posted Jan 25, 2009 7:45 AM by Catherine Ring
November, 2008
I am pleased to say that the Kennedy Center Partnership (our school district and Opera House Arts) has brought in some wonderful artists to work with our teachers to integrate the arts with literacy. This year, Karen Erickson, from Chicago, was back as our keynote speaker at our opening in-service day in August and she presented a great workshop for the K-8 staff on using drama in teaching literacy. She will be back in February for a day of demonstration teaching with students. In October, Stacey Coates, from Maine, taught "Teaching Tolerance Through Drama" at the high school and offered a public workshop at the Opera House. And in January, we're looking forward to having Jon Spelman, who is regarded as one of America's leading and award-winning storytellers. He performs throughout the U.S. and Europe, and will demonstrate to teachers how to use storytelling to enhance literacy instruction for kids.
When teachers are exposed to high quality, professional performers, who are educators themselves, they can see the fabulous possibilities for engaging all students in learning to read and write. That is just what the Kennedy Center brings us -- artists who are experts in their fields, but know, in detail, the curriculum and strategies to engage kids. The whole idea of arts integration is that teachers can learn to do this without adding on yet another thing to do during a very full day.
The purpose of the Kennedy Center Partnership (the only one in Maine, by the way, and one of 14 teams in the country) is to provide the opportunity and tools for deepening teachers' knowledge and appreciation for all art forms and their application to holistic teaching and learning. This includes expanding teachers' abilities to integrate the arts into the curriculum, providing them with innovative teaching techniques and building their confidence, comfort and enthusiasm for teaching in, through, and about the arts. Teachers are dynamic figures in students' experiences in school. Their influence on learning and attitudes is profound. Data and experience show that arts education enhances student performance and builds stronger, more diversified communities. Our partnership is therefore devoted to building on our area's unique creative heritage by enhancing professional development opportunities to assist teachers in understanding the beauty, depth and range of the arts, thereby helping the sustainability of small, rural schools.
We're lucky on our small island to have a wealth of resources and support for the arts in our schools. Through collaboration with the Stonington Opera House and our schools , a professional program like the Kennedy Center Partnership can only bring the best to our teachers and our children. Our teachers deserve a lot of credit for reaching outside of their comfort zone to learn ways to reach every child. Our Arts Integration team with our music, art and drama teachers will help make this an ongoing collaboration.
Catherine Ring
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posted Nov 18, 2008 11:09 AM by Catherine Ring
Spring 2008Something very exciting is happening on the island. Deer Isle-Stonington School District entered into a partnership with the Kennedy Center, (our National Performing Arts Center in Washington, D.C.) and Opera House Arts at the Stonington Opera House this past year. With such a partnership (the only one in Maine) it is possible to reach our main goal, which is to bring high quality professional development to teachers by way of trained dance, visual, musical and theatre artists. Teachers then take what they’ve learned and apply it to how and what they teach in the classroom. Imagine engaged students learning reading comprehension skills through drama activiities! Well, it's happening, the students love it, and what’s more - they remember what they’ve learned. They actually become better readers and writers.
In January we had Cissy Whipp (a dancer and teacher from an arts magnet school in New Orleans) teach our teachers, during an in-service workshop, how to use body movement, the elements of dance, music and African symbols to inspire enriched reading and writing by students. More than 35 teachers from DISES and some from Brooklin and Sedgwick schools participated. The following day, Cissy worked with teachers in their classrooms with students. In March, drama teacher Karen Erickson from Chicago showed teachers how to strengthen word skills and writing quality through dramatic creations and re-enactments of stories. Once again, Karen worked with teachers and students the following day in the classroom. Professional development has never been so much fun AND effective in helping teachers reach a diverse population of students.
The best part of this is that the artists have worked hard to present materials that easily match the goals of the school's curriculum, so this is not an added thing teachers must do. For example, our school's goal this year was to focus on improving literacy achievement. We also had a school wide theme which focused on Africa. The two artists we brought in this year targeted both literacy and Africa in their workshops. The additional evening workshops at the Opera House allowed teachers and administrators from schools in the surrounding area to attend as well. And the feedback from teachers has been terrific!
So, why is it important to keep the arts strong in our schools? How does the study of the arts contribute to student achievement and success? “Critical Evidence: How the Arts Benefit Student Achievement” is designed to answer those questions. This compendium of research describes in non-technical terms how the study of the arts contributes to student success. For more information, go to http://aep-arts.org/files/publications/CriticalLinks.pdf.
Future plans are already in the works - We have expanded our partnership base and are working toward professional development for the high school teachers in addition to sustaining the momentum gained in the elementary school. A K-12 arts-integration professional learning community has already met twice and is excited about the possibilities for next year.
The importance of the arts in our lives cannot be overstated. Parents can help by encouraging children to sign up for band lessons, to be in the play, to take dance lessons or register for summer arts camp. The Reach will play a critical role in helping us to sustain the interest in and support of the arts in our schools. The evidence is in. The arts help learning all around and improves the quality of life for everyone.
Ms. Ring, Principal |
posted Apr 8, 2008 5:59 AM by Mark Arnold
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updated Apr 8, 2008 7:45 AM
]
January 31, 2008
CRITICAL EVIDENCE: HOW THE ARTS BENEFIT STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Last Monday we had Cissy Whipp (a dancer and teacher from an arts
magnet school in New Orleans) teach our teachers, during an in-service
workshop, how to use body movement, the elements of dance, music and
African symbols to inspire enriched reading and writing by students.
More than 35 teachers from DISES and some from Brooklin and Sedgwick
schools participated. The following day, Cissy worked with teachers in
their classrooms with students.
Why is it important to keep the arts strong in our schools? How does
the study of the arts contribute to student achievement and success? Critical Evidence: How the Arts Benefit Student Achievement
is designed to answer those questions. It describes in non-technical
terms what the research says about how the study of the arts
contributes to student success. This publication serves as an update to
the 1995 publication Eloquent Evidence: Arts at the Core of Learning ,
and “makes the case” for the arts based on sound educational research.
Eleven years later, the evidence is even more eloquent, and the need to
demonstrate the link between the arts and student achievement is even
more critical. Click here for more information.
These are just some of the reasons why our school has partnered with
the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C. and the Stonington Opera House
to bring in professional artists who are working with our teachers this
year.
The importance of the arts in our lives cannot be overstated.
Parents can help by encouraging children to sign up for band lessons,
to be in the play, to take dance lessons or register for summer arts
camp. The evidence is in. It helps learning all around and improves the
quality of life. Check it out.
Catherine Ring, Principal
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posted Apr 8, 2008 5:58 AM by Mark Arnold
[
updated Apr 8, 2008 7:45 AM
]
December 21, 2007
Season’s Greetings, from all of us at DISES!
Before we all head off in different directions for the holidays,
there are a few things I want to communicate to you that will be on our
doorstep before you know it.
First, there will be a Pre-School Community Forum at the Community
of Christ Church in Stonington on January 10th at 6 pm. We are
inviting all interested parties from the community to join us to
explore how we might pursue creating a pre-school program for four-year
olds for next year. This will be a facilitated discussion. All ideas
are welcome! Please join us, and help us spread the word to anyone on
the island who may have young children, or have an interest in being
part of the planning process. Babysitting will be provided.
Secondly, nominations for school board members are currently being
accepted by the Superintendent’s office. Two school committee member
positions are open (Skip Greenlaw’s and Don Sargent’s seats). Both are
for 3 year terms. If you are interested in running for school office,
or know someone who is, please make sure you pick up the nomination
papers at Central Office. You will need to gather at least 25
signatures of registered voters and submit the papers by January 18th.
Thirdly, we have a lot to look forward to in the new year. Our
literacy initiative is well underway and in January and March our
teachers will be working with fantastic artists who have been trained
by the Kennedy Center to provide enriching professional development,
which will happen during in-service days. We’re proud of the fact that
we are in a partnership with the Kennedy Center and the Stonington
Opera House to offer our teachers this opportunity. Additionally, our
specials teachers (art, music, library, PE, technology, drama) have
planned a series of performances, residencies and activities in the
classroom, focused on our school-wide theme of Africa. You will hear
more about this in January.
May you all have a wonderful and safe holiday season!
Catherine Ring, Principal |
posted Apr 8, 2008 5:54 AM by Mark Arnold
[
updated Apr 8, 2008 7:46 AM
]
November 30, 2007 From the Principal’s Desk,
What do you suppose I saw in the school library on Tuesday afternoon
this week? There was Bunzy reading to little Haley. In the corner,
Debbie Greenlaw had Avery enraptured in a book. Ashlin and his mom,
Heather, were at another table and never looked up as I snapped their
photo. Seventh grader Elizabeth had Jed reading to her. The library was
alive with multi-generational readers sharing their time and attention
with first grade beginners. Older students were helping younger
students. Mothers and grandmothers and teachers and community members
were scattered around the library with their small charges in one of
those glorious moments when we relish being part of this school.
Fourth graders in Emily Mueller’s class presented READERS THEATER
last week where they demonstrated their proficiency in fluency. Talk
about reading with expression! If you ever need someone to model
fluency, ask Paul, or Cameron or Tessa.
Did you know that BACTERIA can be good for you? Just ask any of the
6th graders in Marion Austin’s science class. If you stopped in Ken
Lantz’s class this week, you might have heard Julie present her
reaction paper on asthma, or Connor’s presentation on the humpback
whale.
Third graders have raised over $1000.00 (profit) for humanitarian
causes. They do this every year, thanks to their teacher Judy Rhodes,
and they will collaboratively select charities to donate the money to,
such as the Island Nursing Home, the Ambulance Corps, or the Fire Dept.
Over the years, third graders have raised thousands of dollars! They
give 100% of their fundraising to charities, with 25% each going to the
world, the state, the community, and our school. Our school benefitted
last year with a fresh supply of playground equipment. Thank you, from
all of us, third graders!
There is much to celebrate in the every day work of school, as well
as the big events such as the fabulous Fiddler on the Roof, Jr. Don’t
miss our upcoming Holiday Concerts - this is a chance to see the great
work coming out of Ms. Kendzia’s music classes!
So I heartily invite you to come in and witness some of these for
yourself. All we ask is that you check in at the office. You’ll be in
for some very pleasant surprises!
Catherine Ring, Principal |
posted Apr 8, 2008 5:53 AM by Mark Arnold
[
updated Apr 8, 2008 7:46 AM
]
November 20, 2007
Time is flying by. Here we are again at Thanksgiving, and looking
back, we’ve had a wonderful year so far. Fiddler on the Roof, Jr. was
a great success. We packed the auditorium to the max on Thursday with
students and staff from the entire elementary and high schools and Isle
au Haut joined us as well. Audiences for the weekend performances were
good, too, and very appreciative! Hats off to Jim Gray, our Director,
and the entire cast and crew! Be sure not to miss the extraordinary
Cashore Marionettes performance coming up.
Congratulations are in order for our Middle School Soccer Team who
won the Division VI Coastal League Championship for the first time in
our history. Now we have basketball to look forward to, and of
course, chess.
At our school we have so much to be thankful for. Thank you,
parents and community members, for all of your support. May you all
have a wonderful Thanksgiving holiday!
Catherine Ring, Principal |
posted Apr 8, 2008 5:52 AM by Mark Arnold
[
updated Apr 8, 2008 7:46 AM
]
November 1, 2007
What a great month October has been. Yesterday afternoon our
Halloween activities extended to the entire school for the first time
and students, staff and community members really came out in force,
dressed as literary characters from stories and books. It was a
glorious afternoon and we paraded through the school and out to the
soccer field. I was amazed at the creativity that went into some of the
costumes. Here are some highlights for those of you who missed it.
First, I was delighted to see community members join us in their
full regalia. We had Old Mother Hubbard and her dog (Bunzy Sherman) and
Pocahontas (Barbara Seymour). Betsy Braunhut was the Queen of Hearts
from Alice in Wonderland, and we had Alice herself (Emily Mueller) and
the Mad Hatter (Torri Robbins). Also represented were Paul Bunyan (Lisa
Theoharidis), the goddess Hera (Peggy Zembrusky), and the Phantom of
the Opera (Peter Dauk).
I was stunned to find out that the very convincing Cruella De Ville
was Mary Rees Nutter, and at the total transformation of Arlene Roberts
into the character Viola Swamp (from Miss Nelson is Missing)! Other
characters included Burt Dow, Little Red Riding Hood, the Snow Queen,
and many fairies, princesses, Spidermen, witches and pirates.
Special note should be made of some of Torri Robbins students who
dressed as characters from the Dear America Books, based on the diaries
and letters of girls who lived in different periods in American
history. Kendall McGuffie’s eighth graders re-created Thomas the Tank
Engine and should be applauded for their great team effort.
I really like the connection we’ve made to literary characters this year. Perhaps this will become an annual tradition!
Happy November,
Catherine Ring, Principal
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posted Apr 8, 2008 5:48 AM by Mark Arnold
[
updated Apr 8, 2008 7:47 AM
]
October 20, 2007
Yesterday’s Diabetes Walk was downright inspiring. I wish you could
all have seen the sheer numbers of students, staff, and community
members who participated. Our web site has a short clip of some of the
banners we carried. We all got a real boost when the high school
students and staff joined us, as well. Channel 5 did a short piece with
some interviews of parents and the Ellsworth American will have a story
with photos next week.
Thank you, everyone, for a wonderful event.
Catherine Ring, Principal
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posted Apr 8, 2008 5:47 AM by Mark Arnold
[
updated Apr 8, 2008 7:47 AM
]
October 18, 2007 Hello everyone,
Sometimes the weather just doesn’t cooperate.
The weather report forecasts a 50% chance of rain tomorrow, so we
will decide whether the Walk will take place on Friday morning. If we
have to call it off, we will reschedule it for Monday, October 22,
which promises to be a sunny day.
Meanwhile, let’s keep our fingers crossed!
Catherine Ring, Principal |
posted Apr 8, 2008 5:46 AM by Mark Arnold
[
updated Apr 8, 2008 7:47 AM
]
October 11, 2007 Dear Parents and Community Members,
You are invited to join us at two special events coming up in the next week.
Our school is participating in a Diabetes Awareness Walk on Friday,
October 19th, starting at 8:00 am. This is a rain date, as the
forecast for the original date of October 12 calls for lots of rain.
The Walk is our way of giving support to several of our students, as
well as some community members who are affected by this serious and
chronic disease.
Today more than 20.8 million children and adults in the United
States have diabetes. Diabetes is a condition where the body either
does not make enough insulin or cannot use the insulin it does make.
Students and teachers will be making and carrying posters and banners
during the walk to highlight important lifestyle behaviors that are
critical to healthy living, including nutritious eating and exercise
and/or facts about diabetes. Staff and students are also encouraged to
wear red, in a show of solidarity and support.
The walk will begin at the elementary school after students arrive
in their homerooms and morning announcements are made. We will walk
over to the high school and back.
The second event is a Special School Committee meeting on October 11
at 6 pm. At that meeting, the Committee will hear a presentation by Dr.
Candice Bray, Literacy Specialist who will report her findings and
recommendations following her work with staff to identify weak areas in
our literacy instruction. We are happy to have Dr. Bray with us
throughout the year to help teachers use consistent strategies across
grade levels. Our goal is to get all students at a proficient level in
reading, and you will see many literacy initiatives this year.
So please join us if you can. Hope to see you at these events!
Catherine Ring, Principal |
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