Teachers, students respond well to new reading program
By Karen Mann Journal Correspondent

Teachers have turned a corner with the new reading program they are using, according to Assistant Superintendent Deborah Brady on Monday, Jan. 8.

Brady told the North Middlesex Regional School Committee members that teachers in the district are gaining steam using the Scott Foresman Reading Program, which was just launched this September.

The program is a literacy series put together for elementary schools. According to its Web site the national program, "is designed to help teachers build readers through motivating and engaging literature, scientifically research-based instruction, and a wealth of reliable teaching tools for instruction, pacing, assessments, and grouping."

Brady said the program encompasses a lot more than just reading, and the teachers are putting many extra hours into learning how to use it.

"We are pioneers of the program," said Brady. "We are tuning it up as it goes along, seeing what works and what doesn't."

Brady said each principle sits down with its teachers to assess how the students as well as teachers are doing.

At first, teachers were spending a lot of time trying to figure out how to use the complex series, but now feel as though they have it under control, Brady said. Teachers have told her they have already noticed a positive change in their students reading and vocabulary skills.

Superintendent Maureen Marshall thanked the teachers for their effort.

"It's not easy to take a new program, embrace that new program and see the fruits of your labor so quickly," said Marshall.

In other business:

+ The committee approved the preschool tuition rates for fiscal year 2008. For those attending two days a week, the tuition will be $125; for three days a week, it will be $180; and for five days a week, $275. These rates increased between $15-$20 from this year.

+ The School Committee accepted two donations to the North Middlesex Regional High School Athletic Boosters, each for $1,500. One donation came from Steven and Sharon Cunha, the other from Bemis Associates, Inc.

+ The committee adopted the new Graduation Requirements Policy. At their last meeting, members decided to change the number of credits needed in each subject area. This included giving students the opportunity to participate in work-study or internship programs.

Although the new policy will come into place for the graduating class of 2011, Superintendent Maureen Marshall said they are trying to make the internship program available sooner. She thinks the school will be able to offer the program to this year's sophomores during their senior year.

+ The committee will discuss the Program of Studies catalogue at a meeting on Jan. 22. The Program of Studies outlines what courses will be offered to students in the upcoming year.

"I hope you will take as active a role in the Program of Studies as you did in the graduation requirements," said Marshall.

+ Marshall told the public a report done on air quality in the high school came back favorably. While there is some asbestos contained in the structure of the school, Ma r s h a l l said the facility is free of airborne asbestos.