The auditorium at Newtown High School was nearly full August 22 as district faculty and staff were welcomed back for the 2018-19 school year.

Along with Superintendent of Schools Dr Lorrie Rodrigue, administrators, educators, and staff from each of Newtown’s seven public schools, State Senator Tony Hwang, State Representatives Mitch Bolinsky and Will Duff, First Selectman Dan Rosenthal, local board members, and representatives of the Newtown Police Department, including Chief James Viadero, were in attendance.

This year’s convocation included welcoming new staff members, honoring educators for accomplishments, and highlighting ways teachers support students.

During her remarks, Board of Education Chair Michelle Embree Ku said this will be the year “that Newtown schools are going to shine.” Ms Ku said she researched the Newtown Public Schools district’s recent past for her speech.

In 2009, the year Ms Ku said she and her family moved to Newtown, the state was in the midst of a recession, a Common Core Curriculum was adopted, and “a quick scan of The Newtown Bee Letters to the Editor show the controversy over those standards would bubble and simmer for at least the next five years.”

Since 2009, she said the district has had its challenges, like changes to its transportation system, hurricanes, snowstorms, a mandated new teacher evaluation system, a new computer-based testing system, “and on December 14, 2012, we were forever changed.”

She pointed out that the community has also discussed closing a school twice, has seen four people serve as superintendent since 2009, and changed school start times last year. While Ms Ku said the change in start times is, “no doubt, what is best for our students,” she also said that same decision has challenged many school districts.

“I remind you of these difficult times, not to bring us down this morning, but to remind you of how much we have achieved despite these challenges, and to help you see why I think we are poised for success this year,” said Ms Ku, adding the district has the support of local boards and state legislators, and it has worked on curriculum and instruction while continuing to support social/emotional learning.

“This is our year to shine. And I don’t mean to suggest that challenges may not come up, but knowing how resilient you have been is reassuring,” Ms Ku said.

Ms Ku said the 2018-19 school year can be used as an opportunity to focus on teaching and learning, self-evaluations, critical thinking, and student-centered learning.

“Simply put, let’s make this the year to do what we are all here to do; that is whatever it takes to inspire every student in the district to excel,” said Ms Ku.

‘For The Children’

Assistant Superintendent of Schools Jean Evans Davila asked the assembled district staff to clap for one another, and the high school auditorium filled with a roar of applause.

“Everyone in this organization and in this room, right up to our representatives in the state government, has a role in paving a way for our students to be successful, and for that I am so very thankful to know you all and work with you all,” said Ms Davila, who introduced a video slideshow of pictures of newly hired district staff.

Ms Davila said she assured new hires that there is someone willing to help and support them in every room and corridor in the district.

Later, Ms Ku and Dr Rodrigue honored staff who have worked in the district for 25 years. Maryann Bisson, Michelle Holda-Vaccaro, Denise Hornyak, Sally Lynch, Susan McConnell, Peg Ragaini, and Margaret Rocca were all called up to be recognized.

Newtown Paraeducator of the Year Linda Biscoe and Teacher of the Year Bonnie Hart were also celebrated at the convocation, and Ms Hart shared a speech. Ms Hart, a math teacher at Newtown Middle School, spoke about helping one of her students establish strategies to make new friends, and she spoke about witnessing teenagers traveling abroad using skills they were taught in school.

“No matter how much time elapses and how much distance lies between, it is important for each of you to remember you make a lasting impact for the kindness and caring you show, the passion you share, and the values you hold. You mean more in the life of a child than you will ever know,” said Ms Hart.

After wishing everyone an “amazing school year,” Ms Hart said, “whatever you do, do it for the children.”

Opportunities For Collaboration

Returning to the podium, Dr Rodrigue predicted the upcoming school year will be exciting and productive. She then referenced the “momentum” the district has experienced in areas of literacy, STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), concept-based curriculum, and instruction.

“We know our students will be prepared for the future they will encounter as adults,” Dr Rodrigue assured.

The superintendent said Newtown students have opportunities that allow them to be collaborative, to build character and citizenship, to feel safe, to explore their own passion and creativity, to find their niche, explore ways to support their communities, and demonstrate persistence and responsibility.

“This is not only about working the mind,” said Dr Rodrigue. “We know it takes more than just effective teaching and outstanding or sound education practices: It takes heart.”

At that point, Dr Rodrigue celebrated students in a way that elicited a chorus of heartfelt “awws.”

Near the end of her speech, Dr Rodrigue said she was handed a copy of the July 6 edition of The Newtown Bee by Reed Intermediate School Principal Anne Uberti. In that week’s edition, six Reed students were pictured answering a Bee Lines question: “What is the best lesson you learned this year in school?”

Dr Rodrigue shared a picture of the Bee Lines answers, which included: “How to incorporate different writing techniques into my pieces;” “That we’ll be working with people our whole lives and to get used to different personalities;” and “To not rely on other people and instead be responsible and do for yourself.”

As each response was shared, Dr Rodrigue asked educators to stand if they had worked with or taught the student.

“These students represent, as you know, so many of our students in the Newtown Public Schools district,” said Dr Rodrigue. “They spoke from the heart about how they feel, what they have learned, and the attributes that will certainly transfer throughout the years and beyond.”

Dr Rodrigue said all the district’s teachers help inspire Newtown students before announcing that the six who were featured in the Bee Lines came to the convocation. As the audience erupted into applause, the students lined up on the high school auditorium stage.

Near the end of the convocation, the superintendent said she hopes teaching and learning practices, social/emotional lessons, and academic pathways that support students will continue in throughout the 2018-19 school year.