Principal outlines enrollment, 'win time' schedule and K–5 reading curriculum pilot

East Kingston’s principal told the Sept. 8 school board that enrollment, schedule changes and a year-long plan to pilot two K–5 reading curricula are the school’s top instructional priorities this year. Enrollment and staffing: The school reported 118 students on the first day of school: 24 kindergartners, 18 first-graders, 18 second-graders, 25 third-graders, 21 fourth-graders and 12 fifth-graders. The school also welcomed three new staff members: an art teacher, a paraprofessional and a combined third–fourth-grade teacher. Win time and interventions: The principal described a new daily “win time” (What I Need Now) schedule built into the school day for targeted intervention and enrichment. Kindergarten students have win time during ELA or math blocks; grades 1–2 have a combined morning win time; grades 3–5 have win blocks after lunch. The school scheduled PLC meetings and plans to begin flexible groupings and interventions in win time once initial assessments are completed. The principal said interventions are intended to maintain students’ skills over the summer and to provide targeted instruction during the year. Reading curriculum pilot: The school plans to pilot two K–5 English/language-arts curricula alongside existing Orton-Gillingham (OG) foundational instruction. The principal told the board the pilot aims to address gaps OG does not fully cover in intermediate grades—particularly vocabulary, comprehension and writing—and to create vertical alignment from kindergarten through fifth grade. • Arts & Letters: teachers will receive additional training; the school will pilot one Arts & Letters unit beginning in December (module length described as roughly six to eight weeks). • Fish Tank (referred to as a writing-focused program with separately purchased books): Fish Tank training is scheduled for January with a pilot module starting in February and the pilot module ending in May. Administrators emphasized they will keep OG in place for primary grades (K–3) and use the piloted curricula to add comprehension, vocabulary and writing instruction. The principal said district-level conversations about a common K–5 program will continue but that East Kingston will choose the curriculum that best fits its students; central office and other district schools are also piloting the same materials. Budget and materials: The principal warned there will be a budget impact for curriculum materials—books and program licenses—and said she will include anticipated costs in the first budget review in November. She also said Arts & Letters is a more fully integrated package while Fish Tank requires buying reading materials from a separate vendor, and board members noted the programs have different price structures. Why it matters: The pilot is intended to create consistent instruction, smoother transitions between grade levels, shared formative assessments and targeted interventions during win time. Board members asked about safeguards to avoid confusing students during pilot rotations and whether IEP students will receive appropriate supports; administrators said special-education staff will coordinate pull-outs based on student goals and that students will participate when appropriate. Next steps: teachers will pilot assigned units, staff will bring budget estimates to the November budget review, and principals across SAU schools will continue districtwide conversations about a common K–5 ELA program.