Shelton Looks To Newtown’s Reed School As A 5/6 School Model

Principal Donna Denniston and fifth grade teacher Chris Breyan attended a meeting in Shelton on May 3 to describe their experiences in Newtown’s Reed Intermediate School. Like many area towns, Shelton is faced with overcrowding in its elementary and middle schools. The Shelton Board of Education is considering renovating the currently unused Shelton Intermediate School to be opened as a 5/6 grade school.

Ms Denniston and Mr Breyan joined Shelton parents and faculty who comprised the committee to investigate options available.

When Reed Intermediate School opened in January 2003, it was one of the first 5/6 schools in the state. Now, there are several up and running and many districts are looking at this model.

“Opening a new school is the most challenging thing I have done. There are many tiny details to address. If someone could have given us a blueprint of the process, it would have been so beneficial. We now have the blueprint that we can share with other districts,” Ms Denniston stated.

The attendees had many questions, most directed to Ms Denniston and Mr Breyan. Parents were concerned about the extra transition students must go through with an additional school. The Newtown representatives responded that the intermediate school actually creates a step between the one-teacher classroom of elementary school and the four-teacher experience of middle school, easing the transition. The Reed School utilizes two-team teaching; students have one teacher for math and science and another for language arts and history.

School administrators were curious about many aspects including office protocols, who works with whom, scheduling, etc.

“When Shelton was looking for information, our name kept coming up. Our name is out there in the state as having an effective 5/6 model,” said Ms Denniston. “This reflects well on Newtown when any of us are able to go out and share our successes. It’s nice to be considered when they are looking for positive models.”