Smallwood Drive Elementary leaders outline professional development, student voice and new cafeteria and safety upgrades
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Summary
Smallwood Drive Elementary principal Marzocchi told the Amherst Central School District board that building-based professional learning, a new digital student-referral system and student-driven service-learning are central to the school’s 2023–27 strategic priorities; facilities updates include a new secure vestibule and redesigned cafeteria.
Principal Marzocchi presented a multipart summary of work at Smallwood Drive Elementary, saying the school’s efforts align with the district’s 2023–2027 strategic plan and focus on teaching and learning, student life, and Amherst Pride. Marzocchi credited partnerships with the Warner School of Education and district leaders for recent professional learning investments.
Marzocchi described a phased approach to professional development this school year: building-level sessions at August opening days, targeted training on TCIS de-escalation strategies on Oct. 2, training for teacher assistants on Oct. 21, and staff instruction on a new student management system during the Nov. 4 superintendent conference day. The new digital referral system is intended to notify all “need to know” staff simultaneously, allow administrators to add notes and outcomes, and support same‑day parent contact, the presentation said; the district thanked Donna Freymeyer, district technology integration specialist, for supporting the launch.
The school highlighted tiered instruction and intervention work: continued use of the Eureka Squared math program in K–5, and expanded tier 2 and tier 3 interventions including Wilson and Just Words in grades 2–5. An enrichment audit led the school to provide STEAM and enrichment experiences for all third-graders this fall.
On student life, Marzocchi said Smallwood launched a service‑learning committee and used 35 community-circle visits to engage all 711 students in questions about access and belonging. Family engagement efforts included a parent survey, a positive phone-call challenge and a postcard campaign that reached all 711 pupils before Thanksgiving. The presentation noted students’ requests for more clubs, play/outdoor spaces and inclusive enrichment access.
Facilities remarks described recent capital improvements the board funded: a new main office and secure vestibule to improve visitor management, and a cafeteria renovation with new round tables and different seating configurations to support supervision, positive socialization and shared expectations. Marzocchi said staff and students responded positively to the changes and showed short videos during the presentation.
In a question-and-answer exchange, board members asked about planned fifth‑grade transition experiences and about the STOIC framework used for classroom management (Structures, Teaching, Observing, Interacting, Correcting). Presenters explained STOIC and its relation to TCIS and CHAMPS, and said the district continues to prioritize face‑to‑face follow-up even after adopting the digital referral workflow.
The superintendent’s report and the Smallwood presentation did not include a board vote on policy; board members asked clarifying questions and praised student and staff engagement. The presentation closes with an invitation to board members to review materials and to the school community’s plan for May community‑day activities.