| In the spring of 2005, the students and
faculty at Spring Street School created the following
Mission Statement:
At Spring Street School, excellence is everyone’s
responsibility. We pledge to…
* Work hard and be responsible for our learning.
* Support each other as we give our best effort to reach
high academic goals.
* Respect our differences as we work together to make the
world a better place.
The Mission Statement is shared at All School Meeting on
a bi-weekly basis, and is communicated during Morning
Announcements, when our fourth grade students facilitate
the pledge of allegiance, moment of silence, share daily
announcements, one joke of the day, and one quote of the
day. Students participate in skits that represent the
mission of the school, and discuss the importance of
adhering to the mission. While the mission statement
provides the community with guidelines to follow, the
Spring Street School Core Values explain and describe
the expectations of the entire school community,
consisting of staff members, students, parents, and
families.
The Core Values, also developed in the spring, 2005,
were written by the entire school community. The process
took five months to complete, as surveys were
distributed to students, parents and staff members and
adjustments were made. The Core Values of our school
represent our deeply held beliefs about teaching and
learning. They are as follows:
Acceptance
1. At Spring Street School, all members of the community
will accept and care for others. The community:
* Respects each other’s similarities and differences.
* Practices compassion and kindness by helping others.
* Encourages teamwork.
Dedication
2. At Spring Street School, all members of the community
will model the importance of life-long learning. The
community:
* Promotes curiosity and a desire to learn.
* Understands that learning is a process that is
continuous.
* Encourages ownership and responsibility for learning.
Support
3. At Spring Street School, all members of the community
will focus their efforts on the success of the students.
The community:
* Gives best effort to maintain a balance between
academics, extra-curricular activities, and community
service projects.
* Supports active learning, and provides opportunities
to use imagination and creativity to enhance learning.
* Encourages appropriate risk-taking in academic and
social areas.
Perseverance
4. At Spring Street School, all members of the community
will demonstrate perseverance in all aspects of
learning. The community:
* Establishes high expectations.
* Shares in responsibility for learning.
* Assesses academic performance and demonstrates a
willingness to improve.
* Assumes responsibility for words and actions.
Each of our 408 students and 56 staff members are
familiar with the Core Values, and are able to
articulate ways in which the Core Values are
demonstrated in our school community. Each grade level
has adopted one Core Value, and are responsible for
representing that core value in a variety of ways. For
example, when an issue arises that requires
perseverance, our fourth grade students identify the
issue and strategize ways in which the issue needs to be
addressed. If the problem is support, our third grade
students demonstrate support to the larger community.
Our kindergarten and first grade students focus their
efforts on acceptance and our second grade students have
an in-depth understanding of dedication to learning.
Spring Street School is home to students in grades
kindergarten through fourth grade. Students and teachers
work closely and collaboratively with their grade level
peers, and across grade levels. Our early elementary
classrooms are involved in a buddy program with our
upper elementary classrooms and participate in special
projects and activities with one another. Students from
Shrewsbury High School volunteer in our classrooms on a
weekly basis and work with students and teachers in a
variety of ways. Our parent community is extremely
supportive. Parents regularly volunteer in our
classrooms and work with both teachers and students in
all areas of the curriculum. In addition, the Spring
Street School PTO has sponsored several successful
community events; including a Newcomers’ Tea in August
for students and families new to the school,
participating in the Spirit of Shrewsbury Parade,
organizing a Fall Family Breakfast, and arranging a
Craft Fair and Coffee House. Our two most profitable
fundraisers include our annual Fun Fair in the early
spring and our gift wrap fundraiser. The proceeds of
both the community events and the fundraising events are
given directly curriculum resources and enrichment
programs. We are very fortunate to have the level of
involvement that we experience at Spring Street School!
Our school community continues to be dedicated to
meeting the needs of all its learners, both children and
adults included! We are hopeful that the greater
community of Shrewsbury will support its children in the
months and years ahead, as we strive to provide our
children with the resources necessary to become
contributing members of our community. |