|
|
|
|
Steward School
Topsfield, Massachusetts
School Improvement Plan
2004-2005
School Council Members: Mrs. Lynn Clark, Ms. Michelle Foster, Mrs. Shaune Hall, Mrs. Katie Lyons, Mrs. Lynn McSweeney, Mrs. Beverly Nelson, Mrs. Cindy Prouty, and Mrs. Lane Richardson.
Steward School Improvement Plan 2004-2005
Table of Contents
Letter from the Principal
Mission Statement
Core Values/Beliefs
Strategic Goals
Action Plan/Specific Strategies
|
|
May 2004
Dear Parents,
Each public school in Massachusetts is required to submit a yearly School
Improvement Plan. The Steward School Council has prepared the following plan
for the 2004-2005 school year. This past school year we continued to make
progress in the areas of curriculum development and implementation, professional
development, and language arts, math and social studies instruction. We expanded
our Literacy Closet where multiple copies of student literature are arranged by
reading levels for teachers to use with students of varying ability levels.
These books are aligned with the grade level curriculum and we try to provide
high interest and appropriate readability levels for all students. We have
completed year four of Math Trailblazers implementation. Mid and end of
year tests indicate that students continue to make very good progress with this
standards based math program. We continue to use technology to support and
enhance curriculum, and teachers plan weekly lessons for their students in
collaboration with technology staff to maximize our resources. This year we hope
to convert our computer lab to a PC lab and distribute newer Macs into
classrooms. We continue to align our social studies curriculum with the
Massachusetts Frameworks and have purchased new texts in grade three. We have
also purchased trade books which are aligned with the appropriate grade level
content. Staff use computers and the large screen monitors in classrooms for
instructional purposes including PowerPoint presentations aligned with
their curriculum. Our web page continues to expand and our plan is to post more
documentation this year including NewsNotes.
Our Curriculum Coordinator, Mrs. Hale, continues to bring us to “the cutting edge” of good teaching and learning strategies. She works with our Building Action Teams (BAT) in the areas of science, social studies, language arts, and math. The BAT teams work to align the Topsfield Curriculum with the Massachusetts Frameworks and have created curriculum maps for all staff to use when planning instruction. These curriculum maps are posted on the Topsfield Public Schools web page. Most recently the social studies area has been updated. She has also been helpful in analyzing our kindergarten and language arts curriculum and has assisted with budgeting for needed materials and planning staff training. Almost all classroom teachers have been trained in “Instruction for All” with Dr. Louise Thompson and the John Collins Writing approach. We continue to plan for professional development opportunities during the school year and during the summer to improve teaching and learning.
Again this summer we are offering a rich menu of summer professional development opportunities to staff. Topics include Phonemic Awareness Instruction, “How to Reach the Hard to Teach”, “Teaching Strategies for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders for the General Education Classroom”, “Math Content - Creating and Facilitating a Mathematics Learning Community”, Systematic Training in Phonemic Awareness Instruction”, “Metacognitive Strategies Across the Curriculum”, “Guided Reading from Theory to Practice”, Math Institute for Trailblazers, and Gary Chadwell “Writing Across the Curriculum”. Last year over 90% of the Steward staff participated in one or more trainings during the summer. We hope for a similar participation this summer and commend the Steward staff for their commitment to learning.
We continue to work with Steve Clifford, Facilities Coordinator and Town Departments to maintain our beautiful facility. The plan is to paint exterior trim this spring/summer. We have a good custodial team who keep our building clean and safe. We also have a large, committed group of parents who volunteer at Steward School on a regular basis, and we are extremely fortunate and thankful to have them. The Topsfield Parent Teacher Organization, TESPTO, is generous with time, money and energy. The staff and I are grateful for their amazing work.
Our School Council philanthropic initiatives this year were very successful. Projects this year included the Haverhill YWCA holiday gifts, school supplies for the Dominican Republic, hats and mittens for the Strongest Link, collection of pennies for Leukemia, and a winter coat collection. Many thanks to the Steward Community for their generosity.
I look forward to working with parents and staff to implement this School Improvement Plan, and to continue to provide a nurturing and academically challenging learning environment for the children of the Steward School. With all members of the Steward School Community working together we can accomplish this.
Respectfully submitted,
Patricia-Lane Richardson
Principal
In cooperation with family and community, our mission is to guide students in becoming personally responsible, self-motivated, disciplined, respectful, competent, and contributing members of society.
We believe in a system-wide emphasis on independent study and inquiry, creativity, higher level thinking skills, and cooperative and individual problem solving.
We recognize and respect different learning and teaching styles and the unique worth of each individual in the school community.
We believe in the maximum utilization of all available resources with maximum support from the community to meet educational needs.
Steward School will provide a challenging curriculum that prepares students to succeed in a diverse, multi-cultural, technology-based world.
Steward School will increase and enhance communication between students, staff, parents, and community members
Steward School will provide opportunities for staff to participate in professional development opportunities that address the changing needs of students, staff and curriculum.
Steward School will provide a safe and positive school environment and facility
GOAL #1 - STEWARD SCHOOL WILL PROVIDE A CHALLENGING CURRICULUM WHICH PREPARES ALL STUDENTS FOR SUCCESS IN A DIVERSE, MULTI-CULTURAL, TECHNOLOGY-BASED WORLD.
PERSONS
ACTIVITY INVOLVED TIMELINE EVALUATION ACCOMPLISHED
|
1. Continue to work with curriculum coordinator to align K-6 curriculum with the Massachusetts Frameworks. -. Continue to “fine tune” curriculum maps in math, science, ELA, Spanish. Finish map in social studies. -. For 04-05 Math BAT will look at the new grade level specific standards for grades 3 and 5 for alignment. -. Both the ELA and Math BATS will meet to plan for the newly anticipated grade level tests from the DOE. -. Curriculum Maps posted on Web page: June 04- The Social Studies maps are posted and are fairly complete. The ELA BAT is revising the Working Documents for ELA- Literature strand since the DOE has now created grade level standards for grade 3 and 5.
|
§ Principal § Faculty § Curriculum Coordinator § Superintendent § School Committee
|
Ongoing |
Curriculum maps distributed to all instructional staff, and training in how to access maps on-line
Evidence of use of maps and alignment with the frameworks in teacher planbooks and in classroom instruction/observations.
Staff uses maps in planning and implementing curriculum as evidenced in evaluation document Professional development offerings |
|
|
2) Continue to advocate for a maximum class size in kindergarten of 20:1 and grades 1-3 for 22:1 |
§ Principal § School Council § Staff |
Ongoing |
Enrollment data |
. |
|
3) Continue collaborative work with Proctor School staff with curriculum and positive communication and collegiality. |
§ Principals § Teachers |
Ongoing |
Continuation of BAT teams; Communication between staff principals and superintendent Staff development opportunities |
|
|
4) To continue work with the Ipswich River Wildlife to train staff and implement an earth/life science curriculum Support “Teacher to Teacher” training on outdoor education
Seek grants to support this initiative Anticipate working with “Scientist in Residence” (pending grant funding) to provide additional support for classroom teachers in using the outdoor environment and differentiating instruction in science. |
§ Principal § Teachers § Audubon staff § Superintendent § Curriculum Specialist |
2004-2005 school year |
Evidence of science & Audubon related instruction in plans and classroom observations; Number of trips to Ipswich Wildlife Sanctuary or trail at Steward School Grade level plant and animals units Parent volunteer training offered |
|
|
5) Continue staff training and daily integration of technology across curriculum areas and continue to update our web page. |
Technology specialist Teaching staff Principal |
Ongoing |
Evidence of technology integration as observed during teacher observation and in plan books; displays of finished products and during teacher observations.
Web page activity
|
|
|
6) Continue to support our Spanish instruction for grades 1-3 Spanish instruction will continue 1X/week at the kindergarten AM meeting. |
Foreign language teacher
Principal |
2004-2005 |
Data re: implementation; surveys to staff, parents re: effectiveness of program; reports from language instructional staff, newsletters home Cinco de Mayo celebration Student work posted on bulletin boards |
|
|
7) To continue to work with Special Needs Coordinator, Director and staff to provide an inclusion model for special education students, and to provide all services as stated on student IEP’s |
Principal Special Ed Director Teachers Parents School Committee
|
2004-2005 |
Schedule of meetings Reports to Superintendent and School Committee Parent communication |
|
|
8) Continue to celebrate diversity through curriculum initiatives, Spanish instruction, cultural arts programs, and whole school interdisciplinary unit and celebrations |
Classroom teachers Spanish teacher Specialists Curriculum specialist Principal |
Ongoing |
Cultural Arts schedule; Teacher planbooks Schedule of events Multicultural activities planned at grade levels. |
|
|
9) Provide continued staff support for Math Trailblazers and other standards based math instruction, and train new incoming staff
Review alignment of MTB with Mass. Frameworks.
|
Bldg. based Math curriculum team Curriculum Specialist District math team Principals Superintendent |
Summer 2004 |
Evaluation by staff and curriculum specialist Implementation as observed in teacher observations Professional development schedule Surveys Summer Professional Development brochure Mid year and end of year math assessments. |
|
|
10) Provide materials and staff development in the area of language arts so that all standards are met, concepts are covered at appropriate grade levels, and students are challenged to their ability levels. Offer professional development in the area of phonemic awareness and guided reading. Continued expansion of Literacy Closet
Reading specialists will be trained in Project Read. They will develop a scope and sequence for acquisition of phonics skills in grades 1 and 2.
Classroom teachers will be trained and s study group formed to research
and suggest plan on how to implement what they learned systemically across
Steward School. |
Teachers Curriculum specialist Principal |
Ongoing |
Informal and standardized tests; Implementation is evidenced in classroom observations and planbooks. Teacher observation/evaluation Professional Development in phonemic awareness and literacy institutes. DRA scores and MCAS data Significant progress to date on using assessment to inform instruction (DRA’s, Running Records, Literacy Closet.) Reading staff will model instruction for classroom teachers
Projects from Teacher to Teacher initiatives |
|
|
11) Use of curriculum matrixes for K-3 across all content areas which are aligned with the Curriculum Frameworks
|
Building based curriculum teams Curriculum specialist Principal
|
Ongoing |
Matrixes used by staff and is evidenced in planbooks. |
|
|
12) Use of specific writing outcomes at each grade level (k-6)
|
ELA BAT team, Curriculum Coordinator
Principals
|
Ongoing |
Publication of process writing exit outcomes (K-6) and FCA’s (Focus Correction Areas) appropriate for each grade level. Writing folders are formally reviewed 2x/year by curriculum coordinator; reviewed informally by principal. |
|
|
13) Continued exploration and analysis of program(s) structured for diversified learners (i.e. expansion of Great Books Program, Differentiated Learning Study Group, Horizons after school program, Reading Counts, Guided Reading Instruction, and Strategies Based Instruction) |
Principal, Curriculum Coordinator Teachers
|
Ongoing |
BAT team reports regarding new or effective initiatives Enrollment in Great Books training and instruction Participating in Differentiated Learning Study Group Professional Development activities Planbooks Horizons offerings Reading Counts data from classroom teachers |
|
|
14) Continue to write and implement geography units across all grade levels as aligned with Frameworks. |
Principals Curriculum Coordinator Staff |
Ongoing |
Whole grade units planned (ex. K = Africa; grade 1 = Italy) Evidence in teacher planbooks Cultural Enrichment events aligned Grade 3 geography question of the week continues |
|
|
15) Re-align Social Studies content units based on the new Social Studies Massachusetts Frameworks |
Curriculum Coordinator Principals BAT Teams |
2004-2005 |
Social Studies Matrix based on State’s draft, made and distributed to staff
Purchase text for grade three as well as supplemental tradebooks to support developmentally appropriate instruction. Review of pacing chart and scope and sequence developed by curriculum coordinator. |
. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
GOAL #2 – STEWARD SCHOOL WILL INCREASE AND ENHANCE COMMUNICATION AND GOOD RELATIONS BETWEEN STAFF, STUDENTS, PARENTS, PROCTOR SCHOOL, AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS
PERSONS
ACTIVITY INVOLVED TIMELINE EVALUATION ACCOMPLISHED
|
1) Conduct Open House, fall Parent Seminar, Kindergarten and new student orientation |
Principal School Council |
Ongoing |
Attendance at events Copies of NewsNotes, calendars, and letters Informal feedback from parents and staff
|
|
|
2) Revise and publish our school handbook, weekly publication of NewsNotes, monthly calendars, teacher news letters and letters from the Principal to keep all members of the Steward Community informed about events and policies
|
Principal Staff School Council Curriculum Coordinator |
Ongoing |
Samples of documents: Handbook, calendars, NewsNotes, Teacher newsletters Informal feedback from parents and staff Minutes from School Council posted in lobby Parent Resource table in lobby Monthly math newsletters to teachers and parents |
|
|
3) Add books and tapes to Parent Resource Center in our library
|
Principal Librarians TESPTO
|
Ongoing |
List of books available for parents to borrow from the library Data regarding use of the books Feedback from parents Titles published on NewsNotes Publish titles on web page
|
|
|
4) To use the Topsfield Schools Web Page as a vehicle to convey current and pertinent school, district, and Department of Education news.
|
Technology Coordinator Principal Faculty PTO Parent volunteers |
2001-2002 |
Web page information Informal feedback Activity on web page |
|
|
5) Expand our public relations profile with community newspapers and cable television and participate in Topsfield Expo |
Principal TESPTO School Council Staff
|
Ongoing |
Number of articles and photographs in local newspapers; Attendance at Topsfield Expo |
|
|
6) Continue to publish Staff Notes on First Class to keep staff informed of events, policies, staff training opportunities, etc. Train all new staff to use First Class |
Principal Technology coordinator |
Ongoing |
Copies of Staff Notes Feedback from staff Attendance at First Class training |
|
|
7) Continue to regularly communicate with the administration and staff at Proctor School to promote collegiality, provide for consistency between the two Topsfield Schools, and ease the transition for third graders to Proctor School
|
Principals Superintendent Staff |
Ongoing |
Notes from Administrative Council Meeting Staff development, social functions, and regular communication between the two schools Feedback from students and parents – written and verbal Parent attendance at Grade 3 Parent Night at Proctor School |
|
|
8) Continue philanthropies as determined by the School Council |
Principal School Council |
Ongoing |
Data after each event published in NewsNotes and School Council minutes |
