By DIANE BRONCACCIO Recorder Staff Originally published on: Tuesday, November 13, 2007
GREENFIELD -- Greenfield High School is no 'dropout factory.'
That was the message to the School Committee from the superintendent, principal and a group of at-risk students who are looking forward to graduation -- or even college -- thanks to a year-old alternative education program at the high school.
A recent Associated Press story called several schools across the nation 'dropout factories,' if their graduating classes were at least 40 percent smaller when compared to the same class four years earlier, when the students were freshmen. The data was averaged over a three-year period, and Greenfield High School was included on that list of schools, on a Johns Hopkins University Web site.
But the data, as an indicator of high school dropout rates, failed to factor in enrollment declines caused by the state School Choice program, by transfers to private or charter schools, or students who may take longer than four years to graduate, Greenfield Superintendent Marcia Evans told the School Committee.
'The term 'dropout factory' had a devastating effect on schools everywhere,' she said.
Evans said she e-mailed the author of the study, Robert Balfanz, who provided her with more information about the study. He stressed that the study didn't follow the progress of individual students, and said he had qualified the study by noting that high rates of student transfers weren't factored in.
For instance, the Johns Hopkins' report gives GHS's drop-out rate for 2006-07 as 40 percent, because 187 students entered the high school in 2003-04 and only 113 graduated last spring.
In fact, Greenfield's true drop-out rate has been dropping off, from 7.4 percent in the school year 2002-03, to an anticipated 4.5 percent in the school year that ended last June.
GHS Principal Nancy Athas said the complete results aren't in yet, because some of the students who didn't graduate last year may be completing their school work now, or may be working to get their GED (General Educational Development) diplomas.
Joyce Mehaffey, director of curriculum and instruction, said the school district has taken several initiatives in the past three years to bring that 7 percent dropout rate down, starting as early as preschool.
She said data show that quality preschool education helps children get off to a better start, and the district's year-old Academy of Early Learning will help future students get a solid foundation for education. She said recently implemented reading programs in the elementary schools are intended to build reading skills, because children who can't read well in grade school struggle more in the upper grades, when they're 'reading to learn,' rather than just 'learning to read.'
She said the Responsive Classroom and Responsive Design curricula in the middle- and grade schools are also helpful.
Mehaffey said some students show signs of disinterest and disengagement with school, starting in middle school, and the advisory meetings with students each day is to give them a forum for working out the non-academic issues in their school day.
At the high school level, attendance is the greatest indicator that a student is at risk, so parents are notified after every absence, in hopes they will get involved. Also, any student who doesn't pass the MCAS test is provided with a tutor.
Lastly, the district has started an alternative high school program, with a $70,000 grant, to help students who are most at-risk to stay in school. It's called the Collaborative Education Group.
You can reach Diane Broncaccio at: dbronc@recorder.com or (413) 772-0261 Ext. 277.
Karen Rogenski addresses her fifth-grade class
on the first day of school at the Greenfield Middle School
on Tuesday.
Photo by: Recorder/Paul Franz
[ Originally published on: Wednesday, September 05, 2007 ]
GREENFIELD -- To break the ice with her new students, Greenfield Middle School fifth-grade teacher Karen Rogenski unpacked a suitcase filled with symbolic images of her life: her diplomas, including one from Greenfield High School, a photograph of her mother, Newton School Nurse Donna Murphy, wearing a 'super-cool' 1970s outfit and taken when Rogenski was a schoolgirl herself.
She also had a picture of one of her three dogs, dressed up as a pirate by team teacher Ann Valentine's twins.
She later had the children fill an imaginary suitcase by drawing objects significant in their own lives, which they would later tell their classmates about.
Rogenski attended Greenfield Middle School as a student, but Tuesday was also her 'first day' in a new school, with a new class.
Scores of parents came to school with their children early Tuesday morning to meet their teachers, getting tours of the fifth-grade and sixth-grade third floor, and to get a preview of what teachers will be offering their children during this year's new extended day 'encore' time.
For the first week, the main homework will be to complete and return all their paperwork, including their choice of sports band practice, and other electives for their last period of the day, from 3 to 3:45 p.m.
'So far, so great,' said Christopher Opalenik, the father of a fifth-grade girl, as he toured the third floor.
'We had (Danielle) in Federal Street School, and she's brought her expectations here,' he said. Opalenik believes there will be a lot of parental involvement in making the new, longer school day work.
'This is the pioneer class,' he said. 'What happens here is going to lay the groundwork for what comes next.'
He was pleased that his daughter was assigned to teacher Candace Fields, whom he knew when his daughter went to Federal Street School. 'My other daughter had Mrs. Fields -- and she's at Wheaton College now,' he remarked.
Shannon Menko, who brought her fifth-grade stepdaughter to school, said she was 'very impressed' by Rogenski and by the new 'encore' teachers who will be teaching physical education, wood shop, languages, art, music and performing arts to the students.
'The teacher seems wonderful, and the classroom is very well set up,' she said. 'I think it's going to be a great opportunity for her, because they are offering so much here.'
Menko said her stepdaughter 'was a little afraid' when they left for school in the morning, but by late morning, 'she was looking more comfortable,' she said.
Encore classes
After meeting with homeroom 'core' teachers and touring the building, parents were introduced to the new 'encore' teachers, who outlined their plans for the coming year. 'Encore' is the name that school administrators use to describe the teachers of enrichment classes, such as art, music, drama and world language.
All grades 5 through 8 students will take world languages, but for fifth- and sixth-graders, the 9-week quarter will consist of 4ﾽ weeks of French and 4ﾽ weeks of Spanish, said teacher Suzanne Grenoble. Students in the upper grades will take nine weeks in either French or Spanish.
For physical education, the focus for fifth- and sixth-grade will range from cooperative activities to tournament play, said teachers Elizabeth Prasol and Kathy McDonough. grades 7 and 8 will also get health education.
Technology teacher Gaby Harrington said fifth-graders will learn keyboard typing and the basics of word processing. Sixth-graders will have animation and Internet safety, along with continued word-processing. The older students will work on Internet-based research projects.
Woodshop teacher David Stevens promised the woodshop will be a safe environment, and said that student projects will be displayed in the school before students take them home. He said the first project will be for students to help him set up the shop, to give them a say in how the shop is set up and 'pride of ownership' over their contribution.
Librarian Robin Shtulman said children will be able to borrow books this week. She said the library has a great collection of books for sixth- through eighth- graders, and that she is hoping to build up the collection for fifth-graders. Besides coming to the library for books, students will be able to go there to work on a school Web page and to create a school blog.
Band teacher Ariel Suzuki said beginning band will be offered for fifth- and sixth-graders, while intermediate band will be available for seventh- and eighth-graders, with assistance from high school band teacher Paul Calcari. Children who select band as their elective will have it daily throughout the entire school year, she said. Suzuki hopes to put on four concerts this year.
Performing arts teacher Rachel Popowich said she is hoping to stage a theater production this year, and is waiting to meet the children. She said their grades during their nine-week performing arts class will be based on participation and effort.
Art teacher Claire Metzner wants to add printmaking to other arts, including drawing, ceramics, sculpture and painting.
Principal Chris Collins said students will meet their encore teachers on Wednesday. The students will be given presentations about the offerings and will come home with information about the elective programs. He said students are to bring back the forms on Thursday, then spend time on Friday with the encore teacher of their choice.
Two counselors will be working with the grades 6 through 8 students, while a third counselor works specifically with the Grade 5 students.
When Rogenski's fifth-graders were asked how they liked their new school, the handful of children that volunteered answers seemed to take the move in stride.
'I'm glad I got Mrs. Rogenski,' said Dominic, 10, formerly of Newton School. 'I think this school is a big school,' he said. 'I like it so far. You have a lot of choices in lunch. I like the food better.'
'I know almost everyone,' said Jordan, pointing out that most of his new classmates came from Newton.
Bryan, however, came to his new class from the now-closed Green River School.
Just Plain Neighbors:
Sign of good start to school year
By IRMARIE JONES Published on: Friday, August 31, 2007
When Elizabeth Musgrave came to Greenfield for her interview at Federal Street School last year, before she was selected as principal, she wasn't even sure the building was a school.
''There was no sign anywhere,'' she said. ''As soon as I was chosen to be principal, I decided I wanted to have a sign made for this school.''
And, as she continued, ''It has become a fabulous community project.''
Snow & Sons took its heavy equipment and dug the holes for the footing. Charles Rucci, a mason, created the design and donated the bricks he used, and Lane Construction Co. donated the concrete.
''Dan Hale made a beautiful sign,'' Musgrave said. ''It was wonderful of the businesses to do all these things.'' She understands how tight the school budget is and realizes there would have been no place in it for this expense.
To pay for the sign, the pupils and the Federal Street School PTO initiated projects, such as selling Christmas wreaths last year.
But the money turned out to be unnecessary. ''… there was Snow with his time and talent, digging the holes with his power auger, followed by the others who offered their services,'' Musgrave explained.
Since the money raised by the children and PTO is now available, it will be used for the school, ''maybe for some more computers,'' said the principal.
And then she told me about a way that Home Depot really helped this year.
''The chains on some swings were broken and some swings were missing. When I went to Home Depot and asked for new chains, not only did they donate chains, but all new swings. They gave us the wood to repair the climbing structures, no charge, and then the parents came to do the work.''
The dedication of the sign will take place in a couple weeks. I'll keep you posted. The community is invited.
GMS gets a notable addition
Published: Saturday, September 01, 2007
GREENFIELD -- She's 26, she's a professional trombone player and she's ready to build a new band and music program at the Greenfield Middle School.
Ariel Templeton Suzuki spent her first official day at GMS on Thursday, and school begins next Tuesday.
''I want to do what all my teachers did for me,'' Suzuki said during an interview in the GMS band room. ''I want to inspire.'' Suzuki is a graduate of the LaGuardia High School for Music, Art and the Performing Arts in New York City. That is the high school on which the movie ''Fame'' was based.
''It is right across the street from Julliard, where I would hang out every day after school,'' she said. After high school, she came to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst for her bachelor's and master's degrees. ''I came because of Dave Sporny,'' she said of the UMass professor and trombone legend and longtime Interlochen Arts Academy instructor. ''I met my husband (Yasu Suzuki is a bassist) there and we love the area, so we decided to stay.''
Before coming to Greenfield, Suzuki was an adjunct faculty member at Holyoke Community College and at the Community Music School in Springfield. She was a substitute teacher in several area towns and has taught private lessons out of Jerry's Music in South Hadley.
''I've been teaching all over the place, but I have been living out of my car,'' she said. ''I'm relieved to have one place to be. I'm ready for this.'' Paul J. Calcari, director of music for the Greenfield schools, said he could not be more pleased with Suzuki's hiring.
''I cannot tell you how happy we are to have Ariel here,'' Calcari said Thursday. ''These past couple of years have been very difficult. This is an extremely positive change. Band is back and it is back in a big way.
''And it is an honor to have a musician of Ariel's caliber teaching in our schools. She is a real feather in our cap.''
Parents of prospective band students will get the chance to meet Suzuki and other GMS teachers during First Day activities at the school Tuesday. A letter has been sent home to incoming GMS students with a schedule for that day.
On Sept. 13, Calcari and Suzuki will host representatives from Jerry's Music, who will bring instruments for students to try and to rent. That event will be at 7 p.m. at the middle school. The school has a very limited number of instruments for student use. Many beginning students, Calcari said, rent an instrument.
''What we really need is for people to look in their closets and dig out those instruments that maybe the kids played a few years ago and donate them to the middle school,'' Calcari said. ''It's OK if they need a little work. We can take care of that. What we need are instruments. I don't want anyone to not play simply because they do not have an instrument.''
Calcari can be reached at Greenfield High School at 772-1350 Ext. 113.
GREENFIELD -- Departing Greenfield Superintendent Joseph Ruscio III spent one of his remaining vacation days with state education officials in Boston, but brought home a gift to Greenfield that may make his retirement on Aug. 31 a little sunnier: a ruling that removes Greenfield schools from a state 'watch' list for 'poor' or 'unsatisfactory' performance as determined by a 2005 education audit.
'My goal was to get this district out-of-watch, to give this present to the town and to the school district,' he said Tuesday afternoon. 'It was a worthy cause.'
Ruscio, along with elementary school principals and the technology coordinator, met with the Educational Management Audit Council Tuesday morning to answer questions and get official word that a warning status, resulting from a 2005 audit by the Office of Education Quality and Accountability (EQA), has been removed.
In late June, the School Committee learned there was a recommendation to take Greenfield off the 'watch' list, but the step didn't occur until now.
The status change was the result of a re-examination audit from Jan. 8 through 11, when the EQA conducted random observations of 44 classrooms, for 20 minutes each.
'In comparison with other districts,' says the Greenfield Re-examination Report, 'the quality of classroom instruction in Greenfield Public Schools was rated higher in each observational category as well as overall. & In classroom management, Greenfield's total score was 95 percent as compared to 89 percent across other districts. & Students took responsibility for their work (98 percent), the classroom was orderly and conducive to learning (93 percent), students were engaged in good learning routines (91 percent) and interactions between teachers and students were positive and respectful (100 percent).'
The report says the school district is 'seriously committed to increasing student achievement in a challenging financial environment' and has 'improved areas of weak performance by systematically using student achievement data.'
Has Greenfield's MCAS test performance improved over time? The report says Greenfield's MCAS scores showed overall improvement in math and in science and technology education, but a lower improvement rate in English language arts scores.
The percentage of students scoring in the 'advanced' and 'proficient' categories rose by 6 percent between 2003 and 2006, while the percentage of students in the 'warning/failing' category dropped by 5 percent.
In a letter to Ruscio on the front cover of the 156-page report, EQA Executive Director Joseph B. Rappa congratulated the Greenfield educators for their efforts.
'The findings of this re-examination document an impressive turn-around effort by you and your entire system,' says the letter. 'Based on this report, I am unconditionally recommending that the Greenfield Public School system be removed from the 'Watch' status &'
According to the most recent audit, Greenfield schools made improvements in leadership, curriculum and instruction; assessment and program evaluation, professional development and human resource management, access, participation and student academic support, and financial and asset management effectiveness and efficiency.
GREENFIELD - After two years on a state-imposed "watch" list, the city's schools have been reprieved.
"At 12:12 p.m., the Greenfield Public Schools was officially voted off watch status," Becky Tower, executive secretary to the superintendent announced yesterday.
The watch list is compiled by the Office of Educational Quality and Accountability, under the governor's office, and is a separate entity to the state Department of Education. Much of its reviews deal with the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System exams, and how districts respond to problem test scores.
Yesterday, a contingent of city school administrators attended a meeting in Boston of the office's Educational Management Audit Council, which oversees the office.
The Greenfield administrators, who issued a progress report to the council, included Superintendent Joseph Ruscio III, who retires at the end of the month, Newton School principal Mary Lou DiBella, Academy of Early Learning principal Joan Schell, Four Corners School principal Gail Healy, and Carol Holzberg, technology coordinator.
Tower said the presentation was followed by a council vote to remove the city from the watch list.
The city went on the list in August 2005, following a council audit that found that although the schools here were "average" in their students' scores on the statewide tests, the district was doing an inadequate job in analyzing and acting on the scores, for improvement.
A new analysis system was installed that took care of the problem, said Joyce Mehaffey, director of curriculum and instruction.
The audit also pointed out that while the schools did well enough on reading and language, math scores at the elementary level were poor, as were science and technology scores in the middle grades.
The audit also determined that the district dropout rate was too high, having risen during a three-year period from 5.8 percent to 7.4 percent.
Ruscio said the rate subsequently dropped to 4.8 percent.
School Committee Chairman David A. Lanoie said the district has been up against it, trying to make sufficient improvements without enough state financial help.
He said the district has been shortchanged annually by the state by about $1 million.
