Paul+Cuffee+School+2013

Cara Behrens Paul Cuffee School Charter School, Rhode Island
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History The Paul Cuffee School, located in Providence Rhode Island opened its doors in September 2001. The mission statement is as follows: to create a school that would meet the individual needs of Providence's diverse students through a maritime themed curriculum that promote social and civic skill-building as well as outstanding academic learning. The Paul Cuffee School initially began with four grades (K-3). Fourth and fifth grade students started in 2002 and 2003 as the younger students advanced and new students at the joined the younger grade levels. By the 205-For the 2005-2006 scholastic year, there were students enrolled in grades K-7. In November of 2005, a middle school was opened in a near by location, enabling students 6-8 to attend.

Organization

The school is governed by a Board of Trustees. The 24 members of this board are appointed by the Sailing Insitutes. The Board is made up of teachers, parents, and different community members and agencies. Meetings are held once a month. In the past year there as been a Strategic Planning Committee added and an Education committee. Students in the Paul Cuffee school are admitted through a lottery system. The class size is relatively small with no more than 16 students to a teacher. Teacher's assistants are available, and focus on individualized instruction.

Family Involvement The Paul Cuffee School has two part time Family Coordinators to aid in family engagement. One of the two Family Coordinators is bilingual. This individual works with the family outreach and has organized events such a clothing drives, translation equipment, and school dinners. There is a classroom space for the Family Center, that has hours in which parents can drop in. In this space the social worker and the Wellness Director discusses important topics. Parents of students with special needs can be involved in the Parent Coordinators group which meets three times a year. The Paul Cuffee School has an active PTA/PTO group that organized various activities.

Academic Support Paul Cuffee's special education services, utilize inclusion to allow special educators to support students without special needs and provide additional assistance to those with special needs during a resource period. Special Education services are made possible by a special edcator, speech therapist, along with an occupational therapist. To qualify for these services, students must be diagnosed with a specific disability by the school's multidisciplinary Special Education Team.

The Paul Cuffee School also supports students academic growth with after-school tutoring sessions. These sessions are available four times a week and include computer lab time is necessary. Saturday School, and English Language Learn supports are also available. All students who attend the Paul Cuffee School have a study period. These study periods allow students to focus on one particular subject. Summer support is not as prevalent but is available if a child needs.

Health Services The Paul Cuffee School is staffed with two registered nurses. They are able to do regular health screenings and also teach the health curriculum to students. The school nurse is able to house and dispense student prescriptions, given a parent note is provided. School nurses perform state mandated screenings for hearing, vision, dental health, and scholiosis. Flu clinics are also provided each fall for students, staff and parents.

Extracurriculars Paul Cuffee School's After School Club is available for students in years K-8. The program runs after school and offers with a range of fun yet educational activities. To be apart of this club, there is a fee based on family income. Another program available is the enrichment program for children years K-8. THis program focuses on activities such as sailing, book club, chess club, basketball and soccer. However, there is more interest than spots available so a lottery system is utilized to determine who can participate. Middle School sports are fee based as well. However, middle school clubs meet during the school day on fridays for no fee. There is no fee for sports at the High School level. There are no clubs offered but there are electives that can be taken during the day.

Safety The Paul Cuffee School has higher rates of bullying compared to the rest of Rhode Island. According to an infoworks survey 53.2% of students at the elementary level experience bully, where 42% of students in the rest of rhode island. However, 70% of students in the Paul Cuffee School stated that the bullying stopped with parent or teacher intervention. Only 60% of students in Rhode Island said that bullying stopped after intervemtion.

Teacher Quality (infoworks) A survey of fourth and fifth grade students indicate, that the students have a high opinion on their teachers in comparison to student opinions in the rest of the state. Sixty eight percent of students stated that they feel their teachers give clear directions, 57.7% of students feel that peers are given a fair chance in class, and 60% say that they're teachers make students want to learn. In comparison to the rest of Rhode Island these percentages are equivalent if not better. Students in the Paul Cuffee School feel that they have a sufficient amount class time to do work (60%). While only 54% feel this way in the rest of rhode island.

Graduation Requirements Students at the high school level are required to pass their course requirements and the NECAP exam. In addition there is a senior portfolio and senior project to be done in their final year. Students work towards these requirements through out their four years at the upper school.

Rhode Island Department of Education. (n.d.). Inforworks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting. // Infoworks! Rhode Island Education Data Reporting //. Retrieved from []