School Administrative Unit #19 · 11 School Street · Goffstown, NH 03045 · Tel: 603-497-4818 · Fax: 603-497-8425

At their last meeting, the School Board received an update from the Curriculum and Education (C&E) Subcommittee.  At the recent C&E Meeting, Administration from each school reviewed the current status of academics and educational initiatives in their buildings.  The reviews included a summary of the efforts put into the implementation of our new reading program for K-6, as well as the work around our Response to Intervention (RTI) model that provides additional support to students who are not meeting, or who may be above, grade level expectations. Both initiatives have resulted in increased student achievement and continue to be implemented with intensive planning.

 

Building administration also discussed the importance of on-going professional development that serves as the foundation for instructional practices. A few years ago, the District changed their employee recertification process from one based on the accrual of continuing education hours, to the use of Professional Learning Plans (PLP).   The PLP is a dynamic document that integrates the individual teacher’s, the school’s and the district’s goals into one individualized cohesive plan.  Continuing professional development for our teachers and administrators is essential so that, as a district, we can ensure that all teachers have the skills and expertise to educate all students that walk through our doors.

The Elementary Facilities Review Committee continues to meet to address the renovation and expansion of both Bartlett and Maple Avenue Schools.  Both schools exceed capacity, are using portables and do not have enough instructional space for their needs.  

Part of the committee’s work over the past year has been to carefully examine the needs of both schools.  At Bartlett, the renovation will include adding instructional space, incorporating the library and guidance office within the school to eliminate the portable, as well as improving the cafeteria space.  At Maple, the renovation will include increasing instructional space to eliminate their portable, reworking some office space, adding bathrooms (several bathrooms have previously been converted to office space) as well as redesigning a clear front entrance of the building to address safety concerns.

Currently, the committee is in the final interview process to select a firm to perform the necessary engineering studies, and design Architectural plans.  Every effort is being made to determine the most cost-effective design to serve Goffstown students well into the future.  The School Board anticipates bringing forward a warrant article for the construction bond in March 2012.  

At this time, we would also like to take the opportunity to wish the Maple Mountain Destination Imagination Team good luck as they head to Globals in Tennessee this week where they will compete with DI teams from around the world.  This team, made up of 4th and 5th graders, placed first in the NH State meet in April and has been busily trying to raise the funds necessary to make the trip since then.  Good luck!!!