'Teamwork' is Key at Center School

If you've ever walked into Easton's , it is hard not to notice the tight quarters. The gymnasium is also home to the cafeteria and music rooms. Offices double as conference rooms and teachers end up sharing many of their resources.

For Principal Debra DiCenso, though, that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

"We’ve learned to be in each other’s spaces and we’ve learned to team up," she said. "It’s a real team mentality here. The teachers are amazing – very kind, caring and invested people. It’s a warm place – very nurturing."

DiCenso has had some time to get used to the school's environment. Now heading into her eighth year, she faces a much different outlook than the principals at Easton's other two elementary schools, who are both heading into their second year.

She said her seven prior years at the school have helped her develop a strong standard that is able to be improved upon year after year. This year, there will be a lot of emphasis on the school's "open circle" curriculum, which teaches students to avoid "dangerous and destructive behavior."

"They know about self-space. They know they should respect others and property," she said. "But, we want to see it carry over to things where, say, they line up and its less structured - or in the cafeteria. That’s one of our goals as a whole staff: to position ourselves so we’re all saying and doing the same things – making it consistent – that sort of thing."

Like other schools in the , she hopes technology will play a bigger role in students' learning this year. Through funds received from Foundation for Education Excellence in Easton, the school received seven new brightlink projectors. She is relying on the teamwork of Center School's staff to put them to use.

"We need to rely on some of our teachers who are trying it more than others or feel more confident," DiCenso said. "So, we’re going to be teaching eachother how to use it, based on the things that we each learn."

While the school's staff will continue to carry on its tradition of always working together, there will be no new faces. The school did not hire any new staff this year. Additionally, district-wide budget cuts have forced staff members to be more frugal and resourceful.

"We’re really watching what we do," said Dicenso. "For instance, for handwriting, instead of buying workbooks, we’re using paper and white boards and markers and things like that."

In addition to tight bonds between teachers, administrators and students, Dicenso hopes to continue her work to get to know parents this year. Last year, she began meeting with any parent who wished to volunteer in the classroom. In all, approximately 180 parents volunteered at one point in the school year.

Continuing that objective is what she looks forward to most in 2011 - 2012.

"I’m looking forward to just building those relationships more," she said.