Elementary School Improvement Plans Cunniff – Hosmer - Lowell School Committee June 1, 2009

ElementarySchool Improvement Plans

Cunniff – Hosmer - Lowell

School CommitteeJune 1, 2009

Supporting Objectives

Strategies & Actions

Responsibility

Measures & Milestones

Status

A Framework for Action A Framework for Action PlanningPlanning

Goal:

High Academic AchievementThe Watertown Public Schools will ensure that each student becomes an accomplished learner in the arts, humanities, mathematics, physical sciences and social sciences. The school system will provide all students with a learning environment that sets high expectations and stimulates thinking, problem-solving, inquiry, creativity, and hard work.

Self ActualizationThe Watertown Public Schools will ensure that each student develops a capacity for life-long learning through comprehensive skill development, exposure to a broad universe of knowledge and disciplines, and support for a diversity of learning styles, future plans, and personal interests.

Global CitizenshipThe Watertown Public Schools will ensure that each student becomes informed about and participates in local and world affairs. Students will strive to understand people of different backgrounds and cultures and the interconnectedness of the contemporary world.

District (D-R-A-F-T) GoalsDistrict (D-R-A-F-T) Goals

Elementary School Improvement Goals

Shared by All• Curriculum

• Instruction

• Assessment

• Professional development

• District, Community & Global Connections

K-3 Reading Task Force Mission

To articulate and help implement a balanced manageable, and flexible pre-K-3 reading curriculum.

Reading K-3 Improvement

Plan

K-3 Reading Task Force Membership

Co-Facilitators: Caron Lehmann and Dari Donovan

Teachers: Allison Donovan, Trish McIsaac, Kelly Graves,

Elizabeth Ucello, Kim Davidson


Plan

K-3 Reading Task Force Accomplishments

Phonemic awareness and phonics curriculum articulation

Identification of materials and resources to support their implementation

PD support to effectively provide instruction

Support MAP implementation


Plan

K-3 Reading Task Force Next StepsVocabulary, Comprehension and Fluency Articulation

Identification of materials and resources to support their implementation

PD to support instruction

Expand MAP to fourth grade


Plan

Math Improveme

nt Plan

Who: teachers from all three elementary schools; both regular and special education teachers

Mission: to ensure the effective implementation of both the Think Math and FASTT Math programs.

PD Goals: support assessment, curriculum and instruction

Math Improveme

nt Plan

Who:

Stephen Billhardt – Principal FacilitatorShannon Sauder – Co-FacilitatorMaggie MattsonSusan BellisLindsay JacobsonAimee Pellegrini

K-5 Math Improveme

nt Plan

K-5 Math Task Force Accomplishments

• Visual Pacing Guides

• Collect benchmark data three-four times/year

• More grade level PD

K-5 Math Improveme

nt Plan

K-5 Math Task Force Next Steps

• Begin MAP implementation K-3 in the fall

• Greater access for FASTT Math in all buildings

• Develop Math Practices Forum

Science Improvement

Plan

Who: teachers from all three elementary schools as well as the Middle School

Mission: develop a plan to help realign the district's grade level science outcomes to better match the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks.

PD Goals: support assessment, curriculum and instruction

Science Improvement

Plan

Who:

Stephen Billhardt – Principal FacilitatorChristine Rono – Co-FacilitatorAnn Palermo – Co-FacilitatorMarcia PsychoghiosRoger DubuqueEileen DohertyDebra GarabedianMargaret Ferguson

Science Improvement

Plan

Science Task Force Accomplishments

Revised GLO recommendations for grades 3-5

Piloted new curriculum kits in grades 4 & 5

Created various proposals to review for science consistency in grades 3-5

Science Improvement

Plan

Science Task Force Next Steps

Determine best proposal which we can implement over the next 1-3 years to ensure consistent science curriculum, instruction and assessmentCreate grade level assessments to align with the outcomesDevelop greater local partnerships

Curriculum AccommodationImprovement

Plan

• WCAP Task Force MissionRefine District Curriculum Accommodation Planby focusing on:

– Assessment practice (K-3 MAP implementation)– Defining a 3 Tiered instruction/intervention model– Close Collaboration with Curriculum Task Forces

WCAP Task Force Membership

• Principal facilitator: Anne Hardiman• Co-Facilitators: Veronica Knight &

Kim Davidson • Teachers: Erin Condon, Susan

Monfette, Zaida Wincelowicz, & Anne Sudbay


Plan

WCAP Accomplishments• Researched Response to Intervention Models (3 tier

model).• Implemented MAP assessment K-3 reading.• Identified steps needed to implement Tier 2 intervention

model.• Identified Tier 2 reading intervention program.• Provided Professional Development training on

Response to Intervention (3 tier model)


Plan

WCAP Next Steps • Develop school based Data teams• Train data teams to manage and analyze data to

support implementation RTI.• Develop and implement school wide schedules to

support implementation of RTI.• Train staff to implement Tier 2 intervention program

(Fundations) and use progress monitoring to inform instruction.

• Collaborate with Reading and Math task forces inform and monitor intervention programs.


Plan

Early Childhood Improvement

Plan

Early Childhood Task Force Mission

To promote best practices in all early childhood classrooms in the Watertown Community through the alignment of consistent learning expectations and common assessment standards to inform instruction.

• Principal Facilitator: Anne Hardiman• Facilitator: Mary Kate Fitzpatrick• Teachers: Carol Blackwood, Judy Tan, Lynne Tarr,

Caroline Labella, Karen Arena, Elizabeth Kelly, and Kathleen Maney Needel.

Early Childhood Task Force Membership


Plan

Early Childhood Accomplishments• All Early Childhood classrooms in WPS completed

national accreditation requirements and were awarded accreditation status by the National Association for the Education of Young Children on May 28, 2009.

• Aligned learning outcomes preschool through kindergarten with state and national guidelines.

• Identified common assessment protocols to monitor child development.

• Developed uniform transition activities for all children entering Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten in

Watertown.


Plan

Early Childhood Task Force Next Steps• Align early childhood math curriculum outcomes with

Think Math K-5.• Develop and implement protocols and rubrics to assess

learning outcomes preschool –kindergarten.• Implement Creative Curriculum to assess students

preschool through prekindergarten.• Professional development to communicate learning

expectations and assessment protocols to teachers.• Professional development focused on role of play in the

early childhood classroom.• Maintain NAEYC accreditation standards.


Plan

Professional Development

Plan

Professional Development Council Membership

Facilitator: Ann Koufman-FrederickSecondary: Kimo Carter, Katherine DiNardo, Elizabeth KaplanCurriculum Coordinator: Rob StergisElementary: Bill McCarthy, Mena Ciarlone, Lidia Dileso, Jill Fantasia, Bethan Nazzaro, Sara Patashnick

Professional Development Council Accomplishments• Four Strands Pre-School – Grade 12

•Faculty meetings•Department/ Grade Level•District/ School-based•T-I-P Program (17 courses)

• Support curriculum initiatives and use of technology• Support Classroom Website design and development• On-line collaboration in First Class Folder for PD• My Learning Plan expanded


Plan

Professional Development Council Next Steps (Summer)• Secondary Curriculum Cohesion Initiative

• Elementary Task Forces • Support access to digital resources through ThinkFinity• Professional Development planning for next school year


Plan

Principal Facilitator: Bill McCarthyCo-Facilitators: Claire Regan and Debbie Munger

Staff: Marianne Cameron, Diane Centofantie, Steve Harrington, Matthew Loughran, Lisa McDonagh, Sheri Park and Mary White

Membership

Induction & MentoringProgram

First Year Teachers– Summer Orientation Program– Formal monthly meetings with mentors– Informal monthly meetings with mentors at

individual schools– On-line collaboration in First Class Folder for New

Teachers– Shadowing Program

Induction & Mentoring Program Accomplishments


Second Year Teachers– Quarterly monthly meetings– Program requirement of one of the following:

• Teaching Diverse Learners Course• Reading Practice Forum• Member of an Elementary Task Force• Individually approval of a Collaborative Action

Research Project


Mentor Program Next Steps• Plan for 2009-2010 School Year program• Develop Handbook• Work with Teacher Evaluation Design Team on Principles of Effective Teaching Rubric


Individual SchoolsSite Councils

DISTRICT, COMMUNITY & GLOBAL CONNECTIONSImprove and expand connections PreK-12 with community and global resources and partnerships.

Lowell School Site Council Members

Co-chair: David Stokes

Parents: Michelle Gasseau, Ruth Fleischer

Teachers: Jean Qualters, Nicole Brown, Ruth Bender

Lowell School Site Council Objectives:

• Improve content and timeliness of Lowell Lowdown

• Create schoolwide ‘themes’ to encourage parent participation

• Improve transition to kindergarten for students and parents • Enhance communication systems

Cunniff School Site Council Members

Co-chairs: Tina Conlon & Carlos Cerqueira

Parents: Barbara Powderly, Yasmin Daikh, Julie Ahern, Marissa Petrillo, John Vitti

Teachers: MaryKate Fitzpatrick, Judy Kearney, Bryan Magliocca, Janelle Lacy

Cunniff School Site Council Objectives:

- Enhance school-home partnerships- Expand after school programming- Broadcast more effectively using Connect Ed- Use Google Calendar more- Communicate with Google Translate- Create safer environments for students with allergies

Hosmer Site Council Members

Co-Chair: Tim McGoldrickParents: Marie Fortin, Jennifer Weeks, Celeste IgnacioTeachers: Marianne Cameron, Susan Monfette

Hosmer School Improvement Goals

• Home-School CommunicationIncrease use of technologyPrincipal coffees

• Parent Collaboration for EnrichmentIncrease club activityDevelop enrichment activity protocolsResource book for activities

• Promoting School Values

ElementarySchool Improvement Plans

Cunniff – Hosmer - Lowell

Questions?

Documents

Elementary School Improvement Plans Cunniff – Hosmer - Lowell School Committee June 1, 2009