New Milford BOE Focuses on Goals and Program Improvements

Superintendent Michael Polizzi shared the district's key goals for the school year at Monday night's Board of Education meeting, outlining a plan that focuses on improving communication through social media, expanding math and science programs and updating infrastructure. 

Among the district's goals: 

• Establish a social media presence for the district; update newsletters; continue to provide consistent communication with parents
• Expand STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) program to elementary schools; update science program and materials
• Focus on 21st Century teaching strategies; provide training and development on instructional strategies; provide formal observations on instructional strategies--how the lessons are delivered in the classroom; attend local, regional, national conferences to share best practices and turnkey information to teachers in the district
• Improve infrastructure, especially at the high school

Danielle Shanley, Director of Curriculum and Instruction, provided the board with a computer presentation showing the percentage of New Milford students who met proficiency on standardized tests and how the district fared in relation to comparable school districts and the state.

Areas for improvement are:

• All math teachers K-4 and 6-7 are being re-trained
• Training for teachers K-8 in Columbia University Teachers College "Writer's Workshop" program developed to strengthen reading, literacy and writing through differentiated instruction

During the public comments portion, members of the public expressed concerns about the appearance of Berkley School. Grass is growing through the pavement on the basketball courts and plants damaged by the recent storms have not been taken care of. Board President Daniel Conner said that he and members of the Board will meet with Building and Maintenance and visit Berkley.

The next BOE meeting will be a work session on Monday, November 7th at 7 p.m in the High School Media Center.