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Havens principal outlines 'culture to thrive' plan: attendance, recess and literacy priorities
Summary
Havens principal Anne Dolan presented the school's goals aligned with the district strategic plan, highlighting attendance interventions, recess-culture work using Responsive Classroom and Playworks, literacy training modules and increased family engagement.
Principal Anne Dolan presented the state of Havens elementary school, describing a three-tiered goal structure tied to the district strategic plan and site needs. Dolan said the site's priorities this year include building a culture of belonging through explicit teaching of school values, focused supports for attendance, a recess-culture initiative and increased partnerships beyond the classroom.
Dolan described classroom and staff practices including a community-circle model for social-emotional learning, a focus on literacy with ongoing "results training" modules (four of six completed, another module Sept. 11, final in January), and use of Responsive Classroom and Playworks for recess and play-based problem solving. She also said the site will pilot more teacher observations across classrooms and launch a literacy-adoption process in spring.
Board members asked about attendance work; Dolan said front-office staff Melanie and Mike monitor frequent lateness and absences, staff follow up with families early, school counselors are involved for social-emotional reasons, and notices are sent when families reach chronic-absence thresholds. Trustees thanked Dolan and said they would visit the site in future.
