Vernon Public Schools: 2020 Accomplishments By The Numbers

VERNON, CT — Vernon Superintendent of Schools Joseph Macary this week released a detailed set of statistics that he said demonstrates a "continued focus on students" during a "turbulent time."

He was referring to the school system in 2020, a year that was interrupted by the coronavirus.

"Traditionally, during this time of the year, everyone looks forward to the new year by making resolutions and striving to make the world around them a better place to live," Macary said in his introduction. "The year 2020 has created new norms in all our lives and we need to reflect on this past year. In January and February, the district had been going strong, setting higher sights on student achievement in all our classrooms. Then on Friday, March 13, 2020 we hit a wall and moved to remote learning due to the COVID-19 health pandemic."

He continued, "Our re-focus became creating high standards of teaching and learning and creating an optimal educational environment — in and out of schools — for all students."

Here's a review of some 2020 accomplishments, by the numbers:

• By June of 2020, 236 Rockville High School students received college credit through their academic studies. Students either passed Advanced Placement exams, UConn Early College Experience courses, articulated classes with Manchester (and Middlesex) Community College, or Goodwin University. Of the RHS students earning college credit, 124 — or 64 percent — were members of the graduating Class of 2020. The credits our students translated to an estimated $360,500 in savings on college tuition.
• A total of 92 seniors were awarded community scholarships worth $275,110.
• Graduation rates increased from 76.5 percent to 78.2 percent to 85.2 percent over the past three years.
• A total of 33 Rockville High School students were winners in the 2020 Scholastic Art and Writing Awards presented by the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. RHS students received 57 awards this year, including eight Gold Keys, 21 Silver Keys, and 28 Honorable Mentions —the highest number of any participating high school in Connecticut.
• The Rockville High School creative writing program had six platinum published award winners, two gold award winners, 10 silver award winners and 35 honorable mentions in UConn's Connecticut Student Writer Magazine competition - more awards than any other high school in CT.
• RHS has four finalists in the 2020 "It's All Write!" National Writing Contest. Writers submitted an original flash fiction or poem that was judged by a panel of published authors.
• From March until June 2020, more than 60,000 drive-up free school meals were served by the food and nutrition services department. That is 21,000 more meals served than in the summer of 2019. Vernon Public School system continues to serve students and families by providing meals 7 days a week.
• More than 850 people responded to an end-of-the year survey. The results showed that 85.4 percent of the respondents rated the education system in Vernon with a grade of A or B. A total of 92.6 percent said gave teachers a favorable ranking. Additionally, 91.3 percent of the respondents said the school system is is "heading in the right direction."

"The key to successful leadership is taking a disadvantage and turning it into an advantage," Macary said. "Today's students have different academic, social, and emotional needs than those of earlier generations. Their needs are continually changing, and schools need to adapt, especially during this past year with the COVID-19 health pandemic. The Vernon public schools never wavered from its district core beliefs: advocate a whole child approach to student learning, maximize student performance and set high expectations, and integrate family and community with the education system. These core beliefs grounded us in the work to enhance student learning and support families during this past year."