Smallwood Drive Elementary highlights restorative practices, student leadership and campus upgrades

Smallwood Drive Elementary presented its annual update to the Amherst Central School District Board of Education on matters ranging from restorative practices and student leadership to recent campus renovations and testing plans.

Missus Marzocchi, a Smallwood Drive Elementary staff member, said the school’s work is aligned with the district strategic plan and highlighted professional development and community-building initiatives that staff have undertaken this year.

Smallwood emphasized three priorities: teaching and learning, student life and “Amherst pride.” The presentation noted a continued focus on data-driven instruction and multi-tiered systems of support (MTSS), expanded use of community circles as a foundation for restorative practices, and targeted interventions to reduce chronic absenteeism.

The school said staff participated in more than eight hours of professional development in August and November centered on…