Study Island Success Story from a 5th grader!

Study Island is paradise for Swansea fifth-grader
The Herald News, 207 Pocasset Street, Fall River, Massachusetts 02722
http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x688584259

Swansea -
Joseph G. Luther Elementary School fifth-grader Jenna Demoranville had a story to tell, and the School Committee was all ears Monday night.After all, it’s not every day the committee is treated to a success story about a new curriculum. And it's even rarer to hear a student deliver the testimonial herself.Two years ago, as a struggling third-grader, Demoranville was placed into the "at risk" category for math.“Math was never an easy subject for me. I was constantly frustrated,” Demoranville told the School Committee.As Demoranville struggled, the district began implementing Study Island, a Web-based program aimed at helping third- through fifth-graders. The program helped students practice for MCAS-related curriculum, using fun exercises and games to make the learning experience more interactive and enjoyable.Demoranville began visiting Study Island weekly. Eventually, she was using the program in class, at home and even on vacations.“It allows me to see practice questions that I would see on the MCAS exam,” Demoranville said. “Study Island makes me feel more comfortable, and it's something I use at home, where I can read lessons before I take a test. My mother also helps me, which allows me to spend time with her and learn at the same time.”On a recent family trip to Mexico, Demoranville took off with her father’s laptop and linked up to the hotel’s computer in order to keep practicing on Study Island. She did the same thing throughout the summer, and the results were obvious.“I am a fifth-grader now and for the first time, I am no longer in 'at risk' math,” Demoranville said. “Study Island has made me more comfortable at answering questions in the classroom. I finally achieved a goal I never thought was possible and I thank Study Island for that.”School Committee Vice Chairman Debra Martelly thanked Demoranville for her presentation and congratulated her on her progress.“We don’t see a lot of this,” Martelly said. “We set policy but we never see how those decisions are affected.”Assistant Superintendent Christine Stanton said Demoranville and Susan Short, computer specialist for Luther and Brown schools, have entered her testimony into a contest asking for Study Island success stories. The winner will receive a $1,000 scholarship and earn a free Study Island subscription for the district.“Jenna, you are just outstanding, and the junior high can’t wait to get you next year,” Stanton said.E-mail Jay Pateakos at jpateakos@heraldnews.com.