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link to: PARENT RESPONSES TO DR. LIVANIS's LETTER The following letter from Dr. Livanis (acting Principal) was sent to Nest parents on November 10, 2006 Dear NEST+m Community: You have successfully fought a significant battle for your school with passion and dedication. You have been the architects of a unique learning environment that serves to educate children in their formative years. While within the public school system, the school was predicated on providing a nurturing environment and the pursuit of best educational practices. This was to enable students to rise to their ability. I share this vision. My philosophy of education is one that promotes the classics as a basis, while incorporating the advances of the modern world. The belief being that a strong foundation in mathematics, reading, and writing will support the humanities, the arts, and sciences. In particular to NEST+m, a seamless education experience translates into graduates with true proficiency: in a language other than English, in the physical laws that govern our universe, and facility with numbers, with computers, in independent research, and having the confidence in performance and in fine arts. To bring into effect a "seamless" educational experience, the Lower School students should be introduced to a foreign language in kindergarten; robotics and the fundamental laws of physics in 3rd grade; and the Project Based Inquiry Science (PBIS) 6th grade science curriculum in 5th grade. Early introduction of language and physical concepts will provide students with a knowledge base that is critical for laying the fundamental structure of our new world, thus begetting students more confident, and more apt to excel in the upper grades and beyond. In the Middle school a merger between English and the Social Studies curricula will evolve into a Middle school humanities curriculum encompassing historical themes and essential concepts, strengthened by reading and writing. As of September 2007, the 7th and 8th grade PBIS would be taught to 6th and 7th graders respectively, while Algebra, a 9th grade Regents course, and Regents Earth Science are taught in the 8th grade. In the sciences the Upper school students will begin with Regents Physics and Geometry in the 9th grade, followed by Regents Chemistry and Trigonometry in the 10th grade, and Advanced Placement Biology and Pre-Calculus in the 11th grade. By the 12th grade all students will be ready to take Calculus followed by Multivariate Calculus. The thread that began in the Lower school in foreign language, technology, and science would be continuous throughout the Middle and Upper schools — thus truly defining a "seamless" educational experience. How can we make this happen? With your help the physical building has seen a renewal as never before. However, as you know, those that make educational programs come alive for your children are the teachers in the classrooms. Our vision and reputation must attract quality teachers. A supportive and respectful atmosphere engendered by the administration, students, parents, and fellow teachers alike will enable us to attract and retain the quality faculty we need to implement our vision. Given that 72% of our current faculty members are either a first or second year teacher, I have requested that the DOE provide skilled mentors in pedagogy to help our teachers perform to the best of their ability. Mentoring has been in progress since September. Parents and/or students are welcomed to comment constructively to the administration with respect to classroom practices. Confidentiality will be respected where appropriate. Our collective objective must be to provide the best educational experience possible for students. It is now time to focus our energies to strengthen the educational excellence of this young school. Going forward, I present to you a list of some of the initiatives that I deem valuable for the children and hope to see implemented. They are as follows: In the arts:
In the humanities:
In the sciences and mathematics:
In technology:
As a school:
The infrastructure requires state-of-the-art equipment so that students can participate in national/international conferencing and access the wealth of educational material available through the Web. The current library, designated as a library for K-8, needs more books, computers, and an audio-visual collection. A room to be determined will be transformed into a multi-media center for the Upper school students. Please note that in September 2007 Mandarin and Spanish will be offered in grades K-8. In the spring 2007 term we will offer music (vocal and instrumental) for grades K-12, and a student research class for 11th graders. At this very moment, on the heels of last year's success, I invite you to bring your passion and join me in the adventure that will take your child's educational experience to even greater levels of excellence. I am still collecting index card questions, which will be addressed at a meeting to be held on the evening of Tuesday November 21st. More details on the meeting will be distributed closer to the date. See you at the November 21st meeting. - Dr. Olga Livanis
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