Superintendent's Column

Written by Dr. Elaine Kanas, East Williston School District Friday, 01 March 2013 00:00

The Core Curriculum 

As you know, New York State has signed on, with the majority of other states in the country, to implement the Common Core Curriculum, a comprehensive K-12 curriculum. This year you have received information regarding the Common Core from various sources, including parent workshops sponsored by your PTOs and the District.  For the first time, the state ELA and Math assessments in grades 3-8 will reflect students’ grasp of the new common core material.  

In the past, I have shared with you an informative New York State Education Department website, Engageny, which has lots of information and resources on the Common Core and its implementation. This site is used by many New York State Educators. New York State has recently updated the website, providing a special section just for parents.  I think you will find it very interesting and helpful as you partner with us in your child’s education.    Go to www.engageny.org  and click on the upper right-hand box, Parent & Family Resources.  On the left-hand side of the page you will see Parent Resources that you can click on for further detail.  These include parent Guides to the Common Core Standards, videos and some educational activities you can do at home with your child, in support of their learning.

Thank You Bus Friends

As you know, one of the things I first noticed when coming to the district this year, is the terrific blend of educational excellence and a culture of strong commitment to students’ social and emotional development.  I wanted to share with you a wonderful new pilot program that is now taking place between North Side and Wheatley. High school volunteers recently participated in a training session with Wheatley Assistant Principal Karen Klapper, North Side Assistant Principal for Elementary Education James Foy and me where they learned how they can be helpful friends to elementary school bus riders. The high school volunteers each choose one or two days a week when they ride a North Side bus and assist the younger students with finding seats and getting backpacks off and on laps, while engaging the younger students in interesting conversations.  After the elementary students are dropped off at home, a school bus brings the high school volunteers back to Wheatley.  Thank you very much to our high school volunteers. If you have a high school student who might also be interested in volunteering, please ask them to contact Mrs. Klapper.  

“Ciao” Students!

A group of our students flew off to Italy for a week of language and cultural experiences that can only enhance their Italian language study here at Wheatley.  We wish them a wonderful trip and look forward to their sharing many stories regarding their rich experiences and their newfound understanding of the global world.