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

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

2. A Framework for Action Planning

3. District (D-R-A-F-T) Goals High Academic Achievement The 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 Actualization The 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 Citizenship The 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.

4. Elementary School Improvement Goals Shared by All • Curriculum • Instruction • Assessment • Professional development • District, Community & Global Connections

5. Reading K-3 Improvement Plan • K-3 Reading Task Force Mission • To articulate and help implement a balanced manageable, and flexible pre-K-3 reading curriculum.

6. 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

7. Reading K-3 Improvement 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

8. Reading K-3 Improvement Plan • K-3 Reading Task Force Next Steps • Vocabulary, Comprehension and Fluency Articulation • Identification of materials and resources to support their implementation • PD to support instruction • Expand MAP to fourth grade

9. Math Improvement 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

10. Math Improvement Plan Who: Stephen Billhardt – Principal Facilitator Shannon Sauder – Co-Facilitator Maggie Mattson Susan Bellis Lindsay Jacobson Aimee Pellegrini

11. K-5 Math Improvement Plan • K-5 Math Task Force Accomplishments • Visual Pacing Guides • Collect benchmark data three-four times/year • More grade level PD

12. K-5 Math Improvement 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

13. 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

14. Science Improvement Plan Who: Stephen Billhardt – Principal Facilitator Christine Rono – Co-Facilitator Ann Palermo – Co-Facilitator Marcia Psychoghios Roger Dubuque Eileen Doherty Debra Garabedian Margaret Ferguson

15. 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

16. 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 assessment • Create grade level assessments to align with the outcomes • Develop greater local partnerships

17. Curriculum AccommodationImprovement Plan • WCAP Task Force Mission Refine District Curriculum Accommodation Plan by focusing on: • Assessment practice (K-3 MAP implementation) • Defining a 3 Tiered instruction/intervention model • Close Collaboration with Curriculum Task Forces

18. Curriculum AccommodationImprovement Plan WCAP Task Force Membership • Principal facilitator: Anne Hardiman • Co-Facilitators: Veronica Knight & Kim Davidson • Teachers: Erin Condon, Susan Monfette, Zaida Wincelowicz, & Anne Sudbay

19. Curriculum AccommodationImprovement 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)

20. Curriculum AccommodationImprovement 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.

21. 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.

22. Early Childhood Improvement Plan • 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

23. Early Childhood Improvement 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.

24. Early Childhood Improvement 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.

25. Professional Development Plan Professional Development Council Membership Facilitator: Ann Koufman-Frederick Secondary: Kimo Carter, Katherine DiNardo, Elizabeth Kaplan Curriculum Coordinator: Rob Stergis Elementary: Bill McCarthy, Mena Ciarlone, Lidia Dileso, Jill Fantasia, Bethan Nazzaro, Sara Patashnick

26. Professional Development Plan 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

27. Professional Development 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

28. Induction & Mentoring Program Membership Principal Facilitator: Bill McCarthy Co-Facilitators: Claire Regan and Debbie Munger Staff: Marianne Cameron, Diane Centofantie, Steve Harrington, Matthew Loughran, Lisa McDonagh, Sheri Park and Mary White

29. Induction & Mentoring Program 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

30. Induction & Mentoring Program 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

31. Induction & Mentoring Program • 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

32. Individual Schools Site Councils DISTRICT, COMMUNITY & GLOBAL CONNECTIONS Improve and expand connections PreK-12 with community and global resources and partnerships.

33. Lowell School Site Council Members • Co-chair: David Stokes • Parents: Michelle Gasseau, Ruth Fleischer • Teachers: Jean Qualters, Nicole Brown, Ruth Bender

34. 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

35. 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

36. 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

37. Hosmer Site Council Members Co-Chair: Tim McGoldrick Parents: Marie Fortin, Jennifer Weeks, Celeste Ignacio Teachers: Marianne Cameron, Susan Monfette

38. Hosmer School Improvement Goals • Home-School Communication • Increase use of technology • Principal coffees • Parent Collaboration for Enrichment • Increase club activity • Develop enrichment activity protocols • Resource book for activities • Promoting School Values

39. Elementary School Improvement Plans Cunniff – Hosmer - Lowell Questions?