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BRIDGEPORT Through the generous donations from a pair of distinguished alumni, the Bridgeport Exempted Village School District’s commitment to begin an aggressive campaign to improve in Reading, Math and Science is well on its way.
The district received $12,500 that will be used towards the purchase of a new program called the Waterford program and to upgrade the current SuccessMaker program. Alan Marty donated $10,000 and Bill Gatchell gave $2,500.
“Mr. Marty and Mr. gatchell did a generous thing in paying forward to benefit the children of Bridgeport,” said former interim Superintendent Jerry Narcisi.
Lisa Clark, Technology and Co-curriculum Coordinator, said that in the spring, Bridgeport Schools envisioned a goal to improve the primary and middle school curriculum of Reading, Math and Science.
“This goal led to the objective to institute a new award-winning program called the waterford program and to upgrade the current SuccessMaker program,” Clark said.
Waterford is an interactive software program that is developed through rigorous scientific-based research models. The Waterford program is a complete standards-based interactive multimedia curriculum. According to Clark, it engages students using individualized reading, math and science instruction fully aligned to Ohio’s Academic Content Standards.
“One of the unique things about this program is that the program constantly monitors each student’s mastery of skills while adapting instruction to meet each child’s individual needs,” Clark added.
One of the objectives of the program is to target individual learning styles and provide each student prescribed intervention for total success.
Charlene Pugh, one of the teachers involved in the recommendation to pursue the program said, “The Waterford and SuccessMaker programs will help each of our students achieve their highest potential and will build foundation for a lifetime of learning.”
Clark added that the current SuccessMaker program that has been utilized in the past has contributed to the impact on educational improvement of the Bridgeport students. The school has moved from the standard of “Continuous Improvement” to “Effective” for this school year.
Narcisi indicated that the school, with the leadership of Treasurer Amy Porter, was able to budget a portion of the cost from expected revenues from “stimulus” funds. The school is currently campaigning for additional financial support to complete the software and hardware acquisition.
Board of Ed Vice President Roger Stewart joined President Mike McGrath in saying, “We express our gratitude to both individuals who are the first to step up and financially support this project.” They went on to say that the community and alumni have always played an integral part in the support of the youth through the years.
“With the support already realized, implementation of the Pre-K through second grade programming will begin at the start of this school year,” Clark added. “Full implementation is expected the following school year.”
To support this endeavor to improve the education of Bridgeport Schools, the public and alumni can contribute by sending their tax deductible donation to: The Waterford Project, Bridgeport Schools, 55781 National Rd., Bridgeport, Ohio, 43912. The donor’s personal name or business name will be displayed on a plaque to the educational improvement of the children of Bridgeport.
For additional information on the Waterford program, visits www.waterfordearlylearning.org.
North can be reached at knorth@timesleaderonline.com