Yesterday Make the Grade Opportunity School held a graduation for its second class of graduates.
Students enrolled in Make the Grade receive instruction via individual laptops with teachers serving as facilitators between students and Learning Modules. This program, developed by Learning Through Technology, Inc., focuses on self-assessment, self-redirection, self-reflection, and self-regulating behavior.
By means of this program, “students have learned life-long skills which have prepared them to face high school and life's challenges,” said Marjorie Coble, Supervisor of Alternative Education. “It is my privilege to supervise and participate in this unique, productive, inspiring program for such a great group of kids.”
John Winthrop Kindergarteners Achieve Great Reading Expectations
The Kindergarten Teams at John Winthrop are proud to announce that the children in the class of 2007 have read and written over 1900 book reports! The majority of students in each of the three kindergartens have read a minimum of 25 books. Throughout the course of the school year, with the help of parents and teachers, they began their journey of transformation in preparation for first grade.
This is a great achievement because most children have yet to learn letters and sounds when they enter the first grade in September. However, now these students are ready to go to first grade with extensive sight-word recognition and reading ability. As they move along, their teachers Ms. Kathy Harrick, Mrs. Natasha Almadovar, and Mrs. Betty Waterman, and paraprofessionals Ms. Jessica Ramos, Mrs. Holly Mazza and Ms. Nancy Caruso would like to leave the children with an excerpt from Dr. Seuss’ book Oh, the Places You’ll Go!
Oh, The Places You’ll Go!
Congratulations!
Today is your day.
You’re off to Great Places!
You’re off and away!
You have brains in your head.
You have feet in your shoes.
You can steer yourself
Any direction you choose.
You’re on your own
And you know what you know
And you are the guy who’ll decide
Where to go.
Student Artists Win Summer School Poster Contest
Contest winners Marcelino Martinez, Robert Medina and
Carol Humbert Showcase their posters with Mr. Bella.
Congratulations to the winners of this year’s Summer School Poster Contest! The contest, under the direction on Central graphics teacher Mr. Bella, began in January. Students designed logos for this year’s summer program, following a water theme. Mr. Bella received over 20 entries. The winning logos were published in the Summer School Directory, which was distributed to all Bridgeport public schools and administrators. Overall winner Marcelino Martinez received a $50 FYE gift card, and the other winners received $25 FYE gift cards.
The following are Central's winners and their respective poster categories:
Marcelino Martinez
Overall Winner
Valaria Colon
High School Winner
Robert Medina
Middle School Winner
Carol Humbert
K-3 Early Reading Success Winner
Poster contest winner Valaria Colon with Mr. Bella.
Embracing Diversity
--Submitted by Stephen M. Salmon of Central High School
A white Jewish student and a black student in my 6th period have become fast friends. We have a competition used to foster enthusiasm and encourage review of Geometry facts and usage. These young men have become a team for this group and they do very well. One young man has trouble writing and the other has difficulty with thought processes. Each is strong in the other's weak area, and they help each other very much! They are hard to beat as a team! And each improves significantly in Geometry!
Has anyone ever thought of an awareness program for all the ways our amazingly multicultural schools in Bridgeport foster understanding every day? I personally have never seen any group so diverse as my students in Bridgeport.
It never occurred to me how much we ignore this incredibly positive result of our beautifully diverse population until I heard about all the awareness programs and activities for tolerance here. Both are very positive, but for me the most positive of all is how ten times more good intercultural, interracial, inter-language etc happens every day than the bad.
Here's an idea. Ask everyone in the district to remember good things happening between people with differences. It may take a few minutes to think, but once they get going, some of these stories will bring tears to your eyes! They often end up saying "You know, I never really thought about it before, but there are so many good things happening!" Start it off with a story like mine above, and let story after story come out. And make sure someone is taking notes.
Attorney General Blumenthal Visits Madison
Attorney General Richard Blumenthal recently visited fifth grade students at Madison School to speak about government. Students also engaged Blumenthal in an informal question and answer session.
Fifth grade teacher Joann Briganti and her he co-teacher, Ellen Steward, have been integrating current events and the study of government and democracy into everyday teaching. Mrs. Briganti invited Attorney General Blumenthal to share his experience and his responsibility of protecting citizens and consumers.
Great Feedback From the School for Ethical Education
Karrie-Ann Morris from the School for Ethical Education recently celebrated the Books for Hope project with Cesar Batalla School. The follow are her comments regarding the experience:
I enjoyed the writing from the children, and was thrilled with the comments made during this reflection/celebration. The children were proud of their work, and it showed. I enjoyed my visit greatly. I look forward to working with these students, and teachers again in the years to come. I was very impressed with the sincere support, guidance and excitement that your teachers bring.
I say BRAVO to the teachers of Bridgeport Public Schools! Keep up the good work!
