Dear Everyone Learning @ Amherst, Region, and Pelham Schools:
Thank you to everyone who attended and participated in the "State of the Districts" meetings this week. A tape of the first portion of the evening session will be shown on ACTV.
The State of the Districts? My response was that we are "primed!" We are building on the successes of recent years. We are contending with the challenges of tradition and culture and the pressures of state and federal standards. We are dedicated to student achievement in a school system characterized by principles of social justice. We have results and room to improve. Consequently -- yes, we are primed for the next levels of success. We know where we have work to do and are actualizing the efforts. In the upcoming weeks, I will send out specifics of these efforts and summaries of the responses shared in the discussions.
The State of the Districts Report is now posted on the home page of our district website and will soon be available in school and town offices. I hope you enjoy scanning the overview of our district and school efforts and organization. It is not a comprehensive report of every district detail. Specific information about our district demographics and categories of financial revenues and expenditures can be found in our School Committee Information Budget Packets #1 and #2. These, too, are posted on the district website. First drafts of the 2008-2009 budget worksheets were reviewed with the School Committees earlier this week. A summary of that information will be distributed on this post and on the website next week.
There are no School Committee meetings scheduled for next week. I will present the preliminary budget information to the Amherst Select Board Monday evening.
Again, thank you for your continued interest in our schools.
I have included a letter to the editor written by Mr. Mark Jackson, ARHS principal, that complements the discussions of recent days.
Respectfully,
Jere Hochman
Superintendent
Letter to the Editor by Mark Jackson
To the editor: In the important public discussion now afoot regarding the mission of the local public schools, I'd like to request a community-wide moratorium on the use of the phrase "equity v. excellence," which has become the popular reframing of the essential question "Who are schools for?"
Almost inevitably, someone in these discussions says something like: "isn't it really about both?"; "shouldn't schools work for all kids?"; "they aren't exclusive of each other, are they? they seem more complementary."
These comments reveal a recognition of the limits of a simple dichotomy to capture adequately the complexity of school life.
The lengthy menu of programs to challenge, support and enrich all students along with the routine work of teachers who adjust themselves minute to minute to address a vast array of student needs both illustrate that, in the end, it's always about all kids.
The irony of trying to push past an either/or orientation while relying on an either/or framing suggests that it might be time to look for a replacement or alternative way of describing the mission of public schools.
I'd like to suggest this one: "How can we help schools challenge and support all kids so as to keep them working at the outer edge of their capability?"
Not real catchy and it won't fit on a coffee mug. But I do think it keeps the conversation properly grounded.
Mark Jackson
Principal
Amherst Regional High School
Good Neighbor Project
The Alliance to Develop Power Worker Center is bringing together Pioneer Valley residents, volunteers, and immigrants to create a Legal Defense Fund to support Valley immigrants. The Good Neighbor Fund-Raising Project will host a campaign-kick-off party next Tuesday, January 29 at 6:00 p.m. in the Amherst Regional High School cafeteria. The evening will include food from local restaurants and music and performances by students from Amherst Regional High School, Project 2050 of New World Theatre, Conjunto de Bomba and special guests, The Alchemystics. Food will be provided by La Veracruzana, Mi Tierra, Ben & Jerry¹s, Bueno y Sano and The Sub & Pizza. Tickets are $5 for students and $15 for adults. Please read the attached press release for more information about the project and the event!
Climate Change: Our Global Challenge, Our Local Response
To reaffirm Amhersts commitment to reduce carbon dioxide emission to 35% below the 1997 level by 2009, the Amherst Select Board is hosting a panel discussion and screening of a webcast on Wednesday, January 30, 2008. Stephanie Ciccarello, the Towns Energy Task Force Coordinator and Jason Burbank, energy engineer at UMass Amherst, will present an overview of actions taken since 1997 to reduce CO2 emissions at the municipal level, and on the campus of UMass/Amherst. They will look ahead and evaluate the likelihood of achieving the goal in 2009. Following the one-hour presentation with Q&A from the audience, the second hour will feature the screening of the webcast --- 2% Solution. The event is free and will take place on the 2nd Floor of Amherst Town Hall. Please see the attached press release for more information!
Upcoming Meetings
Saturday, January 25 at 9:30 a.m. Four-Towns Regional Budget Meeting
Tuesday, February 5 at 7:00 p.m. Regional School Committee Meeting
Thursday, February 7 at 7:00 p.m. Pelham School Committee Meeting
Tuesday, February 12 at 7:00 p.m. Amherst School Committee Meeting
Attachments:
Good Neighbor Project Flyer