Watertown Public Schools School Committee Curriculum and Budget & Finance Subcommittee Hearing

Watertown Public SchoolsSchool Committee Curriculum and Budget & Finance Subcommittee Hearing February 15, 2011________________________Student Services PresentationPreserve & Sustain

Budget GoalsI. Develop a budget that continues to provide

quality education, at all levels, at a time when the Town and the School District face unprecedented financial restrictions, both in the current fiscal year and next year.

II. Preserve and sustain our educational programming:

maintain class size maintain adequate classroom supplies and

overall classroom support ensure professional learning and growth provide adequate support staff for instruction

and administration continue technology implementation strengthen in-district special education

programming

Budget Scenarios

% TBD Preserve & Sustain

% TBD Level Services

2.5% Manager’s Preliminary Budget

0% Level Dollar

Vision for Student Services

Student Services support the successful education of all students

Student Services Include

• Special Education

• Early Childhood Education

• Community Education

• Nursing

Special Education

• What new programs have we implemented?

• What have we learned?

• What are the recommendations for next year?

• Changes in out-of-district placements

What’s New in Special Education in Watertown?

• Secondary Special Education Coordinator

• New / Expanded Programming

Secondary Special Education Coordinator FY 11

• Oversee programming at WMS / WHS– Trouble shooting and solving complex problems– Collaborating with Principals – Identifying and implementing alternative

curriculums– Training staff in preparation for upcoming DESE

Program Review – Developing the Community Explorers Program at

WMS and The Social Network at WHS– Member of the Connections Leadership Council

and the Teaching and Learning Council

Update on New Special Education Programming in Watertown-Learning Support-Integrated Services -Language-Based-Watertown Connections

Learning Support Services

Number of Students 2010


Projected Number of Students 2012

Elementary 10 12 10

Middle 9 12 10

High

LEAP

8

0

2

2

5

3

Learning Support Program at the Cunniff

• The Learning Support Class at the Cunniff is designed to provide an environment where learning can be individualized to support each students learning style and ability level.

• Staff: .6 FTE special education teacher, 2.0 FTE instructional assistants

Learning Experiences Adult Program (LEAP) at WHS

• LEAP supports students in learning daily living, leisure, employment, communication, self-advocacy, and health skills. Its goal is to provide students with a supported transition from school to adult life.

• Staff: 1.0 FTE teacher, 1.0 FTE instructional assistant / job coach

Learning Support Services FY 11 -What We Learned?

Elementary• Importance of individualizing curriculum• Critical role of repetition• Daily communication with parents

Middle• Promise of alternative curriculums

High • Several Learning Support students from WMS applied to

Minuteman this year and were accepted – new trend

LEAP (18-22)• Monthly bus passes for students increase independence • Paid internships are highly motivating • New programming requires the development or

identification of new curriculum

Learning Support Recommendations for FY 12

• Continue to explore / develop alternative curriculums

• Continue to work with outside agencies to develop paid internships

• Continue to pursue assistive technology opportunities

Integrated Services ProgramNumber of Students 2010



Elementary As needed As needed As needed

Middle 7 classroom10 respite

7 classroom8 respite

3 classroom 13 respite

High 0 Compass0 New Systems0 Look Out25 CAP

7 Compass6 New Systems5 Look Out29 CAP

10 Compass6 New Systems4 Look Out26 CAP

What is New in the Integrated Services Programs (ISP) in FY

11?

Hosmer added an Opportunity Room

WHS added several new components: ▪ Compass ▪ New Systems ▪ Look Out ▪ Expanded Counseling Services

Opportunity Room at the Hosmer

• The Opportunity Room allows students access to a therapeutic space for breaks, time out, lunch/recess groups, and a quiet work space. The goal is to provide ongoing behavioral and emotional support to students.

• Staff: .5 FTE Behavior Specialist, 1.0 FTE instructional assistant

COMPASS at WHS• Compass provides a

classroom setting throughout most of the day for students dealing with difficulties attending class and participating due to anxiety and related issues. The goal is to help students develop new coping strategies that will allow them to integrate into the mainstream.

• Staff: 1.0 FTE teacher, 1.0 FTE instructional assistant

NEW SYSTEMS at WHS

• New Systems provides a classroom base or respite for students experiencing behavioral challenges that affect academic and social success. Its goal is to help students develop new ways of approaching old problems at school.

• Staff: 1.0 FTE teacher, 1.0 FTE instructional assistant

LOOK OUT at WHS

• The Look Out program uses a team approach to help students with a variety of academic and social difficulties which have resulted in poor attendance and /or tardiness. The goal of the program is to address barriers to successful participation at WHS.

• Staff: .5 FTE, MSW, 1.0 M.A, Counseling

Counseling Support at WHS

• Ken Barringer, LMHC, & 3 Interns from the Academy of Physical and Social Development

• Allyn Carey, MSW, Academy of Physical and Social Development

• Mike Ferullo, MSW, from Colony Care Associates

• Mike Memmelo, M.A. Counseling, WHS

• Nicole Camp, M.A. & Certified School Psychologist, WHS

• Consultation: Barbara Gortych, Ph.D., Coordinator of Assessment & Guidance, K-12

Administrative Oversight

• Arlene Shainker, Secondary Special Education Coordinator

• Annemarie Boudreau, Associate Headmaster

Cost / Benefit of Investments in New ISP Programming at WHS FY 11

Investment in WHS Integrated Emotional Support Programming

Cost-of-Out of District

Savings

Integrated Social – Emotional Program at WHS served 47 students - 16 at risk of outside placement 3 FTE special education teachers 3 FTE instructional assistants 1 FTE mental health counselor .3 FTE School Psychologist .65 FTE licensed social workers 1.45 FTE mental health counselors (.25 professional and .4 interns x 3)

Private Out-of-District Program

Tuition $52,772 x 16 = $844,352Transportation $3,038 x 16 = $ 48,608

Plus provide services to an additional 31 studentsnot counted in at risk numbers

Totals $ 319,850

$ 892,960

$ 573,110

Integrated Services ProgramsWhat We Learned FY 11?

WHS- An Open House is a great way to welcome parents and

students to new program offerings - Students respond positively to the individual attention

available in small classes

- The varied components of the Integrated Services Programming at WHS supports students changing needs

- Case management is time intensive and includes: 3 hours of regularly scheduled weekly clinical meetings with teachers and counselors; intensive work with outside agencies including the Department of Children and Families (DCF), hospitals, drug intervention programs, group homes, Waltham District Court; on-going communication with parents / guardians; constant monitoring / revision of behavioral interventions

Integrated Services Program Recommendations for FY 12

• Add .2 FTE MSW at WMS• Add an ISP teacher leader next year at

WHS to coordinate the work of the internal team of faculty and consultants, various external agencies, students, and their families

• Support the further development of the teaching team by continued training on strategies for integrating therapeutic and behavioral interventions




Elementary 127 at Hosmer5 at Lowell

2416 at Hosmer8 at Lowell

2815 at Hosmer7 at Lowell

Middle 21 21 21

High 4 25 21

Language-Based Programming

Language-Based Programming What We Learned in FY 11

• Think Math can be effective, we just need to teach one method for doing an operation and slow down the pacing

• Center-based work helps to individualize programming

• It is important for teachers to be licensed in reading and special education

Language-Based Recommendations for FY 12

The Lowell would like to expand their language-based programming for next year by adding a new Language-Based teacher

WMS would like to purchase a Language-Based structured MathCurriculum and professional development to improve math

instructionIn all special education programs

WHS is interested in creating a Task Force to study programming and

curriculum for Language-Based Classrooms to increase continuityacross subjects

WHS needs to add a .5 FTE reading teacher to meet student needs




Elementary 8 Preschool 5Primary 6Intermediate 5

Preschool 4Primary 9Intermediate 6

Middle 2 5 4

High 1 3

Watertown Connections Program

Watertown Connections ProgramWhat We Learned FY 11

• Specialized teachers make effective consultants

• Effective use of 1:1 instructional assistance requires training and planning time for teaching teams

• Power of ipad / itouch in supporting communication

• Importance of Home-Based Services Coordinator to match families with providers

Watertown Connections Recommendations FY 12

• Increase the use of teachers in specialized classrooms in consulting roles

• Project staffing to include additional 1:1 instructional

assistants as needed to deliver services • Provide summer training for new staff

• Budget 30” / week planning time for each Connections Team to review programs and analyze data

• Create an Assistive Technology Task Force to review technology applications for students with disabilities

Out-of-District Programs FY 11

• This year five students returned to Watertown from private special education schools

• One former WHS student returning from private school is having her tuition paid by another community

• Number of students in Out-of District placements starting to decrease:FY 06 – 76, FY 07 – 71FY 08 - 66, FY 09 – 75FY 10 – 72, FY 11 - 66

Early Childhood Education FY 11

Coordinated Family and Community Engagement

Project• Family Center

Strengthening family connectionsPlaygroupsParent support

• Parent Child Home Program Early Literacy Outreach

• Professional Development and Program quality access

Staff developmentQuality preschool-child care program

development

Family Center FY 11

• Watertown Family Network moved to the Phillips School

• Family Center Advisory investigated the feasibility of opening a staff infant toddler center in the new space

• Currently the open space in the Family Center is being used for speech and language play groups

Early Steps Integrated Preschool

• Classroom Models- 5 classrooms- Double session integrated classes- Full Day integrated class- Full Day Sub-separate /integrated

• Therapeutic Intervention• Assessment – Preschool

Intake Review Team• Consultation

What We Have Learned About Early Childhood Programming

FY 11?

To anticipate increases in:- English Language Learners- Children with behavioral challenges

To be prepared for theunpredictable

Early Childhood Recommendations FY 12

• Increase .5 FTE teacher to create afternoon ELL class (tuition support)

• Re-design Preschool Connections Classroom to align with district Connections model

• Identify resources to address social-emotional-behavioral needs of children and families

• Provide ongoing professional development • Evaluate space needs and potential

construction needs (Capital Improvement)

Community Education




Elementary

297 / year283 Courses for Kids / session 91 MCAS

340 / year 326 Courses for Kids / session76 MCAS

426 / year375 Courses for Kids / sessionTBD MCAS

Middle 76 / week 103 / week 119 / week

High 25 / week 40 / week 46 / week

Watertown After School Programs

After School ProgramsWhat We Learned FY 11

• Developed a new organizational structure

• Importance of building programs to serve students with diverse needs

• Usefulness of DESE Quality Standards in bringing programs together

Summer School Programs FY 11

Fourth consecutive year of

project-based programming

• Increased access to technology

• New Kindergarten Entry Enrichment Program

Watertown Summer School Program

Summer SchoolParticipants

Summer

2007

Summer 2008

Summer 2009

Summer 2010

Preschool/Elementary

AM 249PM 47

AM 275PM 68

AM 292PM 51

AM 251PM 131

Middle 17 25 35 51

Academic High School

56 89 77 48

Summer School Programs What We Learned FY 11

• Offer one more morning class at each level to reduce class size

• Provide access to technology• Continue the co-teach model for

morning classes• Offer two 3 week sessions• Offer project-based learning in high

interest areas: nature, sports, animals, outdoor activities, music

Summer School Recommendations for FY 12

• Schedule regular coordinator meetings

• Develop a high school program for students with disabilities, one for upcoming freshman and another for current ISP students

School Nursing Programs

Nursing Program FY 11

Convene Watertown Wellness Committee

March 2nd to discuss:• WPS Food Services Program • Findings in the Department of Public

Health Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening Program

Nursing Recommendations for FY 12

• Continue to collaborate with the Watertown Health Department on health issues

• Identify mechanisms for disseminating information on nutrition and exercise to children and families

Documents

Watertown Public Schools School Committee Curriculum and Budget & Finance Subcommittee Hearing