Summer #2 July

Appreciation 

Thank you to everyone that has taken time to schedule an appointment to come in and chat with me. I am really enjoying getting a chance to meet and know people better. My plan is to outline some of the common themes that I have heard during our first days together as a full staff. 

Something Fun

A principal candidate shared an awesome idea during an interview that I am borrowing for our work together. In order for the idea to work, I need 100% of you to share some information about yourself with me. Please take two minutes to complete this survey. Here are my answers:

• Jodi Fortuna
• Jodi
• Dr. Jodi
• Doritos
• Iced Tea with extra lemon (this would change if I were not working)
• 12/29

MCAS 

The Office of Data and Accountability recently uploaded data workbooks for preliminary 2019  Round 2 MCAS CBT and PBT results for grades 3-8 in ELA, Math and Science and Technology/Engineering. These data compare average points/percent correct earned for our school compared to the district and state for all items. Each workbook includes data for all students who tested online and on paper. 

Please remember that the results included in the 2019 workbooks are preliminary and strictly embargoed. This means that these data are NOT to be shared with anyone outside of our school staff. These data may not be shared, copied, published, or announced, either in written form or verbally, in whole or in part. Please keep these data secure and confidential. Preliminary data should be referenced for instructional planning purposes, not for speculative accountability or performance analysis, or for evaluation purposes of any kind.

The 2019 preliminary data only include raw scores and have not yet been filtered; all students who answered at least one question are included. The following results will not be included in the official data release: First year ELs, students who participated in one session, voided tests, and students who moved schools during testing. 

Grade 3 ELA

Grade 3 Math

Professional Learning 

I am looking forward to seeing everyone for our professional learning days prior to the opening of school. Thank you for your patience as we worked to resolve some confusion! Our dates are August 27th and 28th. I look forward to getting to know everyone better over the two days.

Getting in Touch with Me 

Please never to hesitate to contact me whenever you need something. Even if it is a thought partner. The best way to get me is my cell. The number is 978-906-5170.  I love both phone calls and text messages. A fun fact is if I am responding to an email on my phone I generally sign it with my initials JF. 

I am generally at the school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. I will be out of town the week of August 13th moving my son into college. You can call and text but there is a 3 hour time difference and the chance of hearing me sniffle on the other end of the phone is pretty high. 

Hiring  

We are starting the hiring process for our new school secretary and our new school nurse. We are fortunate that we will have a full-time nurse joining our team moving forward. I am hoping to hold interviews for these positions the week of August 5th which is coming even faster than I imagined that it would. 

Introduction

Dear Team,

My name is Jodi Fortuna and I am the Assistant Superintendent assigned to lead the Lee Academy Pilot School for the 2019-2020 school year. I am privileged to have been chosen for this important position.

My professional background is comprised of a variety of experiences. I have been an elementary special education teacher in both pull out and inclusionary settings. My administrative experience began with the opportunity to work as an elementary school assistant principal with approximately 800 students. I have had the privilege to be an elementary principal in rural and suburban schools. I have been the superintendent of a suburban school district, which taught me the importance of being close to and part of the work that happens schools. For the past two years, I have been in Boston serving as Director of the Academic Response Teams and Academic Superintendent overseeing 29 unique schools. Each of these experiences has taught me more about whom I am as a leader and the importance of education in helping to shape the future of a child.

I believe that an education is the greatest gift we can bestow on our children. Education will open doors for children that may have remained shut otherwise. With an exceptional education, children will be able to soar to heights previously unimagined and create a better future. Education is a great equalizer, knocking down barriers and crafting new vistas. I am thrilled that you and I will be teammates in providing an incomparable educational experience for our children.

I would like to get to know each of you better over the course of the summer. I want to know what your hopes, fears, and dreams are for your students. I want to ask you what is working well and where I need to focus my attention on for the upcoming year. I am hoping that you can find 45 minutes to stop by the school and chat.  Please feel free to select a time from this calendar to stop in. If you cannot come in before school starts, we will find a time shortly after the school year starts.

I am starting a staff blog called “The Hive” so that you will have up to date information about what is happening at school. I will update the Hive on most Sunday nights. I will be starting this practice over the summer with updates as they happen.

One of the things that excites me the most about this assignment is that I will be able to be in classrooms, with children, every day. I am looking forward to getting to know each of you over the course of the year. My door will always be open please be sure to stop by.  Let’s talk soon!