Please note corrected dates for 2009-10 Early Release Days attached
(changed 2009 to 2010 for the January, April and May dates)
Sorry for any confusion.
Thanks,
Kim
Kim Eves
Director of Communications
Greenwich Board of Education
290 Greenwich Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830
http://www.greenwichschools.org/
Phone: 203-625-7415
e mail: kim_eves@greenwich.k12.ct.us
Fax: 203-869-8003
DISTRICT PLANS FOR EARLY RELEASE COLLABORATION DAYS
Community Organizations Support District Improvement Efforts by Planning Special After
School Activities for Early Release Days
Community Organizations Support District Improvement Efforts by Planning Special After
School Activities for Early Release Days
(For immediate release: Greenwich, CT – Friday, September 18, 2009) In Spring 2009, the District proposed,
and the Board of Education approved, the addition of five early release days for the 2009-10 school year to be
used for teacher collaboration time. “Research clearly provides a strong rationale for providing staff with regular
collaboration time that allows them to engage in data analysis and instructional planning that meets the needs of
all learners.
and the Board of Education approved, the addition of five early release days for the 2009-10 school year to be
used for teacher collaboration time. “Research clearly provides a strong rationale for providing staff with regular
collaboration time that allows them to engage in data analysis and instructional planning that meets the needs of
all learners.
This collaboration time has been established in direct support of the District’s primary initiative – implementing
Data Teams at the District, School, Grade and Program levels. Data Teams are groups of staff members –
whether at the District, School or Grade/Program level – that meet regularly on a continuous improvement
cycle. They are charged with reviewing student achievement data, establishing goals, and developing and
implementing targeted instructional strategies and results indicators. Data Teams are a research-based strategy
for improving instruction with demonstrated success. Noted educational researchers, Richard DuFour and
Robert Marzano, have concluded that “there is abundant evidence that organizing people into teams in which
they work together to achieve common goals is a powerful structure for promoting accountability and improving
student achievement (2009).”
Data Teams at the District, School, Grade and Program levels. Data Teams are groups of staff members –
whether at the District, School or Grade/Program level – that meet regularly on a continuous improvement
cycle. They are charged with reviewing student achievement data, establishing goals, and developing and
implementing targeted instructional strategies and results indicators. Data Teams are a research-based strategy
for improving instruction with demonstrated success. Noted educational researchers, Richard DuFour and
Robert Marzano, have concluded that “there is abundant evidence that organizing people into teams in which
they work together to achieve common goals is a powerful structure for promoting accountability and improving
student achievement (2009).”
Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Sidney Freund noted, “The staff is looking forward to having this dedicated
block of time to concentrate on planning for improvement – Teachers do have regular collaboration time each
week during the school day, however, they are short blocks of time. Teachers also have contractual time that
extends slightly beyond the school day, however this is generally devoted to time with students for extra-help
and/or as advisors to clubs, service organizations and to music and athletic programs. The five collaboration
days are designed to connect to Wednesday afternoon faculty meetings, providing an extended block of time for
more in-depth or prolonged discussions and training opportunities. We know that this may cause an
inconvenience for some families, and we are working with local community organizations to provide options for
afterschool activities and childcare. We also know that, based on scientific research, time devoted to
collaborative work yields improvement in achievement and we appreciate the support from our school families
in providing this opportunity for our teachers – and ultimately, for our students.”
The early release days are included on the school calendar and were distributed to all families via the August
Packets and on the District and School Web Sites. In addition, families have been informed of these additional
early release days via public meetings, local media coverage, letters home, and/or other venues executed by
building leaders.
The five early release* Collaboration Wednesdays are as follows:
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
* Students will be release two-hours earlier than regular dismissal times.
Local Community Organizations Support Improving Student Achievement:
Local community organizations, such as the Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA have generously agreed to
support the District’s efforts to provide this critical time for teachers by offering after school programs for each
of the five “Collaboration Wednesdays.” Families may choose to register* for a program at one of the many
participating community organizations. Community organizations are working to provide themed programs for
early release Wednesdays that may include The Environment, the Olympics and the Arts. The Board of
Education, and the staff of the Greenwich Public Schools would like to acknowledge the cooperation and
support of our community organizations in partnering with us to provide this opportunity for teachers to
collaborate in service of improved achievement for all students.
*Transportation and program fees are the responsibility of each family.
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