Assistant Superintendent OF SCHOOLS Dr. Anne Druzolowski
A message from the assistant superintendent to the West Haven Community:
The West Haven Public Schools website will orientate you to all types of
activities in your schools, as well as those activities which are
consistently implemented across the district, such as:
Our Cutting-Edge Curriculum. We are most
proud of our standards-based curriculum, which is complemented by
research-based common formative assessments. The curriculum review and
implementation model is developed by our teachers and based on research
from renowned educators, such as Dr. Douglas Reeves, Executive Director
of the Leadership and Learning Center, and the Connecticut State
Department of Education’s Accountability and Instruction Model (CALI).
The efforts to improve student learning for all youngsters, regardless
of their educational need or condition, is reflected in our newly
revised curriculum, which is grounded in educational and scientific
research; reflects state and national standards; differentiates
instruction utilizing a variety of research-based strategies; and, is
consistently implemented across all schools and grade levels.
Teacher Professional Development Activities.
Our five-year professional development plan continues to focus on the
development of teacher expertise to address all student needs. This plan
mirrors the Connecticut State Department of Education’s model for
improving instruction for all youngsters and will prove to be the key to
improving student achievement. Through this plan, teachers have
scheduled time to collaborate and discuss curricula needs for all
students, as well as to plan and adjust accordingly.
Our Diversity and Multiculturalism.
The West Haven School System celebrates the gifts of its diverse
student population and multiculturalism in a variety of ways throughout
the academic year. The district builds on the
sense of community, and is best typified by the numerous family and
community academic activities, as well as social and recreational
activities, held at the schools. Events you may see on the website
include international nights, school-wide research projects celebrating
different cultures, family math nights, family game nights, and other
informational sessions and workshops, which are designed to involve all
parents in their schools.
Extracurricular Activities.
Our website is chock-full of these types of activities. The West Haven
Public School System boasts of one of the finest drama and theater
venues in the state. In 2009, the drama department was a finalist in a
statewide competition which included performance, costume and
directorship, to name a few. West Haven High School is a proud member of CIAC and offers a full
complement of sports, from football and swimming to hockey and track. It
boasts the state title for baseball in 2009, as well as many individual
professional athletes who have gone on to the professional sports
arena. The extracurricular activities provide young men and women with
the skills to work within teams and continue that effort in their lives
outside of the high school.
Our Partnerships with Community Agencies and Institutions of Higher Education. West
Haven Public Schools benefit from their close association with two
prestigious universities: the University of New Haven and Yale
University. Both institutions of higher education contribute to the
success of our school system through direct support of our curriculum. The University of New Haven and West
Haven Public Schools enjoy a partnership which includes student
mentoring. Yale University has been very generous and supportive of all
of our educational and cultural endeavors. Yale University and West
Haven Public Schools work together to strengthen science education. West
Haven High School biology students participate in Project Search on
Yale University’s West Campus. Science teachers visit Yale University
and learn about cutting-edge research during a variety of workshops.
These activities represent only a few of the initiatives which create
the Yale University-West Haven Public School partnership.
Community
agencies, such as the Community House, are partners with our district
as we strive to develop quality programs and resources for our families
and youngsters. Of particular note is the partnership we have with the
Community House in after-school programming and early childhood
education.
Our Parent Involvement Activities. Most
importantly, we believe that all youngsters can achieve and be
successful in school and within their community with the support of
their first teachers, parents. This website is designed to be
parent-friendly and to include those school-based activities sponsored
by schools and their parent organizations. Please take time to get
involved in your school parent organization.
Together, we will
continue to promote high expectations for all youngsters across
the district, and with your continued support, the West Haven community
will thrive. Please enjoy this website and all that our schools have to
offer.
Sincerely,
Anne P. Druzolowski
anne.druzolowski@whschools.org