Another school year comes to an end

The end of the school year presents a time to celebrate the accomplishments of our students and to thank teachers, staff and administrators, as well as the school community for their commitment and their support.

As classes and exams quickly wind down, I look forward to attending the celebrations that mark milestones for our youngest and oldest students alike.

This week, our UPK and kindergarten students will celebrate their Moving Up ceremonies on June 19 and 20, respectively; our sixth-grade students will graduate from the elementary school on June 21, and later that evening our Class of 2013 will receive their diplomas beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Harry Tucker Gymnasium at the high school.    

It is with pride that I recognize Cassie Bryant and Lea Liburdi for earning the top honors as valedictorian and salutatorian of the Class of 2013, respectively. Cassie plans to attend Hofstra University in the fall and enroll in the physician’s assistant program, while Lea will study biology and plans to participate in the drama program at SUNY Albany. Both young women are members of the National Honor Society and were involved in many extracurricular activities throughout their school careers.

I speak on behalf of the faculty, staff and administrators when I congratulate all of our graduates as each moves on to the next stage of their lives, whether that means first grade, the junior high school or pursuing college and careers!

This year was especially challenging for teachers and building principals in light of significant changes in education, specifically the implementation of the new Common Core State Standards and the rollout of a new, more extensive teacher and principal evaluation systems—or Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR).

I applaud our administrators for making sure that teachers had weekly opportunities for professional development and the support necessary to align curriculum and adjust instructional strategies to the Common Core. I am proud of the work our teachers accomplished in implementing the new more rigorous learning standards, and the teamwork, collaboration and professional growth that has occurred throughout the year as a result. I am especially proud of a small group of elementary teachers who volunteered to be among the first educators in the state to be featured in a new series of videos produced by the State Education Department that illustrate instructional strategies for teaching the Common Core.

My sincere thanks to teachers, staff and administrators for going above and beyond to maintain a positive learning environment for students despite the pressures brought about during this first year of state testing on the new standards.

Speaking of pressures, principals and administrators did an amazing job preparing for and completing a much more intensive teacher evaluation system this year. The new APPR—yet another example of an unfunded mandate from the state—demands a significant investment of time and effort that school leaders must carry out in addition to their daily responsibilities of managing buildings with 650-700 students each and 150-200 faculty and staff members.

During this time of considerable transition, I commend our teachers and our administrators for never losing sight of our mission to educate every student, every day.

Finally, I wish all the best to our retiring teachers and staff, and hope that our returning students and educators enjoy a safe, relaxing and fun summer vacation! I look forward to welcoming you back in September.

Thanks for your support!

On behalf of the Board of Education and myself, I thank everyone who made the time to participate in the school budget vote and Board of Education election on May 21.

I am grateful for a community that continues to be supportive of our schools despite the challenges presented by rising costs and declining revenues, and the difficult budgetary decisions that we have had to make in recent years.

I thank our staff for their commitment to our students and our educational program. In approving the school budget, the community has shown that they value your hard work and dedication, and support our district, our mission and our unwavering commitment to students.

I thank the Board of Education for developing a balanced budget that despite difficult choices, maintains educational programs for our students.

Thanks to everyone who helped get the “message out,” reminding people to vote and supporting our budget process throughout this past year.

These difficult economic times are likely to continue to challenge our schools and our mission to inspire, challenge and educate every student, every day. Going forward, we must continue to work together to come up with solutions that will meet our district goals and mission and that can also earn the support of our community.

Remember to vote Tuesday

The annual school budget vote and school board election takes place Tuesday, May 21 from noon to 9 p.m.

When the development of the 2013-14 budget began, the Board of Education was faced with the challenge of closing a $1.9 million budget gap, due to continued decreases in state and federal aid and rising contractual and operational costs.

Difficult choices were made in closing the gap, including reductions in staffing, the elimination of after-school clubs and the high school summer school program, the consolidation of modified and junior varsity teams, along with other cost-cutting measures. Despite these cuts, the proposed $23.5 million school budget that the community will vote on Tuesday maintains academic programs for our students.

Every resident of this community 18 and older has a voice in the funding and elected leadership of our school district. Whether you’ve been voting for years or will cast your first ballot on Tuesday, whatever your opinion may be, I encourage you to vote. I only ask that you learn as much about the proposed budget as possible before you head to your polling location. Please visit the district's budget web page, where you can find an extensive Budget Q & A, and read the budget newsletter, which was mailed to residents earlier this month. All provide detailed information about the proposed 2013-14 school budget and its impact on our schools and community.

Voting will take place Tuesday from noon to 9 p.m. at four polling sites throughout the city. Every vote matters!

Thank you teachers!

Around the country, this is National Teacher Appreciation Week (May 6-10), and it is my sincere pleasure to recognize and thank all the educators who not only teach but also care for and serve as role models for students in Watervliet schools.

Our students rely on teachers more than ever. As the real world becomes increasingly more challenging, we must ensure that our students are equipped with the skills they need to be college and career ready, starting in Pre-K and lasting through graduation day. Despite dwindling resources and ever-increasing expectations, our teachers continue to rise to the occasion and bring their “A-game” for every student, every day. 

Every teacher here plays a crucial role in making sure every student receives a quality education not only this week, but every day, every week, all year long.

I observe so many great things happening in classrooms throughout this district on a daily basis, and I am truly honored to work with such dedicated, hard-working and talented professionals. So please join me in honoring our district’s teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make in the lives of our students and families.

Thank you teachers!

State tests: Why your child should take them

The New York State testing cycle will begin on April 16 with students in grades 3-8 taking English language arts (ELA) tests. The state math assessments will follow beginning April 24.

These tests provide crucial information for teachers as they shape and modify curriculum and lesson plans. Data from these tests (along with other measures our district uses, such as the NWEA tests, classroom participation and performance on assignments) allow teachers and administrators to gauge how students are progressing academically, and ultimately prepare all students to graduate college and career ready. The test results help identify which skills and concepts students are having difficulty understanding so that teachers may offer the appropriate instructional interventions needed to help struggling learners improve.

With the integration of the new Common Core Learning Standards this year and the shift to more rigorous state ELA and math tests, it is understandable that some children may experience a certain amount of stress, which can cause concern for parents. 

Recent media reports suggest a backlash from some educators and parents around the state regarding this year’s standardized tests based on the new learning standards, which they say have been implemented without sufficient time for students or educators to fully adjust to the new material that is being taught and which will be tested. Some have recommended that parents opt out of having their children participate in the testing.

Question of compliance
Whether or not you agree with the state’s testing procedures, discouraging students from taking the tests is not the solution. Right now, the state’s accountability system requires that schools have a 95 percent participation rate in the assessments. An article by the New York State Association of School Attorneys (NYSASA) emphasizes that under current law and State Education Department regulations, student opt-outs from state assessments are not permitted, except in certain circumstances involving students with disabilities.

The NYSASA article, which will appear in the next issue of On Board published by the New York State School Boards Association, outlines potential consequences for students and school districts should participation in state testing fall below the required threshold. If a district does not reach the 95 percent participation rate in its schools, it will not make “Adequate Yearly Progress” (AYP), and that may affect a district’s Title I funding. Schools that do not meet AYP could also face intervention consequences.

More importantly, assessment results let parents and teachers know how students are progressing relative to the new, more rigorous Common Core Learning Standards. When students do not participate, building principals and teachers lose an important tool for helping determine the types of additional academic support individual students need to reach expectations at each grade level.

Preparing our students
I want to reassure parents that our district is now and will continue making every effort to ease any anxiety students might be feeling as the testing dates draw near. Our junior high teachers have been offering review classes for students in grades 7 and 8 in advance of the state math tests. Grades K-8 teachers have also shared tips and strategies during recent Literacy and Math Nights at the elementary school for parents to use at home to reinforce their children’s reading, writing and math skills.

Additionally, our teachers have been preparing for the implementation of the Common Core for the past two years through a combination of internal and external professional development. We continue to work with literacy and math coaches from the Capital Region BOCES and offer 40 minutes of professional development in those subject areas each week for our teachers. The instructional materials and textbooks our students use in the classroom are also aligned to the new Common Core.

During a visit to Watervliet Elementary School last month, New York’s Deputy Commissioner of Education Dr. Ken Slentz explained to parents that the State Education Department anticipates results from this year’s new grades 3-8 assessments will drop, in some cases significantly, compared with prior years because of the more rigorous learning standards. “Skill sets have become more complex and expectations have increased,” Dr. Slentz said, “this does not mean that kids are learning less or teachers are not teaching.” It is important that we all keep this in mind when test scores are released next year.

In the meantime, I ask that you continue to support your children’s participation in the state assessments this year and every year that it is required by the state.

Students take a stand for our schools

On Thursday, Feb. 28, a group of about 30 high school students—consisting mostly of 10th and 11th graders—teachers and WTA co-presidents Scott Emerson and Peter Strand, teaching assistant Jeff DiPaolo, Board President Mark Scully and I visited the State Capitol.

 

This field trip was far more than a tour of the Capitol—a building rich with history and amazing architecture that is worth a visit if you haven’t been there in recent years—it was a unique educational opportunity that offered students a personal, hands-on experience with democracy.

 

Throughout the day, students met with and spoke to Watervliet’s elected officials Senator Neil Breslin and Assemblyman John McDonald, and other legislators including Assemblyman Phil Steck and the senate and assembly education committee chairpersons, Sen. John Flanagan and a representative of Assemblywoman Catherine Nolan.

 

I could not be more proud of the way the students conducted themselves and represented our school district and the city. They did an incredible job of articulating their thoughts about the education they are receiving in our schools, and spoke politely and sincerely when sharing their concerns about the significant impact proposed school budget cuts will have on them and their peers.

 

One of the most productive meetings of the day was with Sen. Flanagan who chairs the NYS Senate Education Committee. He welcomed the students, asked them many questions and listened intently as they voiced their concerns about the potential elimination of Advanced Placement courses and extracurricular opportunities next year. Students discussed the effect this loss will have when applying to college and competing with other students locally and across the state whose transcripts are more diverse and rich because their schools have not had to make such deep cuts. Speaking directly to the students, Sen. Flanagan promised that he and his colleagues in the Legislature would make every effort during state budget negotiations to redirect as much funding as possible back to school districts to help ease the fiscal pressures and reverse the need for reductions in programs and services.

 

I hope that students learned from this experience that legislators are interested in hearing directly from their constituents—even the younger voices that cannot yet vote—and that it is important to voice your opinions and stand up for what you believe in.

 

I invite everyone in the community—parents, staff, teachers, students, grandparents and residents—to do the same: write, call, e-mail or even meet with our elected officials and advocate for Watervliet City schools, especially if you are concerned about the academic programs, extracurricular opportunities and support services that are in jeopardy next year.

 

Next week, the WES PTA is sponsoring a letter-writing event for parents during their meeting on Tuesday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the elementary school cafeteria. The PTA will have materials to make it as easy as possible for you to show your support for our schools.

 

Other upcoming events that you can attend to learn more about the district’s fiscal challenges and provide feedback that will help us make important decisions as we develop the 2013-14 school budget include:

• Tuesday, March 12, Board of Education Meeting, 7 p.m.  
• Wednesday, March 27, Special Board of Education Meeting/Public Budget Workshop, 7 p.m.
• Tuesday, April 9, WES PTA Meeting, Budget Presentation/Workshop, 6:30 p.m.
• Saturday, April 13, Budget Breakfast, 10 a.m. (light breakfast fare courtesy of the Gourmet Foods Class)

Also, remember to check the district website’s budget section for the latest news and information.

We all want what is best for our students and must work together to find solutions to the significant challenges we are facing. Please be an advocate for our schools and for public education in an effort to ensure a quality education for every student every day.

Urgent education reform absent from State of the State

Governor Andrew Cuomo gave his State of the State address last week and is expected to present his Executive Budget early next week.

In his State of the State, the governor made “jobs and education” a focal point of his blueprint for economic development and recovery in the state. He also spoke about a number of worthwhile education reforms for New York (one of which was early childhood education that I’m proud to say our district already provides with our UPK program). The governor spent roughly 7 minutes of an hour-plus speech outlining recommendations for improving K-12 education in the state, but interestingly, gave little indication as to how these many reforms would be funded.

What is even more concerning is the lack of attention Gov. Cuomo has paid to another significant and more pressing reform: fixing the state’s flawed state aid formulas that result in inequitable distribution of funding to the small city schools and rural districts that need it most.  

A high quality education is important to our state’s prosperity, our country’s future—but equally as important, it is vital for the success of the children in this district and across the state. As superintendent of the Watervliet City School District, my priority remains our district’s ability to provide a high quality educational programs that will help students achieve their goals—whether it be attaining higher education, pursuing a career path or both. 

Given the state’s deficit and the anemic economic recovery, I recognize that state leaders are in no position to offer schools more in the way of funding, but they can and should change the formulas to fix the glaring inequities in the allocation of state aid. Our state leaders must also tackle the issue of unfunded mandates that are crippling our ability in Watervliet—and in many other school districts across the state—to preserve the academic programs students need in order to be college and career ready upon graduation.

If these issues go unresolved, our district and others will continue to move closer to insolvency. If you value education as I do, I strongly encourage you to help advocate for our schools. Watervliet has assembled a stakeholder team and will join with 46 other Capital Region school districts for a regional advocacy event featuring Dr. Rick Timbs of the Statewide School Finance Consortium, to learn about the severity of the fiscal crisis that is looming for schools throughout our area and what we, as a community, can do to have our voices heard and advocate for solutions. The forum, 'Your Schools in Fiscal Peril - Running Out of Time & Options,' will take place at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 31 at Columbia High School in East Greenbush. I encourage you to call my office at 629-3201 if you are interested in participating in the Jan. 31 event or just want more information about how you can help advocate for education and our schools.

The entire WCSD staff, Board of Education and I will continue to fight to preserve programs and people that will afford our students the top-notch education they are entitled to. We will advocate for every student, every day.