Educational opportunities extend beyond the classroom to enrich learning, develop student awareness of the global community and promote intellectual and civic engagement.
Goal: Participate in Tri-State Consortium and AASA Learning 2025 National Collaborative to network with state and national educators and remain current with future-focused educational practices.
- The district completed its fourth year of membership in the Tri-State Consortium, whose members include high-performing school districts from Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. F-M teachers and administrators attended visitations at five consortium member’s districts to participate in consultancies in order to provide feedback in the following areas: defining student success, Brewster Central School District; digital learning and science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), Wilton Public Schools; science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM) – computer science, Chappaqua Central School District; systematic approach to well-being, New Canaan Public Schools; and student engagement, Southampton Union Free School District. A benefit of participating in these types of site visits is that F-M staff members observe instructional models and practices that could be customized to enhance F-M students’ educational experiences.
- The district hosted a three-day consultancy visit from Tri-State Consortium members to review F-M’s instructional technology and advance the work of the district in using technology to facilitate and enhance teaching and learning. The visit included a review of the district’s instructional technology through teacher, administrator, parent, student, board member and support staff interviews, evidence and data analysis, student shadowing and classroom visits, which culminates in a final written report, by the consortium, with recommendations for growth and advancement. The final report will be shared with all F-M teachers and the District Curriculum Council. A presentation will also be made to the board of education in the fall of 2023.
Goal: Develop student service learning opportunities and community partnerships that extend classroom learning and support personal and social growth.
- Teachers worked with a variety of organizations and businesses in the community to extend and enrich classroom learning. Some examples include Gabrielle Chocolates and Ice Cream, Brookdale Senior Living, Vera House, Inc., CNY Diaper Bank and Refugee and Immigrant Self-Empowerment (RISE).
- The high school and middle schools engaged in the community-wide Dialogue Exchange Program with InterFaith Works of Central New York. The program provides students the opportunity to reflect on their own identities and cultures, affirm other’s identities and cultures and celebrate diversity. In 2022-23, the program, previously offered to students in grade 8, expanded at Wellwood Middle School to include students in grades 5, 6 and 7.
- Wellwood Middle Schools’s Character Education Committee partnered with On My Team 16, a local non-profit organization that provides support to children battling cancer. Students organized several fundraising events throughout the year and raised $5,000.
- Fayetteville Elementary School’s BEE Council donated dozens of items that are in high demand at Helping Hounds Dog Rescue, a non-profit organization that works to find permanent homes for rescue dogs in Central New York.
- F-M High School hosted Dance Marathon to benefit Camp Good Days and Special Times, a not-for-profit organization that offers weeklong summer camping sessions, weekend adult retreats and year-round programs for families who have been touched by cancer and other life challenges. All programs are provided free of charge. The fundraiser raised over $124,000.