Principal’s Report
December 2006


Foreign language: Emily Gibson (her husband, David Andrews, is the new rector at the Episcopal church), is interested in taking our Spanish position. Due to other commitments she would only be available one day per week. She has visited Blue Hill School to see K-8 Spanish instruction in action and, with the purchase of similar curriculum, could at least give our kids Spanish contact through the rest of the school year. I propose we have Spanish classes one day per week for grades K-7. We can continue to advertise for the 40% position to be filled in the fall. Emily would probably not be a candidate—but could be. It’s a “stop-gap” measure, but would be a step towards resumption of our foreign language program.

Enrollment 54: We have a new 5th grade girl.

Technology in the classroom(s). Bernie has put a lot of time into training kids and teachers on the use of the server, new software, new equipment, etc. And our first term of a project-oriented approach for the older students has ended; new term and sign-ups for projects is commencing. It’ll take some time to bring the quality and content up to a more sophisticated level, and integrate it more fully with curriculum. But we’ve made a good start on familiarizing the kids with the potential and giving them some practice with new capabilities. Here’s a thumbnail:

Grades 6,7 and 8:

6th Graders worked on a school newspaper and successfully created 2 editions.
    Group of 7th Graders worked on an internal web site devoted to the
        mid-level grades.
    Other 7th and 8th Graders focused on using programs like SketchUp
        Pro and Comic Life.
    -Some 7th Graders joined in on a Tech Team that created procedures
for a variety of student tasks. They established a Media Workstation
    where students can scan their pictures, print pictures in color, and
    connect to their private and public folders on the network.
    -Worked with all students on how to use the 2 new digital cameras,
    and take pictures for the Website and the Newspaper.



Grades 4 and 5 (6,7,and 8 too)
    Basic computer skills, logging into server, saving files and using Word.


Board members join Faculty meetings? I think it would be good for a board member to attend faculty meetings on periodic intervals. It would enhance communication—reporting to the faculty about Union Board decisions, or our board’s philosophy and thinking on same—and participating in discussions the faculty is having. We’re using faculty meetings almost exclusively for discussion of timely education articles, themes, issues. Part of one of my goals this year to focus on professional development and enrichment as a corps of teachers, and not just use precious meeting time for logistics and nuts and bolts!

Transportation to Away Games: I think we’ll be able to hire buses for all our away game schedule, but it’s going to cost a lot of money. Benefit: safer transportation, especially on winter roads. Okay? Better than carpools with parent drivers?

The Rinkmeister: Holiday concerts on ice, next year? Dave Gelinas has installed the rink perimeter; new plastic liner is on hand and ready to go. We just need a cold snap and the Castine Fire Department to make ice. Dave also bought us a big box of brooms: broom hockey will be the game of choice this year.

Outreach: Our kids have a lot of contact with community groups at this time of year. 8th graders sold candles to the Womens club yesterday. Singing for the Men’s Club is coming up on 12/20. And Janis Fitch is preparing her annual gingerbread house activity (it’ll be trains this year!) for next Tuesday. They’ll be displayed at the winter concert that night.
    
Holiday trees: Perhaps you’ve noticed the Christmas stumps in the classrooms? These are historic Castine Elm stumps which we gleaned from Main Street, and sprouted with birch saplings. Aside from looking interesting and giving some texture to the classrooms, they help with a festive look without using evergreens. We have a student with allergic responses to evergreen.

Smorgs: Harry Kaiserian is doing Asian Fusion recipes in our kitchen this year. Swapna Jains, from MMA, came and taught Hindi last Friday. Jennifer St. Lawrence did puppet making. Which is to say, it’s good to see the volunteerism between town and school, and school and academy, alive and well. Always looking for more ways to do special things on these thrice-yearly occasions.

The Snowball Rule: “You may not make or pick up a throwing-sized snowball while at Adams School, or during Adams School.” The Snowball Commissioner has spoken! All appeals must be in writing, and notarized.





Enclosures:

Articles read and discussed in faculty meetings. FYI.
Recent articles by the principal.