School District Principals Present Goals and Objectives

The Springfield school district's five principals presented their goals and objectives before the Board of Education at Monday night's meeting.

Springfield Schools Superintendent Michael Davino said the goals and objectives are an outgrowth of those of the district, which will be outlined at the next Board of Ed meeting, to be held at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Nov. 4 in the Dayton media center.

The district's elementary school principals echoed each other as they discussed helping students achieve their greatest potential by constantly evaluating programs and implementing new strategies to keep the children excited about learning.

Each spoke of the use of technology in the classroom which enables students to work at their own level and are intrinsically motivating. Raz-Kids is one example of a learning website that both her students and her son love, Walton Principal Dr. Susie Hung explained. 

The administrators also agreed that in addition to presenting a challenging and stimulating learning environment, safety remains a top priority. Each said the schools complete fire drills and lockdown drills. 

Students also have an opportunity to attend anti-bullying programs. Florence M. Gaudineer Middle School Principal Timothy P. Kielty said additionally students are rewarded for going out of their way for others. He also thanked the Board for recent improvements at the middle school which include: renovated science labs, new interior doors and updated bathrooms. 

Dayton Principal Elizabeth Cresci told the Board that last year 189 students took 391 Advanced Placement exams, with nearly a third taking multiple exams. She also stated that remediation is offered for 11th grade students who make be at-risk of not doing well on the High School Proficiency Assessment (HSPA).

Placement for the freshman activity period has changed this year, Cresci said. While freshman previously went to the auditorium, they are now assigned to a classroom for that period and there is a National Honor Society tutor assigned to that classroom. 

"We just find that structure a little bit better for the freshman coming high school," Cresci said.

There is also a homework club during that period and a homework club is also offered during Saturday detention, she added and joked that there are no excuses for not succeeding.

Many clubs are offered throughout the high school that focus on building a culture of "self-correction and tolerance," Cresci noted.  

Principals agreed that push in programs, in which additional teachers work with students in the classroom, have been "extraordinary." Teachers can gain an idea of who may require extra help or which students would benefit from being part of the gifted and talented program.

The principals also thanked parents and their respective Parent Teacher Associations for their support and dedication.