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K-5 Transition
Update
December 7, 2009
December 7, 2009
Dear Gorham Community,
We hope this update finds you cuddled up to a warm fire…we finally have some winter weather following a glorious fall. I guess we can’t complain! In October, we discussed, PDT architect requests, and began work on nursing and social work statements. In November, we focused on staffing models, a visit with the K-5 staff, food service, and equipment needs.
On October 16th, the Transition Team met to discuss backwards planning for PDT architects. We realized that we needed to invite Norm Justice, Director of Facilities and Transportation, and Michael Sanborn, Director of Food Services, to discuss their departments, and the transition impacts. We also began work on nurse staffing.
In order to be ready for determining who will be at each school (staff selection), we first have to look at how many staff members are needed at each school. Subgroups of administrators began the work of developing these models for classroom teachers, specialists, special educators, support staff, office staff, and Ed Techs based on the projected number of students at each school.
On November 4th and 5th, administrators ‘rolled out’ the latest information to each of the three schools at their staff meetings. This included a review of work accomplished during the last four years, an update on the new school, the Counseling and GT Statements, and the process we will use for Staff Selection. Staff members will have an opportunity to share their thoughts with the administrative team at each building.
On November 16th the team met with Michael Sanborn regarding the transition’s impact on Food Services. One big change is that the new school will have a fully equipped kitchen and staff to meet the needs of the largest of the 3 K-5 schools, compared to the current ‘satellite’ kitchen in use at White Rock. The number of students in each school will affect the number of lunch periods needed at each school.
Norm Justice, Facilities and Transportation Director, also met with the Team on November 16th. We have a deadline from the state to send in a moveable equipment list for the new school. Those are items that support the educational program that the state allows for, such as furniture, appliances, and trash receptacles. An inventory of existing equipment needs to occur. Supplying consumables – paper, for example, will be in our local budget for the new school. The differences between what the state will pay for, what we already have, and what we will need, will have some major budget implications.
Lots to think about and lots to do… We hope you enjoy the holidays with your families. We’ll be back in 2010, with only a year and a half left before the three K-5 schools open!
Respectfully,
The K-5 Transition team
Transition Team Members |
Ted Sharp, Superintendent Katie Hawes, Director of Instructional Support Brian Porter, Village School Principal *Brad Smith, Principal, Narragansett & White Rock Schools
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Dennis Libby, School Committee Chair Kathy Hamblen, Assistant Director of Instructional Support Jane Esty, Village School Assistant Principal *Polly Brann, Assistant Principal, Narragansett & White Rock
Schools |
* Co-chairs of K-5 Transition Team
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