Derby School Board Nabs Awards

DERBY – The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) has recognized the Derby Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Matthew J. Conway, Jr. for exhibiting excellence in educational communication by honoring them with the Bonnie B. Carney Award.  

In 1975, CABE established the Awards of Excellence in Educational Communication to

recognize the good work done on a daily basis.      

The board won awards in two submissions in the Excellence for Educational Communication.  The first is for its use of social media, utilizing its website, YouTube account, Facebook and 27 Twitter handles to communicate district information and promote and broadcast events to families and the community.  The second award was for Irving School’s broadcast news network, W-IRV News, which is a daily broadcast of school news and events to keep families and the community aware of the happenings at the elementary school.  

In addition, the board was awarded Honorable Mention in two categories: the district

calendar and the Derby Public School’s Budget Presentation to the Board of Apportionment

and Taxation.   

“The Derby Board of Education was happy to hear that our school system won the Bonnie B. Carney Award for Excellence in Educational Communications,” said Board Chairman Jim Gildea. “We recognize the importance of ensuring all relevant stakeholders are communicated with regularly.  We recognize that it takes a community to educate our students and we are excited that our efforts to communicate with our parents, students, staff and community members has been noticed.”    

Conway echoed similar sentiments.  

“We are thrilled to receive this award again,” Conway said.  “It is recognition of the creative ways staff and students have engaged in communicating with each other, our board, parents and the community at large.  They model effective communication and use social media as a way to share the great things going on in our schools and classrooms.”

Derby Board of Education Recognized for Excellence

DERBY- March is Board of Education Member Appreciation Month

 

On March 15, 2018, the Derby Board of Education was recognized by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education (CABE) for receiving the Bonnie B. Carney Awards ofExcellence for Educational Communications.

The Connecticut Association of Boards of Education is celebrating Board of Education

Member Appreciation Month in March, and is asking all citizens to join them in building

awareness and understanding of the vital function an elected board of education plays in

our society.  I ask you to join me in recognizing the incredible work of the Derby Board

of Education and thank them for their relentless pursuit of excellence for your child and

this City.  

 

They selflessly sacrifice their time and countless hours listening, learning, researching and advocating for what is best for our kids, our District, our City and this family.Through the Leadership and guidance of Chairman Gildea and the trust and support of the members of the Board, every administrator, teacher, staff member and student is given a voice, so together, as a family, we continue to improve and make decisions that are best for our kids.

 

Chairman Gildea said, "This Board has a clear and consistent track record for putting the

interests of our children at the center of all that we do. We are a committed team of

individuals who combine our collective experiences to always ensure the school system

has the tools they need to keep moving the bar higher. It is an honor to serve with such

dedicated people."  

Please reach out and thank a Board member today. It is a small but meaningful gesture

of the gratitude we have for their service.

 

(This is a press release from Superintendent of Schools Matthew Conway)

Irving School Earns Exemplary Status

DERBY- The  Connecticut  Association  of  Schools  is  proud  to  announce  that  Irving  Elementary School  has  been  certified  for  Exemplary  School  Climate  Recognition.  Irving Elementary School joins a handful of Connecticut schools also holding the designation.

The  administration  and  faculty  at  Irving  Elementary  School  completed  a  rigorous  self-assessment  examining  27  areas  of  school  practice  such  as  curriculum,  integration, collaborative  decision-making,  parent  and/or  community  involvement,  and  flexible grouping  and  scheduling.  An  evaluation  team  from  the  Connecticut  Association  of Schools then visited the school to verify and validate the assessment. 

Mrs.  Jennifer  Olson,  Principal  said,  “Creating  a  welcoming,  safe,  and  supportive  school

environment has been the foundation of our turnaround work at Irving School over the

past 5 years.  We have a school culture rooted in respect---for ourselves, each other and

our  school. We  believe  that  relationships  matter,  and  our  team  has  worked  hard  to

create  a  sense  of  belonging  and  pride  in  our  school. This  distinction  from  the

Connecticut Association of  Schools  is a tremendous honor for  Irving School, and brings

attention  to  the  hard  work  and  dedication  of  our  staff,  students,  parents  and  the

community.”

 

Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Matthew J. Conway, Jr. said “This is fantastic

news and a very well deserved distinction and recognition of the hard work, attention to

detail and continuous efforts to build and sustain a welcoming, engaging culture for our

families.”

 

Irving  Elementary  School  is  being  awarded  a  framed  CAS  certificate,  a  three-year

exemplary school climate designation, and recognition on the CAS website.  As a service

to  other  schools  wishing  to  improve  their  climate  practices,  award  winners  welcome

inquiries and visitors.

 

(This is a press release from Derby Schools)

Derby School Board Receives State Leadership Award

 

DERBY- The Derby Board of Education and Superintendent Dr. Conway has been recognized by the Connecticut Association of Boards of Education for exhibiting the most effective leadership, characterized by their ability to work together as a "team."

The CABE Board Recognition Awards are designed to recognize boards which provide effective leadership to their districts through the use of good practices. This program which acknowledges the importance of school board members and superintendents working together as effective teams continues an important trend among school boards associations across the country.

CABE Board Leadership Award - Level Two includes 19 items and boards need to fulfill 12 of these with at least two completed in each of the following areas: board leadership/student achievement, board member professional development, policy, community relations, and related organizational leadership.

Conway stated, "This is the fourth year in a row that the Derby Board of Education has been recognized, and the second time they are receiving the top award. The recognition speaks to their level of commitment and drive to achieve even higher goals."

Board Chair, Kenneth Marcucio stated, "To be honored as a Board of Distinction in our state is a great honor for me, the members of our Board of Education, Dr. Matt Conway, the Derby School System and the city as a whole. It has been our objective to do whatever is necessary to make our school system the best it could possibly be for our students, given the tough times in today’s society. We have a great leader in Dr. Matt Conway who has helped us to do this during his short tenure in Derby. I am sure with his continued leadership we will continue to improve and have one of the best school systems in the state. Our students will continue to benefit from the hard work of our board members, Dr. Conway, administrators, teachers and all the other employees who work so hard in the background. Thank you to CABE for bestowing this honor on our small city."

Robert Rader, Executive Director of CABE stated, "We are thrilled that the Derby Board of Education has joined other boards from around the state in receiving a CABE Board of Distinction Award! For a Board, leadership means carrying out its roles and responsibilities consistently, thoughtfully, in line with best practices and with the highest ethical standards.

The award will be presented to the Board and Superintendent Conway at the CABE/CAPSS Annual Convention on November 18, 2016.

(This is a press release from Derby Public Schools)