Upcoming Events
5/28/2012
- Memorial Day5/29/2012
6/13/2012
School Announcements
The NEW Student Digital Backpack!
Checkout the new “Digital Backpack”!
Here you will find notices on upcoming activities and events that would normally be sent home in your child’s backpack. We are looking forward to saving a few trees, and it’s one step closer to becoming a green school!
Click on the parent tab and scroll down to find Student's Digital Backpack
School Announcements
Announcement from Mr. Harrington
Attention Parents and Guardians
Mr. Harrington’s classes at Dunn’s Corners Elementary School will be having a Spring Concert on Tuesday, May 29th in the Dunn’s Corners Elementary Gymnasium. This concert will feature three different shows. There will be a kindergarten concert, a 1st and 2nd grade concert and our finale will feature the 3rd and 4th graders. The times for these concerts are as follows:
KINDERGARTEN: (Birrell and Perkins) All kindergarten students will arrive at DCS by 5:45 p.m. and report to the Art room to warm up and get ready. This concert will start in the gymnasium at 6:00 p.m. sharp and will last approximately 25 minutes.
FIRST & SECOND GRADE: (Miss Briody, Clark/Paquin, and Lamb,) The first and second graders will arrive at DCS by 6:30 p.m. and report directly to the Art room to warm up and get ready. They will start in the gymnasium at 6:45 sharp. This concert will last approximately 25 minutes.
Third and Fourth Grade Finale: (Mrs. Orr and Mrs. Cleary) All 3rd and 4th graders will arrive at DCS and report to the Art room by 7:15p.m. All 3rd and 4th graders must remember to bring their recorders. We will begin this part of the concert at 7:30 and it should last approximately 30 minutes.
All of Mr. Harrington’s students are encouraged to dress nicely and look professional.
I personally promise this to be a very entertaining and enjoyable night. The kids have worked very hard and are very excited to perform for you. Please make every effort to attend. Parents and students may leave after their part of the concert is over.
If you have any questions or concerns, please email me at: dharrington@westerly.k12.ri.us
I hope to see you all there.
Dave Harrington
DCS General Music Teacher
Family Newsletter April 2012
Dear Families:
Can you believe we’ve only eight weeks left in the school year? The year is truly flying by, but that’s what happens when you work hard. I’m so proud of the accomplishments of our students and their teachers. Everyone is digging in and giving strong effort. Earlier in the year I wrote that there is almost nothing as much fun as becoming successful at doing something difficult. Across the school, classrooms approach their work with joy and enthusiasm. It’s what makes our school a great place to work and learn every day, and we’re achieving great rates of success!
Reflecting on the past 30 weeks of school I can say, with certainty, that students and teachers have answered the call for improved performance in mathematics and science. Take a look at any student’s science notebook. You will be amazed at the quality of work your kids do in science. As young as kindergarten, students can compare two different sets of data. They use scientific processes to experiment, collect data, and write, at length, detailed hypotheses, conclusions and extensions. They truly enjoy it.
Work in mathematics continues to grow. Every student in grades 1-4 receives an additional 20 minutes of targeted math instruction each and every school day. This support is given in addition to their regularly scheduled mathematics class. Nearly every teacher and paraprofessional in our school delivers this math instruction every day. I, too, teach a group of fourth graders and I can see the advances they’re making as a result of our school-wide system.
Efforts in reading and writing are continuing to pay off. Dunn’s Corners School teachers are 100% committed to the faithful delivery of best practices in phoneme awareness (the sounds that make up words); phonics (sound/symbol associations); vocabulary; comprehension (making meaning of text) and fluency (the end result of decoding and comprehending). In writing we focus primarily on effectiveness (clearly communicating a message). We’re all rowing the same direction, which we believe has had a big impact on student performance (see 91% school-wide proficiency in NECAP 2011 Reading).
Last, but not least, our students are some of the most well-behaved young people around. I receive compliments on student behavior all the time. Guest speakers, substitute teachers, parent volunteers, and visiting professionals continuously tell me how well students in our school behave. This is the result of our staff’s commitment to best practices in positive behavior. The work is hard but the strategy is simple: Teach students what you expect. Recognize and reward them when they meet the expectations. Re-teach them when they do not. Show youth that you’re interested in them and they’ll work like heck to meet your expectations.
Likewise, I couldn’t be more proud of our faculty and staff. As we approach teacher appreciation week, let’s recognize the quality of the teachers and support staff who work in our classrooms. Any success we’ve had truly rests on their shoulders. In addition, I’d like to publicly thank two very hard working ladies: Mrs. Giddings and Mrs. Pasetti. Thank you for your work and dedication to our school! It’s Administrative Professionals’ Day this Wednesday, so give them some thanks, too, if you can.
Sincerely, Mr. Haskins
The Dunn’s Corners School Family Newsletter is published by the school principal. If you’re interested in helping to produce this newsletter, please contact Mrs. Giddings, school secretary. We’d be greatly appreciative of any assistance you can give.
Congratulations!
Thirteen students memorized the Gettysburg Address and were awarded the prize of eating lunch with Abraham Lincoln (Character actor)
o Grade 2: Tsegaye; Elliott; Joel; Carter
o Grade 3: Alisa; Ashton; Matthew; Taylor
o Grade 4: Sydney; Maya; Lexus; Alyssa; Adrienne
Two teams comprised of DCS and WMS students participated in the Destination Imagination tournament earlier this month. This is not a school-based program but we still wish to recognize these members of our school community:
o The team that included Maya, Grace, Isabella, and three middle school students (Ryan, Bereket, and Hannah) won 1st place in their category. The team was coached by DCS parents Mrs. Martino and Mrs. Champ
o Also, a non- competitive "Rising Stars" team of DCS first graders, including Alana, Cara, Sydney, Emily, and Sophia, who made their first DI appearance, did an outstanding job. This team was coached by DCS parent Mrs. Brinton.
Did You Know?
The Garden Committee was awarded a grant totaling $3550.00 from The Home Depot. This money will go a long way in building the committee’s vision for the school garden. Congratulations!
The mission of the Garden Committee is to provide for stduents experiential learning, to promote aesthetic enjoyment of nature, to strengthen school and community relations, and to educate the community about the sustainability impact of our food choices. Please see below the artist's sketch of this garden, created by Mr. Tedeschi.
The mission of the Garden Committee is to provide for stduents experiential learning, to promote aesthetic enjoyment of nature, to strengthen school and community relations, and to educate the community about the sustainability impact of our food choices. Please see below the artist's sketch of this garden, created by Mr. Tedeschi.
Family Newsletter March 2012
Dear Families:
Congratulations are in order to our students and their teachers for their performance on the NECAP 2011. This six-day assessment, a requirement of No Child Left Behind, measures performance of students in grades 3-8 and 11 relative to Grade Level Expectations in Reading and Mathematics (and Writing in grade 5). These tests are given in October and measure mastery of skills and concepts from the previous grade. In other words, when you look at the grade five scores, they reflect the students who learned at DCS in grade four during the 2010-2011 school year.
More important than the scores is the learning that each score represents. In most cases, students who performed well on the NECAP also demonstrated mastery in their classrooms. In a few cases, students may have performed well in class work but lacked the stamina needed to perform well on the tests. In any case, our overall school performance is strong. While we acknowledge the strong work of our students and teachers, we also recognize the need to continuously make improvements. Please find below the school, district and state results of the NECAP 2011.
Percentages of Students Earning Proficient or Proficient with Distinction
School District State
Grade 3 Reading 94 86 73
Grade 3 Math 83 75 60
Grade 4 Reading 87 82 71
Grade 4 Math 80 78 65
Grade 5 Reading 85 77 69
Grade 5 Math 85 75 62
Grade 5 Writing 70 57 55
A more detailed report of our school’s performance is included in this newsletter. We are most proud of the fact that half of the entire grade three class earned “Proficient with Distinction” in Reading.
Our school’s faculty and the School Improvement Team have spent some time analyzing the results. Looking at the school’s strengths relative to performance we recommit to the best practices employed consistently each day. Looking at the school’s weaknesses relative to performance we are making decisions about changes to programming, pacing, and priorities.
If you have any questions or concerns about the NECAP, our school’s performance, or about our local assessment systems, please feel free to make an appointment through our school secretary, Mrs. Giddings (348-2320).
Wishing you the best during these blossoming days of spring!
Sincerely,
Mr. Haskins
Upcoming Events:
- President Abraham Lincoln Visits DCS: Monday, April 2
- Good Friday: NO SCHOOL: Friday, April 6
- Garden Committee Meeting: Monday, April 9 (3:30-4:30)
- PTO Meeting: Thursday, April 12 (7:00-8:15)
- School Improvement Team Meeting: Thursday, April 12 (4:30-6:00)
- Spring Recess: NO SCHOOL: April 16-April 20
- Recycling Presentation: Max Man: Monday, April 23
- Science Night/Health Fair/Basket Raffle: Wednesday, April 25 (times to be announced)
- Duck Race: Saturday, April 28
- Teacher Appreciation Week: Week of May 7
- NECAP Science (Grade 4): May 8, 9, 10
- Bully Prevention Program: May 18
- Spring Dance: Friday, May 18 (times to be announced)
Bully Prevention (Stop/Walk/Talk): Did you know?
Of all students in grade four who responded to the SurveyWorks school-wide survey last year:
- 38.5 % responded that kids at school have called me names or made fun of me
- 35.4% responded that kids at school have done mean things to me
- 20% responded that kids on the bus have done mean things to me
Of those who responded affirmatively to the above-listed statements
- 71.9% responded that they had told a parent or teacher that someone bullied them
- 56.5% of those who reported bullying also reported that the bullying stopped after reporting to an adult
Those of you who attended Rachel’s Challenge last week heard some powerful messages. As you may know, Rachel Joy Scott was the first student who was shot and killed in the worst school shooting in American history. We all remember what happened at Columbine High School. The ways in which we think about school safety were changed forever.
Rachel’s message includes five challenges:
· Look for the best in others
· Dream Big
· Choose positive influences
· Speak with kindness
· Start your own chain reaction of kindness
The program was offered to all students in grades 8-12 and we think it will have a positive impact in the way students treat one another and the ways in which adults support young people. At the elementary level, we are working hard to assist students in bully prevention. Related to the Five Bs, Stop/Walk/Talk gives students voice and power in helping to prevent and stop bullying behavior. Classroom teachers are delivering the explicit instruction in the eight lessons over the next few weeks. You’ll see the posters reminding students about Stop/Walk/Talk throughout the school. If we see that students aren’t getting the message then we give them reminders. If someone says, “Stop,” students must stop. Some students are testing this now. We’re not giving them room to opt out. The approach gives power to victims and bystanders.
Family Newsletter February 2012
Dear Families:
Each year at this time we ask our parents and caregivers to answer brief survey questions and rate their satisfaction with school. The School Improvement Team analyzed last year’s SurveyWorks! data and found the student responses and teacher responses to be very useful. The parent portion, however, wasn’t really useful because only 34 parents completed the survey. This year we hope to get every single parent. With a 95% response rate we would have faith in the data. Currently, on the 2012 survey, Dunn’s Corners School has a 13% response rate. This survey only takes five minutes, so would you please take some time, right now?
Visit http://www.surveyworks.ride.ri.gov and enter the school’s code MINT.
If you don’t have internet access, please inquire at the school’s front desk and we will locate a computer station for you to use. You may also request a paper copy. The survey is available in English, Spanish and Portuguese. The deadline for submission is February 16. We hope to meet or exceed our goal of 95% participation.
President’s Day is approaching. The Mount Vernon Estate donated to Dunn’s Corners School a framed replica of Rembrandt Peale’s Portrait of George Washington, which we will display in our foyer. A school-wide assembly for President’s Day is planned for February 16 at 2:30. Also, we hear that President Abraham Lincoln will spend the day with us on Monday, April 2! If you have some ideas about how we can celebrate President’s Day then please come to our President’s Day Assembly planning meeting on Wed., Feb 8 (3:15-3:45).
Are you a home gardener? You may be interested in donating your time to the Garden Committee. The next steering committee meeting is scheduled February 13 (3:30-4:15).
We love Nature Scapes. Mr. Bob DeWire returns this month to present a unique program for each class. I’ve attached the program description for you here in this newsletter.
Congratulations to Carter and Elliot, second graders, who took first and second place at the 5th annual CMC Scholastic Chess Championship! Yowza!
Enclosed in this newsletter is our PBIS Home Teaching Matrix. This resource may be used by families who wish to improve at-home behaviors and make a closer connection at home to the school’s expectations. This resource can be used in any way you wish, or not at all. If you have a question about how to use this resource then please feel free to contact me.
With all of the wonderful contributions made over the holidays I neglected to thank an important contributor: Rosanna’s Flowers donated a portion of the Christmas wreaths sales as well as a Coleus plant and Swedish Ivy plant used by all grade one classes. Thank you also to the Andrea Hotel for their fish and chips fundraiser night being held March 9, and to Walmart for contributing all the supplies for our upcoming Pasta Supper. Thank you to Mrs. Sacco for completing the Buzz Book!
Finally, please be sure to read the PTO Newsletter contained in this packet, as well as information about the upcoming Rachel’s Challenge event. Think snow!
Sincerely, Mr. Haskins
NEEDED: Editor in Chief for the Dunn’s Corners School Family Newsletter. Please tell Mrs. Giddings if you’re interested in learning more.
Important Information About SurveyWorks
January 5, 2012
Dear Dunn's Corners School Parents:
I am writing to ask you to take an important ten-minute online survey, about our school, called SurveyWorks. The Rhode Island Department of Education conducts this survey each year. It gives schools important feedback on these key areas for school success:
- climate and safety
- teaching and learning
- family involvement
- resources
As principal, I believe your feedback is essential to student and school success. Your views on matters like the safety of your child at school, the way students are taught, the condition of the school, and how connected you feel to this school are important to us. By taking this short survey you can help us to make improvements to our school. This survey is voluntary. Responses are anonymous and cannot be linked to any individual and no one can find out how you answered the survey.
Parents can take the short survey online or on paper between January 5, 2012 and February 16, 2012. To take the survey online go to: www.surveyworks.ride.ri.gov and click on “Take a Survey.
If you don’t have access to a computer or the Internet or prefer to take the survey using pen and paper, you can pick up a paper survey in the school office or fill out the form below and return it to the school. We will send a paper copy of the survey and an envelope home with your child. Please return the completed survey in the envelope to the school no later than February 16, 2012. If you wish to use one of our school computers, please contact our office and we will make arrangements for you.
Both the paper and online version of the survey will require you to enter the school code listed at the bottom of this sheet. The code allows the survey administrator to track the survey response rate for our school but does not identify you.
I want to thank you for being a part of this very important project. If you have any questions, please contact SurveyWorks at 1-877-787-5725 or email: surveyworks@wested.org.
Sincerely,
Christopher Haskins
Principal
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School Code: mint
The survey website is: www.surveyworks.ride.ri.gov and click on “Take a Survey”
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Child’s Name:___________________________________________________________
Child’s Teacher:__________________________________________________________
Please send home a paper copy of the SurveyWorks! Parent Survey with my child in the following language:
English Spanish Portuguese
Family Newsletter December 2011
Message from the Principal:
Dear Families:
The season of giving is alive and well at Dunn’s Corners School. Thanks to the efforts of parent volunteers Mrs. Janat and Mrs. Kutz, and the many generous students, families and staff who have contributed to The Giving Tree project, families who would otherwise go without will experience a more joyous holiday. Also, thank you to the Rubenstein family and everyone at Miss Gina’s Produce for their contribution to the PTO through their Christmas tree sales.
If you’re the parent of a fourth grader we hope you enjoyed the Invention Convention. I’ve included photos in the newsletter. Also, students across grade levels recently shared their work at a recent Pride Friday. I hope you enjoy those photos, too.
Mr. Tedeschi, our Artist-in-Residence (and art teacher) is proud to announce Dunn’s Corners School’s affiliation with Artsonia.com, a website used to showcase student art work. Please look for permission slips which will be distributed and should be returned to school. Some of Mr. Tedeschi’s students contributed holiday-themed artwork which is currently being showcased at the Mystic Hilton who, in return, contributed $200 to the Dunn’s Corners School art program. Photos have been included in this newsletter.
If you can attend one school committee meeting this year then I hope you come to the January 4th meeting which will be held here at Dunn’s Corners School. Members of our PBIS Leadership Team will present a brief overview of the universal and secondary supports we provide children through Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports.
Speaking of positive behavior, did you know that our students earned over 10,000 tokens for being recognized for meeting school-wide expectations in the first trimester? That’s amazing! We will celebrate this accomplishment by hosting a DJ for a dance party in January. I promise to participate in the Chicken Dance.
Finally, we wish to congratulate Mrs. Peggy Gwaltney on her retirement. Hundreds of students and dozens of teachers have known Mrs. Gwaltney as a teacher, mentor, colleague and friend. Although she is retiring as a Westerly teacher, we look forward to a continuing relationship for many years to come.
On behalf of the entire faculty and staff, Happy Holidays! See you in 2012!
Sincerely,
Chris Haskins
Upcoming Events:
- Cristoline Fundraiser Pick Up: Monday, December 19 (3:00-4:30) and Tuesday, December 20 (3:00-4:00) in the art room. If these times are not convenient for you then please contact Mrs. Kim Baruti at barutikim@yahoo.com
- Crazy Hat and Headband Day: Friday, December 23 (consider an optional $1.00 donation to the PTO)
- Pride Friday: Friday, December 23
- Holiday Recess: December 26-January 2. Return to school Tuesday, January 3 NO SCHOOL
- School Committee Meeting at Dunn’s Corners School: Wednesday, January 4 (6:00 PM Executive Session, Public Session following)
- PTO Meeting: Thursday, January 12 (7:00 PM)
- School Improvement Team Meeting: Thursday, January 12 (4:30-6:00 PM)
- Pride Friday: Friday, January 13 and Friday, January 27
- MLK Holiday: Monday, January 16 NO SCHOOL
Important Reminders:
- Please observe 25 miles an hour or less in the neighborhood streets surrounding the school. Like the sign says down the road, “Drive like your kids live here.” Also, please observe 10 mph on Plateau Rd.
- Please record your child’s name on the tag of all outerwear. We have collected many items which are currently located in the gymnasium.
- Please record your child’s name on the tag of all outerwear. We have collected many items which are currently located in the gymnasium.
- Students must wear sneakers with socks on the days they are scheduled to have physical education class. Failure to wear or bring to school sneakers will prevent a child from participating in PE class. If, for some reason, you need financial assistance to provide sneakers, please contact Mr. Haskins in confidence.
- We do not have the staff to supervise children before 8:25 AM. Please avoid delivering students before 8:25.
- Students who enter the school building after 8:45 AM are considered tardy.
- We do not celebrate holidays or birthdays with food. We appreciate the intention, but please refrain from sending in food to share with your child’s classmates.
Introducing Mrs. Theresa Watson, new this year to Dunn’s Corners School:
I began teaching in the late 70s in Newport. I moved to Westerly in 1983 and worked at URI as an educational specialist and administrator until 2001. At that time I returned the classroom as an enrichment teacher in Westerly. Since then I have taught grades 1, 3 and 5. I now teach grade 3 at Dunn’s Corners School. My BA in Elementary Education is from RIC. My MA is in adult education from URI. In November of 2007 I was awarded National Board Certification. I live in Pawcatuck with my husband Chuck who is a mail carrier. My daughter Bethany works in the research office at UMass Amherst and my son Joshua works as a marriage and family therapist at Yale University in New Haven. I love swimming, cooking and reading. I also enjoy vacationing in Maine with my five siblings and their families for two weeks every July. I consider myself a lifelong learner and try to learn something new each day. I learn just as much from my students as they learn from me. I always knew I wanted to be a teacher….ever since I was a lunch girl (I had to watch the younger grades at lunch) in seventh and eighth grade at St. Mary’s School in Newport. I feel lucky and honored to be a teacher…it is the toughest job I have ever had, but it is also the most rewarding. I love coming to work every day!
From Mr. John Tedeschi, Artist in Residence:
Students are enthusiastically engaged in art class. We constantly advocate for more instructional time with the students, twice a week would be a great start; every day in an ideal world. The first trimester’s focus has been on imagination and creativity, with an emphasis on understanding the three-dimensional world in which we live. Students have been challenged on a weekly basis with prompts that offer personal interpretation balanced with the task of using 3-D shapes to help tell their story. One of the student learning objectives in the art department for this year is to have 4th graders master the ability to draw spheres, cubes, cones, cylinders, and rectangular prisms. We try to do this in reality based projects of observation and prior knowledge. Students have drawn from observation: a wizard and rooster, dinosaurs and animals, a bicycle, master works (Cylinder forms: Cakes by the artist Wayne Thiebaud). Some of the prompts have been to: draw a jack in the box, alien encounters and spaceships, to illustrate a silly sentence, design a helpful robot, you and your favorite animal. We have mainly been working with the drawing tools of markers, crayons, and colored pencils and just starting with watercolors.
This year I would like to use Artsonia to help promote the art program and make student work available for your viewing. It is an online gallery that also serves as a fundraiser for the art department. You are not obligated to purchase anything, although 15% will be given back to the school’s art department for any purchases made. We are fortunate to have a budget that supplies us with a well-equipped art room. Additional funding would be used for extras like technologies and things that normally do not fall under regularly budgeted items.
Artsonia is also a great way to keep your child’s artwork in one place. You will be receiving a permission slip home, please return it at your earliest convenience. They will be asking for an email address. This is not for solicitation but to notify you of any new uploads to your child’s art gallery. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact me at jtedeschi@westerly.k12.ri.us. I encourage you to check out Artsonia.com to become familiar with it. http://www.artsonia.com
Happy Holidays!
Mr. Tedeschi
Family Newsletter November 2011
Message from the Principal:
Dear Families:
How’s school? This is the question you’ll be asked this week at the Westerly Area Community Forum being held Thursday, December 1 at 6:00 PM at Westerly Middle School. I hope you can attend.
From my perspective school is great. Parents, teachers and students seem to feel this way, too.
In the 2010-2011 SurveyWorks, 100% of 86 fourth grade students surveyed agree that their teachers care about them. 100% agree that their teachers are nice to them. 97% agree that their teachers like teaching. 100% agree that their parents want to know what they’re doing in school. 100% agree that their parents want them to get good grades. 94% agree that their parents like this school.
How do parents feel? 94% of the 38 who responded agree that they feel welcome in our school. 92% agree that it is easy to communicate with teachers if they need to. 94% agree that it is easy to communicate with the principal if they need to. 92% agree that the community supports this school. 95% agree that the school views parents as important partners.
How do teachers feel? 94% of the 36 who responded agree that students get along well and interact comfortably despite any differences. 100% agree that they have good working relationships with teachers and other staff. 97% agree that staff take pride in the school.
Certainly, we do have some more work to do. 14% of students surveyed responded that they are unsure they will go to college and 9% are unsure they will finish high school. 39% reported that kids have called them names or have made fun of them. 39% of parents surveyed disagree that their child is learning as much as he/she can at this school.
Our School Improvement Team is taking a close look at the survey results. We’ll use them when planning any upcoming changes. In the meantime, we hope you are able to take some time to meet with your child’s teacher to review first trimester performance. If your schedules allow, I hope to see you at the Commissioner’s forum on Thursday evening. Yours truly,
Chris Haskins
Upcoming Events
- Early Release: Thursday, December 1 (Students will be released at 12:00 due to Parent-Teacher Conferences. We will serve lunch)
- How’s School? A Conversation with Education Commissioner Deborah Gist: Thursday, December 2 (6:00-7:30 PM) at Westerly Middle School
- Report Card Release Date: Friday, December 9
- Chorus Holiday Performance: Wednesday, December 7 (7:00 PM) at Westerly Industrial Trust Building
- School Improvement Team Meeting: Thursday, December 8 (4:30-6:00 PM)
- PTO Meeting: Thursday, December 8 (7:00 PM)
- Pride Friday: December 9 and December 23 (approximately 2:30-3:00)
- Holiday Break: NO SCHOOLDecember 26-January 2. Return to school Tuesday, January 3
The Dunn’s Corners School Mission Statement: “Dunn’s Corners School provides developmentally appropriate experiences for every child in a caring and stimulating learning environment in order to establish the foundation for lifelong success with learning.”
Introducing New Staff:
Mrs. Holdredge
Hello! My name is Tara Holdredge and I am a special education TA in Room 6. I am excited to be a new addition to the Dunn’s Corners staff! I live here in Westerly with my husband Brian and our four children. I have a busy schedule with all of them and I get through it all with a sense of humor and big smile.
Mrs. Kueter
My name is Genevieve Kueter, I am the Fast ForWord Literacy Assistant here at Dunn’s Corners School. I am a recent graduate of Rhode Island College with a dual certification in Elementary Education and Special Education. I had the pleasure of doing my student teaching here last year in a second grade classroom; I also student taught at State Street School last year for my Special Education placement. I was a substitute teacher in the Westerly School System last year until the arrival of my beautiful son who is now nine months old. I grew up in Westerly so I am very happy to be back here working in my home town district!
Mrs. Schafer
Hello, my name is Mary Schafer. To tell you a little about me I am married and have 4 children, all boys who range in age from 11 to 27. I also have two Golden Retrievers and spend lots of time walking them. I am originally from a small town in Southern New Jersey and I have lived in Westerly for the past eight years. My family and I relocated to New England about 11 years ago for a job opportunity for my husband. We lived in Mystic, CT before moving to Westerly. My boys are very involved in sports so that keeps me busy and I am also on the Board of Directors of the Westerly National Little League. I enjoy reading, gardening and baking. In the summer you can always find me at the Westerly Town Beach.