The following letter on the website of Davis Magnet School is posted. I am crushed to hear that Dr. Rafferty is leaving but, I knew he was a man that was also going to be hard to keep. He had done so much to influence my children who attend/attended Davis. I am sorry to see him go and thankful for the time we had his supervision. For the record, this is what someone who truly cares about his students can do for a community.
The results are now official!
For the second time in our three years of existence as Davis Magnet School, our students have demonstrated the greatest API learning gains of any school in N-MUSD!
We have established a dynamic and thriving Professional Learning Community. Our Davis Magnet School students are learning at high levels!
Year School API API
2008-09: Davis Elementary School 747 +/- Prior to Dr, Rafferty’s Leadership
2009-10: Davis Magnet School 883 +136
2010-11: Davis Magnet School 908 +25
2011-12: Davis Magnet School 951 +43
Cumulative API learning gain at Davis Magnet School = +204 in three years!
October 12, 2012
A farewell message from Dr. Rafferty:
Dear Davis Magnet School Parents, Students, Teachers, Student Teachers, Staff, and Community,
Into our fourth year together, including all of the blood, sweat, and tears that have gone into helping to create Davis Magnet School from an idea, how does one say goodbye? It’s not easy, that’s for sure. Wednesday, October 24, 2012 will be my last day serving as Principal at Davis Magnet School. N-MUSD will identify a new Principal. Stay tuned for details.
I have accepted an incredible opportunity to serve as Vice President of Education for Teacher Created Materials and Shell Education. Helping students learn here at Davis Magnet School will now be expanded as I help students learn all across the USA and in 96 foreign countries!
Leaving Davis Magnet School, being here since its opening in September 2009, and helping DMS grow and mature into our phenomenal, professional learning community, is a lot like giving up one of my own children. I have poured my heart and soul into working with you to help make Davis Magnet School one of the very best elementary schools in the USA. I encourage all of you — parents, teachers, and children — to keep up your great work and to keep the goal of the constant improvement of STUDENT LEARNING as your primary focus.
