GOWANDA - The Gowanda Middle School is getting good remarks from the state. Middle School Principal David Smith gave a presentation on the State Quality Review (SQR) process at a recent board meeting.
The SQR lists indicators of what makes a good school district. The middle school had to present pieces of evidence to a state reviewer who spent time at the school to prove the indicators of a good school.
Smith said the state had good things to report about the school, saying the school had a positive school climate. The state credited the district for having many positive qualities of the school included a student schedule with common planning periods, an Academic Intervention Service process and use of the Olweus anti-bullying program.
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OBSERVER Photo by Samantha McDonnell
The Gowanda Board of Education heard a presentation on the results of a state visit to the district. Pictured is Superintendent Charles Rinaldi (left) and Board of Education President Mark Nephew.
The state included suggestions as to how the school could improve. They were implementing an English language arts (ELA) curriculum, having teachers use data to develop their instruction, establishing exit outcomes for students in grades K-4 and a complete implementation of the common core.
Smith said some of the goals the middle school now has are due to these recommendations from the state. The school plans include producing a curriculum map for ELA as well as establishing a development plan for teachers' instruction.
"The (SQR) process was exhaustive but informative," Smith said. "In the end the process was good."
The board of education also discussed the placement of the dedication bench for Wayne Cross on Hillis Field. The Gowanda Sports Boosters originally approached the board of education to honor Cross with the bench as well as honoring state champions. The bench will be placed over new bricks, yet to be purchased, on Hillis Field. This new location will be separate from the existing bricks already on Hillis Field. The location has not been set.
Board President Mark Nephew suggested the board discuss a policy on dedication for the district at a later date.
"We want to set it up so people naming (items) know the criteria," he said.
In other business, Beth Westerheide was named Jamestown Community Col-lege Connections teacher of the year; Amber Britt, Justin Simet, Jodie Edington and Melissa Frary were appointed as substitute teachers; and Jeffrey Enser was appointed as a bus driver.
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