JSD District Newsletter

Ms. Ellen Bednarczyk ~Math Interventionist at Melrose

Education Background: B.A. in Elementary Education and Human Development/Family Studies from the University of Rhode Island

What Community are you from? I have grown up in Jamestown and attended Jamestown Schools. I also feel very lucky to have just bought my first house here!

Why do you want to be an educator in Jamestown? The community in Jamestown is truly special. I love being a part of a small school community where everyone knows each other and is always willing to help others.

What are you passionate about? First and foremost, I love getting to know the students I teach and developing relationships, so they feel comfortable to learn and make mistakes. I want students to know that making mistakes (especially in math) is how we grow and learn. I also love making math fun and engaging for students, by using dominoes, dice, or other hands on games and tools!

What do you hope to accomplish in your first year at JSD? I hope to help students feel more comfortable and confident with math. I love to watch students' confidence in math grow and help them gain a positive math mindset.

Mrs. Darlene Froberg ~ Teaching Assistant

Education Background: BS from the University of Rhode Island

What Community are you from? I grew up in North Kingstown, and moved to Jamestown in 1997 with my (now) husband, who grew up In Jamestown.

Why do you want to be an educator in Jamestown? After a few years of substitute teaching, I hope to bring even more of my enthusiasm, good humor and support to Jamestown Schools

What are you passionate about? I want to help and understand children, and support them in problem solving and realizing their potential!

What do you hope to accomplish in your first year at JSD? I simply hope to make a difference, to make kids feel understood, and to help them mature into good people.

Mrs. Lisa Tuttle ~ Teaching Assistant

I have a BS in Biology from Cornell University and a MS in genetic counseling from Brandeis University. After working as a genetic counselor and then as a genetics writer, my focus shifted towards education when I had 2 sons and started volunteering in the Jamestown Schools. I've taken on many volunteer roles over the last 11 years, including a decade on the PTO Board, and have been a substitute teacher in our schools for 9 years. With my younger son heading off to North Kingstown High School this fall, joining his older brother, it felt like a good time to move into a new role.

I have lived in Jamestown for 18 years.

I'm excited to officially join the Jamestown Schools family that I have felt a part of for so long! I'm passionate about helping children, and I love being a part of this community.

Mrs. Erica Connolly - Art Specialist Melrose School

Greetings, Jamestown Families, students, and staff!

My name is Erica Connolly, and I am very honored to be your new Art Teacher at Melrose Elementary School! I graduated from Framingham State University in 2000 (along with my husband), with a major in Sculpture and Fine Art, and a minor in Education.

I later recieved my master's degree in Art Education from Boston University in 2012, where my thesis projects focused on Printmaking, Book Arts, and Art History for Children. I have been an Elementary Art Teacher in northeastern Connecticut for 17 years, at the same school my three children attended.

Like many of you, I too, am a parent. My two daughters are enrolled in 7th and 5th grade at the Lawn School, and my son will be attending 3rd grade at Melrose.

My family and I are all very excited to become a part of your kind and caring Jamestown community.

We have spent the summer relocating to Schooner Avenue, and we are beyond breathtaken by the abundance of natural beauty, tranquility, and ocean splendor Jamestown has to offer.

As an Art Educator, I am eager to guide my students towards an artistic appreciation of our beautiful coastal island surroundings. I believe it is through authentic Art Studio experiences, that students will be able to awaken their inner artist, explore a wide variety of media and techniques, and make important discoveries that lead to positive self-expression, and a life-long love of Art.

This year, our school-wide theme in Art is "The Art of Motion". Melrose students will be using this common theme to ask questions about how things move, study and observe motion in nature, explore the science, engineering, and design behind our various modes of transportation, and develop a recognition of movement and rhythm in their own artworks, as well as the works of others.

This year-long immersion in motion will inspire and inform our 2D and 3D works in charcoal, oil pastel, mosaics, watercolor, ceramics, kinetic sculpture, action paintings, zoetropes, puppetry, mobiles, Op art, weaving, robotics, and more.

It is my hope that our entire Jamestown community will join us this Spring, in celebrating the creative accomplishments of our Melrose artists, during our interactive annual Art Show featuring "The Art of Motion".

I am truly excited to meet each and every one of you, and have recieved a warm welcome from several of you, already! (Thank you!) I look forward to collaborating with you all, as an integral partner in the nurturing of the artistic endeavors and academic excellence of our outstanding students of Jamestown!

With My Deepest Gratitude and Best Wishes,

Erica Connolly

Mrs. Serena Manny - Student Assistance Counselor Lawn

Education Background: M.A. in Counseling Psychology from Lesley University in Cambridge, MA

What Community are you from? Barrington, RI

Why do you want to be an educator in Jamestown? I am looking forward to being part of a small ocean side community and working with middle school age children.

What are you passionate about? I am passionate about working with children in maintaining a healthy school atmosphere and focusing on education around drug use and other risky behaviors that interfere with success both at school and at home.

What do you hope to accomplish in your first year at JSD? I hope to familiarize myself with the Jamestown community, in particular the Lawn School team.

Mrs. Laura Draper - Tech Integration Coach

Laura Draper is our new Technology Support and Integration Coach. She taught Technology Education for 12 years in Michigan before moving to North Kingstown. Laura is excited to join the team at Jamestown schools and support teachers in blended learning, STEAM, and all of the innovative educational experiences offered to the students. She is impressed with the Blue Ribbon distinction Jamestown has earned. Laura hopes to make an immediate impact by collaborating with teachers and supporting all staff in their efforts to deliver exceptional experiences to the Jamestown students.

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