Dear Parents, Caretakers and Community Members,

Welcome to the 2011 – 2012 school year at the Donovan School!  A new year means a lot of exciting new experiences for the students, families and staff.  We strongly encourage family members with ideas, questions or concerns to contact the school so that we can better serve you.  We work hard to develop interesting, engaging and challenging learning opportunities for the students – we expect their full effort and hard work.  The most successful school experiences result from families working directly with the school to shape the learning experience and the direction of the school.    As we continue to work for increases in academic gains and social emotional development of our students, it is clear that only the combination of all of our skills & effort will result in the growth we want for the children. 

 

During the 2010 - 2011 school year, the school used the following quote to guide our decisions: “Know the price of success: dedication, hard work, and an unremitting devotion to the things you want to see happen.” – Frank Lloyd Wright.   Each year brings new opportunities – CHANGE – and it is how we respond that impacts both our success & our experiences moving forward.  “Change has a considerable psychological impact on the human mind. To the fearful it is threatening because it means that things may get worse. To the hopeful it is encouraging because things may get better. To the confident it is inspiring because the challenge exists to make things better.” – King Whitney Jr.  After reading this I considered greatly the idea that, although, change comes with uncertainty & can be scary, it is also an important part of ensuring we are adapting to meet the needs of those we serve. 

 

 

-- Beth Gannon, Principal

The Margaret L. Donovan Elementary School is a vibrant learning community that serves children from kindergarten through grade five.  Our anticipated 2011-2012 enrolment is 430 students. The school incorporates a library, a 23 station computer lab, a gymnasium, a cafeteria with a stage, a large field, and two playgrounds built in June 2010.

Donovan School supports an inclusive philosophy of learning, offering heterogeneous classes, flexible instructional groups, and support services which are designed to meet the needs of students with diverse learning styles. Classroom teachers collaborate in grade level teams to develop curriculum, share instructional strategies, analyze data, and review current research. Additionally, specialists work closely with classroom teachers to provide related services in Special Education, Title 1, Speech and Language Therapy, Occupational and Physical Therapy and Adaptive Physical Education. Students also receive specialized instruction in Art, Music, Media/Library, and Physical Education on a weekly basis.

 

The Donovan School Staff has dedicated teachers whose background, training, and educational experiences promote academic excellence.  At each grade level, there are three certified classroom teachers, a certified special educator and an instructional aide. Among the staff, we have a principal, an assistant principal, a special education coordinator, a full-time nurse, (2) social workers, a Speech and Language Pathologist, a School Psychologist, a Diagnostician, (2) Title 1 Reading Teachers, a Literacy Coach, a Math Coach, a school secretary, and (3) part time cafeteria/office aides.  Support services such as ELL teachers, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Adapted Physical Education are shared with other elementary buildings within the district. Over 40 students are part of our ELL program, which supports children for whom English is a second language. There is also a licensed, extended-day care program at the school. To contact any member of the staff, please click on the “Contact Us” link at the top of the school’s home page.

The Donovan School’s focus is improvement in Mathematics and Language Arts.  In Language Arts, classroom teachers use the DIBELS and GRADE Reading Assessment along with unit assessments to identify students’ needs.  In Mathematics, term assessments are given district wide to analyze student’s weaknesses and to group students by weaknesses. The use of the multiple assessments is part of our regular practice that drives daily instruction.  In addition, it is Donovan School’s goal to always maintain a safe and caring learning environment. In the fall of 2010, we implemented Second Step: A Violence Prevention Program. The classroom-based curriculum teaches children to practice empathy, problem-solving skills, risk assessment, decision-making, and goal-setting.

 

Donovan School All-Stars…we always shine!

During the1950’s, Randolph’s population continued to grow dramatically, causing the need to build a new school. When a new elementary school was built on Reed Street in 1962, it was appropriate that it should be named for this remarkably talented and devoted teacher.