Salisbury Academy looks forward to new year

Salisbury Academy looks forward to beginning the new school year with many new students. Enrollment is growing, as are the school’s connections to more areas of town and surrounding counties.

The school is enjoying the benefits of specialized attention from Dr. Jean Owen, a Consultant for Curriculum and Instruction. Dr. Owen’s contribution to the program has paid off immensely, and Diane Fisher, Head of School, has created a strong network for faculty, students and parents.

“It’s the shared understanding of the learning process that is so beneficial,” said Fisher. “Clear and constant communication between home and school is so important.

“We stress communication, welcome it, and seek it if we don’t hear from parents.”

Professional development is also a very important element in successful schools. Staying current on best teaching practices and available tools is essential in today’s world, and Salisbury Academy makes time for it weekly. Combining new techniques with proven strategies makes for a superb learning environment.

Salisbury Academy uses the Core Knowledge Sequence developed by E.D. Hirsh to deliver curriculum in a logical way that is developmentally appropriate. Field trips, hands-on projects, and guest speakers bring the curriculum to life for the students. Strong study habits and student ownership of the learning process are valuable components at Salisbury Academy and are important lessons for success in any school or profession.

Using our community’s resources teaches the students the value of community relationships. Catawba College’s Center for the Environment, the Rowan Museum, Waterworks Visual Arts Center, and the Rowan Public Library are a few organizations with which the school enjoys symbiotic relationships.

Something that sets Salisbury Academy apart is the “All Kinds of Minds” approach to meeting different learning styles in every classroom. Last year the school hosted a seminar on the subject, drawing educators from across the state.

Teachers at Salisbury Academy are trained to understand individual student needs, to meet students “where they are,” and to help students learn in the ways that they learn best.

The generosity of parents and other friends of the school supported technology advances for this year. New equipment has been purchased to be used in every classroom of the school, benefitting every student. In addition to an existing computer lab and classroom desktop computers, newly purchased wireless mini-laptops will allow students to access the internet anywhere in the school and will greatly enhance teachers’ lessons. Beverly Fowler leads the school’s Technology Committee working with teachers to further integrate technology in the classrooms, and Jenny Craft is the school’s Technology Coordinator. The school has been selected as a beta test site for the city’s new Fibrant fiber optic network.

All teachers and staff will return to Salisbury Academy this year with the addition of two new assistants. Kathey Fisher is joining the staff as the assistant for first grade with over 30 years of experience in classroom teaching. Fisher graduated from UNC-Charlotte with a degree in Education. She also has certificates in Language Arts and English as a Second Language from UNC-Charlotte, UNC-Greensboro, and Catawba College. Fisher and husband, Allen, have two children. Margaret Branning joined the staff in the spring as the assistant for second grade. Branning is a graduate of UNC-Charlotte where she studied political science. Prior to joining us, Branning lived and worked in Washington, D.C. and Switzerland. She is currently studying to obtain a Masters in Teaching with a focus in Elementary Education from UNC-Charlotte as well. The Academy has also added Ashley Graham in a new position for Communications and Public Relations allowing Salisbury Academy to share the school’s news with the school community and the greater Salisbury-Rowan community. Graham is a graduate of Wake Forest University, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Master of Arts in Management from the Babcock School of Management.

The academy is governed by a Board of Trustees chaired by Mr. Greg Alcorn and operates under the leadership of Mrs. Diane Fisher, Head of School. Director of Curriculum and Instruction is Dr. Jean Owen; Middle School Division Head is Mrs. Heather Coulter, and Lower School Division Head is Mrs. Beverly Fowler. The campus is located at 2210 Jake Alexander Boulevard, North near the intersection of Jake Alexander and Statesville boulevards.

Salisbury Academy has 25 faculty and staff members and an optimum class size of 20 students.

An active parents’ association and booster club provide support and enhance the school community.

Salisbury Academy is a member of the Core Knowledge Network and Foundation (www.coreknowledge. org) and the National Association of Independent Schools. The school is accredited by the Southern Association of Independent Schools (www.sais.org).

Salisbury Academy welcomes current and new students back to school for the 2010-2011 school year.