Mansfield
elementary tweaks the curriculum
Tuesday, September 06, 2005 •
By ANDREA EILENBERGER • The
Express-Times
MANSFIELD TWP. -- As students dust off
their book bags and sharpen their pencils for the start of
another school year, they can look forward to some changes
in the township elementary school.
A new principal and a new world language
program are just two of them.
Overall, administrators say the most
noticeable addition will be fun, creativity and innovation
in the district of 712 elementary students.
"We're trying really hard to get teachers
to think out of the box," said Superintendent Rita Seipp.
"Everyone has been very receptive of that."
Seipp taught in the district for three
years in the 1980s and returned in February as district
superintendent. She served as assistant principal in the
Knowlton Township School District, and then served as
principal in both the Jefferson Township and Montville
Township school districts, she said.
"This is like coming home," she
said.
Shortly after returning to the Mansfield
School District, she was charged with finding a new
principal for the coming school year. Ed Kemp, who taught at
the Tewksbury Township School District for 27 years, was her
"No. 1 pick," she said.
Kemp is known for his imaginative
language arts lessons and a host of national teaching
awards. He also served as assistant to the principal in
Tewksbury last year, he said.
"Both (Seipp and Kemp) have a very
hands-on approach, which is always appreciated in an
elementary setting," said board of education member Diane
Margolin. She said both administrators have taken the time
to get to know students and parents at various school
functions, including graduation and the school's park
dedication.
Kemp said he and Seipp are an ideal team,
and both want to try some new programs this year.
"We have the same philosophy," Kemp said.
"Work hard, put in a lot of time, but make it fun for us and
fun for the students."
Some changes this year include 65 new
computers, a full-time computer technician and a math
program that blends "traditional and contemporary methods,"
Seipp said.
The most noticeable change is in the
world language program, where students will learn sign
language.
Seipp suggested teachers put aside the
typical Spanish curriculum in favor of American sign
language, which is an approved language to be taught in
school, she said.
The choral director in one of the
districts Seipp previously worked in taught her students
some signs and the students took to it enthusiastically, and
she thought Mansfield students would have a similar
reaction, she said.
Besides teaching them how to sign, the
program "will teach kids awareness of those who have
disabilities," she said. It can also be integrated into the
classroom, and students can signal teachers when they need
assistance without disrupting the room, she said.
"All of the kids I talked to about it are
so thrilled," Margolin said.
The program is a great way to teach
students about tolerance and understanding, while
incorporating fundamental lessons, she said.
"Like any other coding, they will still
be doing problem-solving," she said.
Seipp said administrators will assess the
program as the year progresses to see if it will be
continued next year.
"I'm guessing it will be very popular and
lots of fun," Seipp said. "But, we will still have Spanish
materials on hand, so teachers can integrate it into their
lessons if they want to."
Reporter Andrea Eilenberger can be reached at
908-475-8044 or by e-mail at aeilenberger@express-times.com.
© 2005 The Express-Times. Used with
permission.
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