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Ask the Superintendent - Jan. 31, 2007
Monday, January 29th, marked the midpoint of the
school year and the beginning of the Spring
Semester. By the time the Goshen Independent “hits
the streets” more than half of the 2006/07 school
year will be behind us.
At the High School, January New York State Regents
examinations, midterms and semester course finals
have been administered and graded. New half-year
courses have begun with the same level of student
anxiety that occurred in September. The winter sport
season is more than three quarters complete and work
on the Spring Musical has hit a frenetic pace. Many
seniors are eagerly awaiting responses from the
colleges to which they have applied, and the
wonderful end of the year activities are now in
sight. At the C. J. Hooker Middle School another
block of 10 week courses have started and the New
York State ELA exams have been completed. At the
Goshen Intermediate School the State mandated ELA
and Social Studies exams have been administered and
sent off to be scored. At the Scotchtown Avenue
School, students and staff are anxiously awaiting
the “100th Day of School”, which this year falls on
February 8th. The teachers at both of the elementary
schools are currently preparing for the recently
revised second report card period and the
accompanying parent conferences.
The mid-year point for all schools has a profound
impact on students and teachers alike. It is a time
to pause and reflect on the goals and expectations
set in September for academic growth and learning.
Student achievement must be examined and teaching
techniques may need to be adjusted. It is essential
that teaching and learning be evaluated at this
mid-year point. Target dates, such as mid-year goal
assessments, are critical to the learning process
and to the success of not only students, but to the
entire school district.
Our support departments, Transportation, Buildings
and Grounds, Technology, Food Service and Pupil
Personnel Services follow a similar set of protocols
at mid-year.
They too evaluate projects related to their areas
and monitor budgetary expenses to insure their plans
are on schedule to meet their stated goals. This
introspective approach and self-evaluation is
fundamental if we are going to continue our goal of
improving the Goshen Central School District.
Roy Reese
Superintendent of Schools
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