Educators (also referred to as we-- in this blog) are at an interesting crossroads in terms of the focus of education. We operate under the Federal edict of No Child Left Behind and state regulations that clearly articulate the direction of the curriculum. There are arguments on all sides of these legislative initiatives regarding their value and the implicit control of the educational process. Those initiatives certainly have their respective strengths and weaknesses. I, however, believe that we unfortunately have left an important aspect of education on the outside of the entire process. That is the idea of letting a child discover their passion in education.... the one concept or content area or focus that ignites an interest that nothing could extinguish.

We have unfortunately narrowed the curriculum. Even if we do not specifically teach to the test, we still relegate the subject matter that is not tested to a secondary status. That includes all of the arts, as well as history, social studies, and to a lesser degree science. Educators are expected to work with the data that is generated by formal assessments, and to alter the instruction based on that information. We are told to "drill down" and discover the level of understanding and mastery that our students display on that particular evaluative tool. But how do we assess or understand a student's passion? Is there adequate time for students to even discover that area of interest? Are we as educators willing to give up instructional time in the areas that are tested to delve into those other content components that excite and motivate students to go to places of their imagination that they may not have previously discovered?

As the poet William Butler Yeats said, "Education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire." I hope that we, as educators, can build a bonfire of interest, motivation and imaginative thought for each child, each day.

Thanksgiving-- what are we thankful for? Many things. Our health, our beautiful children and the dedication and skill of the adults that put amazing amounts of energy into this school. Thanks to all for creating a fabulous school --- more wonderful experiences to be shared this year.

Happy holiday!

It is parent/teacher conference time -- I always thought that this is the very best time of the year. It is a chance for the school and the home to truly forge a partnership around our common interest -- the growth of the student. So, I encourage all parents/ guardians and teachers to relish the time that they spend together as each partner has a chance to learn something about this child that we each care about. ENJOY!

Hello Shutesbury Community:

We are off on our adventure of a new school year. We have brought new staff on board and implemented new school-wide activities (composting food and paper waste), and welcomed twenty-four new students throughout the grades. Part of my own goals this year is to keep this blog up-to-date... not an easy task, but I will try to keep the information flowing and address the numerous issues that dot the educational landscape.
Thanks for your attention and support of this school.

summer posting

Metamorphosis

April 9th was the Spaghetti Supper -- a long standing tradition in Shutesbury where the sixth grade class hosts the community for an evening of great food, conversation and music. In the recent eons, the PTO has dovetailed their auction activity to that night creating a Shutesbury synergy that is unequalled in terms of fun. The first seating for the supper begins at 5:30 p.m. Prior to that time, the adults set up the dining space and organize the kitchen in preparation for the 500 diners. Down the hall in the sixth grade classroom, the rookie waiters and waitresses receive final instructions, take numerous group pictures and the young men are duly decked out in flowing mustaches, goatees, and Van Dyke beards just to complete the ambiance of a first class restaurant. No metamorphosis yet -- sorry. The young wait staff are usually pretty quiet as they walk down the hall towards the gym turned restaurant -- a bit nervous, definitely excited and kind of tense -- a myriad of what-if disasters wrecking havoc on their pre-adolescent minds. And then it happens ..... just like that, the first customers enter, the first foray into the world of being a waiter/waitress, the breaking of the ice of a world of work that is beyond household chores --- and the metamorphosis. They all change that night-- you see a confidence emerge that was hidden behind a cloud of doubt. You see a level of maturity and dedication to the task that had previously been buried under a landslide of rocks that spelled out the words -- Grow up already! They help each other, rediscover manners and politeness that have atrophied during the charge into adolescent. As individuals and as a group they take flight that night --- it is a sight to behold and brings great joy and pride to the admiring group of adults who stand by watching and smiling. It is always a very good night.

We have turned the corner and spring is now officially upon us. A new season --- it also MCAS season (the fifth season?) and the time during the school year where we are working hard to fit all that we want to do into the next three months. Recently, we celebrated the young scientists in the building via the Science Fair. I spent time wandering from through the biology, chemistry and physics areas, learning about electrical polarity and meat-eating plants! I want to congratulate all of the participants as it was an event that highlighted student interests (from flight to video games) and allowed the students to demonstrate their abilities in creating and carrying out a successful experiment. It was a fabulous event that is a tradition at our school, and helps to create that unique flavor of education that is -- Shutesbury Elementary School.