NORWICH – For students in the Norwich School district, this year is bound to be different. With changes in curriculum occurring at nearly every level, the students may be in for some surprises.
In the Gibson primary school, the focus this year will be on reading and math. Benchmarks have been determined for each grade level in math, and a new reading and literacy program has been put into effect. As part of this program, students in the elementary school will be asked to take part in the 100-book challenge. This skill based program has children read a certain number of books on one tier, before graduating to a more complex level.
Reading and math will also be on the docket for the Perry Browne intermediate school. The same system of benchmarks will be used to gauge progress in the math department and reading improvement will be the focus for students at this level.
In an attempt to ensure that progress is being made across the board, a group of teachers at the middle school level have put together a comprehensive educational program. The group, headed by Iraina Steers, describes the range of services offered to the students in the form of alternative instruction by classroom teachers as well as in designated alternative instruction rooms.
“We are working hard to systematize instructional practices in collaborative teaching, differentiated instruction, transformational math, cooperative learning, critical thinking, and best practices in literacy instruction,” the plan states.
While these are all important school changes, the largest will take place at the high school level. Former athletic director Thomas Knapp has been hired as the new high school principal, and a new business teacher is due to start this fall. According to Superintendent Gerard O’Sullivan, this opens the way for the district to offer courses in web design and computer applications.
Students will also have the opportunity to experiment in video production this fall. With the help of teachers in art and technology, the Norwich City Schools’ television studio has been reopened. The students will have a chance to work with the technology to produce their own video.
Technology will quickly become a part of every classroom, with a $1.7 million investment in technology. The school has received the first delivery of computer hardware. A one gig internet connection has been installed to better serve the schools, and teams of teachers from every building are preparing for a technology integration program, that will allow the teachers to utilize technology in their lesson plans.
O’Sullivan also has plans to revamp the special education system. Instead of providing special education exclusively in special education classrooms, the superintendent wants to integrate it into the regular curriculum as well.
“We want the students to receive direct education in the regular classroom setting,” he said.
O’Sullivan hopes to see improvements in all areas throughout the school year.
“We will continue to look at results, set goals, and benchmarks, to see where we can improve,” he said.