Winthrop School Starts With New Improvement Plan

The Winthrop Elementary School begins its new school year this week, after its principal, Bryna Lakin-Davis, spent much of her summer working out a new school improvement plan.

Lakin-Davis and a school improvement plan site council of teachers, parents, and community members drafted a new set of goals for improving the school. The Melrose School Committee approved the plan at its meeting last Tuesday.

Superintendent Joe Casey said the plan allows  parents and the community to get a clear snapshot of a school and compare schools in the district.

"It's a way to communicate better with the public so they know what's going on from school to school," Casey said.

"We chose to look at using data more effectively, on what we're teaching and areas where we need to improve," Lakin-Davis said. 

The school improvement plan also sets out goals to incorporate more inquiry-based teaching and co-teaching, where teachers and specialists share duties in the classroom.

Lakin-Davis said parents input included concerns that students always be in a safe environment, and that all the childrens' learning needs are met. 

Because the Winthrop School is an older building, maintenance and repairs are a priority, she said.

This summer, the school building's main office was moved to incorporate the principal's office, which was previously on the second floor.

Lakin-Davis said teachers were preparing their rooms last week and are scheduled for their initial staff training on Monday.