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Date: 4/19/2021
WEST SPRINGFIELD – The West Springfield School Committee highlighted three presentations on April 13 which included the i-Ready diagnostics testing, “The Amazing Shake” and Health and Safety going over COVID-19 protocols.
The Curriculum Subcommittee met on April 5 and the Director of Curriculum and Assessment Dr. Neil Gile gave an overview of the i-Ready diagnostics testing that has been completed in both reading and math for students in K-5. He further discussed that grades K-8 will be completing the i-Ready testing in math and reading next year along with the testing being piloted all year in grades 6-8 and for students taking the i-Ready dyslexia screening tool.
He stated that these assessments support and build systematic approach by looking at data and assessing achievement.
During this meeting, high school Principal Pat Danby discussed the changes in the MCAS testing schedule which would be made based on the commissioner’s proposal that will be voted on by the board April 20. It would not require grade 11 students to take the English language arts (ELA) and math MCAS this spring.
During the second presentation West Springfield Middle School Principal Dr. Peter Gillen explained “The Amazing Shake” and its benefits.
The Amazing Shake is a national middle school program run out of the prestigious Ron Clark Academy in Georgia that teaches middle school students to develop some essential social skills such poise, perseverance, and presentations through a series of challenges and staff feedback.
The staff narrowed it down to four specific skills that they spent the year working on: professional email writing, video production, presentation/speaking skills, and body language. Students have gotten feedback on these since November, said Gillen.
“Some of our students that were a little more enticed by some of the challenges participated in a challenge each month that the administrators through out to them that ranged from writing a professional looking email to ask why you should be excused from homework or give a 60 second sales pitch about a product that their passionate about,”?Gillen said.
Judges would shift and range from teachers, community volunteers, to producers to give kids authentic feedback.
All the winners had a chance to compete for a final presentation that they had to do live without scripting although they could use some notes. They had two minutes to speak to members of the district administration and talk about something that they loved about the school or West Springfield community. They were judged based on their response and how they presented it.
Twelve students participate in the finals and the district administration selects six finalists and one champion.
“I was so very proud of all of the students that participated because it was a really difficult thing to give a pitch, presentation, and have to answer some questions and have to think on their feet a little bit,”?Gillen said.
Finals will take place June 25 to 27 but it is unclear whether it will take place in person or virtual. The finals are funded by the school.
“The reason why we doctored this program is so that the first time students have something of high stakes to them being a presentation or interview etc. that they’ve had a chance to participate, feel the nerve and pressure and be able to get some feedback so there isn’t as big of a weight for the big ones that come in high school,” said Superintendent Timothy Connor.
He said he hopes it will be a tradition that continues.
The third presentation of the night was from Health & Safety where they discussed COVID-19 protocols and important key principles.
West Springfield Public Schools opened for in person learning on April 12.
“I’m extremely excited to have all the kids back now who were able to and see their faces,” said Connor
Students also had the option of continuing remote learning.
Director of Public Health Jeanne Galloway went over the response process for staff/students who are COVID-19 positive. Protocols include reporting symptoms and test results promptly, classes taking attendance and having assigned seating including on buses, school having up to date contact information and schools having a list of resources from the Massachusetts Department of Public Health that can be shared with caregivers, staff and close contacts.
They then went into contact training for staff and students who are COVID-19 positive. School administration and the response team work with the Health Department to document the case and begin contact tracing and disinfecting.
Clean and disinfecting protocols include identifying the areas of the school visited by the COVID-19 positive individual, contacting caregivers to pick up COVID-19 positive students to protect students and staff, and still supporting COVID-19 positive students through remote learning upon quarantine.
The next School Committee meeting will take place May 11.