We Are Stonington Schools August 16, 2010

Know someone who contributes to making Stonington Public Schools an engaging, joyful, challenging, innovative and safe education environment?

Let the Board of Education know!

The Board has begun a new recognition program designed to recognize individuals who are the fabric of the school system. These individuals do not need to be doing extraordinary things – just ordinary, day-to-day actions that help make this a great school system.  This could include the teacher who always greets students with a smile, a student who personifies the meaning of “friend” or a cafeteria worker who devises ways to make breakfast and lunch special. The recognition program is for anyone who contributes to the school system – parents, paraprofessionals, volunteers, administrators, custodians, families, community members and, of course, students. Anyone can nominate someone for this recognition.

A nomination form will be available at all schools and is accessible here: BOE Recognition Web Info. The board looks forward to recognizing all those who are the face of Stonington Schools.

Technology Curriculum August 16, 2010

The Board of Education at its August meeting received an assessment of how the district’s technology education curriculum is being carried out.

The evaluation uncovered some weaknesses in terms of curriculum implementation and that Assistant Superintendent Nikki Gullickson has identified both short and long term plans to rectify these.  The Board will monitor the effectiveness of these intervention plans throughout the coming school year.

It will receive its first update in September.

New Website to Debut August 16, 2010

Keep an eye out for the new and definitely improved Stonington Schools website. The website, which will feature great photos from our schools and lots more information for parents, students and community members, should go live early in the new school year.

Regional Calendar Discussion August 16, 2010

Foreseeing financial challenges continuing in the future, school districts throughout the region are seeking ways to cut costs. One such proposal is a standardized school calendar for school districts throughout the region.

Adopting such a calendar could mean cost savings because of the ability to pool resources to provide professional development for staff and faculty and also to provide uniform transportation services to regional schools such as Grasso Tech in Groton and the Regional Multi-Cultural Magnet School in New London.

Stonington is participating in this discussion, although the district has not yet decided whether it will adopt all or even part of the proposed regional calendar.

Some possible benefits of the regional calendar, besides savings of more than $10,000 in transportation costs annually, could be having a fixed graduation date and schools closed on Election Day.  One change for Stonington, however, would be the proposed elimination of a week-long February school vacation. A three-day President’s Day weekend is currently proposed.

As discussion continues on this topic, the Board of Education invites public comment on the concept.

Board opposes land swap July 30, 2010

The Board of Education Thursday unanimously voted to oppose the proposed land swap near Mystic Middle School. The board decided that it is against the swap as it is currently being presented. Further, the board said the proposal does not serve an educational purpose.

One board member, Alisa Morrison, recused herself from the discussion and vote.

The land swap would exchange an acre of land on the west end of the Mystic Middle School property, land that has frontage on Mistuxet Avenue, for an acre of land located behind the school. The land exchange was proposed by the Putnams, who own property adjacent to the school site. In addition, town officials have said that the land the town stands to gain, when combined with more land that is currently part of the Mystic Middle School site and located to the immediate rear of the school, could be developed for affordable senior housing.

Among the board’s concerns about the land swap proposal, which is scheduled for a referendum vote on Aug. 19, are:

- If the swap is approved, a right of way to a second abutting property owner’s land to the rear of the school could continue to exist, in effect allowing two driveways at the site – one over school land and one immediately adjacent to school land.

- The proposed senior housing incorporates both the added acre behind the school with land already part of the Mystic Middle parcel. The Board of Education and school officials were never asked to consider this development, never informed of meetings and discussions about this potential and never concluded that the land behind the school was not now nor would ever be needed for school use.

- The Connecticut General Statutes give the responsibility for school property to the Board of Education, although school property is owned by the town.

Further points made by the Board Thursday:

- There is a definite need for affordable senior housing in Stonington.

- The decision to not take a stand on the proposed land swap, made by the board in September 2009, did not indicate a willingness by the Board to turn over all the Mystic Middle School parcel for alternate development and did not indicate the land might not be needed for educational uses in the future.

- During the months when the proposed land swap was before the Board, the only potential use discussed for the land the schools stood to gain in the swap was for added school parking. There has existed a plan to add parking at the existing school site for at least five years. That plan has not been funded.

- That the proposed land swap might be rewritten in a manner that could better protect the safety of the school community and ensure the land be retained for school use unless the Board of Education specifically decided it was no longer needed.

Land Swap Proposal to be Discussed July 25, 2010

The Board of Education will discuss the proposed swap of land adjacent to Mystic Middle School at a special meeting at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 29 at the Old Mystic School Administration Offices.

Support Stonington Music July 12, 2010

The popular Blue Monday concert series will continue through the summer at 6 p.m. Mondays in Mystic River Park. Come listen to some great music, relax and enjoy the scenic Mystic River and support our music students as well.

The concerts are sponsored by the Stonington Education Fund and concert sponsors in past years have contributed thousands of dollars to benefit the public schools’ music programming. Thanks to Mark and Christine Kepple for their continuing to ensure the success of these concerts.

MMS Land Swap Proposal July 12, 2010

The proposal to swap an acre of land that is currently part of the MMS property for an acre of land now owned by an adjacent property owner and located to the rear of the MMS property is heading to a referendum vote.

The swap was approved by a narrow margin at a Town Meeting in June, but petitioners have forced the issue to referendum. No date has yet been set for the referendum, but it will likely be some time in August.

The Board of Education deliberated on this issue over several months in 2009 and ultimately decided to not take a stand on it. However, at a recent public hearing and the Town Meeting, new information has come to light about the proposal and the potential for development near MMS.

Because of the Board’s responsibility for the safety and welfare of students and the school community, the Board is now further studying this issue, has requested some legal counsel about it and will likely discuss it further at a special meeting scheduled for July 29.

New Policy Proposals July 12, 2010

At its July meeting, the Board of Education began consideration of two policies that could mean some substantial changes.

One policy is a proposed revision of the drug-alcohol use policy. After numerous discussions with administrators, coaches, outside consultants, counsel and police, the Board has proposed a policy that would extend prohibition of drug and alcohol use to off-campus, non-school-sponsored activities for students who seek the privilege of becoming involved in athletics and extracurricular clubs.

The goal of the policy would be to seek to ensure the health and safety of our students. The Board will continue discuss at its August meeting and will sponsor public forums on this topic to help ensure public awareness of any changes that could be made.

The second policy seeks to encourage financial sponsorship by corporations and businesses as a means to diversify revenue sources for the schools. Should this policy be approved, a special committee would likely be formed to review any sponsorship/advertising proposals.

This policy will also be again discussed at the Board’s August meeting. That meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. Aug. 12 in the Board meeting room at the Old Mystic Administration Building.

Summer’s Here! June 18, 2010

Congratulations to all our students who are ending another successful school year. Stonington High School’s Class of 2010 will be heading to college, work or other endeavors — we wish them all the best.

We also congratulation all students who will be moving up — from elementary to middle school, middle school to high school, or just from one grade to the next. They’ve all worked hard and deserve a break to enjoy some time with friends and family.

We also thank our staff, faculty and administrators. Their efforts are always appreciated.

Have a safe and happy summer. A new school year will be upon us before we know it.