inspiring excellence excellence national psat day on october 19 saw not only many junior students at...

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INSPIRING EXCELLENCE National PSAT Day on October 19 saw not only many junior students at Nonnewaug High School join their national peers in taking the college prep test, but due to a budget item put in place last year, all Nonnewaug High School freshman and sophomores were afforded the opportunity to take the preliminary SAT test at no cost. This unique opportunity provided all of Region 14 freshmen and sophomore students a familiar setting in which to take this important assess- ment. It provided NHS teachers with a snapshot of student performance over time, a tool which will enable teachers to better serve our learners. This PSAT test provides all students who par- ticipate with a detailed score report and access to free, personalized SAT prep via Khan Acad- emy. This type of feedback is invaluable, and truly the best way to prepare for the Spring SAT that Nonnewaug juniors will be taking. In addition, taking the PSAT also affords NHS students the opportunity to qualify for National Merit Scholarships. Region 14 Adds Gluten-Free Lunch Students now have a variety of gluten-free options on the school lunch menus at all of our Region 14 schools. Each day, the Food Services De- partment will offer a new gluten- free entrée. Options include items like grilled chicken patties, meatballs, garden salad, brown rice, hummus and veggie plates, pancakes and sau- sages and even pizza! Included with their choice is a variety of fruits, vegetables and milk. The new gluten-free menu options give students with allergies or sen- sitivities the option to purchase a healthy and low cost meal right at school. And it also gives all stu- dents the option to try something new. The gluten-free menu is included in the regular monthly school lunch menus. If you have any questions or con- cerns about the new gluten-free menu items, please call Food Ser- vices Director Peter Brooks at 203 -263-3190. Students at Woodbury Middle School now have the opportunity for new course electives in the areas of arts, music, and wellness that administra- tors hope will further engage and excite them during their time at WMS. This past fall, students at WMS chose from course offerings in digital and fine arts, computer coding and engineering as well as small group music classes such as Jazz Band and Small En- semble. New courses include Creative Coding, Animation Lab, Drawing and Painting from Life , 3D Sculpture and Kinetic Art, Engineering and Production, Broadcasting, Innovation Lab, Jazz Band and Small Ensemble music classes. The new Unified Arts courses are offered each trimester and give students an opportunity to ex- plore at least three new areas of study that were previously only offered at a high school level. “We are excited about our UA offerings which give students choice and empower them to pro- duce, perform and personalize their Unified Arts experiences,” said Principal Eric Bergeron. Students also participate every day in the WMS Wellness program. Each student rotates through the required courses of Physical Education, Health and Music classes weekly with school counselors rotating in on a regular basis deliver- ing a social emotional learning curriculum called Second Steps. A team of teachers work to integrate lessons in physical activity, healthy living, social develop- ment, and music education that focus on the overall health and well-being of students. PSATs at Nonnewaug High School A Publication of the Region 14 School District Winter 2017 Serving Bethlehem & Woodbury, CT Unified Arts at WMS Nonnewaug High School welcomed its first ever Varsity Co-Ed Swim and Dive Team in December. With a roster of both seasoned and new swimmers and divers, the Chiefs hit the water for their first practice at their home for the sea- son, Crosby High School in Water- bury on Saturday, December 3, 2016 and came out on top in their first Varsity meet at Gilbert High School on December 20. The Nonnewaug Swim squad is coached by Austin McMahon, a sea- soned swimmer who brings experi- ence from both high school and collegiate competition to this new Nonnewaug Swim team. McMahon swam at Pom- peraug High School and then Southern Connecti- cut State University, serv- ing as captain of South- ern his senior year. He comes with coaching ex- perience from the Sey- mour Wild Cats Swim Program. The Chiefs compete in the Berk- shire League with other Co-Ed Swim and Dive Teams from area schools including Shepaug, Lewis Mills, Wamogo, Housatonic Valley, Litchfield, Northwestern and Gil- bert High Schools. Come on out and support the new Aquatics Program. Schedule is on www.ctreg14.org under Nonnewaug High School Athletics. Nonnewaug Swim Team Takes The Plunge Bethlehem and Mitchell Elementary Schools are grooming future broadcast journalists with the new green screen technology that allows them to roll up their sleeves, report and anchor their own news shows. Bethlehem Elementary School’s 5th graders created the TBT—The Bulldog Topics— to report monthly on the happenings in Bulldog territory. The monthly vide- os are posted on the website for anyone to view. With the help of BES Library Media Specialist Jane Martelli- no, the students write, edit and report their own monthly broadcast. Over at Mitchell School, Wake Up MES has its team of 5th grade anchors in place and reporters digging for news. LMC Specialist Debra Benedict has helped the stu- dents navigate their new green screen technology and most of the 5th grade students have already participat- ed as anchors, reporters and technical crew on the brand new morning show that was launched in Octo- ber. The students create new episodes of their news shows each month along with special broadcasts. The epi- sodes can be found under each school’s School News Page on the Region 14 website at www.ctreg14.org Digging for News

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Page 1: INSPIRING EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE National PSAT Day on October 19 saw not only many junior students at Nonnewaug High School join their national peers in taking the college prep test,

INSPIRING EXCELLENCE

National PSAT Day on October 19 saw not only many junior students at Nonnewaug High School join their national peers in taking the college prep test, but due to a budget item put in place last year, all Nonnewaug High School freshman and sophomores were afforded the opportunity to take the preliminary SAT test at no cost.

This unique opportunity provided all of Region 14 freshmen and sophomore students a familiar setting in which to take this important assess-ment. It provided NHS teachers with a snapshot of student performance over time, a tool which

will enable teachers to better serve our learners.

This PSAT test provides all students who par-ticipate with a detailed score report and access to free, personalized SAT prep via Khan Acad-emy.

This type of feedback is invaluable, and truly the best way to prepare for the Spring SAT that Nonnewaug juniors will be taking. In addition, taking the PSAT also affords NHS students the opportunity to qualify for National Merit Scholarships.

Region 14 Adds Gluten-Free Lunch Students now have a variety of gluten-free options on the school lunch menus at all of our Region 14 schools.

Each day, the Food Services De-partment will offer a new gluten-free entrée.

Options include items like grilled chicken patties, meatballs, garden salad, brown rice, hummus and veggie plates, pancakes and sau-sages and even pizza! Included with their choice is a variety of fruits, vegetables and milk.

The new gluten-free menu options give students with allergies or sen-sitivities the option to purchase a healthy and low cost meal right at school. And it also gives all stu-dents the option to try something new.

The gluten-free menu is included in the regular monthly school lunch menus.

If you have any questions or con-cerns about the new gluten-free menu items, please call Food Ser-vices Director Peter Brooks at 203-263-3190.

Students at Woodbury Middle School now have the opportunity for new course electives in the areas of arts, music, and wellness that administra-

tors hope will further engage and excite them during their time at WMS.

This past fall, students at WMS chose from course offerings in digital and fine arts, computer coding and engineering as well as small group music classes such as Jazz Band and Small En-semble. New courses include Creative Coding, Animation Lab, Drawing and Painting from Life , 3D Sculpture and Kinetic Art, Engineering and Production, Broadcasting, Innovation Lab, Jazz Band and Small Ensemble music classes.

The new Unified Arts courses are offered each trimester and give students an opportunity to ex-plore at least three new areas of study that were previously only offered at a high school level.

“We are excited about our UA offerings which give students choice and empower them to pro-duce, perform and personalize their Unified Arts experiences,” said Principal Eric Bergeron.

Students also participate every day in the WMS Wellness program. Each student rotates through the required courses of Physical Education, Health and Music classes weekly with school counselors rotating in on a regular basis deliver-ing a social emotional learning curriculum called Second Steps.

A team of teachers work to integrate lessons in physical activity, healthy living, social develop-ment, and music education that focus on the overall health and well-being of students.

PSATs at Nonnewaug High School

A Publication of the Region 14 School District

Winter 2017

Serving Bethlehem & Woodbury, CT

Unified Arts at WMS

Nonnewaug High School welcomed its first ever Varsity Co-Ed Swim and Dive Team in December.

With a roster of both seasoned and new swimmers and divers, the Chiefs hit the water for their first practice at their home for the sea-son, Crosby High School in Water-bury on Saturday, December 3, 2016 and came out on top in their first Varsity meet at Gilbert High School on December 20.

The Nonnewaug Swim squad is coached by Austin McMahon, a sea-soned swimmer who brings experi-ence from both high school and collegiate competition to this new

Nonnewaug Swim team.

McMahon swam at Pom-peraug High School and then Southern Connecti-cut State University, serv-ing as captain of South-ern his senior year. He comes with coaching ex-perience from the Sey-mour Wild Cats Swim Program.

The Chiefs compete in the Berk-shire League with other Co-Ed Swim and Dive Teams from area schools including Shepaug, Lewis Mills, Wamogo, Housatonic Valley,

Litchfield, Northwestern and Gil-bert High Schools.

Come on out and support the new Aquatics Program. Schedule is on www.ctreg14.org under Nonnewaug High School Athletics.

Nonnewaug Swim Team Takes The Plunge

Bethlehem and Mitchell Elementary Schools are grooming future broadcast journalists with the new green screen technology that allows them to roll up their sleeves, report and anchor their own news shows.

Bethlehem Elementary School’s 5th graders created the TBT—The Bulldog Topics— to report monthly on the happenings in Bulldog territory. The monthly vide-os are posted on the website for anyone to view. With the help of BES Library Media Specialist Jane Martelli-no, the students write, edit and report their own monthly broadcast.

Over at Mitchell School, Wake Up MES has its team of 5th grade anchors in place and reporters digging for news.

LMC Specialist Debra Benedict has helped the stu-dents navigate their new green screen technology and most of the 5th grade students have already participat-ed as anchors, reporters and technical crew on the brand new morning show that was launched in Octo-ber.

The students create new episodes of their news shows each month along with special broadcasts. The epi-sodes can be found under each school’s School News Page on the Region 14 website at www.ctreg14.org

Digging for News

Page 2: INSPIRING EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE National PSAT Day on October 19 saw not only many junior students at Nonnewaug High School join their national peers in taking the college prep test,

An overwhelmingly successful first-ever Nonnewaug Music Festival in the spring of last year has paved the way for Region 14 to host this multi-school music event annually.

The second Nonnewaug Music Fes-tival hits the high school stage on March 2 and 3.

This event, sponsored by the Nonnewaug Chapter of the Tri-M Music Honor Society, is an oppor-tunity for student musicians from Nonnewaug and surrounding high schools to come together to collab-orate and showcase their talents.

This year, Brookfield and Water-town High Schools will return and join Nonnewaug musicians for the two days. Students in band, choir and orchestra will have a rehearsal day on March 2 followed by the concert on March 3.

The music selections are chosen by

the music directors at each high school and pieces are rehearsed with the students. Students have the op-portunity to work with other music directors to expand their knowledge while music teachers have a chance to collaborate and share ideas and knowledge.

Students this year will also have a unique opportunity to perform a piece written especially for them. Local composer Gala Flagello is writing a piece for band, choir and orchestra students for performance as the finale of the con-cert.

Ms. Flagello will be at the Music Festival to work with students as they rehearse.

The Nonnewaug Mu-sic Festival concert

will be performed on Friday, March 3, 2017 at 7 p.m. in the Nonnewaug High School Auditorium.

Admission is $10 and a portion of proceeds goes to the Give A Note Foundation which helps provide music opportunities for students in under-privileged communities throughout the country.

Random Hacks of Kindness, Jr.

Nonnewaug Music Festival Hits the Stage March 3

What is the CCRC and what does it offer stu-dents?

We offer a place where students can come for information on post- sec-

ondary planning. All students can ex-plore college, technical school and career options to help them make im-portant decisions about where they want to be after they leave Nonnewaug High School. They can use Naviance, a research and organiza-tional tool for college and career where they can save searches based on their particular interests at that time. We help students meet applica-tion deadlines, give assistance and nav-igation through the intricate process

of Common App, assistance with es-say writing, sending transcripts etc.. But not all students are going to col-lege and we offer students assistance with career building, things like re-sume writing, help finding a financial course for the family business they may be joining when they graduate, and matching them with many career choice options.

What is your goal in the College and Career Counseling Center and who can use it?

The CCRC is not just for students going to college. My goal is that every student, regardless of whether they are going to college, leaves Nonnewaug with a plan. I am trying to expose stu-dents to things they might not have thought about —whether that is the many options for college, technical or other school as well as career choices. Every student is welcome here wheth-

er you are a senior looking for help with the Common App or a junior who wants to register their PSATs with the College Board or a freshman who wants to start early. Our goal is to have every student come through here by the end of their sophomore year.

What’s been happening at the CCRC this year?

So far this year we have taken students on field trips to the Culinary Institute of America, had visitors from Cos-metology Schools, the Paul Mitchell School and some technical schools. Upcoming field trips are to Porter & Chester Institute and to tour the Health Sciences Building at Quin-nipiac University.

We hosted a Medical and Helping Professionals Panel in December where members of our community came in to talk about career options in

the police and fire departments as well as EMT. We will be continuing with the panels as the first was a huge suc-cess. We have had 90 schools come and visit this year so there are a lot different options for our students.

What do you want parents and stu-dents to know about the CCRC?

There is so much going on and we want everyone to know about it. Com-munication is so important. I am try-ing to get the conversation started - we have a monthly newsletter that de-tails everything we do.

We are also on Twitter and can re-mind students about upcoming events, deadlines, etc. And my door is always open!

Follow Andie on Twitter at @R14NHSCounsDept

Q and A with Andie McGrath-Rocco, College and Career Resource Center Counselor at NHS

Region 14 hosted its own all-day, school-wide coding event in the fall where students planned and designed smartphone apps to as-sist local non-profit or-ganizations. The Random Hacks of Kindness, Jr. event at Woodbury Middle School in October saw students in grades 4-8 work together on teams with Nonnewaug High School students as their mentors to collaborative-ly plan and design apps for the Glebe House Museum and Jekyll Garden, Futbol Friends Interna-tional, Woodbury Scholarship Fund, The Denan Project, and

ASAP- Advocates for Substance Abuse Prevention.

During this student-centered event, high school students ran the groups for their younger peers and together they collaborated and used problem solving skills, mentoring, and criti-

cal thinking while working along-side members of local community-

based non-profit organ-izations. Region 14 is the first school district to host its own all-day, school-wide Hack a Thon event. The event was spon-sored by Newtown-based Random Hacks of Kindness, Jr. Stu-dents use an MIT-developed coding tool

to learn the basics of app design, as well as the ideation and brainstorm-ing process required to build a suc-cessful prototype mobile applica-tion.

Math Placement at WMS

The newly implemented math placement process at Woodbury Middle School has resulted in more students who have been placed in Pre-Algebra in 7th grade and Algebra by grade 8.

In the process of looking at stu-dent learning needs and listening to parents, the goal of the new WMS math placement process is to widen the lens when identifying students for middle school math, pre‐algebra and algebra classes.

The process no longer rests on a test score or two but rather a stu-dent’s achievement, effort, and desire.

Measures now being used include a problem‐solving assessment that helps predict students’ readiness for algebra courses; a Grade 7 only Numeracy Benchmark given sev-eral times a year that measures procedural skills for Pre‐Algebra readiness and Algebra; a summa-tive assessment; a reading problem-solving test that provides insight into a student’s ability to read and comprehend; specific unit assess-ments and a student attitude sur-vey that provides insight into which students are highly motivat-ed — a key ingredient for success. Teacher feedback related to stu-dent’s work and study habits in class are also used and are espe-cially helpful for students who may not test well but exhibit excel-lent work and study habits for suc-cess.

The process begins in February with a Parent Information Night followed by student surveys and the various assessments that are given. Parents are informed in June of math placement for the upcoming year.

Page 3: INSPIRING EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE National PSAT Day on October 19 saw not only many junior students at Nonnewaug High School join their national peers in taking the college prep test,

The Woodbury For the Future of Agriculture chapter sent 52 students to the week-long National FFA Con-vention in Indianapolis, Indiana in October and came home with 2 Na-tional Gold Team Medals and 5 Team Silver Medals.

Individuals on all of these teams earned a total of 6 National Gold Medals, 20 Silver Medals, and 4 Bronze Medals for the Woodbury FFA Chapter

The Woodbury Chapter is the only chapter in the nation, out of over 7,300 FFA chapters and over 620,000 FFA members nation-wide, to send 8 teams to national competition from one chapter in the same year.

They were very competitive and came home with outstanding results against the nation's most talented students and teams.

Floriculture Team: Gold Medal Team, 7th place in the country

Dairy Judging Team: Gold Medal Team, 8th place in the country

Ag Mechanics Team: Silver Medal Team

Horse Judging Team: Silver Medal Team

Parliamentary Procedure Team: Silver Med-al Team

Meats Judging Team: Silver Medal Team

Agronomy Team: Silver Medal Team

The Woodbury FFA chapter also en-tered a team for the Invitational FFA Quiz Bowl Competition at the con-vention and the team placed 8th out of 39 teams, with Maddie Roy placing 5th in the country. Woodbury also sent a team to participate in the Con-duct of Chapter Meetings Demon-stration Event.

In other news, the Agriscience and Technology program recently hosted returning graduates to speak to the 340 Woodbury FFA members and Agriscience students about their col-lege experiences and career choices, and how the Agriscience program helped them be better prepared for both college life and their chosen ca-reer paths. The graduates left the current stu-dents with advice: take advantage of all of the opportunities the Agrisci-ence program and the FFA have to offer since all of these experiences helped the graduates immensely throughout their college years and in their careers.

A Winning Tradition—FFA Takes Honors at National Conference in IN

Students in Region 14’s elementary schools have several opportunities throughout the year to drop what they are doing and engage in one-hour enrichment blocks of their choice.

Called Power Hour, K-5 students participate in enrichment activities that are centered on STEAM – Sci-ence, Technology, Engineering, Art and Mathematics – and pro-mote the development of new hob-bies and skills.

These one-hour all-school, drop what you’re doing and learn ses-sions provide students with the sup-plemental educational opportunities and are the stepping-stones for a district-wide Enrichment Program.

Some of the indoor and outdoor activities students can opt for in-clude obstacle courses, robotics and coding, Minute to Win it, creating

glitter jars, recycling products for environmental purposes, meditation sessions and creating their own dances.

Other activities include Make Your Own Board Game, creating para-chutes, a reader’s theatre, creative writing workshop and even what’s all the science around bottle flip-ping!

“Students and staff are engaged and motivated in non-traditional learn-ing and playing opportunities that promote creative thinking, curiosity, collaboration and perseverance,” says Bethlehem Principal Susan Ruddock.

MES Principal Jodie Roden says that teachers have taken this oppor-tunity “to learn from their students thus driving future instruction. Eve-ryone is learning and having fun at the same time.”

Second Steps Program Region 14 has implemented a pro-gram that focuses on introducing social and emotional lessons into the classroom for students in Pre-Kindergarten through 8th grade.

The Second Steps Program, which began as a pilot in a few select class-rooms in 2016, is now a weekly les-son for all students tailored to help students develop skills such as bet-ter understanding and managing their emotions, controlling their re-actions and becoming more aware of others’ feelings.

At the K-5 level, the weekly lessons center around empathy, emotion management, problem-solving and friendship skills through age appro-priate games, songs and activities.

There are also some take-home ma-terials to reinforce what they have

learned each week.

In addition, PTO-sponsored assem-blies are incorporating many of the Second Steps themes as another layer of reinforcement to the stu-dents.

The Second Step Program grows with the students and, as such, les-sons at the middle school are fo-cused on teaching and modeling skills like communication, coping, and decision-making – essential skills to help middle schoolers navi-gate around things such as peer pressure, substance abuse, and bul-lying/cyberbullying.

Students completed their first unit recently that centered on respectful disagreements, perspective taking, working in groups, and kindness.

It is not just our students who are immersed in creative, interactive and exciting classroom learning in Region 14.

Teachers are rolling up their sleeves and getting back to learning them-selves in all-day professional devel-opment sessions designed by them around the ideas of choice and col-laboration.

In November, teachers participated in Ed Camp – a professional devel-opment day of Teachers Teaching Teachers. During the session, they

created and facilitated sessions for their peers on educational topics such as technology integration, in-structional practices and assess-ment. Teachers worked on their skills using Google Apps for Edu-cation, ways to differentiate in the classroom, designing reading assess-ments and even painting and draw-ing.

It was a great day to highlight the skills and leadership of the teachers, while giving them a chance to de-sign and instruct their own learning experiences for the day.

Ed Camp—The Ultimate Teacher Learning Day

Power Hour — the Makings of a K–5 Enrichment Program

Page 4: INSPIRING EXCELLENCE EXCELLENCE National PSAT Day on October 19 saw not only many junior students at Nonnewaug High School join their national peers in taking the college prep test,

Region 14 continues to welcome senior citizens with open arms for intergenerational events throughout the school year.

Veterans Day assemblies at Mitchell and Bethlehem Elementary Schools in November included area seniors and grandparents shared to share this special day with students.

Seniors also visited Mitchell for presenta-tions of the 5th grade “Hidden Treasures Project” as well as “Stories Across Gen-erations” where 5th graders shared their narratives and the writing process with them. Senior citizens are also regularly at-

tending and enjoying school assem-blies.

Although Grandparents Day is in September, BES is hosting a Valen-tine’s Day Spaghetti and Meatballs Dinner and Craft Night to share with students’ grandparents. The event is sponsored by the BES PTO and was inspired by BES Cafeteria

Manager Maryellen Moskaluk as a way to say thank you to the many grandparents and caregivers of BES students. Local senior citizens will also be invited to watch BES stu-dents perform in the Talent Show as well as an all school performance of “Peter Pan.”

Woodbury Middle School music stu-dents held a captive audience at the Woodbury Senior Community Cen-ter this fall and treated senior citi-zens to the sounds of brass, strings and drums. The response was amaz-ing and students are heading back this spring with more music in store.

Each year, senior citizens are invited to attend Holiday and Spring lunch-eons at Nonnewaug. A delicious meal is made and served by Culinary Arts students and a small concert is performed by Music students.

Capitalizing on its success last year, the Celebration of the Arts at Nonnewaug will be back again this spring. Special music, dance and art classes for area seniors will again be taught by the students themselves. Additionally, seniors will have their own special viewing of this year’s NHS Drama Production of “Bye Bye Birdie” in March.

NHS also implemented the Chief’s Senior Super Fan Pass this fall. Sen-ior citizens from Bethlehem and Woodbury use their free passes for free admission to any regular season, home athletic or school event in-cluding music and theatre events held at Nonnewaug High School.

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Upcoming Events in Region 14

February 17 Professional Learning Day

No School

February 20—21 Winter Break

March 3 Nonnewaug Music

Festival NHS @ 7 p.m.

March 21 Board of Ed Budget

Public Hearing 7 p.m. @ NHS

March 23 Senior Citizen

Luncheon 11:30 @ NHS

March 24 @ 7 p.m.

March 25 @ 2 & 7 p.m. March 26 @ 2 p.m.

NHS Presents “Bye Bye Birdie”

Region 14 an Intergenerational Community

INSPIRING EXCELLENCE

Winter 2017 A publication of the region 14 school district

Region 14 School District 5 Minortown Road Woodbury, CT 06798

(203) 263-4330/Fax (203) 263-0372 www.ctreg14.org Twitter @R14Super

Find us on Facebook at “Region 14 Schools”

With the addition of new UCONN Early College Experience courses and an AP Capstone Program, stu-dents at Nonnewaug High School are able to earn college credit before they graduate high school, adding another layer to distinguish them-selves in a competitive college mar-ket.

As part of its rigorous academic program, Nonnewaug offers its stu-dents 11 UCONN ECE courses in the areas of English Language, Eng-lish Literature, Biology, Environ-mental Science, Horticulture, Horse Management, Physics, and Statistics.

There are 180 students currently enrolled in Nonnewaug’s ECE courses — 25% of the current stu-dent body who take advantage of these courses. With the current cost of a 3-credit course at UCONN at $1,850, the total value of the educa-tion these students are receiving in credits had they been college stu-dents at UCONN is $456, 950.

With the implementation of the AP Capstone Program to qualifying stu-dents beginning in the fall of 2017, students will have another oppor-tunity to differentiate themselves in the competitive college market.

Nonnewaug will be among only 8 other Connecticut high schools to offer this competitive College Board opportunity.

This unique opportunity will offer students a way to distinguish them-selves in the competitive college ad-missions process as well as better prepare themselves for more rigor-ous academics. Nonnewaug's pro-gram will begin with the AP Seminar offered in the fall of 2017 to qualify-ing students. There are currently 650 schools in the country that offer students this opportunity.

Most teachers and leaders would agree that we are all lifelong learners. They would also tell you how hard it is to leave students to go out of district to learn about effective teaching strategies. In Region 14, we made a move to bring professional development to teachers every day.

Recently, Region 14 hired new Instruc-tional Leaders in literacy, math, and technology to bring professional learn-ing to classrooms every day with rele-vant topics that matter to teachers.

BES welcomed Rita Cole and Sharon Heady-Labansky in Literacy and Thom-as Nobili in Math. Sarah Mazzei and Beth Mauro in Literacy and Maren Sussman in Math at Mitchell, JoAnn Wright and Melissa Fitzpatrick in Liter-acy at WMS and Brenda Williams in Literacy at the high school. Abbe Wal-dron leads Technology for the District. The Instructional Leaders work in con-junction with teachers and building principals to work on better ways to

reach all students and raise student achievement.

Together, they work to write and im-plement the curriculum, work with struggling and high achieving learners, improve the use of assessments to drive instruction just to name a few areas of added value to Region 14 classrooms.

In Region 14, we are proud to welcome these staff members as an important part of our unending quest to “Inspire Excellence”.

New Instructional Leaders in Region 14

College-Level Course Offerings at NHS Broaden Learning