About Russell Elementary School

Rumney, the site of Russell Elementary School (RES), is a small rural town nestled in the White Mountains of northern New Hampshire. The townspeople, for the most part, are self-employed loggers, mill workers, or retired. Rumney supports a population of approximately 1,600 residents.

The Rumney School Board, Russell Elementary School Administration and Staff are committed to providing a safe and comfortable atmosphere in which children can learn. This includes showing respect for one another and the school facility, encouraging a sense of self-responsibility and taking pride in working to the best of one's ability. Within this environment, we also are committed to:

Developing each student's full academic potential;

• Cultivating good character, citizenship and self-reliance;
• Helping students to build positive self-esteem and desire to become life long learners;
• Encouraging collaboration among staff to provide learning experiences relevant to all students' needs;
• Implementing curriculum in ways which will motivate and challenge students to learn;
• Involving students in programs that promote healthful living;
• Establishing a school and community partnership.

RES has student population of approximately 140 students. RES houses students in grades 1-8 and the community provides the financial support for parents to send their children to kindergarten at the age of five. Class size ranges from approximately 14 to 21 students per grade level. There is one class per grade level. Grades 1-5 are self contained classrooms. Grade 6 is a modified departmentalized class. The students switch class for math. Grade 7 and 8 are departmentalized with four teachers sharing the core subject areas and student population.

The community of Rumney supports the endeavors of the school by sustaining a budget which provides for the emotional, physical and academic needs of its students. This includes the support of the following professional positions: special education teachers for grades K-4 and 5-8, art, guidance, health, physical education, music, computer technology, reading specialist and library media teacher. RES students, who are in need, also benefit from the services of a speech therapist, occupational therapist and a physical therapist.

In 2002-03, RES adopted the Lesley Literacy Collaborative model for grades 1-2 and since the 2003-04 school year has made adequate yearly progress as defined by No Child Left Behind. During the 2005-2006 school year, RES received private funding which will allow the 3-8 staff to receive training in the Lesley Literacy Collaborative. By the end of the 2007-2008 school year, RES will be fully trained as a Lesley Literacy Collaborative school. This training and support also includes the adoption and support of Reading Recovery for students in the first grade.

Other initiatives include the training of eleven staff members in Schools Attuned. "Schools Attuned is a comprehensive professional development and service program that offers educators new methods for recognizing, understanding, and managing students with differences in learning. When implemented within schools, this program enriches the way in which all students are educated" (www.schoolsattunded.org).