2/9/2015

Greetings!

Having another snow day is allowing some time for reflection and how much has happened since my last post to the website.  As I recall the various events at Lawn and incredible accomplishments of our students I cannot help to feel very proud to be a part of the Lawn School experience!  

• Our Lawn School robotics teams showed their stuff in STEM learning by performing with excellence at the Rhode Island First Lego League Championship.  Four trophies were awarded to four teams and one team moves on to a national invitational tournament in California.
• Our after school programs have new offerings such as strings, rock climbing and intramural sports.  It is terrific to see our students getting exposure to new and different opportunities.
• I thoroughly enjoyed and was impressed with the students’ musical performances at the holiday concerts.  Next up is a fifth grade concert, a production of “Guys and Dolls”, and the jazz band will be performing during intermission at a P-bruins game in April.
• I have enjoyed the events such as the spelling bee, the pasta dinner, rooster games, field trips, and so many others.  These events continue to demonstrate what an incredible school and community Jamestown has!

Looking ahead:

• The Warrior has a new look.  Here is the link for access.

http://pub.lucidpress.com/1430950e-e1d2-43d2-b43d-4baf84fbc250/

• A new look for the website for Jamestown Schools should be happening very soon.  I am excited to see it!
• The Lawn School has held an informational evening for 8th grade students and teachers for students interested in career and technical schools for the 2015-2016 school year.  On February 10th we will hold an informational meeting for parents as we invite Narragansett and North Kingstown to present to our parents and students.
• We continue to incorporate ways in which technology can be used to enhance student learning.  Technology has become an infused component of the instructional program and a platform for students to achieve higher order thinking.  Teachers continue to think of new and exciting ways to incorporate technology into the school day.
• Assessment is an integral part of informing us how our students are doing.  Various assessments happen daily to inform educators what can be done to best support our students.  Similarly, the PARCC and Science NECAP assessments will help to inform our school how we are doing in the bigger picture.  The results from these assessments become one data point that helps to inform us in the area of teaching and learning.  This March PARCC performance based assessments will be administered.  In May PARCC end of year assessments as well as Science NECAP will be administered.   

Here is a link for information on PARCC testing:

http://www.parcconline.org/for-parents

• Report cards will be available for viewing on February 10th.  Be sure to check Aspen!

Thanks and see you soon!

Nate Edmunds

Greetings,

It is hard to believe the first quarter of school has come and gone.  I want thank the students, parents, teachers, and members of the community for making my first months at the Lawn School a terrific place to be.  As the busy school year continues I want to share with you some of my thoughts and resources I have come across.

Attendance: I have been thinking a lot about the importance of being in school and the impact absenteeism can have on learning.  Below is a link I thought was helpful when thinking about  

how we can all best support students with regular attendance.

http://www.attendanceworks.org/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/AW_HS-flyer-1-pager.pdf

PARCC: You may be well aware that this year we will be involved in PARCC testing in March and again in May.  This will be a change from NECAP done in previous years in that PARCC testing will be computer based.  8th grade students will still have NECAP testing in science in addition to doing math and ELA PARCC testing.  There is a lot to plan for but we are getting ready for the change! Below is a link that offers a wealth of information about PARCC.

www.parcconline.org 

Aspen:  Report cards will be up on Aspen on Thursday, November 20th.  Be sure to check Aspen!

Thanks again!

Nate Edmunds

9/16

There are several opportunities for parents to get involved with the Lawn School this week:

• Wednesday September 17 – The PTO meeting will be held from 3:00 – 4:00 at Melrose.
• Wednesday September 17 – Open House will also be held on Wednesday from 7:00 – 8:00pm.  We will begin our evening in the gym.
• Thursday September 18 – School Improvement Team (SIT) will have its first meeting from 3:30 – 4:30 in the Lawn School Library.

I am looking forward to seeing you there!

Nate Edmunds

Lawn Principal

Other information:

The RI Department of Education has developed materials on the Common Core State Standards to share with parents and communities. They were designed to provide key information about implementation of the Common Core State Standards in Rhode Island.

Elementary (5^th)

http://www.ride.ri.gov/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/Instruction-and-Assessment-World-Class-Standards/Transition/RI_CCSS_Flyer-Elementary-Print.pdf

Middle (6^th, 7^th,8^th)

http://www.ride.ri.gov/Portals/0/Uploads/Documents/Instruction-and-Assessment-World-Class-Standards/Transition/RI_CCSS_Flyer-MiddleHigh-Print.pdf

9/9

The first days of school have been terrific.  I am enjoying meeting the students and seeing the great things the teachers are doing. I see students excited and engaged in their learning and this is exciting for me! There is also focus on our continued use of technology and incorporating this tool into our instruction and our practice to enhance student learning.  I believe exploring new ideas and trying new things is at the heart of learning. I too am learning as I incorporate new technology into what I am doing.  In addition to the great things happening in the classroom, there are wonderful after school programs, sports and opportunities for students to explore different interests. There are a lot of exciting things happening at the Lawn School I feel lucky to be a part of it!