Mark’s Meadow Highlights

Over the past few years Mark’s Meadow has strived to create a professional learning community based on shared norms and values while fostering the collaborative relationships necessary to successfully meet the complex challenges of teaching today. Staff Inquiry Groups, which meet monthly, have served as catalysts for exploring new instructional practices at Mark’s Meadow. For instance, a K-2 Inquiry Group was the impetus for writing workshop collaborations between an ELE teacher and a kindergarten teacher as well as the reading/language arts and second grade teachers. Another Inquiry Group focused on helping students develop reading strategies and comprehension skills in the middle (3-4) grades. At Mark’s Meadow School, we are committed to creating an educational environment in which our students grapple with issues of social justice by integrating an anti-bias curriculum into the daily learning in our classrooms. This past year Mark’s Meadow staff participated in a grant-funded program entitled “Furthering District Dialogue on Class and Race” facilitated by Class Action, a national non-profit organization. We engaged in an all-staff dialogue in order to develop a common language about class, and to identify specific barriers that low-income students face in accessing the educational opportunities our schools offer. The entire Mark’s Meadow staff devoted an afternoon to discussing issues of homophobia, gender stereotypes and teasing in our school. Also, our Diversity Committee sponsored our first study circle on racism with a group of Mark’s Meadow parents/guardians and staff.

Spotlight on Back to School Parade and Multicultural Fair

On the First Day of school we invite all of our families to join us for a special parade to kickoff
the new year. This year the parade was led by members of the UMass police on horseback,
motorcycle and bicycle. Our sixth grade class marched in front with a banner announcing the
First Day event, and the entire school—students, staff and many families—followed behind in a line that
trailed around an entire block. After circling the school, we gathered around our basketball court to make a cheer to express our wish for a great school year.

Our annual Multicultural Fair in March celebrated the incredible diversity of our school. The Multicultural
Fair, which was organized by staff and families, featured exhibits and food from around the world. Children went on a scavenger hunt as they tried to find the answers to a variety of questions which tested their knowledge of other cultures. There was also a multicultural art activity and an opportunity for a family photo to be taken that became part of an ongoing exhibit in our front hall. For the first time we had an International Fashion Show which showcased beautiful clothing, worn by our students, from around the world.