School Profile

Administrators:

Principal: Amity Small

Assistant Principal: Scott Sicard

Special Education Program Director: Lisa Frenette

Music Director: Serge Beaulieu (K-12)

Facilities Profile: Matthew Thornton School is a school of 74,250 sq. ft. (including a second floor in the back of the building) consisting of 27 classrooms and two district special education classrooms, a gymnasium with stage, art room, music room, a cafeteria, and a library media center. The school has a playground area, a baseball/softball field and an all-purpose field.

Learning Environment: Matthew Thornton School offers a variety of instructional programs designed to meet individual student needs. We also provide remedial reading and math support as well as enrichment programs at all grade levels. Instructional assistance is provided on a daily basis to teachers for reading and as needed in other curricular areas. This assistance helps us to create smaller “learning communities” in the classroom. It also enables the use of flexible grouping practices in the areas of reading and mathematics.

Mission Statement: Matthew Thornton School’s mission is to provide all students with the vision, skills, and knowledge necessary to maximize their individual potential. Central to this accomplishment is the collaboration among all shareholders and disciplines so that students can become contributing members of society and appreciate that learning is a life-long process.

Special Programs: We provide many opportunities for students to grow and develop their varied talents including: Enrichment Programs, Before/After School Programs, Nationally Recognized School Library Program, Blue Ribbon Volunteer Program, Books and Beyond Reading Program, Student Council and Community Reading Program.

Music: General Music classes are held for all students on a weekly basis. An Instrumental Band Program is offered for Grade 5, an Orchestra Program and a Choral Program for students in Grades 4-5, and a String Ensemble Program. Performance members participate in a variety of programs including winter and spring concerts, Memorial Day Parade Program and other special activities.

Special Education: Programming for students with educational disabilities is highly individualized with the idea that all students are included in the regular curriculum to the largest extent possible. The regular classroom teacher, special education teachers and paraprofessionals provide services through the use of small group and/or individual instruction. Other services include speech language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy and counseling. Students with more significant disabilities may also be serviced by one of our district wide programs, if deemed appropriate.

Guidance/Counseling: Counselors are available for our student population at Matthew Thornton School when developmental challenges occur, as well as being a support system in dealing with issues from divorce, alcohol and/or drug dependency, death of a loved one, or difficult peer relationships.  The goal is to help children grow academically while giving support and education related to these issues.  Referrals to the guidance department may come from students, parents and teachers. 

Library Media Program: The Library Media Center provides a comprehensive collection of resources to support the curriculum, promote an appreciation of reading, and develop information literacy skills. Additionally, the Library Media Specialist works collaboratively with teachers to develop projects that reinforce these skills. As of 9/01/2019, the collection includes: 20,642 circulating items; 449 reference volumes; 8 electronic data base subscription services and 17 periodical subscriptions.  Presently, there are ten library computers available to support teaching and learning as well as a variety of other audio-visual and technology resources. 

Technology Resources: Computers with internet access for instructional use are located in the classrooms and in the Library Media Center.  Additionally, four mobile labs of 25 computers each are available for classroom use.  Technology skills and benchmarks are integrated into the curriculum.  Interactive white boards are also available to support classroom and information literacy instruction which serves to enrich shared learning experiences.  Each first grade classroom currently has 6 iPads, while one second grade class will have 6 and the others, one iPad each this year.  

PE/Athletics: All our students receive weekly PE instruction focusing on fitness, safety, and good sportsmanship.  Fifth grade students participate in a district wide Cross-Country Program, which culminates in a Londonderry Cross Country Race attended by students from the three elementary schools.  Fifth graders also have the opportunity to practice and participate in an elementary track and field event. We also have an extensive intramural program for all grade levels. 

Parent Involvement: Matthew Thornton School has a very active Parent/Teacher Association. The PTA helps to facilitate our mission statement by providing a variety of learning experiences through extra-curricular and curricular programming. Volunteers are welcome and necessary to support our instructional programs.  The PTA meets on the second Thursday of each month. 

Activities: Matthew Thornton School students are able to participate in a variety of extra-curricular activities, including: 

• After School Sports

• Band

• Chorus

• Cross Country Team

• Destination Imagination

• Drama Club

• IGYB

• Orchestra

• Reflections

• Student Council

• Track Team

History: Matthew Thornton School opened as Central School in 1949. Additions were made in 1952, 1960, 1965 and 1985. In 1975 the name of Central School was changed to Matthew Thornton School.