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

Calendar

The Year of the Survey

It has been a very productive year with many committed people trying to accomplish many goals. Did you know this year you were asked to fill out six different surveys? These include the F.P.P. committee survey, School Advisory Board sent out a marketing survey, the Uniform committee survey, Accreditation survey, the Diocesan technology survey, and the Homework committee survey. We value the information gathered and use it to make positive steps into our future. We want you to feel a part of all that is good about St. Mary School.

Thank you for your participation in all of this work this year. The homework committee has been busy working on accreditation. When they have gathered results they will be shared with you. Since we will continue with our accreditation process into our next school year you can expect a few more surveys. Thank you again.

Math Curriculum Review

The K-8 math curriculum has been reviewed this year as part of our curriculum review cycle. Teachers met monthly to review National, State, and Diocesan curriculum guide lines. Local Catholic and public schools were surveyed to gather math programs presently in use. Three programs were chosen for review and vendors were invited to share these programs with us.

As a results, next year kindergarten through grade six will be using a 2006 edition of the Houghton Mifflin math program. Grade seven and eight will be learning from the McDougal Littell pre-algebra and algebra math series. We are confident this new math series will keep our math curriculum strong.

Transportation Reminder

Linda Sweet from the transportation office on 100 Maple Avenue would like you to remember to sign up for busing for the next school year. This is for Shrewsbury residents only. If you plan on riding a school bus in the next school year, you need to sign up. The deadline for sign up is Thursday, June 15.

The After School Program

by Mrs. Pisarczyk

The After School Program has been busy this year remembering our teachers with kind deeds. We have made them cookies, Easter eggs, and May Day baskets. The children are now working on an end of the year surprise for the teachers.

Our service projects include bags that have been decorated for the food bank so families will have fancy bags when they take home their food. We have also made cookies for the senior citizen parties at the towers in Shrewsbury.

St. John's sent us a nice group of boys this year to volunteer. They helped in homework, sports, and sportsmanship. The children have enjoyed the many activities, service projects, and volunteers.

Helping Others

During the Lenten season the students were asked to take home a love loaf to save some money and share what they have with those that are less fortunate. This Lenten gift, in the amount of $2400.00, was sent to the Haitian Apostolate. May God bless you and your children for your generous gift.

Reaccreditation Update

by Sandy Hudson and Cecile Coté,
Reaccreditation Co-ordinators

As you know, St. Mary School is currently seeking reaccreditation by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). We began this process in August ’05 with a visit from Ann Scott of NEASC, who met with the faculty to introduce us to the concept and process of reaccreditation. In January, we attended a NEASC daylong workshop at which we met and worked with faculty from schools throughout New England who are also undertaking this task.

By February, teachers were completing curriculum reviews for each grade and subject they teach. In March, eight faculty subcommittees were formed to begin the work of analyzing the curriculum, student experience, and resources in respect to all subject areas. This work will continue through May. In the meantime, Faculty, Student (Gr. 6, 7 & 8) and Parent Questionnaires were administered. Responses have been compiled and are ready to be incorporated with the information generated by the faculty subcommittees during the next phase we will undertake in the fall.

Please know how much we appreciate the time and thought you put into completing the Parent Questionnaire. Your input is crucial to the success of our reaccreditation.