Stone Creek principal outlines reading, math and SEL goals; recounts summer flood recovery

Sandy Rusher, principal of Stone Creek Elementary, presented the school’s goals and recent developments to the Derby Board of Education, saying staff will focus on reading and math growth for K–5, special education progress and expansion of the school’s STEAM program.

Rusher said Stone Creek set targets to raise assessment scores by 3 percent in grades three through five and is restructuring professional learning-team (PLT) time to focus on teacher clarity and pacing guides. She described implementation of "learning intentions" and success criteria in classrooms so students understand the lesson objective and can provide immediate feedback to teachers.

The school will offer high-dose tutoring three times per week for qualifying students, Rusher said, and will continue character-education lessons and an SEL block after recess to address playground conflicts. Rusher emphasized a practice change so students who report bullying or other incidents see an immediate response and a meeting with an adult when the incident is first reported.

Rusher also recounted an operational challenge this summer: a building flood and nine days without power that displaced classrooms and required repairs. "We had classroom teachers that were cool with things being out of order," she said, praising staff and custodial efforts. Rusher reported three teachers remained displaced pending carpet replacement but said the building was "almost back to normal."

The board heard several years-of-service recognitions and brief commendations for staff members; these were part of the Stone Creek presentation but did not require board action.