CURRICULUM NEWS & K-6 MATH UPDATES

ccook — Thu, 02 May 2013 13:54:46 +0000

In response to the demands of Common Core State Standards (CCSS), the district will be changing content, sequence and instructional practices within all mathematics classes. To learn more about CCSS and the realigning of mathematics instruction, click HERE.

Click HERE to view PP and 5-page Math Course Proposal presented to BOE on Apr 8.
Click HERE for PP on Elementary Math Program Selection.

PUBLIC MATH FORUMS

Mathematics Forum- What Does Common Core Mean for Elementary Mathematics on Apr 25 at VPES. Click HERE to view PP from Elem Math Forum.

Mathematics Forum- What Does Common Core Mean for Secondary Mathematics on May 1at RHS. Click HERE to view PP from Secondary Math Forum.

RPS SECURITY UPDATE

ccook — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 02:36:53 +0000

School Security Update- April 1, 2013

At the April 1 BOE meeting, Board members and the public received a Security Update from Craig Tunks, RPS Director of Technology and Operations Development. Click HERE to view his PowerPoint presentation of that update.

School Security Update- January 9, 2013

1. School security guards (unarmed) have been hired for the entrances at the schools. The security guards follow a check-in protocol that has been reviewed by the Ridgefield Police Department. The procedure includes using one entrance, requiring visitors to present photo identification, and recording visitor purpose, check-in and exit times. The work stations for the guards are in the process of being set up with computer, phone, and door buzzer.

2. The school security guards will be at the schools beginning one-hour before the start of the instructional day and ending one-hour after the school day ends. These hours will provide coverage for much of the before and after school activities at the elementary schools. There is one evening security guard at RHS.

3. The Ridgefield Police Department has reviewed its officer patrol system to ensure appropriate police presence and patrol of school grounds.

4. The district administration is preparing a request for additional Ridgefield Police Department School Resource Officers to present to the Board of Education.

5. School security assessment walk-throughs are being conducted within the next eight weeks for each school site with security consultants, police officers, and school staff.

6. The district administration is researching access control systems (card swipe system) for staff members and will recommend one to the Board of Education as soon as possible.

7. The district administration is researching visitor management systems (electronic background database scans of school visitors) and will recommend one to the Board of Education.

8. The district administration is preparing updated requests for increased surveillance cameras, especially at the elementary and middle schools, and will bring the requests to the Board of Education as soon as possible.

9. The BOE approved the formation of a School Security Committee which is researching and coordinating the efforts described above. The committee’s purpose and goals:

Purpose: The purpose of the School Security Committee is to coordinate a safe school environment using best current security practices. The committee assumes that the Ridgefield Public Schools should work in concert with the Ridgefield Police Department, the Ridgefield Fire Department, First Selectman’s Office, security experts and advisors, and other appropriate town departments.

Goals:
Research best security practices regarding school physical plant, communication, staffing, procedures, and training.

Establish short, medium, and long-term security goals for physical plant, communication, staffing, procedures, and training.

Conduct security audits by consultants and staff to monitor each school site’s security

Ensure appropriate training for all staff

Establish a school security committee in each building

Develop security implementation plan with recommended budget

Advise the Superintendent, the Board of Education and the Board of Selectmen

The committee will prepare recommendations to the Board of Education in as timely a manner as possible.

10. The district administration is preparing a budget for the security enhancements (based on the above) to recommend to the Board of Education. After Board of Education review and approval, the Board will work with the Town and the State to determine possible local, state, and federal funding sources.

11. Several Ridgefield staff members attended the Connecticut School Security Symposium on January 7, 2013, sponsored by Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS), Connecticut Association of Public School Superintendents (CAPSS), and Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE).

Deborah Low
Superintendent
Ridgefield Public Schools
January 9, 2013

For a printable version, please click here

CALENDAR INFORMATION

ccook — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 14:07:11 +0000

Current school calendar info & the 2013-14 calendar can be found by clicking on 'District Information' tab seen above RPS News on the home page.

WEATHER RELATED DELAYS, EARLY DISMISSALS & CLOSINGS

ccook — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 12:15:48 +0000

During the winter season there may be reason to delay, close or dismiss schools early. Click HERE to learn of the process and schedules to follow if a decision is made to change the regular schedule. Additional make-up day information can be found by going to the home page, to the tab for 'District Information' and then click on 'District Calendar'.

RESOURCES FOR HELPING TO DEAL WITH SCHOOL TRAGEDY

ctunks — Sun, 16 Dec 2012 06:12:58 +0000

Shared by the Connecticut Association of Schools (CAS)

The Connecticut Association of Schools is deeply saddened by the tragic events that occurred at Sandy Hook Elementary School. We offer our deepest sympathies to the families of the victims and are keeping the entire Newtown community in our thoughts and prayers.

Such a horrific event impacts schools, families and students everywhere. CAS offers the following resources which may be of help:

Talking to Children About Violence: Tips for Parents and Teachers
National Association of School Psychologists
Helping Young Children Cope With Trauma
American Red Cross
Helping Kids During Crisis
American School Counselor Association
Talking to Children about Community Violence
American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry
Talking with Kids About News
PBS Parents
"Helping Children Cope With Tragedy"
Report to Parents
"Coping With Loss"
Principal magazine article
"A Death in the Family"
Principal Magazine
National Association of School Psychologists Website

RESOURCES TO HELP PARENTS & CHILDREN COPE

ccook — Fri, 14 Dec 2012 22:00:20 +0000

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) offers resources to help parents, children and other cope in the aftermath of a crisis. Click HERE to link to the AAP site for information.

K-5 CONFIGURATION & REDISTRICTING

ccook — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 20:09:13 +0000

Information on this topic can be found on the K- Gr 5 Configuration Research link located here and under the 'District Information' tab on the home page. Note- click the bookmark icon located to the left of the page to open a Table of Contents for each packet.

Click HERE to review the BOE motion. Click HERE to view the timeline for the configuration and redistricting process.

DR. CHUNG'S 14-YEAR ENROLLMENT PROJECTIONS

ccook — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 19:13:16 +0000

Dr. Hyung, President of H.C. Planning Consultants, Inc., will present his 14-Year Enrollment Projections to the Board of Education tonight, Oct 22. Click HERE to see the agenda for tonight's BOE meeting. To follow Dr. Chung's presentation to the Board, you can view the 81-page report found HERE.

TESTING RESULTS & NEW STATE ASSESSMENT SYSTEM

ccook — Tue, 25 Sep 2012 18:48:38 +0000

The 2012 Testing Report was presented to the BOE on Sept 24. The results of the 2012 administration of the Connecticut Mastery Test (CMT) indicate that Ridgefield’s students continue to perform well above the Connecticut averages on state tests. Relative to last year’s student performance, the district saw consistent improvements on the Connecticut Academic Performance Test (CAPT). Click HERE to link to the 2012 Testing Report.

NEW State Assessment System- A new accountability system begins in the 2012-13 school year as a result of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA)/NCLB. School performance and progress will be assessed using different indicators. Click HERE to link to our District Information Page to access the State Dept link and view the 2012 RPS Profiles and Performance Targets.

The State Dept link allows you to access all documents pertaining to the Education Act and to listen to a narrated presentation that explains the new measurement and accountability system.

SAFE SCHOOL CLIMATE PLAN

ccook — Wed, 01 Aug 2012 17:45:51 +0000

The Safe School Climate Plan is a multi-faceted approach to improving overall school climate and to addressing the existence of bullying in Ridgefield Public Schools. Click HERE to review the plan.

CMT/CAPT 2012 RESULTS- INITIAL SUMMARY

ccook — Fri, 20 Jul 2012 17:50:37 +0000

Results of the 2012 CMT and CAPT test indicate that Ridgefield's students continue to perform well above the Connecticut averages on state tests. Click HERE to review the 2012 CMT/CAPT initial results summary.

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