Report card changes explained

By Matthew Bernat
Turley Publications Reporter

STURBRIDGE – It appears a new way of reporting student progress makes the grade for Sturbridge School Committee members.
Starting this fall, the traditional, age-old letter grading system will be phased out in kindergarten through sixth grade classes across the Tantasqua/Union 61 district.
Instead, students will be assessed with a “standards-based” system, according to superintendent Daniel Durgin, which will allow teachers to provide more – and deeper – analysis.
Assistant superintendent Dr. Elizabeth Schaper provided committee members an overview of the coming changes. Schaper said the new report cards offer a consistent grading system for the district, a comprehensive evaluation and other benefits.
“You know precisely which habits of mind and habits of work your child demonstrates or does not demonstrate consistently,” she said. Many other schools across the state and country are moving towards this system, she said.
A team of 42 teachers representing all of the district’s schools developed the new standards. Also, all district teachers were surveyed to gather information to develop the “habits of mind and work” principles, she said. Those principles add another dimension to student assessment outside of strict academic grades, Schaper said.
The committee viewed samples of the new double-sided report cards - one side highlights academic achievement and the other social and work skills.
“It’s a lot more information,” Durgin said.
Another change will see report cards issued three times a year instead of quarterly. Schaper said teachers agreed that first quarter report cards arrive to soon in the year as educators are still becoming familiar with students.
Durgin said administrators would be holding informational sessions for parents this spring and again in autumn, to explain the new system and answer questions.
After the presentation committee members expressed enthusiasm for the revamped cards.
“It’s a great system and offers a snapshot of student progress,” said Committee Chairwoman Katherine Alexander.
More information will be available on the school’s website (www.tantasqua.org) within a few weeks.

No idle policy under review

The school committee voted on a new policy prohibiting excessive engine idling on school grounds. The policy, mandated by state law, must be adopted to avoid a funding decrease.
“We need to do this,” Durgin said.
The policy requires bus drivers and parents not idle engines, with certain exceptions. To comply, administrators must install signs alerting motorists to the change and notify parents.
Durgin said pollution and the harm it causes children was the reason for the law.
He said there are certain exceptions, such as being allowed to idle briefly to run air conditioning or heat. The committee will have one month to review the entire policy. They are expected to adopt it at their next meeting.

Odds and ends

During the principal’s report, elementary school Principal Daniel Carlson recognized fifth grade student Kat Dalberth for winning second place in a statewide poetry contest for her poem “Gray Wolves.”
Carlson said Kat was invited to recite her poem before the committee, but declined on account of shyness. Carlson then read the poem. He also noted Kat won a medal and certificate.
Carlson also noted Jean Terrill-Murphy, a physical education instructor, participated in this year’s Boston Marathon. She finished with a time of four hours and 28 minutes, he said.