Elementary Literacy Study
The Collaborative for Educational Services (CES) is a public nonprofit, 501(c)(3) educational services agency based in Massachusetts. Since 1974, CES has worked with children, youth, and adult learners, families, schools, districts, educators, and community members and organizations in our region, across New England, and nationally. Their mission is to develop and foster lifelong learning and to provide opportunities for wellbeing for all of the communities with whom they work, through collaboration and leadership. CES collaborates with school leaders and staff, state agencies, non-profit organizations, and foundations to facilitate learning partnerships that promote equity within organizations and among partners.
The Collaborative for Educational Services’ (CES) research & evaluation team is conducting a study to provide the Winchester schools and community with critical data to support and strengthen the district’s elementary literacy program. Data collection will include surveys, interviews and listening sessions, as well as analysis of existing data.
This page will be updated regularly with new information and progress status.
Study Overview
The impetus for this project is the recognition among the leadership of the Winchester Public Schools (WPS) that strengthening the district’s early literacy program is a central and urgent priority. Implementing changes in any area of curriculum, instruction, and assessment is challenging and must be meaningfully informed by and sensitive to existing data, practices, and understandings.
With respect to elementary literacy, WPS leadership and the School Committee believe it is important to provide everyone with safe avenues for expressing their thoughts. We deeply value the experiences and perspectives of our educators and parents, and this study is designed to capture and understand them. CES has developed a thoughtful process that will be as inclusive as possible, with a Design Team that will serve in an advisory capacity throughout the various components of the study:
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The Winchester district design team for elementary literacy was created to support the work of the CES research team in gathering, analyzing and interpreting data. The role of the design team is to provide valuable feedback, perspective and context from the community for the research team’s work.
Alyssa Loring Tirella, Parent (Muraco)
Andrea Phelan, Principal (Ambrose)
Christine Cronin, Parent (Vinson-Owen)
Jenn Anderson, Classroom teacher (Vinson-Owen)
Jennifer Dumas, Elementary Literacy Coach (Lincoln)
Karen Rizzuti, Classroom teacher (Vinson-Owen)
Kathy Caron, Principal (Vinson-Owen)
Katie Malone, Elementary Literacy Coordinator
Laurie Kirby, Assistant Superintendent of Personnel & Elementary Education
Lynn Mazzocchi, Literacy Specialist (Muraco)
Nicole Cordeiro, Parent and aunt (Lynch and Ambrose)
Rebecca Cummings, Classroom teacher (Lynch), parent (Landmark)
Rebecca Decaneas, Special education teacher (Ambrose), parent (Lynch)
Shannon Stott, Parent (Vinson-Owen and McCall), WinPAC Board Member
Stefanie Gordon, Parent (Ambrose), PISC committee member
Susan DeLeo, Parent (Ambrose and middle school)
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The design team meeting dates are 4/11, 5/2, 5/9, 5/23, 5/30, 6/6 and 6/13.
Design team meeting updates can be found below:
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A survey for elementary teachers in Winchester is currently being piloted with design team members.
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A survey for families in Winchester is currently being piloted with design team members.
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The purpose of teacher listening sessions is to hear from Winchester teachers about their experiences with elementary literacy in the district. Teacher listening sessions will be facilitated in-person at Winchester on the following dates during common planning time.
(To be finalized)
Thursday, May 16: Lincoln Elementary
Friday, May 17: Ambrose Elementary
Monday, May 20: Vinson-Owen Elementary
Tuesday, May 21: Muraco Elementary
Friday, May 24: Lynch Elementary
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The purpose of family listening sessions is to hear from Winchester families about their experiences with elementary literacy in the district. Family listening sessions will be facilitated in-person at Winchester and online on Zoom on the following dates.
In person at Winchester:
Date: Monday, May 20
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: TBD
Date: Tuesday, May 21
Time: 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: TBD
Online on Zoom:
Date: Tuesday, May 28
Time: 3:30 - 5:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
Date: Tuesday, May 28
Time: 6:30 - 8:00 p.m.
Location: Zoom
More details will be forthcoming.