District 17 Announces Partnership With Columbia University

District News:

• This month, HKHS Astronomy Teacher Shefali Mehta and three of her students presented their astronomy research at the national meeting of the American Astronomical Society in Austin, Texas. It is very rare and a great honor for high school students and teachers to present primary astronomical research at a meeting that is designed for the nation’s top astronomers.  This effort was made possible by a NASA grant that was awarded to Ms. Mehta.
• As a result of our Superintendent Howard Thiery’s strong efforts, RSD 17 has been selected as District Affiliate of the Columbia University Reading and Writing Project. This is a much sought after partnership both nationally and internationally.  This July, Columbia will be hosting a Reader’s Workshop Institute in our District to further enhance the teachers of RSD 17.
• The HKHS digital film production program will be sending a group of students to Dallas, Texas this month to compete in the National Digital Film Production Competition. While they are there, the students will write, film and edit a short movie that will be judged by a panel of professionals.  Mr. Chuck Lewis, the Digital Production Teacher, will accompany the students.
• HKHS hosted visitors from their sister school in the Shandong Provence of China for ten days in January. The guests visited schools and classrooms throughout the district to look at educational practices in our country.   

Board Items:

• The District has completed the Financial Audit for the 2010-11 fiscal year.  The Auditor presented her findings to the Board of Education at their meeting on February 7th meeting.  A letter has been sent to each of the town First Selectman to notify them of the Audit approved fund balance that will be given back to the towns.
• The Board is holding Community input meetings for the 2012-2013 Budget on Tuesday March 20, at the Central Office.  The Referendum in each town will be held on Tuesday, May 8, 2012.
• The Policy Subcommittee of the Board is currently reviewing the 5000 series of policies, focused on student issues. Input from the community is welcome.

Involvement Tip:

• No matter what age a child is or what his/her reading level, it is always beneficial to ask them questions about what they are reading.  Do you know what they are reading?  Have you asked them about it?  Questions may include what is the topic, plot or main character?  Whether they like it and whether they would like other books on the same topic, by the same author, or of the same type, are all good questions. Statistics show that discussing books and/or encouraging reading will likely improve their success levels at school.