Simply stated, it is a move away from the “one-size-fits-all” approach to education.

We believe in these guiding principles of differentiated instruction as proposed by Marian Diamonds, Professor of Neuroanatomy at Berkeley: no two children are alike or learn in the same way; children should take responsibility for their own learning; and working in small groups increases understanding because students learn to be teachers to one another, and you “have to understand something to teach it.”

Through the course of the year, we are hoping to introduce the students to new instructional strategies that fit individual modes of learning. Some of these strategies include self-monitored enrichment activities, learning contracts, and learning centers. We hope you will ask your child to tell you about his or her learning experiences during the day. Asking questions like, “What did you discuss in small groups?” “What independent activities did you complete today?” or “What new progress have you made on your reading contract?” can significantly open the lines of communication between you and your child. When we are all actively involved, children succeed.

Principal’s note: From January through May using the SmartBoard in the library, twelve of our teachers are presently participating in the on-line professional development class on Differentiated Instruction (DI). Each teacher will use new instructional strategies that fit best with the ability of their students.

The Survey Says!

Thank you for sending in your survey from the School Advisory Board. We will be looking at the results of the survey in regards to our marketing and development planning.

We have other important surveys that will be coming your way within the next few months. One survey is from the Diocesan School Department on the technology in our school, a second survey focusing on homework, which will help us address part of our strategic plan, and a third survey about our school which is needed for our accreditation and will be used throughout this process.

Your input is vital on all of these surveys. Please take the time to make a difference in the future of our school. We will use all of your input to form an action plan which then goes to our accreditation visiting team and then to the board of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges. Your input will make a difference and gives you an opportunity to praise what we do well and share what will make our school even better. We are all in this together. Thank you.

Our Monthly Mass

In celebration of Valentine’s Day, February 14, students may wear pink or red instead of their uniform. Appropriate dress is required as we will be attending Mass on Valentine’s Day. Thank you.

Happy Valentine’s Day!