Morrisonville Elementary School is Validated as a “Model School for Excellence”
On March 25, 2009, history was made as Morrisonville School’s first ever live news broadcast was made over closed circuit television on Channel 53, “W-BRV.” The subject of the news conference was also historic as students, faculty and members of the school community witnessed Mr. Job Thomas validate Morrisonville Elementary School as a model of excellence. Mr. Thomas was there as a regional representative from New York State’s “Supporting Successful Strategies to Achieve Improved Results” (S³TAIR) Project. The Project’s mission is to find outstanding instructional practices throughout New York State. Once identified, the hope is that these practices could be replicated in other schools.
The S³TAIR process began in Spring 2008, when Mr. Joe Otter, northeast regional PBIS coordinator, nominated Morrisonville School for this prestigious recognition. At that time, Mr. Ott, Morrisonville principal, felt that the staff was engaged with multiple commitments and the timing of this task was incompatible.
In Fall 2008, Mr. Otter again nominated the school and with the timing being right, Mr. Ott formed a team to review the task at hand. The task involved looking at school practices in three areas: Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) System, Special Education practices, and Literacy Instruction. With all hands on deck, the Morrisonville Team met and completed a lengthy on-line survey as the first hurdle. Clearing that process, the Morrisonville Team was then invited to compile the evidence that supported the three areas of practice being investigated.
Essentially, the Team was being asked to put what teachers and staff do at Morrisonville into a box. After a rigorous process, the Morrisonville Team gathered 6 pounds of materials and subsequently made the "second cut". The last and final step involved a site visit by a S³TAIR Committee, which included the Regional Director, Mr. Job Thomas, the New York State Coordinator, Dr. Wilma Jozwiak, and a member from Plattsburgh State University, Mrs. Jean Mockry.
On February 13, these three S³TAIR visitors spent the day at Morrisonville. They observed literacy lessons in classrooms, interviewed students and staff, and also met with parents and MFSO representatives. While debriefing at the end of the visit, Jean Mockry noted, “You have a story to be told here!” Wilma Jozwiak commented that, “It is hard to separate out each practice as they are so well interwoven.” The Morrisonville Team’s hopes were high that the S³TAIR Committee would recognize at least one area but the team was blown away when it was announced that the school was going to be recognized in all three areas!
So on March 25, Morrisonville students watched intently from each classroom, as Mr. Thomas reported the S³TAIR committee’s findings. Mr. Cringle, District Superintendent, commended Mr. Ott and his staff on “their commitment to excellence and their dedication for ensuring that all students at Morrisonville Elementary are successful learners.” With the S³TAIR Project validating educational practices, the S³TAIR Project’s mission is to use Morrisonville School as a Model School for others.
Since that time Morrisonville has taken the next step. It has been approved by the S³TAIR Project for a $10,000 grant and has been selected as a Mentor School. Morrisonville proudly takes its place as one of only thirteen schools in New York State to be identified as a Mentor School and will make its practices available to other schools.