2 - January 27, 2012 | Hudson - Litchfield News Math Expert Talks to Hudson School Board by Lynne Ober Accolades Air Force Airman Ian D. Geddes graduated from basic military


training at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, TX. Geddes is the brother of Kristin Davis of Hudson and a 2010 graduate of Alvirne High School. The following students have been named to the Dean’s List for the first semester at Saint Anselm College: Katelin B. Brouillette, Nursing major, class of 2014; Molly J. Brun, Nursing major, class of 2014; Casey R. Campos, Nursing major, class of 2014; Allison A. Forsythe, English major, class of 2015; Kate M. Martin, Psychology major, class of 2015; Christopher Jon McKay II, Chemistry major, class of 2015; Patrick N. Reidy, Chemistry major, class of 2015; Alexandra Rose Scafidi, Chemistry major, class of 2015; Kathryn A. Scafidi, Nursing major, class of 2012; John James Sullivan, Nursing major, class of 2015. Litchfield: George M. Regan, International Relations major, class of 2013. Kimberly A. Copley of Hudson received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Biology at the University of Vermont’s 208th Commencement ceremonies held in December. Steven Murray of Hudson made the Dean’s List for the fall semester at the Georgia Institute of Technology. The following students have been named to the Dean’s List at


Keene State College for the fall semester: From Hudson are John Ayer, Stephanie Barger, Jaime Briggs, Ashley Cardin, James Gillum, Emily LaPlant, Kameo LeLievre, Christina Longchamp, Katie Longchamp, Rebecca Mastropiero, Michael McLaughlin, Ashley Melanson, Amber Menard, Alyssa Munsell, Kaitlin Pease, John Skribiski, and Jessica Wojtkun. And from Litchfield: Emily Cooper, Shelby Davis, John Elliott, Taylor Hall, and Kristen King. Andrew Belliveau and Jessica Brun, both of Hudson, and Patrick McInnis of Litchfield were named to the Dean’s List for the fall semester at Quinnipiac University. The following Hudson residents have graduated from Franklin


Pierce University on June 30, 2011: Samantha Marie Cooper, Bachelor of Science in Sports & Recreation Management; and Christina Marie Terruso, Bachelor of Science in General Studies. Christopher Fernandes has been named to the University of


Delaware’s Dean’s List for fall semester. Fernandes is a Sophomore Business and Economics major from Hudson. The following Hudson residents were among 409 students honored for outstanding academic achievement by being named to the Dean’s List for the fall semester at Mount Ida College: Erica Demmons, Jennifer Gleason, and Rachel Kobelenz. Corey-Joseph Brier of Hudson was inducted into the Alpha Chi Honor Society at New England College during the fall semester. Brier, a senior, was also named to the Dean’s List. Hudson residents Joy Chiang, class of 2014, and Aaron Fellows, class of 2013, have earned Dean’s High Honors at Connecticut College for the fall semester: Hudson residents Adam Auclair, class of 2009, and Sara Auclair, class of 2010, have been named to the Dean’s List at the University of Akron for the fall semester. Both are graduates of Alvirne High School.


Assistant Superintendent Mary Ellen Ormond introduced Mahesh Sharma to the school board. This is his third year working in the district and the focus this year will be on elementary and middle school math students. Ormond said that Alvirne students have already shown improvements from the work he’s done in the district.


Internationally known for his groundbreaking work in mathematics learning problems and education, particularly dyscalculia and other specific learning disabilities in mathematics, Sharma is an author, teacher and teacher-trainer, researcher, consultant to public and private schools, as well as a public lecturer. Sharma is the former President and Professor of Mathematics Education at Cambridge College, where for more than thirty- five years, he taught mathematics and mathematics education to undergraduate and graduate students. Professor Sharma was also the Chief Editor and Publisher of Focus on Learning Problems in Mathematics, an international, interdisciplinary research journal with readership in more than 90 countries, and the Editor of The Math Notebook, a practical source of information for parents and teachers devoted to improving teaching and learning for all children. Today he is the founder and President of the Center for Teaching/ Learning of Mathematics, Inc., of Wellesley and Framingham, MA, and Berkshire Mathematics in England. Berkshire Mathematics facilitates his work in the UK and Europe. In that capacity, he provides direct services of evaluation and tutoring for students (children as well as adults) who have learning disabilities such as dyscalculia or face difficulties in learning mathematics. He works with teachers and school administrators to design strategies to improve mathematics curriculum and instruction for all. Sharma’s presentation was titled, “Is there something special about math teaching and learning? Must make transitions possible, that is where teachers come into play.” He questioned whether lack


of math was a social issue, commenting that you don’t hear people saying they have difficulty reading. His view is that the problem people have difficulty with math is due to the way it is taught. Two out of three people would not take a math course unless it is mandatory.


He told the board there are three things we don’t have in math.


1. We don’t have skills mastered, and need to have good strategies at each grade level, nonnegotiable skills. 2. Common definition of knowing “do we know it?” This will require that we use the third principle or consistency of methods for teaching throughout the grades.


“Our problems with math begin at the kindergarten level. Until


we have these three things we will continue to have problems. Need knowledge, concepts and procedures,” he commented. “We need to work with children, discuss what is being done, create enthusiasm in the students.” He called enthusiasm a function of competency, and competency a function of enthusiasm. “Without success we lose enthusiasm. Students need to recall using images (color, shape and size).” He also believes that students should have homework consistently; have work that is cumulative to date and a challenging activity. In addition, teachers must improve mastery of content and that children should practice in the classroom then practice at home.


He told the board that currently he is watching over a group of second graders (following them since Kindergarten) and monitoring their growth to see how strategies are working. What are the next steps for Hudson students? Sharma said, “We need to create enthusiasm for math, including no low level math classes at the high school level, and increase the number of students taking higher level math classes.” The board asked a number of questions and Ormond said that she would keep the board apprised of progress.


Jerry Michaud Gives a Big ‘Thank You’ to Alvirne Community


by Tom Tollefson Alvirne High School’s head custodian has one main message to


the school’s students, staff, and teachers, a big loud heartfelt “Thank you!”


In December, Michaud went to the hospital with critical small intestine complications. The beloved Alvirne personality was rushed into surgery and was in critical condition During the week he was in the hospital he received hundreds of cards and letters from students, teachers, former teachers, and staff. “It’s unbelievable how many cards I received. I didn’t realize


how many friends I had,” Michaud said. “When I got home, the students sent over a six foot by four foot wide banner with hundreds of names on it saying ‘get well Jerry, we miss you.’” In addition to his cards and banner, school board member Patty Langlais made a hospital visit to see how Michaud was recovering. “She came over the second day I was in the hospital with a card from her kindergarten,” Michaud said. The Alvirne community is now happy to see Michaud smiling and strolling through the hallways again after a successful recovery. “I want every student to be recognized for all their support. From the bottom of my heart thank you,” Michaud said. Over the last few years there have been rumors that Michaud was


Students in Mr. Jean’s health classes recently sent get well cards to long time Alvirne custodian and friend Gerry Michaud.


considering retirement. The Alvirne community can rest assure, after over 30 years, Michaud has no plans of retirement. He has stated he has a new lease on life since his recovery and is overjoyed to be back with the students, teachers, and staff. “I’m not going to retire. After I’ve received all those nice cards from the kids, I’m staying,” he said.


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