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A busy summer, preparing for next year
a message from Deputy Superintendent Denise Burrell
 It is hard to believe that the 2011-2012 year is already a memory! What a fast-paced and productive year this was. In the face of all that was new to us-the College and Career Ready Performance Index, multiple trainings for Common Core, common assessments, instruction, and the regular daily business of school, we all managed to continue to keep our heads above water and to provide our students with a quality, standards-based education every day.
Our 3rd annual Teachers as Learners Conference was our best yet! We had 200 teachers attend the 2 day conference June 4 and June 5. National presenters Jeffrey Wilhelm, Nancy Akhavan, John Antonetti, and Paul Riccomini covered reading for struggling readers, vocabulary acquisition, motivation and engagement, and math for struggling students. In addition, state presenters covered STEM and robotics, College and Career Ready Performance Index, iPad use, training for PD 360 and Mimios, and a variety of other topics. What a great two days they were! We followed that up with over 70 K-8 teachers training with Thinking Maps to begin to use the maps to teach writing in all content areas. At the end of the week, our brains were full but we were energized to begin next year.
For me, next year is my 30th year. As I look back over these last 29 years, I can truly say that we have had major changes in our state and in our system. But I can also say that as a system, we are getting better every day, and that is because of each of you. I am apprehensive about next year- the roll-out of the Common Core, the new accountability instrument, the beginning look at what our new assessment system will be-but even so, I am excited. I probably have those very same butterflies I had on my first day in my classroom in March 1983.
So here is to you. Take time to reflect on your past year. Take time to rest and renew your body and spirit. Take time to spend some quality minutes with your family and your friends. Take time, also, to think about all the possibilities 2012-2013 hold. I have no doubt that each of you will return back in August ready to have this coming year be our best! You are each awesome, and always know that you are appreciated even when I fail to tell you that.
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