Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, October 11, 2019 ASKS | FROM PAGE 1 50 percent or higher, which indicates that a school is improving. Only two of the six Saugus Schools have reached that percentage: the Lynnhurst Elementary School and the Veterans Memorial Elementary School. We believe it is important for any School Committee member to understand MCAS as it affects the Saugus Public Schools. This is the first in a series of questions we will be asking these candidates. Each received the initial question last Friday (Oct. 4) via email and a reminder on Monday (Oct. 7) about a Wednesday deadline if they were to participate. We used the email addresses provided to us by the Town Clerk’s Office. The candidates’ responses to our questions follow in the order in which they were received. Candidates Darren S. Ring and William A. Marchand, Jr. were the only two candidates who did not respond to the question. This week’s question: What is your reaction to the latest MCAS test results? And if elected as a member of the Saugus School Committee, what specific recommendations would you make to see students in the school district meeting or exceeding the district’s expectations at all grade levels tested? Candidate Joseph “Dennis” Gould First, with some changes already in place, Saugus is seeing a positive impact and overall Saugus Public Schools is showing progress towards slowly improving to meet targeted test scores. In the next two years, when transitioning to three School system, with K-12, 3-5 and 6-12, there is an excellent opportunity to leverage the best practices, processes and curriculums from schools having success in current situation with four Elementary Schools , Middle and High School, to one K-2, one 3-5 and one 6-12 School. There also can be consistency in curriculum for every grade since they all will be in one school and under one Principal, one curriculum leader and staff. For 6-12, also great opportunity to have a core curriculum to assure our students can pass testing needed to advance, graduate and either go to college, into trades, work force or military, while also offering specialized classes like foreign language, drama, arts, band to name a few. The new state of the art training cells, equipment, books, etc. will also be a positive influence. I personally believe having the 6-12 together will assist in attracting specialized teachers, because if they are qualified for 6-12, then they can have a full-time position to cover all grades. New sport facility and fields will also be beneficial The after-hours offerings whether it be Drama, Band, Arts, Clubs and Sports teach students teaming, leadership, problem solving and social skills that are very important 505 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Tel: 617-387-1120 www.gkdental.com • Family Dentistry • Crowns • Bridges • Veneers/Lumineers • Dental Implants • All on 4 Dental Implants • Emergency Dentist • Kid Friendly Dentist • Root Canals • Dentures • Invisalign Braces • Snap On Smile • Teeth Whitening We are the smile care experts for your entire family part of the total educational needs. Author Beth M. Miller concludes that “many studies over the past two decades point to the links between after-school program participation and educational success.” The research shows that young people benefit from consistent participation in wellrun after-school programs, according to Miller. Studies of students who attend high-quality programs for a significant period of time show improvements in academic performance and social competence, including better grades, improved homework completion, higher scores on achievement tests, lower levels of grade retention, improved behavior in school, increased competence and sense of self as a learner, better work habits, fewer absences from school, better emotional adjustment and relationships with parents, and a greater sense of belonging in the community. Summary We have an excellent opportunity to assist our students in increasing MCAS scores but also the life skills they will need when they graduate. School Committee Member Linda N. Gaieski The latest Saugus Next GenIn House Dental Plan for $399 (Cleanings, X-Rays, Exams twice a year and 20% OFF Dental work) Schedule your FREE Consultations today eration MCAS scores offer some positive results on the elementary level, especially for the Lynnhurst School which was named as one of sixty-seven schools on the State’s list of extraordinary performance. Saugus showed only two elementary schools with a CTP of 50% or higher showing growth. On the whole, our other elementary schools showed “substantial progress toward targets” with students tested in grades 3,4,5 scoring at meeting or exceeding state expectations. This is definitely an improvement over the past few years, but we still have room to improve. As far as the scores for the Middle/High School level, I am disappointed in that they scored below the state averages classifying in the bottom 10% of the 132 schools tested (although BMS did show some improvement), thereby, rendering them “in need of focused/targeted support”. Only 28% of tested 7th graders met or exceeded state averages in math, and 40% of 10th graders met or exceeded the state averages. Scores such as this are unacceptable and indicative of a broken educational system vastly in need of extraordinary measures currently being put in place to correct this situation. Improving the student achievement gap has been a top priority of mine and the present committee. This is an effort that requires changing a culture by utilizing extraordinary measures over time to improve the delivery of direct education to our students in a culture of continuous improvement and progress aimed at all students attaining competency. Present efforts to realign curriculum with state standards and create new curriculum maps under the guidance of newly appointed curriculum coordinators at all levels will certainly go a long way toward realizing this goal. Personally, my suggestions on how to improve MCAS scores would be as follows: • All stakeholders – the School Committee, parents, administrators, teachers, ancillary personnel, and community at large must form a committed partnership with the express purpose of working toward one goal: Providing the best education possible for our students and advocating for such in a co-operative manner as their Number One Priority. • Increase rigor in all grades and subject areas. • Offer additional help either in school or after for struggling students in grades 2-10. • Continued support for curASKS | SEE PAGE 12 Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds Harvey Vinyl 60 Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Roofing •Free Estimates •Replacement Windows •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured
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