Newcomer Academy 2012-2017

1. Newcomer Academy2012-2017 A Vision Plan for Improving Student Achievement over the Next 5 Years Acting Principal Jay W. Zingley

2. 5 Year Vision Students will be provided with an individual academic plan that leads to graduation and success in post-secondary education or a job paying a family sustaining wage. ELCC Standard 1 & 2 • Our mission is to provide safe, rigorous, and engaging educational experience that prepares all students to excel in learning and life. Our newcomers will be able to experience an educational setting that will provide community and family support for these diverse learners.

3. Shared Values • Recognize each student’s academic strengths and talents • Engage students as responsible life-long learners • Build connections between student learning and cultural experiences • Engage families and communities in order to strengthen existing partnerships • Promote cultural inclusiveness and celebrate cultural diversity • Foster trust and mutual respect with the local community, families, faculty and staff ELCC 4

4. Utilizing data • Utilize test data from WIDA, PSSA’s, 4 Sights, and Keystone Exams (when they become available again) • Utilize data from faculty regarding core subjects • Align the core curriculum of high school and middle school level education to the Common Core Standards, Objectives, instructional tools, and assessments aligned to these standards. • Utilize SIOP and QTEL approaches to instruction • All curriculum is based upon and aligned to the PA Standards Aligned System ELCC standard 2.0

5. Year 1 • PLAN • Review data collections regarding previous years students • Incorporate a middle school curriculum into the exist high school including, Math, Science, English and Social Studies with ESOL certifications. • Have social studies be part of the English curriculum and develop reading strategies to accomplish this. We will utilize ATP’s to develop this component. • Activities • Develop family events that will highlight the diversity of the school such as diversity dinners monthly. • Bring in families and community volunteers such as corporate managers to explain the challenges in their work places when hiring new employees to faculty and then to students. • Partner with business to develop curriculum based instruction that will match standard based instruction. ELCC 4,5,& 6

6. Year 2 • PLAN • Add Read 180 to the curriculum, to enhance reading for ELL’s. • Review Data from year one and the previous year to search for patterns in learning. • Activities • Partner with families and community again to develop after school enrichment programs where both family and students can attend. Activities such as Math skills nights, study skills, and Cultural music programs. • Celebrate academic achievement monthly with programs during one day of the month. • Develop in-service/educational opportunities for faculty and staff to work with first year language learners and their families.

7. Year 3 • PLAN • Work on providing computers to students in order that they might be able to access cyber learning materials from their homes and the school. • Review data from the previous 2 years and work on discrepancies in instruction. • Activities • In conjunction with this work with internet providers to develop a plan that is affordable for families to access the internet for the children. • Work with Apple to provide I Pads to incorporate into the instructional day with each subject bringing technology to the class room.

8. Year 4 • PLAN • Continued analysis of the data put for from years 1-3 • Activities • Continue to advance technology in an effort to avoid replacement of costly books and utilizing e-books. • Create ATP’s once staffing has increased due to class sizes. • Develop a sports team that is competitive in PIAA play for the winter season • Develop relationships with local colleges to have student teachers assigned to building for practicum and tutoring purposes.

9. Year 5 • PLAN • Review data from prior 4 years and develop a 5 year plan for the future of the school to succeed academically. • Activities • Work on grant funding to help sustain the Newcomer Academy in a new location. • Look for new partnerships in the community who can help the school with the technology advancement and prepare students for good family supporting jobs and post secondary success in academics.

10. Bibliography • Allentown School District Strategic Plan Mid Point, January 26, 2012 • Opening Doors: Understanding School & Family Influences on Family Involvement, Carlisle, E., Stanley L., Kemple, K. M., 2005 Early Childhood Educational Journal 37,155-162 • Parental Involvement: The Missing Link in School Achievement, Larocque,M., Kleiman, I., Darling, S., Preventing School Failure, 55 (3), 115-122,2011 • School Family, and Community Partnerships, Epstein and Associates, 3rd edition, 2009

11. Bibliography (continued) • Standards for Advanced Programs In Educational Leadership for Principals, Superintendents, Curriculum Directors, and Supervisors, National Policy Board for Educational Administration January 2002 • SIOP Sheltered Instruction Observation Protocol, Short, Vogt, Echevanric, Guarino, Schick, Forbes & Rueda,2001 • QTEL, Quality Teaching for English Learners, WestEd Teacher Professional Development Program, 1999