Superintendent
Our New School Year
Our 2010-2011 school year will see important improvements in our school district as we continue to work to provide a strong educational program that will support the success of the children and youth of Pittsfield. Highlights include:
- Pittsfield Elementary School (PES) REACH: Our Rigorous Expectations and Academic Challenges will begin in mid-October and provide daily opportunities for intervention and support for students who will benefit from additional literacy and math support as well as enriching opportunities to challenge students with strengths in these areas.
- PES Responsive Classroom: Several teachers received additional training this past summer; this year, we’re hoping to provide for stronger in-school leadership for this successful social skills program by arranging for two in-school coordinators.
- PES Schedule: Students will be dismissed daily at 2:30 p.m. (was 2:25 p.m.) to eliminate the after-school wait time for students taking second bus runs; we’ll now have just one bus run. Also, we’ll schedule an early release day each month and dismissing at 11:30 a.m. (was 12:15 p.m.) to allow for additional staff development and planning time needed for continued school development. (Kydstop, a program offered by our partner, the Concord YMCA, will be offering after-school care for early release days; information will be provided in the opening day packet coming home with students.)
- PES Science and Social Studies Blocks: Longer blocks of time will be provided for science and social studies learning to allow for additional hands-on projects and field work for upper grade students.
Features
Guidance UpdateGUIDANCE UPDATE
VOL. 4 Number 3
March 2010
Student Leaders Roll Out School Climate Survey Results: Twenty-two student leaders representing every grade level have been working with consultants from Main Street Academix to improve school climate at Pittsfield Middle High School. The student leaders administered an online survey to approximately 70% of students in grades 7-12 and invited faculty and staff to participate in a staff version of the survey. Bryan Partridge and Rachael Frost of Main Street Academix (MSA) brought the results to the students in mid-February, and led students through analysis of the data to identify goals for school improvement. That afternoon, several students shared individual comments from the survey at a faculty meeting to introduce teachers to the process of analyzing results and setting goals. Though working separately, the similarity in several student and faculty goals is striking: (more…)
Events
Art NewsDid you know that Pittsfield Middle High School’s art program participates in a virtual art gallery? Each year, thousands of art teachers nationwide showcase their students’ artwork online at www.artsonia.com. Artsonia is the world’s largest online student art museum. You can quickly search for artwork done by Pittsfield students by searching by city on the left hand side of the homepage, or browse art work by students from around the world. Click Pittsfield Slideshow to link to the slideshow showing our student’s work!
