Quaker Farms principal showcases early-year literacy, kindness programs and refurbished playground

Quaker Farms Principal Rachel Casease told the Oxford School District Board of Education on Sept. 9 that the new school year has begun with an emphasis on kindness, early literacy and building a welcoming school climate.

"As we launch into our new school year, we're learning about the importance of kindness, celebrating our own goodness," Casease said, introducing classroom activities and short videos that illustrated lessons for the district's youngest students. She and assistant principal Karen highlighted a range of classroom work, from a kindergarten boot camp practicing letters and sounds to second-grade projects about inclusion.

The presentation included student readouts of a "one word for kids" activity in which pupils selected a single guiding word for the year. Students told the board directly: "My name is Lena and in class we read the book One Word for Kids," and other students said their words were "try," "read," "me" and "power." The video and student remarks were used to demonstrate how teachers are combining social-emotional learning with structured literacy instruction.

Stacy Mullax, the district reading coach for grades K–5, introduced classroom video showing multi-sensory lessons, partner reading and fluency practice. Casease pointed to early results at a nearby elementary program: "In kindergarten, 90% of our students reached or exceeded grade level," she said, calling it "a powerful start" the staff is determined to continue.

Casease also described school-climate work: a newly formed committee with staff and parent representation will focus on a shared vision and on ensuring a safe, welcoming environment as part of a school-climate plan due in December. She asked the board and community to visit classrooms and assemblies.

The principal noted a number of facility needs identified by teachers and staff, including replacement of aging first-grade playground equipment, concerns about a front parking lot where potholes and uneven surfaces create safety risks, and the absence of an integrated outdoor/cafeteria sound system. She closed by thanking teachers and volunteers for refurbishing a playground train and inviting board members to visit.

The board received the presentation without formal action and proceeded to later agenda items and motions.

Next step: Quaker Farms staff will continue school-climate planning with a committee meeting scheduled for Thursday (first meeting) and will return details to the board as the December plan deadline approaches.