Hey Mustangs!
Get ready for a really long letter.
It was GREAT to get a chance to make a short visit on Friday. I was very happy and proud to get the reports from Mr. Ridley, Ms. Franco and Ms. Doucette. They all reported that you have been great and that the school year has started very well. As you know, I am working in a different district this year, but still thinking a lot about you, your teachers and the school. I don't think that I will have another chance to visit for awhile, as we are both in school on the same days.
I had to get on here to tell you how proud I am of all of you who were students at Marshall last year. Your MCAS scores have come in very strong! Our ELA scores stayed about the same, as our strongest area. Our math scores rose and our science scores went through the roof. The number of students scoring advanced in ELA, math and science rose enough for the school to receive bonus points on our CPI score. The number of students who scored warning/failing in ELA, math and science dropped enough for the school to receive bonus points on our CPI score. There is no doubt that this is a direct result of the extra effort that everyone put in...mostly YOU and your teachers! I know we met last year and talked about how important it was to do well to make sure that we did not fall into Level 4. You did not disappoint me. Some of you worked tirelessly on First in Math, others showed up for Saturday school, some did a vacation camp, while others came after school for tutoring in math or science. Your extra effort is what did it. I always felt lucky to have you as my students! So I had to get on here to say, "THANK YOU!!." Many of your teachers put in extra time at school or elsewhere, working with each other to improve lessons. They used data to figure out where the next lesson should go. They cheered you on and pushed you when they needed to. They did not accept anything but your best. They worked the tutoring sessions, the Saturday school and the vacation camp! Many times they worked on things for you, instead of spending time with their own families! I always felt lucky to have the teachers and staff that I had! THANK YOU!! I also was lucky to have the vice principals that I had! They are the main reason that the school has opened so smoothly this year. THANK YOU!!
But...this is just the beginning! We have to keep it going!!
Even though I cannot be there with you this year, I will continue to cheer you on from afar. I will be expecting you to continue what we have started and to keep up the solid effort academically. I will also expect that you will continue to follow the DREAM, whether you are in school or outside of school. Last month I was invited to speak at a conference run by the state department of justice. They wanted me to speak on how we were able to turn a tough, urban, middle school into a place where respect and friendliness are norms. I didn't get to go because of my change of job, but if I had, I would have told them that to do it you have to create a pride in the school and to remind everyone in the school (administrators, teachers, students, and parents) that they are all leaders in the change. So please continue to remember that you are all leaders! You are role models for others, so please make good decisions. Treat everyone with respect. Behave (and speak) as though people you respect are watching you.
Please know two things: I'm very proud of you all. I miss you all, so much.
Please keep it going!
Remember to keep your respect high and your voices low. (And of course, keep smiling!)
With respect, gratitude and pride,
Dr. Cowdell
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