Easton Area Middle School and Shawnee Middle School AFG/Strategic Planning K-12 Implementation

1. Easton Area Middle School and Shawnee Middle School AFG/Strategic Planning K-12 Implementation Team Update Report 2007-2008

2. Math Action Planning Team Math Objective: #1 By the 2009-2010 academic year, all Easton Area School District students will demonstrate increased mathematics knowledge and skills.

3. Math Action Planning Team SMS/EAMS Commendations • Increased staff • Continuation of 4-sight testing • Data analysis to ensure appropriate remediation • Continued use of “Study Island” program • Remediation programs during and after-school hours • Technology offers alternative instructional strategies to present standards in another venue • Continued use of “Math 24” • Saxon math program used in Learning Support classes • PSSA scores increased from previous year • Grade-level content incorporated into Learning Support classes

4. Math Action Planning Team SMS Commendations • Nutritional snacks during PSSA testing • Adopt-an-anchor • Acquisition of data projectors, monitors and software • Teacher/team decision to prioritize demands upon student’s academic schedule EAMS Commendations • Training for Math Investigations and “FASTTMATH” - grade 5

5. Math Action Planning Team SMS Recommendation • Perfect attendance rewards during PSSA testing • ESL teachers to incorporate consumer math & problem solving ideas into curriculum • Request status of “Math Specialist” for building EAMS Recommendation • Reduce class size • Increase staff • Nutritional snacks during PSSA testing

6. Literacy Action Planning Team Literacy Objective: #2 By the 2009-2010 academic year, all Easton Area School District students will demonstrate increased reading knowledge and skills.

7. Literacy Action Planning Team SMS/EAMS Commendations • Continuation of 4-sight testing • Use of 4-sight and AimsWeb data • PSSA reading/writing rubrics are available to all subject area teachers to help increase PSSA scores • Remediation programs during and after-school hours • Increased staff (EAMS - literacy specialist/SMS - READ 180 teachers & two study skill teachers) • Differentiated instruction training • Friday update/teacher-team websites to help increase parent/community communication

8. Literacy Action Planning Team SMS Commendations • Expansion of READ 180 program & Study Skills • Nutritional snacks during PSSA testing • Formal outline for research paper is part of the curriculum • Supplemental vocabulary program used for grades 7 and 8 (not supported by grant money) EAMS Commendations • Continued use of increased reading time • Continued implementation of Scott-Foresman Reading Program • Curriculum embedded assessments • Increase in staff being trained to correctly assess 4-sight tests • Staff is trained in Reading Apprenticeship strategies and data analysis • Acquisition and implementation of leveled reader library which is available to teachers in every content area

9. Literacy Action Planning Team SMS Recommendation • Literacy committee is waiting for the Associate Director of Literacy to recommend programs that would be beneficial to staff development • Additional monies for teachers to be trained on the skill of “Teaching Grammar in the Context of Writing” EAMS Recommendation • Hiring of additional staff to address student needs

10. Citizenship Action Planning Team Citizenship Objective: #3 By the 2009-2010 academic year, all students of the Easton Area School District will be better citizens of their school & community by demonstrating to a higher degree the core ethical values of caring, honesty, fairness, responsibility, trust, respect, and citizenship.

11. Citizenship Action Planning Team SMS/EAMS Commendations • Increased availability of documents translated into Spanish - paraprofessional translator was hired • Implementation of breakfast program (as part of the health & wellness initiative in the district) • Increased use of community resources and district personnel for counseling/student services • PSSA tutoring for at-risk students • Saturday detentions • Increased staff • Maintain accurate data on established baseline levels regarding suspensions • Implementation of district-wide discipline referral page

12. Citizenship Action Planning Team SMS Commendations • Creation of teacher-team web pages for entire staff • Continuation of Student of the Month program • Counseling groups based on student needs • Fewer behavioral problems due to expanded halls and changes in locker configurations EAMS Commendations • Anti-bullying program • Organized hallways and stairwells • Continue implementation of effective incentives for attendance on PSSA testing days • Full-time Behavior Modification Room (BMR) monitor • “Rover Ready Stomping Grounds” -- method of ensuring agenda books are used properly • “A Place 4Us” - after-school program incorporating study skills, organizational club, and tutor/mentoring • Continued staff development in areas of school/parent communication, safe school environments, and diversity (Milton Hershey) • Positive incentive behavior modification programs - Great Expectations

13. Citizenship Action Planning Team SMS/EAMS Recommendations • Re-evaluate out-of-school suspensions (alternative education site) • Maintain academic and behavioral performance of students through high school graduation: open access to PowerSchool for building principals SMS Recommendations • Develop an on-going plan of in-service to train staff in areas of school/parent communication, safe school environments, and diversity (waiting on status from sub-committee) • Student publications (position to be determined) • Develop a school-wide behavior program to give a priority to citizenship related activities • School store location is currently occupied by food service provider • Unaware of any action on proposed district diversity program

14. AFG Standards SMS/EAMS - Standard #1 Philosophy, Mission, Beliefs, and/or Objectives SMS/EAMS Commendations • AFG posters/mission statements are posted in all classrooms, upon entering the building, and discussed at faculty meetings to instill a clear understanding of the PMBO. • PMBO statement is available in Spanish and English • Mission statement in kid-friendly terms EAMS Recommendation • Embed district mission statement into all communications to parents. • EAMS Guidelines booklet should be reworked so as to be less dense and overwhelming to parents. • EASD needs to continue to allow ample room in the curricula for Social Studies, Science, Music and Arts, and for character education curricula.

15. AFG Standards SMS/EAMS - Standard #2: Governance and Leadership SMS/EAMS Commendation • There is open communication between administrators via coordinator meetings • Weekly administrator meetings SMS Commendation • Central administrators are visible and available, as needed EAMS Commendation • Code of Conduct committee is currently creating a plan • Improved communication for placement of incoming 5th grade students via profile sheets SMS/EAMS Recommendation • Building administrators need to effectively communicate when the EAMS and SMS merge into one campus EAMS Recommendation • Continuity needed in 5th and 6th grade team configurations

16. AFG Standards SMS/EAMS - Standard #3: Organizational Design and Staff SMS/EAMS Commendations • Communication improvements:Friday Update, coordinator meetings & “open door” policy SMS Commendations • Assistant principal(s) available upon request • Common planning time through team time & new department meeting schedule EAMS Commendations • Office staff descriptions are being updated on an ongoing basis as new staff are hired SMS/EAMS Recommendation • Increase relevant professional development EAMS Recommendation • All curriculum areas need to develop a district-wide committee to increase communication • More computers, programs, internet access and technology training needed • Need for additional guidance counselor(s)

17. AFG Standards SMS/EAMS - Standard #4: Educational Programs SMS/EAMS Commendation • Curriculum maps are continually being updated SMS Commendation • Increased opportunity for lower ability students to socially and academically interact with higher ability students • READ 180 program expanded • Curriculum guides/department calendars created for all subjects • Sufficient technology for student needs EAMS Commendation • Effective use of teaming model • Recess added for all students SMS Recommendation • Scheduling concern regarding READ 180 and CAMP classes EAMS Recommendation • Written curriculum guides are necessary for all subject areas • Social Studies teachers believe they should be placed on teams

18. AFG Standards SMS/EAMS - Standard #5: Learning Media and Services SMS/EAMS Commendations • Paraprofessionals hired for satellite copy center(s) at schools SMS Commendations • Additional copier • Sufficient LCD projectors, DVDs and televisions EAMS Commendations • Improved use of technological skills for library resources SMS/EAMS Recommendations • Updated performance benchmarks for technology EAMS Recommendation • One computer cart per team • Additional new copier(s) • Maintenance of technology equipment needs to be performed in a timely fashion

19. AFG Standards SMS/EAMS - Standard #6: Students Services SMS/EAMS Commendations • Health, well-being, and non-academic needs are key considerations of faculty and students (breakfast program was initiated this year) • Voluntary training for first aid, AED and CPR are offered district-wide SMS Commendation • Common planning time through team time & new department meeting schedule EAMS Commendation • Increased communication with cafeteria staff to ensure more efficient operations EAMS Recommendation • Better communication needed between the central office and guidance when placing students with special needs during the school year

20. AFG Standards SMS/EAMS - Standard #7: Student Life and Activities SMS Commendations • Student of the Month EAMS Commendation • Opportunities to appreciate cultural diversity and instill pride are embedded in the curriculum SMS Recommendation • Explore alternative funding options - waiting for status on foundation from district

21. AFG Standards SMS/EAMS - Standard #8: Facilities SMS/EAMS Commendations • Safe environment - inviting, warm, and has a positive tone SMS Commendations • All previous concerns have been rectified with new building • Access cards provided for building access (& security) EAMS Commendation • Access pad installed on the 13th Street side of the building SMS Recommendation • Larger/more whiteboard and tack board space EAMS Recommendation • Additional safe parking at 12th street campus • Voice mail/iChat for all faculty members to expedite communication

22. AFG Standards SMS/EAMS - Standard #9: Health & Safety SMS/EAMS Commendations • Strong security presence • Well-maintained school plant • Permanent emergency procedures are being followed • Breakfast program SMS Commendations • Use of iChat to avoid interruptions by PA system • Additional school nurse position filled • Multiple cameras throughout building for added security SMS/EAMS Recommendations • Nutritional meals/salad bar for faculty SMS Recommendations • Dismissal procedures are a concern due to overcrowding issues near guidance suite • Additional Sodexho staff needed EAMS Recommendations • Investigate a less disruptive method of communication than the current PA system • Seek alternative programs to replace DARE

23. AFG Standards SMS/EAMS - Standard #10: Finance Team SMS/EAMS Commendations • Availability of summer school programs serving at-risk students - Summer School program (SMS) - Summer Sizzle program (EAMS) • PTA funding several programs • On-line ordering process • Grant writer hired to fulfill district’s needs EAMS Commendation • Accessed financial resources through community partnerships EAMS Recommendation • Individual needed to address public relation issues

24. AFG Standards SMS/EAMS - Standard #11: Assessment of Student Learning SMS/EAMS Commendation • Curriculum mapping has been a great benefit to provide consistency when preparing students for the assessments • Common department rubrics and assessments are being addressed to ensure consistency across departments and grade levels EAMS Commendation • Alternative education site in place for Grade 5 • Pre- and post-tests have been implemented into the Reading program EAMS Recommendations • PSSA testing schedule needs to be reviewed and revised to ensure better scheduling for students

25. AFG Standards SMS/EAMS - Standard #12: Planning Team SMS/EAMS Commendations • Committed to school improvement (AFG involvement) • New strategic plan is available for staff and public review (2007-2013) • Continued knowledge of staff to the district strategic plan • Communication to community members & parents is accomplished via Friday Update, websites and newsletters • Varied stakeholders are invited to participate in school-related committees • Improved communication between special and regular education teachers via new department meeting schedule SMS Recommendations • Continued exposure of staff to district strategic plans in order to increase awareness • Subject area departments should take ownership of specific AFG standards or Action Teams • Meeting schedule should be implemented between EAHS and EAMS building coordinators to improve communication and improve vertical alignment • One coordinator for all ‘specials’ has been recommended by building principal