Category: Elementary School

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Influencer of the Week: Christina Clark of Dillard Street Elementary School | West Orange Times & Observer

Influencer of the Week: Christina Clark of Dillard Street Elementary School | West Orange Times & Observer

Christina Clark has served Dillard Street Elementary for 16 years as a kindergarten and third-grade teacher. For the past three years, she has supported ESE students and the Multi-Tiered System of Supports process on campus by helping coordinate and implement strong interventions for the school’s most vulnerable students. She consistently develops partnerships with community businesses who provide supports to DSES. She also is the Partners In Education coordinator. She was Teacher of the Year in 2018-19.

 

What brought you to your school?

 My previous school was downsizing due to remodeling and moving campuses during the remodel. Since I was a first-year teacher, my position was cut. The assistant principal there suggested Dillard since it was close by and they had some positions available.

 

What do you love most about your school?

 I love the students and staff! Dillard feels like a big family.

 

What is your motivation?

My motivation has always been to make a difference. Seeing the students succeed after working so hard is truly rewarding.

 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

 I love to run, go to theme parks, travel and spend time with my family.

 

Who was your favorite teacher when you were in school? Why?

I had several teachers (who) really made an impact on me. Margaret Wright was my fourth-grade teacher at Ridgewood Park Elementary, and I remember her being so caring. She took an interest in our lives and made us each feel important. One of my middle school teachers, Fred Dana, was always very encouraging and made learning interesting.   

 

When you were a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? Why?

Depending on what age you asked me, it was either a news reporter or a teacher. I was always interested in what was going on and thought it would be so cool to travel around the world to report on different events. I also loved to learn and thought it would be fun to be able teach others.  

 

What is your favorite children’s book and why?

My favorite children’s book is “Where the Wild Things Are,” by Maurice Sendak. I love the lessons you can learn from it, and I found Max’s wild imagination relatable.    

 

What are your hobbies? 

I love to run, especially at Disney. I’ve completed two marathons, along with several other race distances. I also love just going to Disney or Universal to ride the rides, eat and see the shows. When I have time, I love to read.   

 

If you could have any superpower, what would it be and why?

I love “Star Wars,” so I would want to have Force abilities. You are not limited to just one power.

 

If you could only listen to three bands or artists for the rest of your life, what would they be and why?

This is really a hard question because I have a very eclectic taste in music. One of my selections would definitely be Queen, though. They have so many great songs; I have a bunch of them on my running playlist, and they keep me pumped up. Narrowing down the other two is more difficult. I would really have to give that some more thought.        

 

What is your favorite holiday and why?

I like any reason to celebrate or dress up, so I love all holidays. Christmas is my favorite, though. I love the movies, the songs, the decorations and the spirit of giving that this season inspires.

 

Who was your best friend when you were in school and why? Are you still in touch?

I have several that I’m still touch with.

 

What were your extracurricular activities as a student? Did you win any accolades or honors?

I was homeschooled for high school, so none. In college, I regularly made the Dean’s List.

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Cudahy School Board OKs closure of one of its elementary schools

Cudahy School Board OKs closure of one of its elementary schools
Cudahy School Board OKs closure of one of its elementary schools

The Cudahy School Board has voted to close one of its elementary schools and send those students to another elementary school while three other merger proposals have failed.

At its Dec. 13 meeting, the board voted unanimously to close Park View Elementary at the end of the 2021-22 school year and send Park View students and staff to General Mitchell Elementary and reduce overall staffing within the district. 

A proposal that would have closed Kosciuszko Elementary at the end of the 2021-22 school year and sent students and staff from that school to J.E. Jones Elementary and Lincoln Elementary, as well as to reduce staff, failed by a 4-3 margin. Board members Linda Kutka, Dennis Carney, Joan Haske and Michael Johnson voted against the proposal while board members Laurie Ozbolt, Chris Galewski and Rhonda Riccio voted for it.

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Dandridge Elementary School dismissed early after student sets fire

Dandridge Elementary School dismissed early after student sets fire

DANDRIDGE, Tenn. (WVLT) – Dandridge Elementary School closed early on Monday due to a bathroom fire set by a student.

According to a release, the incident occurred at 7:50 a.m. in a restroom on the second-grade hallway in which a student allegedly used a device to set toilet paper on fire in a stall.

Students were reportedly entering the building to prepare for the day when a staff member noticed the smell of smoke. Upon entering the restroom, the staff member observed the smoke and found the fire which had spread to the plastic molding that holds the paper onto the walls, a release stated.

“Fire evacuation procedures were immediately implemented by sounding the fire alarm, evacuating the building, and notifying emergency officials,” a release said. “Additionally, one staff member used a portable fire extinguisher to try to contain the fire.”

Since the school is located close to the Jefferson Co. Justice Center, Jefferson Co. Sheriff Jeff Coffey and his staff opened space to place the children while they waited for their parents.

Parents were notified shortly after the incident. The student who set the fire was identified, disciplined and will not be on campus for the remainder of the first semester.

A decision on resuming school will be made during early evening hours after cleanup crews provide an estimated timeframe for the work to be completed, officials announced.

The principal made a statement regarding the incident.

The director of schools said he was grateful no one was injured in the fire.

The fire was contained, and no injuries have been reported.

This story is developing.

Copyright 2021 WVLT. All rights reserved.

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Photo gallery: Lilbourn Elementary School’s “A Classic Christmas” (12/12/21)

Photo gallery: Lilbourn Elementary School’s “A Classic Christmas” (12/12/21)

Sunday, December 12, 2021

Jill Bock

Members of the kindergarten, first grade and second grade at Lilbourn Elementary School performed for family and friends in a concert Dec. 7 at the school.

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    Friends and family filled the auditorium at Lilbourn Elementary School for the Christmas concert performed by students in kindergarten, first grade and second grade.

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    Second grade student Chara Johnson performs a solo during “The First Noel” at the Lilbourn Elementary School Christmas concert.

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    A special Christmas hat helps a Lilbourn Elementary School first grader get in the holiday spirit. Students in kindergarten, first grade and second grade performed on Dec. 7 at the school.

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    First year music instructor Madison Appleton directs the second grade students at Lilbourn Elementary School in “Do You Hear What I Hear.” Students in kindergarten, first grade and second grade performed on Dec. 7 at Lilbourn.
    (Jill Bock)

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    The Lilbourn Elementary School first graders perform at the Dec. 7 concert, “A Classic Christmas.” The first graders performed four songs for parents and guests.

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    All the holiday songs inspired a holiday hug among two of the Lilbourn Elementary School kindergarten students during their concert.

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    Second grade student Isla Jamerson performs a solo during “The First Noel,” one of four songs sung by the Lilbourn Elementary School’s second grade at their Christmas concert.

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    First year music instructor Madison Appleton directs members of the second grade as they perform “Do You Hear What I Hear” at the Dec. 7 concert at Lilbourn Elementary School in Lilbourn.

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    As they sing “Little Snowflake,” kindergarten students indicate where the snowflake falls including on their nose. The song was one of four the students performed for their parents and guests at the Dec. 7 concert.

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    Lilbourn Elementary kindergarten students perform “Oh Christmas Tree” at their Dec. 7 concert, A Classic Christmas.

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    Lilbourn Elementary Principal Ashley Long, right, addresses the audience prior to the beginning of the school’s Christmas program as the members of the kindergarten class wait to perform. Students in kindergarten, first and second grades performed at the Dec. 7 program.

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    A first grade student at Lilbourn Elementary School adds a little flair as he and his classmates sing “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree” as part of their Christmas concert.

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    Lilbourn Elementary kindergarten students sing about the most famous reindeer of all, “Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer,” at their holiday concert for family and friends.

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    A Lilbourn Elementary first grader gives the thumbs up for those who have made Santa’s nice list as the first grade class performs “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” during the school’s Christmas concert.

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    Members of the Lilbourn Elementary School’s second grade performed four songs for the audience during the school’s Christmas concert on Dec. 7.

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    Members of the Lilbourn Elementary School First Grade class perfrom “Silent Night” during the school’s A Classic Christmas concert on Dec. 7.

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    First graders snap their fingers as they sing about the reindeer “Up on the Housetop” during the Lilbourn Elementary School’s Christmas concert.

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    Second grade students at Lilbourn Elementary sing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas” during the schools’ Dec. 7 Christmas concert.

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Dozens get first glimpse of new Ludington Elementary School | News

Dozens get first glimpse of new Ludington Elementary School | News

PERE MARQUETTE TWP. — New Ludington Elementary School received a warm reception amid the blowing cold and snow Saturday morning during a ribbon-cutting ceremony and open house for tours.

Officials past and present were on hand for the ribbon-cutting at 11 a.m., started off by Ryan Lewis, the music teacher at Foster Elementary School, guiding students in a rendition of the “Star-Bangled Banner.” After a handful of speeches, a long orange ribbon was cut by Ludington School Board President Steve Carlson and Vice President Bret Autrey to the applause of the dozens and dozens on hand.

Afterwards, staff members with Ludington Area Schools gave tours into the afternoon.

“It was amazing. Each of the wings and rooms were so cozy,” said Collette Rodriguez, whose son Easton Paniuski is a second-grader who will be making the move to Ludington Elementary on Jan. 4, 2022. “I like that there’s separate rooms so they can work in one-on-one settings.

“It’s a lot to look at.”

The pair toured the building going past and into various classes and areas, from Heidi Urka’s first grade classroom in the first grade wing, past the expansive library, into the fifth grade wing, on to the cafeteria and then the gymnasium.

“I don’t think they could have built it better. Everything here is state of the art,” said George Foster, the father of school board member Scott Foster. “I’m anxious to look at what kind of difference it makes for our schools.”

Foster was glad that the students and staff at Ludington Elementary also appear to be safe should something come to pass in the future.

Carlson, after several tours went through the new building, said he heard very positive comments about it, too.

“I’m really happy that everyone get’s to see it, and we have another project coming.”

Voters in 2019 passed a $100 million bond to construct a new elementary school near the intersection of Jebavy Drive and Bryant Road as one half of the total project. The elementary school will replace the remaining elementary schools in the district — Foster, Franklin and Lakeview elementary schools and the Pere Marquette Early Childhood Center.

Construction of the new school began in March 2020 and was delayed a bit because of the COVID-19 pandemic. The school was originally scheduled to be completed by this past fall, but the delays pushed the opening to nearly the middle of the academic year — right at the Christmas holiday break. Still, to get the project done halfway through an academic year took much effort.

“Each one of (the trade contractors) worked together and navigated challenging times no one had seen before to deliver this project on time. This feat could not have been accomplished without the entire project team of GMB as architect and engineer, Communication by Design as technology consultants and the district’s staff providing the construction team the decisions we need,” said Ben Globke, a project engineer with the Christman Company.

As the tours were wrapping up outside the new school’s gymnasium, artists’ renderings of the coming work in the secondary school complex and athletic facilities were placed for what will be the second half of the project that is scheduled to be completed by 2024.

During the ceremony, current Foster fifth-grader and future Ludington Elementary fifth-grader Harper Rasmussen was a student representative and spoke about how she and her brother, Mason, are looking forward to the move in less than a month.

“I’m excited to meet all of the new students when our schools combine,” she said. “The library is going to be bigger, and I cannot wait to check it out. Since I play sports, I can’t wait to play in the gym and on the playgrounds…

“It’s good to be an Oriole.”

She, along with Mason Nickelson, Mia Nickelson and Landon Eaton held up the ribbon that was cut by Carlson and Autrey.

Those thanked during the ceremony leading up to the ribbon cutting included former Superintendent Jason Kennedy and the leader of the community group, Yes For LAS Committee, led by Vic Burwell that campaigned for the bond issue. Kennedy was at the ceremony, and he was presented a plaque from Carlson on behalf of the district for his work on the project. As Kennedy was being introduced, he wiped away a tear or two.

“I don’t think that many people know that Jason spent countless hours here, almost every night, making sure that this building came to fruition in a way that was promised the voters of this district,” Carlson said during the ceremony.

After the ceremony, Kennedy — now the superintendent at Fruiport Community Schools — was appreciative and glad to see the completion of the construction of the building.

“I have driven up a couple of times to drive around, but you know, it is bittersweet,” he said in the new school’s office. “A lot of work is going into what you’re seeing (Saturday). The vision of the board of education, our administrative team, our staff, strategic planning process led to what you see here.

“We strongly believed at the time that a quality staff with a supportive community and facilities that are state-of-the-art that support teaching and learning lead to an educational system that is premiere in the region…

“Certainly, there’s a ton of emotion… Simply know the community will be impacted by this for generations to come.”

Burwell was happy to look through the new building, too, Saturday morning. He last saw it when it was a basic structure.

“It was really inspiring to see the technical abilities and the technology that is present in each room,” he said. “The acoustics absolutely amaze me. It looks like it’s going to be really loud, but it isn’t. Each classroom, the desks, the layout.

“I wish I were in first grade.”

Ludington Interim Superintendent Peg Mathis began the ceremony and thanked many, and soon-to-be Ludington Superintendent Kyle Corlett was on hand for the open house, too. It was another instance where Corlett was able to see the community’s response to the district. And like the elementary students, Corlett’s first full day of work will be nearly in line with the opening of Ludington Elementary School.

“It’s been more I could have ever wished for,” said Corlett, who will have two children starting to attend the new school, too. “This is a testament ot the community support. Ludington has a reputation of being very supportive of the schools. That’s one thing that attracted me to an area.”

Corlett, too, joined in on some of the tours, and he was appreciative of the response.

“It’s so nice to hear people’s reactions on how nice the building was,” he said. “The kids love the playground and gym. The teachers like the extended learning spaces and having workrooms, and bringing the two elementaries together. Parents like that it’s clean and bright.”

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The Recorder – Committee closes School Choice seats at Northfield, Bernardston elementary schools

The Recorder – Committee closes School Choice seats at Northfield, Bernardston elementary schools

NORTHFIELD — Based on requests from both elementary schools and the interim superintendent’s recommendation, the Pioneer Valley Regional School District School Committee voted Thursday to close the district’s open School Choice seats at Bernardston and Northfield elementary schools.

Interim Superintendent Patricia Kinsella said the principals at both schools have raised concerns about their school’s abilities to take on more students as short staffing and the pandemic’s continued impact add increased stress to the schools.

“Both of the elementary principals are requesting, because of social-emotional needs, because of academic needs and because of space concerns with COVID in their buildings,” Kinsella said, “they are requesting the School Committee consider closing all of the open School Choice seats” in both schools.

The vote closed six seats at Bernardston Elementary School and 20 seats at Northfield Elementary. Two seats in the senior class at Pioneer Valley Regional School were also closed, but only because graduation requirements can get messy if a student transfers this late into the year, according to Kinsella.

Warwick member David Young asked how much potential revenue the district could lose out on by closing the School Choice seats, which each provide $5,000.

“Theoretically those are worth $5,000 apiece,” Young said. “It’s $150,000 of potential income we’re walking away from. I’ll still vote for it though.”

Kinsella noted the district doesn’t typically receive that many School Choice applications this late into the school year, and any help the teachers and administrators can get would be helpful. She said she is normally “an open-arms person,” but welcoming any additional students could be detrimental to the schools.

“There are some significant behavioral needs,” Kinsella said. “I know that in one of the buildings the principal spent yesterday in meetings with the teachers at each grade level reviewing data about the students both in terms of their behavior and their learning.”

School Committee Chair Julie Burke said she felt similarly to Young in that the district might be losing out on revenue, but the concerns of administrators cannot be ignored.

“I feel the same with David’s sentiments that of course, with declining enrollment, it’s so exciting that more kids want to come, so my knee-jerk reaction is with open arms,” Burke said. “However, I need to defer to the experts and the experts are the building principals, the teachers and our superintendent.”

The School Committee voted unanimously to close the recommended seats to any students not currently in the application process.

In other business, the committee voted to continue meeting in a hybrid format and reduced the maximum meeting time from two and a half hours to two hours. Any meeting that exceeds the time limit will reconvene the next week, which is also the current policy.

“I really feel there is a huge benefit to meeting in person,” Burke said. “We often have audio difficulties with folks at home. … I’m not placing blame, it is what it is.”

Other committee members disagreed in the name of safety and time management.

“I agree, meeting in person is ideal,” Warwick member Nathan Swartz said. “Right now, that’s not always an option. The last meeting we had, a couple of our kids had fellow students who were in COVID protocols, so I didn’t feel like it was appropriate for me to go to the meeting in person.”

Bernardston member Jeanne Milton said hybrid allows each town’s representatives the most opportunity to attend the meeting.

“There are only two of us from Bernardston,” Milton said. “Under doctor’s orders I could not attend tonight, that would only leave us with one person if we couldn’t do Google Meet.”

Northfield member Stephanie Winslow said in-person meetings are the best way to conduct business, especially in executive session.

“I’ve always known a School Committee to be in person,” Winslow said. “If the kids are in school, then we can be here.”

The committee opted to remain in a hybrid format with a 7-3 vote, and will reconvene Thursday, Dec. 16, at 7 p.m. to continue discussion on the use of private vehicles for transportation to school activities.

Chris Larabee can be reached at [email protected] or 413-930-4081.