At the end of August, the Copiague School District Board of Education and administration welcomed back all teachers and staff with a special Staff Orientation Day prior to the opening of the 2012-2013 school year. The day began with a continental breakfast and photo slideshow of staff-submitted photos documenting their summer vacation.
Once the program moved to the auditorium, Superintendent of Schools Charles A. Leunig kicked off the day with welcoming remarks to all staff, as well as highlights from the 2011-2012 school year. A few of the highlights included the district’s designation of the Small School Advanced Placement District of the Year by the College Board, an increase to 93 percent Regents diploma rate for the Class of 2012, and the successful completion of the district’s Annual Professional Performance Review plan. The plan is a statewide comprehensive evaluation system designed to measure teacher and principal effectiveness based on performance, student achievement and educator effectiveness. “We believe that our APPR plan will do what it is supposed to do, and that is to provide the students of Copiague with the best education possible,” said Mr. Leunig.
Also welcoming the staff back was Board of Education President Michael L. Greb. “Copiague is very unique. Our student body is made up of a diverse blend of children from various countries and cultures. For that we, as well as the students, are very fortunate,” remarked Mr. Greb. Continuing, he wished the staff a great start to the school year, advising, “Do what you do best – educate our children, the children of Copiague.”
Following the introduction of the newest staff members in each building and the presentation of staff service awards, Associate Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Bannon presented “As Our World Changes, Copiague Changes with It.” The PowerPoint presentation was an overview of the new unfunded mandates for the 2012-2013 school year focusing on Common Core, Response to Intervention, APPR and the Dignity for All Students Act. Dr. Bannon also discussed New York state’s No Child Left Behind Waiver and what it means for Copiague, including the new accountability designations.
As the program concluded, the staff returned to their individual buildings to prepare for the first day of school.
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