NEEDHAM HIGH SCHOOLTO THINK – TO RESPECT – TO COMMUNICATE

Jonathan D. Pizzi, Ph.D.Principal

609 WEBSTER ST. • NEEDHAM, MA 02494 • PHONE (781) 455-0800 • FAX (781) 449-5111

TO: Daniel Gutekanst, SuperintendentFROM: Jonathan D. Pizzi, PrincipalRE: NHS School Improvement Plan 2013-2016DATE: February 29, 2012

I am pleased to present to you the Needham High School Improvement Plan for 2013-2016. This planrepresents the collaboration and hard work of many constituencies within the NHS community. Theseinclude the professional staff and administration; the School Council; the SEL Committee; the Principal’sCabinet; and the Student Council.

The Needham High School community believes that this values-driven document will serve as theoverarching roadmap in the school’s quest to ensure that all students achieve at high academic levels inour racially, ethnically, and socially diverse school setting.

Representatives from the professional staff and I look forward to presenting our work to the SchoolCommittee on March 7. Thank you in advance for your review of this plan and please contact me at yourearliest convenience should you have any questions or concerns.

NEEDHAM HIGH SCHOOLTO THINK – TO RESPECT – TO COMMUNICATE

School Improvement PlanSY 2013-2016

Needham High School609 Webster Street

Needham, MA 02494

Page 1 of 7Introduction

Development of the Needham High School Improvement Plan (SIP) for 2013-2016 has been acollaborative effort among all school constituencies, including the School Council; the SocialEmotional Learning Committee; the Principal’s Cabinet; the Faculty Council; and therepresentatives of the instructional staff. Several data points were utilized in selecting each goaland section within the SIP. Sources include the NPS 2011 Futures Special Education ProgramReview; the 2010 NEASC Decennial Evaluation Visit; the NPS District Goals; the NHS 2010-2012SIP; the 2010 Metro West Adolescent Health Survey Results & Highlights Report; the NPS 2010-2011 Performance Report; and the bodies of professional research surrounding adolescentresiliency, cultural proficiency, professional learning communities, and standards-basededucational practices. The professional staff at Needham High strongly believes that this planreadily reflects and supports the school’s three core values, To Think – To Respect – ToCommunicate, and that the work outlined herein will aid the entire school community inrealizing its stated mission.

The purpose of the plan is to set the instructional and organizational agendas for schoolimprovement over the next three academic/fiscal years. This plan is closely aligned with the2010-2012 SIP, and represents the next steps in the evolution of Needham High School.Consequently, the overarching objectives of this plan remain the same as the previous plan,while the action items represent new areas for student and institutional growth and learning.The overarching aim of this plan is to foster and support the academic achievement and social-emotional growth of Needham High’s racially, ethnically, and socially diverse studentcommunity. It is with these objectives in mind that the NHS professional community willreview this plan in its entirety in the spring of 2013 to assess the school’s performance in eacharea for improvement and to modify the plan for SY 2014, 2015, and 2016 as necessary. This SIPis comprised of three “Goals” that are directly linked to the NPS District Goals. For example,Goal 1 – Ensuring the High Academic Achievement of All Students, and its associated actionitems, is closely aligned with the first district goal, “Advancing Standards-Based Learning”.Likewise, Goal 2 – Developing the Social and Emotional Resiliency of the School Community,reflects NPS Goal #2 – Developing the Social and Emotional Skills of All Students. Finally, NHSImprovement Area 3 – Practicing Operational Excellence in Support of High QualityInstruction, and its associated goals coincides with district Goal #4 – Ensure infrastructuresupports district values and learning goals.

To be sure, the NHS improvement goals outlined herein are broad in nature. However, theaction items under each area represent specific bodies of work toward which the entire schoolcommunity is committed to working.

Page 2 of 7

Mission Statement

N EEDHAM H IGH S CHOOL DRAWS FROM THESTRENGTHS OF THE COMMUNITY TO CREATE TEACHINGAND LEARNING PARTNERSHIPS BETWEEN FACULTY,PARENTS, AND STUDENTS, BOTH ON AN INDIVIDUALLEVEL AND IN GROUPS, IN ORDER TO PROVIDE A HIGHQUALITY EDUCATION.

T HE SCHOOL OFFERS STUDENTS A VARIETY OFOPPORTUNITIES TO EXCEL AND A DIVERSITY OFPERSPECTIVES FROM WHICH TO LEARN IN ANENVIRONMENT THAT IS BOTH NURTURING ANDCHALLENGING.

THE BALANCED STUDENT IS ABLE TO PARTICIPATEACTIVELY IN SCHOOL AND SOCIETY, BE CREATIVE, ANDSELF-ADVOCATE WHILE DETERMINING HIS OR HERUNIQUE PATH TO FULFILLMENT.

NEEDHAM HIGH SCHOOLTO THINK – TO RESPECT – TO COMMUNICATE

Page 3 of 7

Goal 1 – Ensuring the High Academic Achievement of All Students

ACTION ITEMS DESCRIPTION PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES PERSON(S)RESPONSIBLE

IMPLEMENTATIONTIMELINE TARGET

Ongoing curriculum review and alignmentacross course sections in grade-level,intradepartmental teams during early releasetime, professional development meetings,and summer curriculum workshops.

Teachers, ProgramDirectors, andDepartment Chairs1.1 Curricular

Alignment

Learning goals and master curriculummaps aligned with the Massachusettsstate frameworks will be developed forall courses and entered into the ATLAScurriculum database for ongoing useand revision. Ongoing curriculum alignment to the

Massachusetts Common Core Content andLiteracy Standards.

Teachers, ProgramDirectors, andDepartment Chairs

Fall 2012 –Spring 2016

By spring 2016, 100% of all courseswith multiple sections in eachdepartment will have developed andmapped well defined and clearlyarticulated common curricula that aremapped to the MassachusettsCommon Core Content and LiteracyStandards.

Special Education A joint committee of NHSprofessionals will explore and developoptions for adequate, high quality, andefficient service delivery models andoverarching structure for special educationservices. Options include co-teaching,collaborative consultation, and otherintegrated instructional services.

Joint committee ofspecial educationprofessionals,general educationprofessionals, andadministrators.

Spring 2012 –Fall 2013

By the fall of 2013, NHS professionalswill implement a co-teaching specialeducation service delivery model in atleast two content areas in the ninthgrade.

Online Learning A joint committee willinvestigate and recommend online learningoptions for NHS students as a means ofmastering 21st century skills, and as a meansof ameliorating interrupted instruction.

Joint committee ofTeachers,Administrators, andTechnology Staff.

Spring 2012 -Fall 2014

By the fall of 2014, NHS will havedeveloped and begun to implement anonline learning curriculum forTransitions students.

1.2 ExpandingOptions forDifferentiatedInstruction

NHS will offer differentiated instructionalstrategies and supports to ensure thatall students are able to access thegeneral curriculum and achieve at highlevels.

Interdisciplinary Learning With financialand professional support from the NeedhamEducation Foundation, a team of NHSteachers will propose, research, develop, andready an interdisciplinary course forimplementation and inclusion in the NHSProgram of Studies.

NEF GrantSubcommittee, NHSSelection Committee,NHS InterdisciplinaryDevelopment Team

Spring 2012 –Fall 2014

By the fall of 2014, NHS will havedeveloped for inclusion in the 2014Program of Studies at least oneinterdisciplinary course.

Incorporation of school-wide rubrics intoATLAS master curriculum maps as a meansof assessing student performance on keyprojects and assignments.

Teachers, ProgramDirectors, andDepartment Chairs

Summer 2012 –Spring 2015

By spring 2015, 100% of school-widerubrics will have been incorporatedinto NHS master curriculum maps, andwill be utilized with fidelity acrosscourse sections and levels

Inclusion of quarterly Common FormativeAssessments in Curriculum Maps.

Teachers, ProgramDirectors, andDepartment Chairs

Summer 2012 –Spring 2015

By spring 2015, 100% of commonformative assessments for courseswith multiple sections will be uploadedto the ATLAS curriculum database andimplemented with fidelity on aquarterly basis.

1.3 StudentAssessment

It is the goal of the Needham HighSchool Professional Community toadminister one common formativeassessment per course per term.

Use of Common Formative AssessmentData as a means of improving instructionalpractice and student learning.

Teachers, ProgramDirectors, andDepartment Chairs

Summer 2012 –Spring 2016

By spring 2016, departments will havedeveloped and implemented means ofreadily collecting, organizing,analyzing, and sharing assessmentdata derived from common formativeassessments.

1.4 BuildingCapacity forInstructionalLeadership

Having implemented and streamlinedthe process for non-evaluativeclassroom walkthroughs, the Principal’sCabinet will work to support andencourage voluntary teacherparticipation in interdepartmentalinstructional rounds.

Classroom teachers will be invited to takepart in non-evaluative, interdepartmentalinstructional rounds and walkthroughs on aregular, voluntary basis. Requisite trainingwill be provided.

Principal’s Cabinet &InterdepartmentalGroups of ClassroomTeachers

Fall 2012 –Spring 2013

By the spring of 2013, classroomteachers will have been invited to takepart in at least one session ofinstructional rounds. Requisitetraining will be provided.

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Goal 2 – Developing the Social & Emotional Resilience of All Students

ACTION ITEM DESCRIPTION PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES PERSON(S)RESPONSIBLE

IMPLEMENTATIONTIMELINE TARGET

SEL Retreat, May 2012 & Summer2012 & 2013 Curriculum Work

SEL Committee, Cabinet, &Faculty Council

By the spring of 2014, NHS willhave developed rubrics, indicators,and assessments for measuring thedevelopment of student resilience.2.1 Developing

StudentResilience

The NHS Social Emotional LearningCommittee, in conjunction with the Cabinetand Faculty Council will continue to refine anddevelop a resiliency-based curriculum.Teacher training will be accomplished throughinterdepartmental staff professionaldevelopment Interdepartmental Faculty Meetings,

School Council, & Cabinet Meetings.Cabinet, Instructional Staff, andSchool Council

Spring 2012 –Spring 2014 By the spring of 2014, the NHS

instructional staff will implement theresilience curriculum and userubrics and indicators to havestudents self-assess developmentof their own resilience.

During its 2012 Summer Retreat, thePrincipal’s Cabinet will work withoutside consultants to chart an actionplan for understanding and developingthe Cultural Proficiency of theNeedham High School community.

Principal, Department Chairs,Directors, and outsideconsultants.

Spring 2012 –Fall 2012

By the fall of 2012, the Cabinet willhave developed a CulturalProficiency professionaldevelopment action plan and begunto implement the plan in partnershipwith the SEL Committee andselected consultants.

2.2 Understandingand Applyingthe Tenets ofCulturalProficiency

As a follow up to District Leadership Teamwork during the 2011 – 2School Year, over thenext three years, the NHS community will workto understand the tenets of CulturalProficiency, and will apply these principles toall aspects of professional and student life atNeedham High, including student resiliencydevelopment, classroom instruction,curriculum, and policy development.

During SY 2012 – 2013, the NHSfaculty as a whole and ininterdepartmental teams of teacherswill engage in facilitated meetings toshare professional readings and todialogue in support of CulturalProficiency.

Principal’s Cabinet &Instructional Staff

Fall 2013 –Spring 2014

By the spring of 2014, theinstructional staff and administrationwill understand the tenets ofCultural Proficiency and will prepareto apply these concepts to allmanner of school activities for SY2012-2014.

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Goal 3 – Practicing Operational Excellence in Support of High Quality Instruction

ACTION ITEM DESCRIPTION PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES PERSON(S) RESPONSIBLE IMPLEMENTATIONTIMELINE TARGET

3.1 Utilize Technologyto PromoteInstructional &ManagerialEfficiency

School and district instructionaltechnology staff will work to facilitateongoing professional development in linewith the NHS capital technologyreplacement cycle, the NPS one-to-oneiPad initiative, and online learningopportunities in order to maximize studentlearning, instructional space, andoperational efficiency.

A Technology Committee ofteachers, technology andadministrative support staff, andadministrators, will work withthe NPS Director of Technologyand Innovation to plan trainingfor and surface issues resultingfrom the NHS TechnologyReplacement Cycle and othertechnological initiatives.

Principal, Director ofTechnology and Innovation,Technology Committee

Spring 2013 –Spring 2017

By the end of the 2017academic year, staff willhave been trained innew technologies andresulting from the NHSTechnologyReplacement Cycle andother technologyinitiatives.

3.2 Ensure aSustainable andEffectiveAdministrativeSupport Model

Review the impact of reductions ofadministrative support staff during the2009-2012 academic years in a climate ofincreasing student enrollment.Reorganize and implement model tomaximize the skills and talents of thesupport staff while requesting increases ininstructional staff as necessary.

Data collection and analysis tosupport budget and personnelrequests during the FY 2014,2015, and 2016 budget cycles.Ongoing professionaldevelopment and training fornew and veteran support staff.

Principal, Cabinet, SupportStaff, Central Office Team

Ongoing throughJune 2016

By the spring of 2016,all academic andsupport departmentswill have adequatebook keeping andclerical support.

3.3 Identify andMaximizeInstructional Space

The NHS Administrative staff will work inconjunction with the Public FacilitiesDepartment and the instructional staff toidentify, assess, and remodel/reconfigurespaces for instructional use givenincreased student enrollment projections.

N/APrincipal, Cabinet, Directorof Needham PublicFacilities

Ongoing throughJune 2016

By the spring of 2016,the administration ofNHS will have identifiedand reconfigured allpossible andappropriate spaces forinstructional use.

Group Membership

School Council SY 2011 - 2012

Scott Butchart, Parent 2014

Hans Batra, Math Department Faculty

Emma Castiglia, Class of 2012

Maureen Chamoun, Parent 2013

Mike Hirsh, Science Department Faculty

Kelly Luce, Parent 2013

Karen Mullen, Parent 2014

Danielle Penny, Class of 2012, Co-Chair

Jonathan Pizzi, Principal, Co-Chair

Ashwin Skelly, Class of 2013

Doug Stanczak, History Department Faculty

Dianne Yearwood, Guidance and Clinical Faculty

Principal’s Cabinet

Joanne Allen Willoughby, Ph.D.K-12 Director, METCO

Christopher AshleyAdministrative Intern

Jonathan BournAssistant Principal

Alison Coubrough ArgentieriAssistant Principal

Tom DentonK-12 Director, Guidance

Patrick GallagherEnglish Department Chair

Deb GammermanK-12 Director, Technology & Innovation

Micah Hauben6-12 Director, Athletics

Cathy Heller9-12 Director, Student Support Services

Bob LockhartChair, Science Department

David Neves, Ed.D.K-12 Director, Fine & Performing Arts

Kathy Pinkham, Ed.D.K-12 Director, Wellness & P.E.

Jonathan D. Pizzi, Ph.D.Principal

Stephen PlaskoSocial Studies Department Chair

Libby SandsAdministrative Intern

John SheaChair, Mathematics Department

Mimi StamerK-12 Director, Student Health Director

Debbie WattersK-12 Director, World Languages