The mission of the Lawrence Public Schools, a unifying force at the heart of a cultural mosaic, is to ensure all learners reach their highest individual potential, through an academically rigorous educational system that inspires life-long learning; focuses on creative, student-centered teaching and learning; and enables all to possess the confidence and abilities to meet life’s challenges.
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Closure of a Higher Order |
During this time of the school year we appreciate the fruits of our hard work. We experience fulfillment from the demonstrated academic growth of our students as we bring closure to the lessons and units of study presented throughout the year. The concept of closure is used when designing a lesson to wrap-up and help students organize information into a meaningful context. It's much more than review for a test. Bringing closure to a lesson and bringing closure to the school year provides an opportunity for children to utilize higher order thinking skills and discover the relevance of their newly acquired knowledge.
Bloom's Taxonomy provides an important framework for developing these higher order thinking skills. A hierarchy of cognitive levels, the taxonomy assists in designing tasks, crafting questions, and providing feedback on student work all designed to promote critical thinking. These levels begin with basic memory and comprehension, moving to higher cognitive levels of application, analysis and synthesis, to ultimately the highest level of critical thinking which is the ability to form opinions or judgments based on acquired information and knowledge.
Closure based on higher order thinking validates the opinions and the developing thought processes of the learner. It sets the stage for life-long learning and helps the learner establish a vision for him/herself. We will celebrate our shared accomplishments with ceremonies, awards, and acknowledgments as the closure of today's lessons define the lessons of tomorrow.
Gary Schall, Superintendent of Schools
Superintendent’s Employee of the Month
Paula Farrier grew up in Hollis, New York and graduated from Francis Lewis High School, where she met her "hubby to be" Donald Farrier. Paula went on to SUNY at Oneonta and received a BS in Education. Unfortunately, teaching was not her first career. After getting married, she dabbled in several endeavors which included an administrative assistant to the President of Revere Sugar Corporation (she considered it a sweet job!), to a home based business where she baked and designed wedding cakes. Out of school for 17 years and four children later, Paula served as a teacher's aide for two years. It was then that she realized teaching was her passion and decided to go back to school to get her Masters of Science in Education. In 1995, with 5 children applauding mommy as she walked across the stage to accept her degree, Paula graduated from Queens College. Paula has been married to Donald, the love of her life, for 39 years this month. He visits Number Two School often as a volunteer in the Paula class. They are blessed with 5 grown children and have 7 grandchildren. Paula has her certification in Special Education and has been teaching for 23 years. She says that she is still thrilled when she hears one of her students say, "Oh, Mrs. Farrier! Now I get it!" We are happy to announce Paula Farrier as the Superintendent’s Employee of the Month.
The Lawrence Public Schools Academic Initiatives
Data Driven Instruction
Social Emotional Learning
Response to Intervention
Common Core Standards
For More Information: District Academic Plan
