In public education it is rare that we take the time to step back and appreciate our achievements and
celebrate our accomplishments. Graduation and grade level transitions allow us time to reflect upon
our experiences, but in truth there is so much that is accomplished daily that we rarely are able to
recognize the successes of our students and staff.
celebrate our accomplishments. Graduation and grade level transitions allow us time to reflect upon
our experiences, but in truth there is so much that is accomplished daily that we rarely are able to
recognize the successes of our students and staff.
At the state level we do celebrate achievement and growth scores on standardized assessments,
through district accountability, and via other quantitative measures but there is certainly a need to
transcend these measures and focus not only on those aspects of the educational experience but
also on the experiences that have educated the whole child. From inviting learning spaces,
student engagement, and athletic and academic competitions to performances, showcases, and
awards and achievements, there is much in North Reading and Massachusetts to recognize and
celebrate.
through district accountability, and via other quantitative measures but there is certainly a need to
transcend these measures and focus not only on those aspects of the educational experience but
also on the experiences that have educated the whole child. From inviting learning spaces,
student engagement, and athletic and academic competitions to performances, showcases, and
awards and achievements, there is much in North Reading and Massachusetts to recognize and
celebrate.
The Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) has designed
a campaign entitled Leading the Nation that is meant to promote the achievements of the
Massachusetts Public Schools.
a campaign entitled Leading the Nation that is meant to promote the achievements of the
Massachusetts Public Schools.
Among the achievements of Massachusetts that the DESE recognizes on its website,
http://www.doe.mass.edu/leadingthenation/ , is that Massachusetts is:
http://www.doe.mass.edu/leadingthenation/ , is that Massachusetts is:
An integral piece of this campaign is the celebration at the local district level as well for the ways
in which North Reading is a leader. We have gathered information and created a website, available
on each of our school sites and the district site, to represent all the ways in which the North Reading
Public Schools are leading the nation. On social media we are using the hashtag #leadingthenation
and we are adding new information to the website with each new accomplishment.
in which North Reading is a leader. We have gathered information and created a website, available
on each of our school sites and the district site, to represent all the ways in which the North Reading
Public Schools are leading the nation. On social media we are using the hashtag #leadingthenation
and we are adding new information to the website with each new accomplishment.
As you will see on the site, we are celebrating large areas of our district: Digital Learning; Curriculum,
Instruction, and Assessment; Supporting all Students; and Finance and Operations. Each of these
categories contains links to presentations, social media feeds, graphics, charts, and much more that
help to document the ways that the North Reading Public Schools are #leadingthenation.
Instruction, and Assessment; Supporting all Students; and Finance and Operations. Each of these
categories contains links to presentations, social media feeds, graphics, charts, and much more that
help to document the ways that the North Reading Public Schools are #leadingthenation.
In addition to the broad categories, we are celebrating the following areas in North Reading as “Ten
Ways the North Reading Public Schools are #leadingthenation”
Ways the North Reading Public Schools are #leadingthenation”
1. Our students thrive in a safe and supportive learning environment.
2. We are a future ready school district.
3. We believe in personalized learning.
4. Our students achieve at the highest levels.
5. Our students excel at athletics and competitions.
6. Our Visual and Fine Arts program is outstanding.
7. Our learning spaces are inviting, and our educators are exceptional.
8. We engage our family and communities.
9. We have a growth mindset.
10. We have a strategic plan.
2. We are a future ready school district.
3. We believe in personalized learning.
4. Our students achieve at the highest levels.
5. Our students excel at athletics and competitions.
6. Our Visual and Fine Arts program is outstanding.
7. Our learning spaces are inviting, and our educators are exceptional.
8. We engage our family and communities.
9. We have a growth mindset.
10. We have a strategic plan.
As you are able to see on the live website, each of these ten areas represents a clickable link. Most
of the links bring you to a sub-page with additional links, photographs, articles and videos that
celebrate the achievements across all five schools.
of the links bring you to a sub-page with additional links, photographs, articles and videos that
celebrate the achievements across all five schools.
Our hope is that this page becomes a living document that is constantly refreshed with each new
achievement. I will work to curate the site but I would certainly appreciate input from our entire school
community. To that end we have created the email address leadingthenation@nrpsk12.org to be used
as a way to communicate information that you would like to see included on the website in the next
update. This could be in the form of a blurb, link to a news article, photograph, video, or other related
celebration of our growth and achievement as a district.
achievement. I will work to curate the site but I would certainly appreciate input from our entire school
community. To that end we have created the email address leadingthenation@nrpsk12.org to be used
as a way to communicate information that you would like to see included on the website in the next
update. This could be in the form of a blurb, link to a news article, photograph, video, or other related
celebration of our growth and achievement as a district.
We look forward to our entire school community joining in this ongoing celebration, especially as we
experience Leading the Nation week on May 7-11, 2018. Please check out our website, follow the
hashtag on social media, and share any relevant information via email or social media to positively
recognize our students, staff, and school community in North Reading. As always, please feel free to
contact me at any time with questions about #leadingthenation.
experience Leading the Nation week on May 7-11, 2018. Please check out our website, follow the
hashtag on social media, and share any relevant information via email or social media to positively
recognize our students, staff, and school community in North Reading. As always, please feel free to
contact me at any time with questions about #leadingthenation.
