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Welcome Letter |
August 4, 2011 Parents, students, faculty, staff, and school community: WELCOME TO THE COLLETON PREPARATORY 2011-2012 SCHOOL YEAR! August is always a time of anticipation and excitement in a school community as faculty and staff prepare for opening day and students. At Colleton Preparatory Academy faculty and staff have been preparing since January, 2011 for the 2011-2012 school year. During the summer of 2011, administration, faculty, and staff have been busy finalizing research, as well as creating plans and preparing for the changes that will engage every student at CPA in a positive college prep experience: Kindergarten through Grade 12. An independent college preparatory academy should include academics, arts, athletics, and affective learning in the program of study. Parents invest and send their children to Colleton Prep for a “values added” education. Colleton Prep strives to provide all of the above in an atmosphere of student-centered teaching where investigation, responsibility, and leadership are the keys. Students, faculty, and parents were surveyed over the course of the 2010-2011 school year to discover the need for continued school improvement in the teaching-learning process. Therefore, faculty committees have researched the best curriculum and instructional practices, the best equipment and materials, and best the strategies for the learning process to immerse CPA students in a college preparatory program. Below parents and other school community members will discover some of the rationale and highlights for these changes. Calendar & Daily Schedule reflect research on “the whole child’s growth and learning needs.” The CPA 2011-2012 calendar is much the same as last year, and works in tandem with the Colleton County School Calendar to help families plan as a whole community. The daily schedule has changed and reflects the need for students to have breaks in the day to refresh the body and brain for optimum learning, allow amply time for clubs, and provide opportunity in the school day for extra help and make up work. Please refer to the front page of www.colletonprep.org for the specifics. Professional Development is another key to effective teaching and student learning. SCISA provides a wealth of professional development to SCISA teachers. This summer, 15 faculty members spent two days immersed in best practices in direct instruction, classroom and student management skills, and engagement strategies. During the first week of faculty in-service at CPA teachers will study “The Four Pillars of Teaching” with Larry Watt, the Executive Director of SCISA. The entire faculty and staff will receive training in Blackbaud Systems implementation (more below), Smart Board training, curriculum and lesson planning, and collaboration on the SCISA school improvement process. During the 2011-2012 school year the professional development focus will be on “Project Zero” (see www.pzweb.harvard.edu) another year-long training from SCISA. The second focus for professional development will be on mastery in the use of technology-based learning. Technology, textbook, and curriculum upgrades! There is a wealth of research studies to support the proper use of technological hardware and software to engage students in real world experiences through the “virtual” port. This research finds an increase in proficiency in reading, writing, logic-mathematics thinking, and more, for students who use technology through teacher directed activities, guided practice, and independent exploration. New desktops, laptops, wiring, Wi-Fi, and e-pads and Blackbaud Systems are all the tools students, teachers, and parents need to tap into a world of learning never before experienced at CPA. This is the future of learning and working in the world, and college prep students need to be competitive for college acceptance. These upgrades are necessary to keep current with educational practice and help CPA students become competitive learners in a fast-paced tech-based world. The CPA technology committee has spent six months researching the best options for the academy, and decisions were based on both educational need and cost comparisons. Faculty & staff, students, and parents will have training sessions to make sure the technology tools are used appropriately and effectively.
Blackbaud Systems: Education Edge, Teacher Access, Net-Classroom, & Financial Edge
Faculty, parents, and students will be on the cutting edge of access to curriculum, assignments, student reports, and communication. As part of “best practices in education” faculty will create a “net-classroom” to load curriculum syllabus, assignments, grades, and comments for individual students, and much more. Parents and students will be able to “log on” to get assignments, grades, and comments. Everyone will be able to communicate 24/7 for a better understanding of student progress.
Colleges expect schools to provide correct and timely transcripts, and records of student work and activities. Education Edge provides a merge of courses, and calculation of accurate GPA for Colleton Prep transcripts.
Parent training sessions for Blackbaud will be offered in Fall 2011
Faculty and students will be trained in use of the e-pads. E-pads will be used for direct instruction, guided practice, and independent practice in the classroom for the first semester. Second semester or sooner, students will begin taking e-pads home to support classroom learning and research projects. There will be a contract of use and care, as the parents are “leasing” the e-pads from the school for 3 years. E-pads have e-reader capacity, but e-books are not loaded on the pads. Again the technology committee investigated the use of e-texts and found the expense of the few available textbooks for K-12 education prohibited wide-spread use of e-textbooks this year. Technology and other instructional strategies will result in less textbook-based assignments and homework, providing more investigative learning at CPA for 2011-2012.
The CPA curriculum map has been revised during the Summer of 2011 and will continue to undergo updates as necessary to meet the National, State, SCISA, and national standardized testing requirements. The curriculum map for upper school, middle school, and lower school can be viewed at www.colletonprep.org. Teachers are accountable for “best practices” in teaching: research based curriculum, use of engagement strategies for teaching “bell to bell,” as well as addressing the learning modalities (visual, auditory, tactile, and kinesthetic) and multiple intelligences of students. Teachers use a systematic pacing for instruction, planning and preparation, and authentic assessment and evaluation of student work. A rotation schedule for textbook upgrades in each subject has been developed by the faculty curriculum committee. The majority of history and social studies textbooks in the middle and upper school will be replaced this year, either with new texts or curriculum materials appropriate to the subject matter. In lower school “hands on” lessons will require a “kit” approach for inquiry-based learning in social studies, science, and math.
Tuition
at CPA
Employee
salaries and other employment related costs
Student
Fees at CPA
Technology
upgrades and maintenance
Athletic
fees cover some of the cost of athletic programs such as: The athletic booster club also raises funds to supplement the athletic program The remainder of the costs of an independent college preparatory education relies on annual fund, and capital campaign donors, and generous donations from school entities such as the PTO. Quality teaching equals effective learn “Teacher coursework in both subject area taught and pedagogy contributes to positive education outcomes. Pedagogical coursework seems to contribute to teacher effectiveness at all grade levels. Tests that assess teachers' literacy levels or verbal abilities are associated with higher levels of student achievement.” (Rice, 2003) All CPA faculty members that instruct students have qualifications that meet the SCISA standards for accreditation: a minimum BA in their subject, or closely related field of study and/or expertise, and experience in their subject area. The CPA standards on hiring practices for teachers and increased professional development for new and current faculty will affect authentic and positive change in the classrooms. There are some new faces around CPA for 2011-2012, and some current faculty and staff hold new positions. Tara Bazzle holds a BA in Early Childhood and will earn a Masters in Elementary Reading and Mathematics in October, 2011; she holds a SC teacher certificate. Tara Bazzle was a 1st grade teacher at CPA in 2010-11 and will be the new K4 or Pre-Kindergarten teacher this year. Tara will also be the “teacher-in-charge” of the H.A.W.K.S. Club after-school program. Nancy Murray holds a BA +18 towards a Masters in Elementary Education. Nancy has 22 years of experience at CPA and the public schools with SC certification. Nancy will continue as the Kindergarten teacher, but is also taking the role as administrator for the Early Childhood programs in Grades K4 through 2nd grade. Nancy is also an alumnus of CPA, as are her children. Kathy Houck holds a BA and MA in Elementary Education and SC certification with 16 years experience. Kathy continues as first grade teacher extraordinaire! Kathy has a son, Reed, who will graduate from CPA in May 2012. Jennifer Williams holds a BA and MA in Elementary Education, SC certification, and has six years of classroom experience. She will be teaching 2nd grade this year. Jennifer’s son Matthew is entering 1st grade at CPA. Elizabeth “Libby” Wilson holds a BA in Elementary Education and has 20 years experience as a teacher in elementary classrooms and has been a public school teacher with SC certification. Libby will be the new 3rd grade teacher at CPA. Libby’s daughter Haley will be a 7th grade student at C Jennifer Miller continues as the lower school classroom aide and H.A.W.K.S. Club counselor. Jennifer is a graduate of CPA and a junior at USC-Salk in the Education Department. Jennifer works at CPA around her college class schedule Valerie Murdaugh will continue to teach 5th grade mathematics and will teach 6th grade math, while taking the administrative role as the new Intermediate Coordinator. Valerie has a BS in Education and an MA in exceptional child education with SC certification; she has 18 years of classroom experience. Valerie’s sons, Matthew, Brian, Jesse, and Andrew, attend CPA. Cindy Hutchison has taught English in the CPA middle school for several years and is moving to the intermediate school this year. She will teach all the Language Arts in 4th and 5th grade. Cindy holds a BS in Elementary Education with SC certification and has 23 year experience in the classroom. Bray Campbell will continue to teach English in 9th grade, and teach Language Arts in 6th and 8th grade. She earned her specialized BS in Middle Grades (5th – 9th) English from the College of Charleston and holds Becky Varn is an alumnus of CPA as is her daughter Elizabeth. Becky’s son, Henry, will graduate from CPA with the class of 2014. Becky holds a BA and MA in English, has 23 years of experience with SC certification, and will continue as the 7th grade English & Literature instruc Whitney Stroud joins the CPA faculty to teach Sophomore World Literature, Senior British Literature and Senior Composition. Whitney earned a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies with a major in English Language and Literature and Secondary Education from USC-Columbia. Whitney’s daughter, Caroline, will attend CPA. Nat Stoner has a BA in finance from Francis Marion University and eight years of experience teaching mathematics at CPA. Nat will continue to teach mathematics in middle and upper school at CPA, and joins the administrative team as Upper and Middle School Director for 2011-2012. Nat is also the CPA Baseball coach. Cheryl Murdaugh holds a BA + 18 in education with SC certification and 23 years of experience and will continue to teach upper school mathematics. Christi Langdale holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering and has eight years of experience teaching science courses at CPA. Christi’s three sons, Tyler, Andrew, and Sam are CPA students. Christi is also the Student Government sponsor. Nicole Barnes holds a BS in Biology and Chemistry from the University of Miami and teaches middle and upper school science at CPA. She is also the CPA Academics and Arts Summer Camp Director. Jennifer B. Hughes holds a BA in Public Affairs from Columbia College. Her daughter, Jessica, is entering 2nd grade at CPA. Jennifer will teach social sciences in the intermediate and middle school, and Senior American Government. Robert Bratsafolis holds a BA in History and Education, with minor in mathematics from Murray State University of Kentuc, as well as certification to teach. He has 20 years experience in both middle and upper school classrooms. He will teach history in middle and upper school, as well as Pre-Algebra classes in middle school at CPA during the 2011-2012 school year. Roy McMaster has taught history for 11 years in South Carolina, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Korea. He holds a BA and MA in history and education and will teach World History II, and integrated U.S. History and American Literature at CPA. Ashley Smith is a native of Walterboro, a graduate of CPA, and holds a degree in Psychology from Winthrop University. Ashley will teach Senior Psychology, 9th grade PE and Health, and guidance classes to lower and middle school students. She is the new volleyball coach at CP Elizabeth, “Betsy” Ethridge holds a BA from USC-Columbia and is working on a Masters in Secondary Education in English and Spanish from South Carolina State. Betsy taught Spanish at Bowman Academy, a SCISA school, and has three years experience in the classroom. Betsy will teach Spanish in middle and upper school at CPA for the 2011-2012 school year. Linda Morgan returns to CPA this year as the lower school Spanish teacher. Linda holds a BS in education and has 23 years of experience in the classroom. Linda’s children are also graduates of CPA. Suzanne Morley has 15 years experience teaching art to lower and middle school students at CPA. She is a professional muralist, a resident of Walterboro, and sponsor of the student art clubs at CPA that created the “Great Swamp” Mural near the CPA playground. Suzanne will continue to teach art and art history to middle and lower school students. Jennifer McMillan expanded the music program at CPA last year and will be offering upper school musical arts as an elective in 2011-2012 while teaching music to K4 and K5, and grades 1 - 8. Jennifer is also the CPA Accounts Officer. She holds a dual BA/BS degree from Columbia College in music and business administration. Jennifer’s three sons, Corey, Connor, and Thomas attend Sheree Williams is the upper school art instructor and holds a BA in Fine and Graphic Arts from Savannah College of Art and Design. She is building on the groundwork of Suzanne Morley’s classes in middle school to guide students through Studio Art in the upper school in preparation for AP Art in 2012-2013. Sheree’s two children, Savannah and Genera Sherry Cawley has a BA and MFA in Speech and Drama and is the CPA Drama coach. She teaches the drama portion of the Arts Rotation course for 10th grade and is developing a future Speech and Drama course for upper school students. Suzanne, Jennifer, Sheree, and Sherry are the collaborative sponsors of the “CPA Arts Showcase.” Mallory Crawford will continue to teach PE and Health education to the students in Pre-K through 8th grade. Mallory is an alumnus of CPA, and holds a degree in sports management from Winthrop University. She is also the CPA Softball coach. Sandy Smith teaches computer science to lower, middle, and upper school students and is the CPA “Talon” (yearbook) and “Hawk Talk” sponsor. Sandy’s two children, Alex, and Garrett attend CPA. Jill Burttram has taught in both public and independent school for 14 years with SC certification. She holds a BA in elementary education and an MA in reading education. Jill has taught lower school classes at CPA and was the media specialist in 2010-11. She will move to another administrative role in 2011-2012 as upper school and college counselor. Jill is an alumnus of CPA and her children, Olivia and Jake, attend CPA. Her daughter, Jennings is also an alumnus. Natalie White holds a BA in education from Clemson University and has six years experience teaching lower school classes. She will become the CPA library teacher for 2011-2012. Natalie’s two children, Dylan and Walker, are students at CPA. Athletic Director, Neil Minton, has 11 years experience in the athletic department at CPA. He holds a BA in History from Winthrop University. Jennifer Bratsafolis, Head of School, holds a BA in education from William Paterson University, an MA in Political Science and education from the Citadel, and 30 hours from Clemson University in studies toward a PHD in K-12 educational leadership. She is a James Madison National Fellow and a South Carolina Education Policy Fellow. In addition to Head of School responsibilities, Jennifer has taught U.S. AP Government at CPA. Reorganization of faculty and staff · Re-organization of faculty and staff: A more “team-oriented” approach for administrator, faculty, and staff means more tasks get accomplished effectively, in an atmosphere of collegiality. Example: teacher observations (formal and informal) will take place more often in a positive manner because there are “secondary” managers (we attended a SCISA workshop in June on this organizational plan). · Early Childhood Coordinator (Nancy Murray), Intermediate Coordinator (Valerie Murdaugh), Middle/Upper School Director (Nat Stoner), Athletic Director (Neil Minton), and the Head of School will all have an opportunity to help teachers move continually toward research-based best practices in the classroom through discussion and observation and a team analysis. Faculty members have been assigned to courses and grades that match their degree, talent, and interest. Educational administrators all teach at least one course during the year. Therefore administrators who have the responsibility of faculty evaluation have a true understanding of the challenge and reward of teaching. Faculty members also have a stronger connection to administrators who teach. · Teaching faculty would not be able to do their job without the help of the dedicated, hard-working, and talented staff:
Melody
Hair: Canteen and Maintenance Director Guidance and character/leadership education · Guidance has been added as a one day a week class in grades PreK through 8th grade. Character education, leadership, peer-relations, etc. will now be a “direct instruction” class, as opposed to the “hit or miss” or “crisis intervention” only approach. Ashley Smith (degree in Psychology) will also be available, along with the educational administrative team to work individually or in small groups with students and conference with parents. Middle and upper school students will still have class/grade faculty sponsors and academic advisors. SCISA Advanced Accreditation During the 2011-2012 school year, Colleton Preparatory will be formulating a long range school improvement plan as required for SCISA Advanced Accreditation. Committees of the school’s constituents will examine all aspects of school life and student achievement. Every aspect of the school program must be brought in line with current SCISA standards. A more detailed explanation of the SCISA Advanced Accreditation process will be presented to the school community in October, 2011. I hope you have enjoyed reading about all the improvements for your child(ren)’s education at Colleton Preparatory Academy. The faculty and staff look forward to August 12th when students return to campus for a brief opening ceremony and half day of classes. Sincerely, Jennifer Bratsafolis Head of School
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