09/18/09 Early Release - Collaboration Wednesdays

Hello,

Please find attached release regarding additional early release days for
the Greenwich Public Schools.

This is new this year for the schools and for parents - while they have
been notified via school mailings, and other venues, any additional
coverage to remind parents of the early releases and, - now, to let them
know that some community organizations will be providing activities after
school on these days - would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Kim

Kim Eves
Director of Communications
Greenwich Board of Education
290 Greenwich Avenue
Greenwich, CT 06830

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

(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 beused 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).”
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 tocollaborative work yields improvement in achievement and we appreciate the support from our school familiesin 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, 2009
Wednesday, April 28, 2009
Wednesday, May 19, 2009

* 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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