from the Board of Education

Common sense suggests that students who feel safe, supported, and engaged in school are more likely to learn well. In the last 30 years, a growing body of research has confirmed the importance of the learning climate for students. Compelling empirical research shows that a positive and sustained school climate promotes academic achievement and healthy development. Not surprisingly, a positive school climate also promotes teacher retention, which itself enhances student success.   

At the Woodstock Public Schools, our administrators recognize this strong link and have implemented coordinated and sustained programs to foster a positive environment for all our students.  Foremost among these is our Character Counts initiative, now in its third year at both WES and WMS. Character Counts underscores positive behaviors that are foundational to good citizenship and respect for all.  The program emphasizes six “pillars of behavior” to help guide students toward strong character development:  caring, citizenship, fairness, respect, responsibility and trustworthiness. Promoting these behavioral traits is embedded in classroom and in school- wide activities and includes encouraging awareness of these traits in self and others, promoting guidelines to model these traits, and recognizing students who consistently reflect these traits. Our staff has received training to promote positive character development, and our discipline procedures have been modified to reflect expectations of good character, self-discipline and accountability in our students.  This year the Character Counts initiative was expanded to include greater student input and ownership. 

To identify a baseline for our school environment, last spring we administered a “Student School Climate Survey” to all 4th through 8th grade students. Twenty- three questions invited students to respond to topics covering school safety, staff support and respect, teacher and learning expectations, and overall strength of the school community.     Generally the results indicated overall positive feelings about our school climate. However, some areas, including the presence of bullying and teasing, require action. Teachers and staff have reviewed the aggregated results and made several recommendations for improvements.  

Effective school- family- community partnerships are critical to supporting students’ achievement, developing positive character traits, and enhancing the school climate. WPS engages our students in our local community through several initiatives, including working with Hyde School students and Camp Woodstock staff on character and personal development, participating in outreach efforts for local families, and inviting community participation in activities such as career awareness, Jog with Judy, and Public Speaking judging. Parents are strongly encouraged to participate in their child’s academic and behavioral progress by conversing regularly with their child’s teacher, reviewing expectations as laid out in the Student Handbook, discussing classroom and social issues with their child, setting clear performance standards at home, commending positive behaviors, and contacting WPS staff with any concerns. 

One of WBOE’s  five goals for the district reads: “Develop well- rounded and creative citizens by promoting and assessing their physical, social and mental well-being.”  The WBOE recognizes and supports the efforts of our administration, staff and parents in promoting a positive school environment conducive to the academic, social and behavioral success for all our students. Feel free to contact our principals or Dr. Baran for further information on these initiatives. 
 

WBOE to Host Community Meet and Greet January 14, 2010 

The WBOE invites the entire community to attend a “Meet and Greet” with town officials and our  board and commission members to be held on Thursday, January 14, 2010 at the Inn at Woodstock Hill from 7:00- 9:00 p.m.  The purpose of the event is social; we hope our elected board and commission members and other town officials will better get to know each other as individuals, away from official duties and responsibilities. The Woodstock public is invited, as is our superintendent, Dr. Francis Baran, Trustees of Woodstock Academy, and Headmaster Mr. Kim Caron. A cash bar will be available, along with light snacks. The Woodstock Middle School Jazz Band will be featured with a performance around 7:30 pm. 

Mr. Richard Naumann of The Inn at Woodstock Hill is generously making available this lovely venue and is donating the light refreshments and his staff in order to make this event possible. 

We hope you will join us.