Cherry Lane Elementary School leaders explain rationale for new report card, seek community feedback

Education Cherry Lane Elementary School leaders explain rationale for new report card, seek community feedback By Nicholas Gordon … Comments Posted on October 27, 2026 Cherry Lane Elementary School assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and innovation Leigh Shaw presented updates on the school’s curriculum and proposed report card changes. Nicholas Gordon Cherry Lane Elementary School principal Lauren Moriarty and assistant superintendent of curriculum, instruction and innovation Leigh Shaw presented updates on the school’s curriculum and proposed report card changes at the Carle Place Board of Education meeting on Thursday, Oct. 22. Assistant superintendent for business Joanna DeMartino also presented a facilities and maintenance update.  Presenting the third of four sessions on the topic, Moriarty said that the catalyst for their proposed changes was a literacy committee’s assessment of the school’s curriculum and grading system. “One of the big things that came out of our assessment was that our report card wasn’t exactly matching what our students were learning,” Moriarty said. “We really took time over the last year to analyze what we were assessing students on and looking at our curriculum to make meaningful changes so that our report cards are transparent and aligned with what students are learning in their classrooms.” Moriarty explained that switching to a trimester structure, which is used by most Long Island school districts, would give students more time to demonstrate meaningful progress. Shaw outlined the goals for the updated report card: aligning their classroom work to the New York State learning standards and to the revised curricula, making student progress visible and clear to teachers and families, and embedding a growth mindset and developmentally appropriate grading system. “For vertical alignment, we really wanted to show that growth from grade to grade and from student to student is strong and aligned,” Moriarty said, describing a clear path for what students are learning from kindergarten to first and second grade. “When we know that path, and parents and students know that path, that’s when we’re most successful.” Shaw, showing samples of the old and new report cards, said that transparency was the goal for what students are being graded on with the new report card. “We wanted to make sure our grading scales had a growth mindset built into them,” Shaw said, explaining how the new report card shows students’ incremental progress even when they haven’t advanced to the next learning standard. Invoking Lev Vygotsky’s zone of proximal development, which describes the difference between what learners can do independently and what they can accomplish with guidance, Shaw described how the Cherry Lane teachers have been working to foster greater student independence.   Moriarty showed two different grading scales the committee is considering. “We wanted to find a grading scale that was meaningful for students and parents and really honoring the work that students are putting in every day,” Moriarty said, outlining a four-point scale that provides consistent student support, and a three-point scale that includes an independent-learning tier. “This is something that we’re asking our community for feedback on,” Moriarty said, sharing a QR code linking to a survey. “We want to hear from families on what would help you the most so that you can partner with us and support your child’s learning at home.” DeMartino also reported progress on several facilities projects in the district. At the middle/high school, phase one of the HVAC project is complete, including new ceilings and lighting in 38 classrooms and three hallways. Ceiling and lighting work in six additional classrooms is expected to be completed by Nov. 2. The school has also received new carpeting and flooring and fresh paint. A custom counter with wainscoting was built and installed by their in-house team. Masonry work to reinforce walls is expected to be completed by the end of the week. The maintenance team has also completed repairs to the athletic field house, DeMartino said. At Rushmore Avenue School, sheetrock installation and asbestos removal in the auditorium are complete, while spackling is ongoing. Scaffolding is expected to come down this week, and the floors will be patched as needed. New parking lot lighting has been installed to address a safety concern, and new tile has been installed in the boys’ bathroom.  At Cherry Lane, new classroom signs and corkboards have been installed in the hallways.  About the Author Conversations Profile All comments are subject to our Community Guidelines. Schneps Media does not endorse the views shared by readers in our comment sections. Tomorrow, 10 am Deconstructing Venue Hofstra University Museum of Art Tomorrow, 11 am Eastern Sicily: The Melting Pot of Cultures Connetquot Public Library Tomorrow, 11 am The Disappearance of Landscape: Oakleyville The Watermill Center Tomorrow, noon Putting Your Garden Beds to Bed: Leave the Leaves Southold Free Library Tomorrow, 1 pm Kathy Bates: Prolific and Multi-talented with Marc Courtade Rogers Memorial Library Tomorrow, 4 pm Club WellLife WellLife Building – Shari’s Place on main floor