Charlene Cook
Respect and responsibility are the core values of the Joseph L. Mulready School and the foundation of our educational program. As a progressive school district we educate each child to do his/her own personal best and help each child reach his/her full potential with the goal of each being a contributing member of society.
The school itself consists of grades one to five, including two substantially separate programs. Physical education, art, music, computer and library are also offered.
Academically, the school utilizes inquiry based instruction built on the best of the newest programs. The dedicated staff uses a variety of methods and media to teach skills and to ensure a warm, flexible, and comfortable learning environment. The overall education process is a thorough, sequential program that teaches, reteaches, and reinforces skills throughout the grades. We use whole group, small group and individual instruction to meet the instructional needs of our students and provide opportunity for growth at all levels.
Hudson utilizes a Balanced Literacy Approach for English and Language Arts instruction. A Balanced Literacy Approach provides student with daily opportunities to engage in various reading and writing activities to help them communicate more effectively. In a Balanced Literacy Framework, teachers inform their instruction based on students' progress and then flexibly adjusts instruction to meet students' language and vocabulary development, phonological and phonemic awareness, phonics and spelling, comprehension and writing.
We have a highly professional staff of creative, conscientious and realistic individuals who work together for the growth and development of all who attend the school. Our caring teachers are generous with their time and care about their children and the quality of instruction they provide. When a problem arises, the staff works together, offering suggestions and/or advice to ensure the continued smooth operation of the school. Our staff boasts a wide variety of experiences and certifications. Three of the teachers have been nominated for Teacher of the Year by the Marlborough Masons Corporation. One staff member has had an article published in "The Reading Teacher," a journal of the National Reading Association. Many teachers have had programs of theirs highlighted in the local newspapers. The faculty and administration work closely with the Parents' Association, which generously supports the educational programs with time and resources.
The school provides a number of special and extra-curricular activities. There are support groups for those dealing with the results of abuse, divorce, drugs and alcohol. Optional reading programs offered are: R.I.F. - Reading is Fundamental - a program that sponsors reading contests and distributes books to the students three times a year. R.I.F. is funded through the federal government with support from the Parents' Association. March of Dimes Read-a-Thon - students are challenged to read as many books as they can during a one-month period and are rewarded with a medal for the number of books read with any proceeds from sponsors going to the March of Dimes. Read at Home Program is an opportunity for parents to assist their children in reading outside of school. Parents and students who participate are given an ice cream party twice a year. The Summer Reading Program provides the children with lists of enjoyable books on their own level for pleasure reading.
The Parents' Association provides many Fine Arts Programs. The integration of special and regular education students is a major goal of all of these activities.
Many of the activities mentioned above offer the students' awards. Besides those listed, student are also recognized by such activities as Presidential Academic Awards and the Presidential Physical Fitness Awards.
All students at the Mulready School are involved in Community Service Learning projects throughout the year. Some of these projects are: recycling and food drive for the food pantry.
Testimonials from parents and former students attest to the school's success. "The Best Teachers Teach Us To Give Our Best," "The Joseph L. Mulready School is a wonderful place for children to grow," The staff is wonderful and caring," I appreciate the caring and learning that my children have received in your classrooms."