Dear Residents:
As we approach the holiday season, the traditional midpoint of the school year, we can look back on the past four months with great pride. As a District, we have accomplished many goals, including the adoption of new reading programs in our elementary and middle schools, the implementation of a new student orientation program at the high school, and the expansion of high quality professional development opportunities for our teachers. The District also secured a competitive grant through the Walmart Foundation to establish a “grab and go” breakfast program in several schools. As a result, many students will, for the first time, gain access to healthy food choices in the morning, which will undoubtedly have a positive impact on their success in school.
As we celebrate these accomplishments, we also recognize that many challenges lie ahead. This is especially true in the area of school improvement, where recent changes to the State’s testing program, such as the inclusion of more challenging items and the establishment of higher cut scores for ELA and math, have forced many schools and districts into “improvement status” for the very first time. This month, we learned that despite achieving significant performance gains on these tests, Brentwood was identified as a “District in Need of Improvement” in English Language Arts. While this designation reflects, to a great extent, Brentwood’s large number of limited English proficient and special education students, we are nonetheless committed to improving the quality of instruction for all students in our schools.
As a newly-identified District in Need of Improvement, we have taken the following steps:
• Consulted with parents and school staff to develop a District Improvement Plan. This plan explains how the district will use Title I and other funds to improve Title I schools;
• Reserved ten percent of the District’s annual Title I allocation to provide professional development for teachers and administrators; and
• Provided technical assistance to schools identified as Title I Schools in Need of Improvement and/or Title I Corrective Action Schools.
How can you help the District?
Here are some suggestions to help you work with the District to support improvements:
1. Learn more about the new NCLB requirements. Become aware of strategies to improve student academic achievement. Additional information and resources are available at the following websites: www.emsc.nysed.gov – The NYS Education Department http://www.ed.gov/ and www.ed.gov/pubs/parents/hyc.html – The US Department of Education
2. Become involved with the PTA or the School Improvement Team (SIT) to help students in meeting the State standards in reading and mathematics.
3. If you are a parent of an eligible student attending a low-performing Title I school, ask about Supplemental Educational Services and/or School Choice options. Information on these programs can be obtained through the District’s website: www.brentwood.k12.ny.us/.
4. Visit your child’s school and ask how you can volunteer on a regular basis. Please feel free to contact the District Office to find out how you can become involved in school improvement efforts. Through working together, we can build upon our accomplishments and achieve even more in the years to come.
Best wishes for a safe and enjoyable holiday season.
Sincerely,
Joseph Bond
Superintendent of Schools