East Derry Memorial Elementary is a kindergarten through grade five school located in a residential area of Derry, NH. It has a student enrollment of about 415 children served by a faculty of about seventy dedicated and energetic people. Class sizes range from 18-25 children depending upon grade.
The curriculum includes math, reading, writing, language arts, science and social studies. In addition, children receive instruction in technology, art, music, physical education and library. Literacy is orchestrated using the “Reader's Workshop” framework. In mathematics, EDMES will be piloting a few different programs this year. A couple of grade levels will continue to use the "Four Frames" framework, which we have been using for years. The school’s PACE program provides enrichment and additional challenge to students. Help is available at all grade levels through our Remedial Reading, English as a Second Language and Special Education departments. To gather data to help inform instruction, the Developmental Reading and Northwest Evaluation Association Assessments are administered to students at various times during the school year. East Derry Memorial is also a member of the Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) network, and as such, we hold very high expectations for the respect, responsibility and safety displayed by the members of our school community.
The school’s faculty participates regularly in a variety of professional development opportunities provided by the Derry Cooperative School District. Workshops in areas such as literacy, mathematics, assessment, technology, differentiated instruction, curriculum mapping, special education and other best instructional practices are offered on an ongoing basis. District committees monitor, review and revise curriculum throughout the year.
The school has an active and vibrant PTA. Some of the events that the PTA has sponsored each year have been a Fall Festival, Sweet Heart Dance and Holiday Shopping. PTA fundraisers have helped teachers to purchase technology, classroom items, provided support for field trips, paid for enrichment assemblies, and invited artists in residence to the school. Several years ago, the PTA raised over $60,000 to replace the school’s playground equipment.
East Derry Memorial Elementary School is a wonderful place for children to learn and grow. The school’s success is reflective of the efforts of students, parents, educators, and other community members working together on behalf of children.
