My View
By Sue Genthner
Another summer begins on the island, the official school year is ending, but many teachers, staff and administrators are already working on the next academic year, planning and putting together new learning materials. At this pivotal change of seasons, the Nantucket School Committee would like to showcase a collaborative, island-wide effort to provide students with innovative educational opportunities.

Nantucket is rich in natural resources; its beaches, moors and unique flora and fauna attract visitors who enjoy its vistas and simple yet spectacular natural settings. Our island also enjoys extraordinary human resources in the realms of art, literature, drama, film, music, science and business. In 2004, during our Strategic Planning, Future Search Conference, it was the consensus of 70 community representatives to challenge the School Committee to tap into this wealth of local knowledge and experience. We were asked to utilize the natural educational venues that are all over the island in an enriching, inter-disciplinary and overarching way in the school system.

To that end, a goal of the School Committee and Superintendent, beginning this past year, has been to promote the Island as Campus concept throughout the K-12 curriculum. Our community has been consistently generous to the public schools, both in financial support and through in-kind contributions and collaboration. We are making a concerted effort to expand the scope of partnerships already implemented by teachers and we are cultivating new ones. The following are some of our more recent collaborations:

+ The Nantucket Historical Association's first student-curated photographic exhibition, "Landmarks of Nantucket," is on display at the Whaling Museum through November 12, 2007. A photographic exhibition by thirty-four Nantucket sixth-seventh- and eighth-graders from Cyrus Peirce Middle School, it showcases what the students consider to be their cherished Nantucket landmarks. The exhibition was organized by the NHA, the Nantucket Preservation Trust and Sustainable Nantucket. By identifying and photographing these special spots the students personalize Nantucket's history, reflect on what is important in our community and highlight the importance of preserving our island heritage.

+ The Maria Mitchell Association continues to be a valuable partner in our efforts to enhance our science curriculum. The MMA staff is consulting with NPS teachers to develop a comprehensive series of units with a field trip component that affords students access to island science experts and to the unique features of Nantucket that provide significant scientific value for exploration and research projects.

+ NHS students will have an opportunity to explore careers in aviation through an ACE aviation camp sponsored this summer by the Nantucket Memorial Airport, the FAA, the National Air Traffic Controllers Association, the Aero Club of NE and the Nantucket Flying Club. Because Nantucket does not have its own vocational school we continually try to find opportunities for students to gain skills in their areas of interest. NPS has very successful Culinary Arts and Construction Technology programs that would not be possible without the generous support of the Nantucket Restaurant Association and Builders Association.

+ Through the efforts of the Community School, 190 elementary school children received a full dental exam by dentists from the Forsyth Institute. Island dentists will work together to be certain our children receive follow-up care. The Community School's Adult Education component partnered with Our Island Home and the Upper Cape Regional Technical School Nursing Program to provide on-island LPN training. They used the school and the Cottage Hospital as their base of operations and Nantucket's first class of LPNs will graduate this spring. Providing quality health services in our community ensures that our children are ready to learn.

+ The Nantucket Golf Club Foundation promotes excellence in the Nantucket Public Schools through its support of our partnership with Maria Mitchell and the NHA, and through grant funding to the Community School and the Friends of Nantucket Public Schools. Most recently the foundation has helped to inspire students through the Nantucket Scholar Program and the Excellence in Teaching Awards. Nantucket Golf Club's support validates the high achievement that our schools strive to represent.

+ Other groups with which the school continues to collaborate include: the Atheneum (One Island One Book), the Nantucket Film Festival (screenwriting workshops), internships with island businesses, opportunities to perform with Theatre Workshop and exhibits with the Artists Association (student art shows).

These partnerships enhance the educational experience of our students by focusing on projectbased learning and by encouraging them to explore an area of interest with real life role models and results-oriented, hands-on learning. The primary goal is to improve our curriculum, support our staff through professional development opportunities and make education relevant to the student's everyday life. The added benefit is that our supportive community gets to know our schools, our staff and our students better.

This effort is the result of the commitment of our teachers, administrators and community members who are dedicated and passionate about inspiring our students to learn, to achieve their goals, and to grow in their appreciation of our wonderful island environment. We welcome ideas from others who would like to partner with NPS in a way that supports our curriculum. Please contact the Superintendent or any School Committee member

with your thoughts. I

Sue Genthner is chairman of the Nantucket School Committee.