News/Announcements

CURRICULUM MAPPING
[The “Atlas-Rubicon” Project]

As with any other map, a “curriculum map” provides its reader an overview of a particular landscape. Without that overview, the reader could not distinguish key features of that landscape --- for example its contours, expanses, and boundaries nor, for that matter, the distance between here and there.  

Moreover, just as different maps highlight different kinds of information for different purposes, a comprehensive curriculum map contains all of the informational bits and pieces that different users expect to find in a school district’s curriculum.

• For a parent, a comprehensive curriculum map is useful for pinpointing
  this week’s lesson and how that lesson – its topic, its activities, its tests,
  quizzes and assignments -- follows from last week and then points to
  the week ahead.
• For a teacher, a comprehensive curriculum map is useful for pinpointing
  how the work this year with these students dovetails with their prior and subsequent learning.
• For an administrator, a comprehensive curriculum map is useful for
  determining whether the local curriculum matches – or “aligns with” --
  state and national curricular standards.
• For the taxpayer, a comprehensive curriculum map is useful for
  determining whether the local system is accountable and meeting its responsibilities.

This past summer, ER9 teachers and administrators took the first steps to assemble a current and comprehensive curriculum map that will serve all of the above purposes. The initial phase of the process is now complete in the area of K-8 science.

Curricular maps for social studies and mathematics are expected to be completed by the end of this school year while those for language arts, music and art will be completed in the 2012-2013 school year.  Please use the following link to access the work to date:

http://www.er9.org/curriculum/K-8_Science_Curriculum_Mapping.pdf 

Additional information about curriculum mapping is available at:

 http://www.rubicon.com/AtlasCurriculumMapping.html

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For Redding Residents: Western Connecticut Academy for International Studies Magnet School located in Danbury, CT
announces that it will accept applications for the 2012-2013 school year.  Redding residents with children who will be
entering grades kindergarten through 5 are welcome to apply.  The application deadline is January 23, 2012, no later than 4 p.m., with a lottery drawing taking place on February 13, 2012. 

Application packet

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Helen Keller Middle School Named 2011 Blue Ribbon School

The U.S. Department of Education named Helen Keller Middle School as a recipient of the 2011 Blue Ribbon Schools Award. This prestigious accolade recognizes the students’ high level of achievement as measured by the Connecticut Mastery Test. The Blue Ribbon Schools program is part of a larger U.S. Department of Education effort to identify and disseminate knowledge of best practices in school leadership and teaching. HKMS is one of only four Connecticut public schools to receive this distinction, and among 255 public schools nationwide. The school was honored at an awards ceremony in Washington, D.C. in November. News Release from Susan Kaplan, Principal, Helen Keller Middle School

Video - Susan Kaplan, Principal, on HKMS receiving the 2011 Blue Ribbon School Award: Video Link

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Bernard A. Josefsberg, Ed.D. began his tenure as Superintendent of Schools on July 15, 2011.

Dr. Josefsberg has a long record of working effectively with teachers, parents and community to build programs for young people. Considered to be a thoughtful pragmatist and insightful academic, he has a talent for harmonizing competing interests and acting forthrightly to meet student needs. He has had numerous accomplishments in the areas of grant writing, curricular planning and staff development and has been a participant and published commentator in New Jersey state level policy discussions. Dr. Josefsberg has worked in the field of public education for over 35 years. He has an undergraduate degree in English from Columbia University and a graduate degree from the University of Chicago. Dr. Josefsberg earned his doctorate in 1993 from Teachers College, Columbia University.

-Leon Karvelis, Chairperson, Superintendent Search Steering Committee in a May 3, 2011 Press Release

A message to the Easton and Redding school community from Dr. Josefsberg - 7/19/11.