MaryRowlandson ElementarySchool

For the students, staff, and families of Mary Rowlandson Elementary School, 2022-2023 was a year that marked the beginning of a return to normalcy following the pandemic. As the 2021-22 school year drew to a close, many of the protocols associated with COVID were retired. We were pleased to be able to welcome families back to MRE in the spring for various school events such as the third grade wax museum project and the fifth grade year end celebration. As the new school year began in the fall we were excited to see our 5th grade students make their first trip back to Nature’s Classroom since 2019. Our ability to hold community based events and provide opportunities for students to grow and connect with each other are critical to the mission of our school and we are looking forward to holding more events such as these in the coming months.

In support of our students’ continued academic growth and achievement we are constantly reflecting on our practices and looking for ways to improve. This year saw the adoption of a new math curriculum, Bridges in Mathematics, following a rigorous piloting and program selection process With the adoption of Bridges we are focusing our math instruction on the development of mathematical thinking skills through a combination of direct instruction, structured investigation, and open exploration As a result we are already seeing an increase in student math scores based on fall and winter formative assessments and look to build on that success as we transition into the spring trimester In English Language Arts, we continue to focus on critical foundational reading skills in grades K-2 with our Fundations curriculum. In addition, through Reading Workshop, students at all grade levels are developing their reading accuracy, fluency, and comprehension. This work is complimented through the Writing Workshop, where students are taught specific strategies to help them express their ideas and share their voices in a variety of genres. The redefining of a literacy specialist and math special to be learning coaches and leaders of MTSS approaches described in the teaching and learning section. Will go a long way in lifting our work in literacy and math.