MEDICAL ECONOMICS & BUSINESS OF MEDICINE
Our Students & the Community We Serve
By Abby Dolliver, Superintendent of Norwich Public Schools
Norwich Public Schools includes two preschool centers, seven
elementary schools (grades K-5), two magnet middle schools
(grades 6-8), a Transition Academy for 18-21 year-old students,
and a Regional Adult Education Center. For grades 9-12 students
can attend a variety of high school options, although Norwich
Free Academy is the district’s designated high school where most
students attend. With the growth of school choice in the state and
country, students have school choice opportunities, at all grade
levels. We, at Norwich Public Schools, work to provide students
with the best educational experience possible.
As a life-long resident, born, raised, and currently living here in
Norwich, I can tell you that our Norwich community has changed
dramatically over my lifetime; drastic changes can even be noted
over the past several years. In order to most effectively serve our
community it is critical that those providing essential services
understand and embrace the evolving mosaic of Norwich.
The shifting job market in the region has resulted in residents
accessing much lower wage jobs than in previous decades. Many
families in the region are classified as ALICE (Asset Limited, Income
Constrained, Employed), based on a 2016 United Way report. Forty
seven percent of households, in fact, have working adults in the
household who are unable to afford basic needs. These struggles
and changes are now evident in our schools. Our teams work to
ensure adequate wraparound services for our students so we, along
with other local community agencies, can ensure our students
basic needs are met, they are entering school on a more level
playing field, and we are giving all students the opportunity to learn
and thrive in Norwich Public Schools. We provide this support to
students and families through our school lunch program, our school
attendance teams, our support for English Learners and Special
Education students, and a daily commitment to supporting the
whole child.
MEAL PROGRAMS
In the 2017-18 school year the Norwich Public School District
provided free lunch to 71% of students who qualified based
on family income, compared to 2008-09 data where only 66%
of students qualified for free lunch. This is an increase of five
percentage points over the past 10 years. Because of the ever-
increasing number of students qualifying for free lunch, the
district will be providing free breakfast and lunch to all Norwich
Public School students beginning in the 2018-19 school year. By
implementing a universal free breakfast and lunch program, parents
will no longer need to submit paperwork to prove a financial burden
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and qualify for free lunch, which can make many feel uncomfortable
needing to ask for support; and students will not be subject to
receiving an “oops meal” (a different, less expensive meal than
the standard offered lunch) should their lunch account balance
be depleted. In addition to breakfast and lunch, our district will
continue to offer the free supper program to students enrolled in
after school programs, and will continue the summer meals program.
The summer meals program served 39,000 breakfasts and lunches
to students 18 and under throughout our community at 33 locations
such as schools, playgrounds, and Otis Library. Federal funding
supports all free meal programs in the district.
ATTENDANCE
Norwich Public Schools families have a high level of transiency and
chronic absenteeism. Last year, 12.2% of students were chronically
absent from school (missing 10% or more of their days enrolled),
and 30% of students enrolled in the district either began or ended
the year in a school different than where they began. To maintain
a level of consistency for student learning, our district has invested
in staff to address issues of chronic absenteeism and has worked
to provide a consistent curriculum throughout our district to ensure
students attend school more regularly and remain on target when
moving between district schools throughout the year.
ENGLISH LEARNERS & DISPLACED STUDENTS
Norwich Public Schools is extremely linguistically diverse. Our
students and their families speak over 30 languages. English is not
the primary language spoken in the homes of over 600 Norwich
Public Schools students. This number increased during the 2017-18
school year when over 80 students came to us after being displaced
from Puerto Rico last year. For some, this was a temporary move
as their families rebuilt and for others, the move was permanent.
Regardless of the family’s long term plan, we work to provide each
student with consistency and support to transition to Norwich
Schools.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Over 130 students with special needs are enrolled in specialized
programs outside of Norwich while we service approximately 1100
in district. As of February 28, 2018 we have approximately 100 more
students identified with special needs than we did October 1, 2016.
The needs are growing. Over 275 of Norwich’s preschool eligible
students are currently being serviced at Bishop Early Learning
Center. On average 40% of students are identified with special
needs.
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The Norwich Public School community includes all students,
families, staff, and community members. We believe that coherence
is built from a unified mindset in all that we do. Our practices
are grounded in our shared philosophies and guide the essential
work we do with students. We cultivate a safe and positive
school environment where we build a strong community through
collaboration, communication and commitment. We are dedicated
to advancing students academically and socially in preparation
for success in school and beyond. We build positive and effective
Editor’s Note:
Is public education a public health issue? Dr. Peter Shea argues
cogently that the Social Determinants of Health (SDoH) are
as important or more important than traditional clinical risk
factors. Read between the lines of Abby Dolliver’s focus as
Superintendent of the Norwich Public Schools. Education is
almost secondary issue when faced with the responsibility of
securing breakfast and lunch for children in a school district
in which 71% of children fall below the poverty line, teaching
English to 600 immigrant children, accepting 80 students from
hurricane ravaged Puerto Rico, and stemming the high rate of
MEDICAL ECONOMICS & BUSINESS OF MEDICINE
partnerships committed to the success of all students. We honor
each other’s contributions to ensure a positive school community
that fosters consistent communication and positive relationships.
We believe all students can learn at high levels.
We look to each of you as our partner and together it is our
responsibility to care about and provide for our students, families
and community. n
truancy. The success or failure of public health in America starts
with our children who require good nutrition, adequate rest, a
drug free safe home environment, and a first-rate elementary
education. Solving any one of these problems is challenging
enough. Abby Dolliver must deal with all of these social issues
and she is bravely and unflinchingly tackling them. The federal
grant for free breakfast and lunch program for all public school
children is a great success. How can we physicians help? Read
Dr. Peter Shea’s article “Social Determinants of Health”.
- Dennis Slater MD
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