Our schools are lively centers of learning for children. Our dedicated teachers are collaborating together to better develop lessons that stimulate curiosity and actively engage each individual student in learning. More often now I see students engaged in purposeful activities and rich discussions that stimulate critical thinking skills, creativity, and communication skills.
At our November 6th Board of Education meeting, principals and the Director of Special Services summarized their respective improvement plans for the 2017-18 school year. We know where we are going and we have maps to get there: the District Improvement Plan, the School Improvement Plans, and the Special Services Improvement Plan. If you have not seen these plans, I urge you to read them on our website. Our science curriculum leaders presented the new generation science standards and how the Suffield Public Schools are moving forward in science. We are headed towards excellence in public education.
On December 18 there will be a special Board of Education meeting for the sole purpose of presenting the Superintendent’s Budget for the 2018 – 2019 school year. I invite the community to attend. Learn more about what we are doing in the schools and how we are continuously improving education so that students are career and college ready citizens of the 21st century. During these fiscally challenging times, we are working diligently to improve education while budgeting wisely.
Board of Education meetings are now videotaped and posted on our website. We encourage you to watch and listen to our teachers, administrators, and students talk about the work we are doing. Board meetings will focus on the budget during January. We welcome questions from the community and will post budget questions on our website. While not every household in our community has children in our schools, we welcome and respect everyone’s input.
Wishing all of you a joyful and healthy holiday season and new year.