Staff Activities:
Thirty-five teachers applied for, and received, summer minigrants this year. Projects they are working on include but are not limited to: curriculum realignment, website development, the creation of SMARTBoard Notebooks, and an assistive technology needs assessment. Teachers apply for minigrants in the spring and if approved are compensated for this summer work through two different grants sources.
Teachers from our grade 9-12 English, mathematics, science and social studies departments have been meeting to align curriculum to the Massachusetts Common Core. These changes will be implemented during the 2011-2012 school year. Changes in the MCAS will begin this spring.
Two of our physical education teachers are working on a K-12 physical education needs assessment. The results of this needs assessment will be shared with the staff when we return to school in September. Data from this needs assessment will drive physical education initiatives for the 2011-2012 school year. Activities related to this needs assessment are being funded through the North River Collaborative STRIDE grant.
Our district reading specialists are completing their PK-6 reading needs assessment this summer. Our final meeting is scheduled for August 23. The results of this needs assessment will be shared with the staff when we return to school in September. Data from this needs assessment will drive reading initiatives for the 2011-2012 school year. Activities related to this needs assessment are being funded through two different grant sources.
Student Activities:
Our Summer Fun and Learning Camp is up and running. This camp is in its second year and is run by one of our grade six teachers. Summer Fun and Learning Camp combines the academics with a variety of fun and exciting learning experiences for students in grades 1-6. This summer the camp is running every Monday through Thursday from July 11 to August 4.
Tammy Cronin and her Before and After School Care crew are running a second year of Kidz Kamp at our middle school this summer. Kids Kamp runs selected weeks during the summer from 7:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M. We are very happy to be able to offer this service to our working parents. This summer the "kampers" have gone on several field trips including the Cape Cod Children's Museum, the New Bedford Whaling Museum, and the Sports Museum in Boston.
For the first time we are offering summer school for our students in grades 9-12. By attending and passing summer school courses, students are able to gain credit for courses that they failed during the school year. Courses are being offered in math, science, English and social studies. Students who take advantage of this opportunity are able to get back on track and not have to "double up" on courses during their next school year.
If you drive by the high school in the morning you will see our fall athletes out on the roads in full force preparing for their season. The girls and boys cross country, girls and boys soccer and girls field hockey teams have been gathering at the common each morning to begin their daily run. We look forward to another successful sports year at East Bridgewater High School!
We are offering an SAT prep program this summer at the high school. One of our 2008 graduates, Derek Hieronymus is teaching the program through Revolutions Prep. Derek is a rising senior at U Penn and was the president of his class here at East Bridgewater High School all four years he attended. We thanks Derek for giving back to the East Bridgewater community!