Tuesday, July 27, 2010
It’s 10:00 pm . . . Do You Know Who/What/Where Your Child is Texting?
It’s ugly, no matter how you slice it. Anonymous messages on bathroom walls or secret notes with personally destructive words have now been replaced by present day Facebook and cellphone texts and tweets and, Formspring, an incredulous, nameless outlet. Bullying hasn’t much changed over the years, but the method to convey the message certainly has.
Friday, July 23, 2010
2010-2011 Regular Day School Start/End Times
Wednesday, July 21, 2010
2010-2011 Bus Schedule Start/End times.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Why have some teachers been placed at different schools for the fall?
As the district looks to “build a team” in each school, it strives to have teachers with diverse strengths and areas of expertise in each school to best meet the needs of all of its students. This goal can also extend to considering the additional certification that a teacher may have that is needed in another school, as well as the mix of both newer and more veteran teachers within one school environment. The special skills or leadership abilities of one teacher may be needed at another school. As each school considers its needs for its learners, there may be a teacher who would bring to the table a much needed area of expertise to another school. All of these considerations are taken into account when the district places its teachers each year – they are not easy decisions.
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Summer Math
Friday, June 11, 2010
Summer Reading
Monday, May 24, 2010
Monroe students shine bright — Our unwavering mission
High school graduation is fast approaching, marking the culmination of a student’s academic hard work: the trials, triumphs, challenges and choices. While high school graduation is one benchmark for young adults and their parents alike, this time of year warrants observation of the many, many events from all students’ ages and stages leading to this ultimate adolescent goal.
Wednesday, May 12, 2010
2011 Teacher of the Year Nomination
It is that time of year again when we get to vote for a wonderful teacher who we feel should represent the Monroe School District as the Monroe 2011 Teacher of the Year.
Once the applications have been sent to Dr. Canfield by the deadline of June 4th, the committee will meet and make a final selection for 2011 Teacher of the Year from Monroe.
I’ve also enclosed a list of all previous “Teachers of the Year” from Monroe since 1984 and a copy of the current Teacher of the Year Selection Committee.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
A World Classroom
What does a quality education entail? Who is the competition? What world will our students face?
Thursday, April 15, 2010
It’s Never Over Until It’s Over
Since the defeat of the April 6th referendum, the First Selectman has announced a reduction of 950K to the overall budget, with 80K reduced from the town side, and 870K reduced from the education budget.
Wednesday, April 07, 2010
A Matter of Choice
No one enjoys being told what to do – vote for the budget or vote against it. But uninformed choice is no choice at all. For this reason, the district has worked tirelessly to get real data and accurate information into the hands of each citizen and every public official.
Thursday, April 01, 2010
Top Ten Myths About the Education Budget
Our goal is to get the right information to our voters, so all citizens can make choices based on facts. Any vote should be determined by the facts, not by distortions or total inaccuracies that are spoken, printed or emailed. To view the entire article submitted to the Monroe Courier for March 31, 2010 click for more information.
Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Common Budget Questions
We have been asked some common questions about the budget and want to share the responses. [Click for additional content]
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
5.5% Town Budget = 5.5 Schools Open
The budget vote is days away. We have seen groups of citizens emerge as various issues have been discussed and debated. Voices of pro and con for each topic – there are no perfect answers in this perfect storm of economic difficulties. All compromises and cuts come with trade‐offs.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
Long‐Term Focus
We are embroiled in a grueling budget year. Salaries are at the end of multi‐year contracts negotiated in better times. We are recovering from a sustained period of high medical claims, draining our medical funds to zero. Increased costs to special education consume more of the overall budget. These three items account for all but .15% of the requested increase for the BOE budget. The convergence of these forces could not have occurred at a more challenging time. But let’s consider where we are.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Heroes Among Us
Every night there is a meeting of some sort or another. Budget, BOE, BOF, Town Council, PTO, community organizations, neighborhood gatherings. Ad hoc or agenda, all budget talk, all the time. Numbers, numbers, numbers.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
What is the capacity of Masuk High School?
What is the capacity of Masuk High School?
Under typical circumstances, a school operates at approximately 80%, which would be 1450 students for Masuk High School. This number can be increased up to 100% capacity of 1812 students, but would provide no flexibility in space. The proposed 8th Grade Academy would have Masuk operating at 92% capacity. While that is an acceptable number, it is far from optimal in supporting the educational needs of the students.
Sunday, March 07, 2010
Updated District Blog Area
The Monroe Public Schools Superintendent's blog is now the District News from the Superintendent. It can now be found on the main district web page. If you would like to see more details on any article click on more following the article or on more located at the bottom of the scroller to be taken to the complete listing.
Friday, February 26, 2010
8th Grade Academy Information
The presentations given are available for download here:
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Has Monroe hired a Transportation Expert?
Robert Jenckes is the Transportation Planner for First Student.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Why is there sometimes a delay in acknowledging receipt of questions...
Why is there sometimes a delay in acknowledging receipt of questions or getting responses posted on the Supt. Blog about current issues?
Up to this point, these kinds of email questionshave come directly to myindividual Superintendent email account, along with several hundred emails I receive daily regarding the business of the district. The sheer volume of emails has become a challenge to manage. However, in order to ensure that each question regarding the budget or other current issues of the districtreceivesappropriate attention, a specific email account has been established for these inquiries. Going forward, the email address for these types of inquirieswill be:
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Update for Wednesday February 10th
Wednesday, February 10th Update
The BOE adopted its budget at 6.87%. The First Selectman has asked for a reduction of 850K, resulting in the mitigation strategy of the closing of Chalk Hill School for the fall becoming a reality. With the closing a school, all options have been considered for reconfiguration of the district. Data from an updated transportation analysis has been completed precluding the establishment of the Early Childhood Learning Center at the high school. Kindergarten students would have to get picked up too early, come home too late, or it would just cost too much to put in place. Planning is now underway for the 5th grades to remain in the three elementary schools and for the 8th grade to move to Masuk.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Can we install geothermal heating units and solar energy...
Can we install geothermal heating units and solar energy units on our buildings?
The capital outlay to retrofit facilities for geothermal has such a long payback that it would cost taxpayers in the long run because the facilities don't have that much life in them. Geothermal in any new construction is definitely the way to go. Active solar in the northeast is not a price performer. However passive solar in the northeast makes good sense for new construction. Passive solar is the building site orientation of facilities combined with building materials that absorb the heat from the sun and radiate the heat after the sun sets.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
There must be federal and state grants available, e.g. Clean Air...
There are some competitive grants out there and many competing to get them. Because Monroe is in the top 20% of the towns in the state based on our economic need, our community would not be perceived to be as high as many other communities. Unfortunately that takes us out of the running for grants that are awarded based on economic need. We can certainly pursue grants as they become available but understand that the time it takes to research them, write them, monitor the process etc is very labor intensive. The district has no designated grant writer and all administrators assist as they can to secure grants to support the district.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
The district has spent money on mission statement signs...
These items are part of the expenditures for operating a district. Having bright yellow jackets for our staff who manage school traffic [both foot and vehicular] provides a level of safety to them. Items such as mission statement signs go to the core of who we are and what we do as an organization.
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Dr. Colleen Palmer . . .
My job as superintendent is to advocate for teachers, staff, facilities, and families with a keen eye towards taxpayers. But it is the students that feel the results of every decision administrators make, and I never forget that.
It's my job to secure the resources necessary to ensure every child in Monroe Public Schools has the opportunity to reach his or her full potential. Not only the gifted student, not only the special-ed student — every student. That is my #1 responsibility as superintendent. |
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It is a great opportunity to work in Monroe where teachers and staff are committed to public education to their core. Monroe is a community that is engaged, alert, and committed to education, despite trying economic times.
I continuously strive to work aggressively and passionately with the BOE, Board of Finance, Town Council, First Selectman, teachers, staff, parents and the community-at-large. These are the people who make Monroe a great place to live and work. I want to look back and know we did everything possible to advocate for education in Monroe, to help students learn and grow, and to become the community leaders of tomorrow. |
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Dr. Colleen Palmer
cpalmer"AT"monroeps.org* |
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Superintendent's Recent Documents
(select the document and then click 'more' to be taken to the document page)
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BOE Meeting 5-17-2010 Summary of Teacher Negotiations & Timelines
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BOE Meeting 5-17-2010 Payschools.com
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BOE Meeting 5-17-2010 Transfer of Funds Between Line Items
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BOE Meeting 5-17-2010 Year End Status
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BOE Meeting 5-17-2010 Reporting Calendars & Recommended Schedule Protocol
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BOE Meeting 5-17-2010 RTT Memo of Understanding & LEA Initiatives
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BOE Meeting 5-17-2010 $2,280,000 Mitigation Strategy
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2011 Teacher of the Year Nomination Packet
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Presentation for Mitigation Strategies
From BOE Meeting 5-3-10 More
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Class Size Projections 5-3-10
Sent via Listserv to all Parents/Guardians More
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Tiers of Reduction Update 5-3-10
Sent via Listserv to all Parents/Guardians More
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2011 Budget Mitigation Strategy 5/3/2010
From Board of Education Meeting 5/3 More
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