Welcome to the 2012-2013 School Year |
Mary Monroe Kolek, Ph.D.
August 2012 Dear Parents, Welcome to the 2012-13 school year. We are excited to be launching another productive year and have been preparing all summer in anticipation of our students’ arrival on August 28. We especially welcome those families new to our district and invite you to be an active member of our school community. We are proud of the effective and comprehensive program that we have designed to engage all of our learners academically, emotionally and socially, while challenging them to develop the skills to think critically and creatively. Students in all grades engage in inquiry and learn to use information-communication technologies safely and effectively. To prepare our students to be confident, capable and contributing members of a global society, we purposefully integrate effective communication skills, responsible citizenship and collaboration into all learning experiences. From the earliest grades, students are encouraged to contribute to their school community as positive and ethical citizens and leaders. New Canaan’s performance results in academics, arts and athletics continue to be among the strongest in the state, and often nationally. Student assessment data and records reflect the district’s commitment to rigorous and relevant student learning – placing us in a very good position as the state and nation prepare to introduce updated learning standards and expectations. We are responding to these revisions, having already expanded and deepened our curriculum to meet student needs and community aspirations. Administrators, curriculum leaders and teachers have devoted much of the summer to analyzing student performance, updating curricula and preparing Professional Learning for teachers to ensure that we continue to provide consistent, responsive instruction across the district. While there has always been a focus on positive school climate, this year it will be more systematic and we will engage the community in partnership so that our students encounter a consistent message in the many activities in which they participate. The district’s Positive School Climate Committee will be leading this work – look for a new link on our website in the next few weeks or follow updates in school newsletters. As educators, we deeply appreciate that New Canaan is a community that views its children and youth as invaluable assets. Our commitment as a district is to honor your investment in education by achieving our motto of “Continuously Working to Develop Learners and Citizens who have the Competence, Character and Courage to Change the World.” Mary Monroe Kolek, Ph.D.
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New Canaan Public Schools |
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