Mountain View School

2006

  The staff at Mountain View School along with the staff at Mapleshade School work to service the intermediate elementary age students in grades three, four and five. We work to transition our students from learning to read to reading to learn - across all of the content areas. Reading is a vital part of learning in all areas of the curriculum. Consequently, we dedicate ourselves to helping students become the best learners they can with strong reading skills that help them in math, social studies, science and life.

     This year marks the completion of our work creating curriculum maps that help all teachers move through each subject area at an appropriate pace. In the spring of 2006, each grade level completed their map for reading, which puts forth the skills, strategies, and assessments that will be used by all teachers in that grade level to prepare their students for the next grade level. In the fall of 2006, grade levels began the final stage of their curriculum maps in writing. They worked to reach agreement about the skills, strategies and assessments relevant to the area of writing. Although these maps have been completed they are never finished. Grade level teams from Mountain View and Mapleshade will continue to revise and update these maps as time goes on to be sure that they accurately represent what is happening and what is expected at each grade level.

     As we finished our work with new curriculum maps, we began looking at our math instruction. Teams of teachers worked together to research best practices in mathematics so that we could continue our efforts to improve the learning in our classrooms. We looked at grouping methods, instructional strategies and instructional materials. Another team of teachers analyzed our math MCAS scores and worked to improve the after school MCAS preparation program offered at the school. The efforts of these teachers will be used through out the school as we prepare our students for advanced math skills and MCAS testing.

     We also focused on enriching our students through after school activities. The PTO was extremely active in bringing a wide variety of free and tuition programs to the school for students to participate in. The SLIME science program, pottery, cartooning and a talent show are a few of the programs offered. The PTO also brought back the school newspaper called “The Mountain View News”. Ninety students signed up to be student reporters. Over the course of the year, these students worked with parent volunteers and Mr. Russell Held, Republican sports reporter, on the variety of skills needed to put together a newspaper – interviews, cartoons, writing, editing, deadlines, etc. Many students participated in each of these programs showing how important these opportunities are for our students.

     This was also the year when the staff, students and families welcomed their new principal, Mrs. Carolyn Wallace. Mrs. Wallace joined us after fifteen years of teaching and administrative experience in Central Massachusetts. She brought enthusiasm, new ideas and dedication to helping all of our students be the best learners they can possibly be. It was an exciting year to be at Mountain View School!