Southern Berkshire Regional School District P.O. Box 339, Sheffield, MA 01257 (413)229-8778

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Date: January 3, 2008

Report to: School Committee, Southern Berkshire Regional School District

African Egyptian Human Rights Organization, AEHRO

Submitted by: Valerie G. Spriggs, Superintendent of Schools

Purpose:

African Egyptian Human Rights Organization (AEHRO) invited Superintendent Valerie Spriggs to visit Egypt to…

• Address students, faculty, and administrators interested in the 2008 KiDmocracy Program and introduce them to the Southern Berkshire Regional School District (SBRSD) and Mt. Everett Regional School, sharing what they might expect during the USA KiDmocracy experience.
• Explore with Egyptian administrators some common areas for student learning, experiences, and achievements for Egyptian and American students.
• Share core beliefs and philosophy of AEHRO while becoming familiar with related education projects.
• Meet the Egyptian people and better understand their customs, religion, foods, culture, and governance.
• Celebrate and respect the two countries’ similarities and diversities.

Action Plan:

AEHRO and Mike Farmer made all arrangements. The AEHRO Administrative staff celebrated Thanksgiving with the Superintendent and Mike Farmer at a lovely restaurant on the Nile River. The AEHRO staff graciously shared their foods, traditions, music, and culture.

AEHRO administrators planned trips and tours that included the pyramids, Museum of Egypt, Islamic Cairo, Mosques and the call to prayer, Cairo Bazaar, Luxor (Valley of the Kings), temples, a water taxi across the Nile River, Karnack, the Luxor Museum, the Alexandria ruins, and the Fort on the Mediterranean Sea. Dinner parties were also given in the homes of AEHRO administrators and family, presenting numerous opportunities to meet and learn about the people of Egypt.

Visits were made to schools which had participated in the 2007 KiDmocracy Program, as well as new schools interested in the 2008 Program. The types of schools included prestigious private schools, an innovative public school, and traditional public schools. Mike Farmer visited two schools, while engaging in intensive work on “Win your Rights”, another education project.

School visits began with meeting each school’s administrators and personnel designated to coordinate the program at the school site. The Superintendent delivered a presentation, which was followed by a question and answer session. A meeting concluding the visit was held with the administrator of the school and the Superintendent. Refreshments were provided both before and after the Superintendent’s presentation. The hosts were all very gracious, warm, intelligent, and opened their schools to whatever the Superintendent wanted to see or tour.

Results and Findings:

The trip to Egypt presented a unique learning opportunity. The language, food, beliefs, customs, dress, history, governance, and people are all very different, yet strikingly similar, to those in the U.S.A.

Many Egyptian people spoke English as their second, third, or fourth language, and communicated well with the Superintendent, who spoke no Arabic. It was a very humbling experience for the Superintendent. Communication often also took place through the power of a smile, laughter, and friendly non-verbal signs, which are universal.

The first part of the trip provided a wonderful understanding of the people and history of Egypt. The Superintendent developed a profound and deep respect for the courage and wisdom of the AEHRO administrators and the many people she had the pleasure to meet, including her tour guides, cooks, drivers, and the most impressive and incredible women who accompanied her on every outing and trip. The Superintendent was welcomed and treated as a dignitary and at the same time as family, a remarkable combination.

The Superintendent visited three schools in Cairo, including one prestigious private school that had not participated in the 2007 KiDmocracy Program, and two public schools which had participated in the KiDmocracy Program. (One of the public schools is a very innovative school and is thought to be an excellent sister school for Mt. Everett.) We also visited two schools in Alexandria, one a private girls’ school, and the second a public school.

The Superintendent thoroughly enjoyed her visits to the schools, meeting the students, educators, and school administrators. The students were well mannered, respectful, curious, and bright. The Superintendent’s presentation provided a teaching opportunity that introduced Egyptian students to the United States of America through the use of a Power Point presentation of Mt. Everett students and activities.

All Egyptian students wore uniforms and stood as the Superintendent entered the room, and most students spoke a minimum of two languages, in addition to their native language. The education systems appeared to be structured and traditional in the delivery of instruction.

The Egyptian instructional system for world languages was of great interest. The students enter school knowing their native language, thus the first world language instruction begins in kindergarten. Students at one school selected their second language by third grade, and in some cases a third language was introduced in the middle grades. The Egyptian students’ English was quite good at all schools, including the public schools.

In meeting with the teachers and the administrators, the Superintendent was pleased to find the following:

• Teachers and administrators are proud of, and committed to, the students who participated in 2007 KiDmocracy.
• The administrators are supportive of the program and wish to see it continue and expand.
• Administrators are agreeable to exploring exchange programs taught through technology, or a teacher exchange program, but not sure how to make it happen.
• Schools were receptive to exchange programs, teachings, and ideas; however, they requested the Superintendent provide the initial design and details from which collaborative planning could be done.
• There were strong desires expressed to hosting Mt. Everett students in their schools and homes. At one school they said, “We want all the Mt. Everett students to come!”
• Educators are dedicated to their students and want to work with a U.S. school to engage in conversations that might further global understanding.
• There is a need to secure additional funding to support the poorest students in Egypt to participate in this program and experience.
• Most students have access to technology, and it was discussed as an avenue for future communication and planning.
• A blend of tradition and structure and the use of the “school within a school” model provide varied levels of instruction and academic rigor.
• Curriculum and instruction can be developed to benefit both SBRSD and the schools of Egypt.

(The American students are not competitive in multi-foreign language acquisition and fluent application.)

Further discussions and planning will take place between the AEHRO Coordinator, Mike Farmer, and Glenn Devoti during the 2008 KiDmocracy visit. The growth of this program is important. As educators further understand the impact of new global standards, opportunities need to be maximized for outreach.

AEHRO plans to introduce an education game to further Egyptian students’ knowledge of democracy. Significant time was designated for the game, which was developed by Mike Farmer, Mr. and Mrs. John Hammill, and the AEHRO Administrators. The model trains teachers, who will in turn train fellow teachers, to use the game to enhance instruction. Egyptian distribution is estimated to impact 6,000 students.

A month after the trip, the Superintendent continues to reflect and document her thoughts. The Superintendent is deeply grateful to AEHRO administrators and Mike Farmer for their work, generosity, and thoughtful planning. It was a trip of learning and of hope.

Letter from the Superintendent, October 1, 2007

Dear Parents, Guardians, and Community Members:

The Southern Berkshire Regional School District has received considerable coverage in the newspapers of late, along with numerous letters to the editor and editorials. The media focus has been on the SBRSD budget and our five towns. The following facts are being sent to you to try to keep you informed on the state of the School District and the proposed Budget for FY2008.

State of the Schools:

• Good news is that student enrollment stabilized and has increased by 19 students as of October 1, 2007 over the October 1, 2006 census count.
• The District’s teachers –including new hires– are highly qualified, exceptionally credentialed, and earning a competitive salary. They are dedicated professionals and very committed to your children’s receiving an excellent education.
• Academic offerings have increased, are rigorous, and relevant to a rapidly changing global community.

• All five towns approved the 2008 budget amount. The problem is that the towns are not in agreement on the method of assessment.
• Because the towns could not resolve their differences by July 1, 2007 the law required that the Commissioner of Education set an interim budget. The budget was set for the amount proposed using the state assessment method (statutory).
• The towns of Egremont, Monterey, and New Marlborough were required to have special town meetings asking the townspeople if they would appropriate funds to pay the assessment using the statutory method. Egremont voted yes; Monterey voted no; and New Marlborough will vote on October 9th.
• If New Marlborough votes yes, the budget is passed. If New Marlborough votes no, the budget is returned to the School Committee and the Superintendent.
• If the budget is returned, the School Committee will have a number of options, based on the law and regulation 603CMR41:
  • If SBRSD does not have an approved budget by December 1, 2007, the Massachusetts Commissioner of Education will take over the District for the year. The Commissioner will approve a final 2008 budget and be the policy authority for the 2007-08 year.
  • Information is sketchy as to what a takeover means, since the state Department of Education has never had a fiscal take over. The Department of Education indicates the proposed budget will be finalized in the amount proposed using the statutory assessment method.
  • Our towns will lose their voice in school district policy. The District would receive detrimental publicity, which could negatively impact this year’s increase in enrollment and also impact our retention of highly qualified teachers.

Over the next few months the media will be covering the events as they take place. The good news is the school district is strong, has excellent programs in place, and has received the re-affirmation from all towns that this budget issue is not about support for the schools. It is a golden opportunity for us to demonstrate our support for the schools, students, families, communities, faculty and administrators of SBRSD.

Please feel free to contact Christine Regan, Business Administrator, 413-229-8778 (extension 303) or me (extension 304) if you have questions. The issues are complex and can be very confusing.

A copy of the most current Eagle Feathers is included with this letter. I hope you will enjoy reading about the great accomplishments taking place on campus.

Sincerely,

Valerie G. Spriggs

Superintendent of Schools

Southern Berkhsire Regional School District
EAGLE FEATHERS

From the Superintendent…

· Mt. Everett significantly increased course offerings this year in response to parent and student requests for more choices in the Program of Studies. In addition, seven students are enrolled in VHS advanced courses! Thank you Mt. Everett administrators and faculty.

· Communications and Public Relations are two improvement areas for this year. A meeting was held September 25th to explore actions to get good news out to the community, express support for the school district, and show our school pride. An organizational meeting is scheduled for October 2nd at 5:00 pm in the Superintendent’s office. Come join in the fun!

· Student enrollment has increased by 19 students this year! We welcome our new students and are ready to meet their academic needs.

· Exciting breaking news! Mt. Everett has an exciting student radio program broadcasting live on Wednesday nights 7:00-8:00 pm on WBSL 91.7 fm. (You can also listen by going to www.bsn.net and clicking on WBSL’s off campus link on the left hand side.) Tune in and join the Mt. Everett talented radio personalities- Henry Fuore, Luca Latino and Sam Miller.

· Middle School students now have recess! This is new and the result of a parent & student survey. The middle school teachers have made it happen. You spoke, and they listened.

· Participation in extra-curricula activities has increased over the 68% participation rate in 2006. Participation has increased in many athletic programs, and in theater, 42 students won coveted roles in the Shakespeare & Co production of Mid-Summer’s Night Dream, and 63 students in grades 3-6 will perform the musical HONK!

· Blue and Gold “rocked” Mt. Everett with their energetic initiation of new team members and incredible school spirit. [Note, if you combine blue and gold, you get green, which is the color the student government has adopted! ] Student Government officers attended the opening of school faculty meeting and the first School Committee Meeting to learn about leadership and running meetings.

The Cross Country Girls lead the District teams with a 4-2 score which ties them for first place. The sportsmanship at a cross country meet is incredible and inspiring…….all runners, regardless of their schools, or timing, are cheered across the finish line. It should be that way for everyone!

Did you know there is a recording studio located in the yellow house, AKA Cyber Café? Students and faculty gather to compose, record, and explore a musical entrepreneur experiences.

· Pinwheels for Peace were made by students across the District and proudly displayed Friday September 21st. The Berkshire Record joined Principal Mary Edwards and the Undermountain students for a Peace Rally.

· SBRSD is excited to be piloting a program with the “Good Dog Foundation”. Trainers and their dogs, trained for therapy work –certified and insured, will be working with teachers to further ensure the academic success of every student. We welcome parents and interested community members to attend a special evening presentation on October 17th.

District Wish List
Many parents and community members have expressed a desire to support the school and asked, “What does the school need?” or “What can I do?” This is the first of what I hope will become a regular closing for the Eagle Feathers. Please read and give us a call if you are able to help or donate an item or two. (413-229-8778 ext. 304 or 127)

Someone to serve as a volunteer coordinator (5 hours per week)
Volunteer to help in the library — Undermountain, Mt. Everett, or New Marlborough Central (5-10 hours per week)
Donate a square of carpeting at the cost of $15.00 per square. I would love to complete the carpet replacement project this year!
Conference table and chairs
Material to re-cover office chairs
Art materials, paints, paper, clay, tools, etc.
Small refrigerator
Lumber and materials for the theater to use for scenery
Latex water-based paint, any color
Large picture frames (approximately 16x24) to frame our students and their work, and create a gallery of stars!
Modern sewing machines
Material, thread, needles, tape measures for new textile course
Senior Citizen Ambassador/Liaison, help coordinate outreach to the seniors in our five towns (4 hours per week maximum)
Children’s books, in good shape, for student home/school reading program
Microscopes, magnets, binoculars, butterfly nets, science equipment
Assist in establishing an on campus radio station.

Thank you for your consideration!

Forward Forever, Eagle Pride!!!!!

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Eagle Feathers & Superintendent's Update Archives:

2005:

March 17, 2005	June 9,2005
March 31,2005	September 8,2005
April 1,2005	November 3,2005
May 12,2005	December 1,2005
May 26,2005	December 15,2005

2006:

January 5, 2006
January 19, 2006
February 2, 2006
February 28, 2006
March 16, 2006
April 6, 2006
April 27, 2006
May 11, 2006
September 13, 2006

 

2007:

March 15, 2007
April 12, 2007
May 10, 2007

 

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Last updated: 5/15/07

SBRSD Communications

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