NAHANT — The Johnson School kicked off the new school year with a flag-raising ceremony on Thursday with Principal Kevin Andrews encouraged by improvements and training undertaken during summer vacation by school employees.
“We are looking forward to continuing initiatives begun during the past school year, as well as launching new ones,” he said in an announcement posted on the school website.
Kindergarteners and pre-school students started school on Thursday with older students starting school on Wednesday. The school year gets into high gear next week following the Labor Day holiday.
“Students will start the year by discussing how they will like their classroom to function, setting guidelines and expectations. They will also take part in regular morning meetings and will apply social and emotional learning skills learned during games and welcoming activities,” Andrews stated.
School improvements undertaken during the summer included adding 24 Chromebooks for classroom use. Andrews said third and fourth grade students will use computer programs to help them master computer keyboard skills.
Summer vacation did not keep Johnson School teachers from mastering their skills. Five
teachers received training in a program called Responsive Classroom.
Responsive Classroom’s website describes the program as an “evidence-based approach to elementary and middle school teaching that focuses on the strong link between academic success and social-emotional learning.”
The site goes on to draw close comparisons between Responsive Classroom learning approaches and “higher academic achievement in math and reading, improved school climate, and higher-quality instruction.”
“With this completed, all of our classroom teachers are fully trained and prepared for implementation,” Andrews stated.
The school website also announced the introduction of a new school food-services program provided by Sidekim. The Lynn company will cook fresh school lunches every school day. School families will order lunches for the following week by Wednesday. An order form will be used to collect the order information and provide a digital menu to view. Payment will continue to be sent in with students, while online payment options are explored.
The Johnson School hosts an open house on Wednesday, Sept. 6 to introduce classroom teachers and other school employees.
