As we begin to formulate our new School Improvement Plan, we’d like to reach out to the Countryside community for your feedback. Please take a moment to think about the two goals below and give us your opinion of what the school can reasonably do to meet these goals. Paper versions of the survey have been distributed during October's Parent-Teacher conferences. Download PDF version.
| GOAL 1: |
To ensure academic excellence and innovation for ALL students. What steps can we take to achieve this goal? |
| GOAL 2: |
To ensure a respectful, safe, and vibrant school environment in which students are responsible citizens. What steps can we take to achieve this goal? |
| GOAL 3: |
If you could generate a third goal, what would it be? What steps can we take to achieve this goal? |
meetings
October 21
November 18
December 16
January 20
February 24
March 17
April 28
May 19
3:00–4:30 pm in School Office |
The Countryside School Council is an advisory body to the principal that helps shape the policies and programs of the school. Composed of equal numbers of parents and faculty, along with at least one community representative, the council brings together stakeholders with different perspectives but a shared commitment to creating a rich learning environment and a supportive community.
School councils are mandated in every public school in Massachusetts under the Education Reform Act of 1993 (Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 59C). The law charges councils with assisting principals in three main ways:
• Identifying the educational needs of students attending the school.
• Reviewing the school's annual budget.
• Formulating a school improvement plan (a document presented to the local school committee that outlines the school's goals and strategies for advancing them).
The Countryside School Council, co-chaired by the principal and a parent, holds regular meetings that are open to the public. The council may consider and make recommendations on a wide range of subjects, including class size, curriculum, physical facilities, school safety, professional staff development, extracurricular activities, and parental involvement in the life of the school. In some of these matters, decision-making authority will rest with the principal; in other cases, it will rest with the Newton School Committee.
How Can You Get Involved?
• Attend the meetings. Meetings are usually held before or after school, and the agendas are announced in advance. Time is always set aside for public comment.
• Read the meeting minutes (also available from the office). Other School Council news may also be found online, in the Update, or distributed by email.
• Contact a School Council member with ideas or concerns.
• Leave a message in the School Council mailbox in the office foyer or email the Council.
• Consider running for the School Council when elections are held in the spring.
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