Rising grad rate puts Canton near top of the class

The Canton Public Schools’ graduation rate has risen significantly since 2008 and is now one of the highest in the region, reported School Superintendent Jeff Granatino last week.

In his update to the School Committee on Thursday, February 7, Granatino noted that the rate has increased from 85.9 percent to 96.8 percent over the past four years. He characterized Canton’s improvement in this area as a system-wide success, starting from pre-kindergarten and culminating at Canton High School.

“It says a lot about our entire staff, which works very hard, and the community’s commitment to education,” he said.

Also at Thursday’s meeting, new CHS Principal Derek Folan appeared before the committee to discuss ongoing activities at the school as well as impressions from his first semester on the job.

Folan said Canton High has a “fantastic group of students and staff.” He added that people are “coming up with ideas on their own,” which he said is a sign of a strong school culture.

He also said that he has benefitted greatly from daily interactions with students, whether it’s in the hallways or outside of the building before school.

Folan, whose motto for the school is “Be one, move forward,” said his overall goal is to develop higher academic and behavioral standards and to develop a dynamic school culture.

He said he has attempted to make students more accountable, stressing the importance of good attendance and being on time for class. He cited an attendance rate of 97 percent and a 27 percent drop in tardiness. He has also turned traditional suspensions into learning periods and has implemented a structured after-school academic support center. The library, which used to close at 2 p.m., now remains open until 3:30 p.m., and he recently began a daily Bulldog Blog that focuses on student achievement.

Folan expects to receive the results of the NEASC 10-year school accreditation report soon, but he is already “getting a head start” in planning next year’s program of studies and implementing improvements in instruction.

His priorities include developing argumentative writing skills, exploring the expansion of Advanced Placement and STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) offerings, and further integration of technology into learning. School Committee Chairman John Bonnanzio agreed with Folan and noted that “we are not where we need to be in technology.”

CHS Guidance Director Dan Rubin followed Folan’s presentation, providing information to the committee on college applicants and class-by-class guidance activities.

Rubin reported that 81 percent of the senior class has applied to one or more colleges, and 74 seniors have already received acceptance letters.

Rubin said the guidance department will hold a parents’ night on March 7 to discuss the college application process. He also hopes to complete a career development plan for sophomores exploring career options.

Both Folan and Rubin discussed the success of the Boomerang Project, which links upperclassmen to freshmen and helps them with academics and adapting to the school culture. Rubin said plans are in the works to help eighth grade students at the Galvin with course selection and to schedule a day or two toward the end of the school year where the students would attend CHS.

Rubin said there are 60 new students moving into the system from other districts, particularly in grades 9-12.

In other news:

* School Business Manager Ken Leon expressed optimism that the Finance Committee would accept the preliminary school budget of $33.42 million, which is $500,000 more than the figure they received from Finance Director Jim Murgia. The town’s Revenue Committee, originally scheduled to meet in late January, is expected to meet in the next 10 days and should give the School Committee a definite budget cap by its next meeting on February 28.

As for this year’s budget, Leon said the school system is currently facing a deficit of $438,000, which he attributed to an increase in special needs expenses, particularly transportation costs. Leon said the deficit will likely be covered by the state “circuit breaker” program, which reimburses school districts for extraordinary special education costs.

* Granatino reported that Canton recently hosted a regional meeting of STEM professionals, which included demonstrations by the CHS and GMS robotics programs.

* Granatino said the first week of the CHS breakfast program was a success. Food Services Director Martha Lawless said the program would need to sell 35 meals per day to break even, and during the first week the program exceeded 50 breakfasts on some days.

* The 2013-2014 school calendar has been released. The first day of school for students is Friday, September 6. Labor Day is Monday, September 2. The first day for teachers is Tuesday, September 3. Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on Wednesday, September 4, and Canton will join many other communities with large Jewish populations in only celebrating the holiday for one day.

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Posted by Mike Berger on Feb 14 2013. Filed under News, Schools. Both comments and pings are currently closed.