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Marshall Simonds Middle SchoolSchool Improvement Plan 2013-2014

Submitted by Richard J. Connors, Principal May 27, 2014

School Council Members

Richard J. Connors – Principal

Noreen Abati – Team Leader

Marie Chesnick – Teacher

Ceil Bova- Teacher

Dee Lane – Parent

Tom Lee – Parent

Lisa Scarfo – Parent

James Duffy – Community Member

Mildred Nash – Community MemberMarshall Simonds Middle School

District Goals

Goal 1: Improve the Capacity of Burlington Public Schools

Goal 2: Improve Technology Integration/Professional Development

Goal 3: Improve Communication (and Customer Service) at all Levels and throughout the Community

Goal 4: Continue to Improve Facilities and Business Management Operations

Marshall Simonds Middle School

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District Improvement Plan 2013-2014Mission

The mission of the Burlington Public Schools is to help all students acquire organized knowledge, master creative and intellectual skills, and understand ideas in ways that foster a positive self-image and lead to lifelong learning, self-sufficiency, and responsible citizenship.

VisionThe Burlington School Department Vision is “striving for excellence” and will be accomplished by:

1. Helping students achieve their highest potential by providing a rigorous balanced curriculum.2. Employing highly qualified teachers, administrators and support staff who are committed to the Burlington mission

statement.3. Encouraging parents to take an active role in their children’s education through involvement with the schools to enhance

student academic success.4. Providing opportunities for community members to participate in school activities to reinforce the goals and advantages of

providing quality educational programs for every student.

Core ValuesAll students’ potential for excellence should be developed by the schools.A program of study that has the same academic objectives for all students should be provided by the schools.A sensitivity to students’ differing learning styles and intellectual development should be reflected in the educational environment.

GoalsThe Burlington Schools District Improvement Plan focuses on four major goals that are critical to the basis of strong effective public schools for the school children of Burlington for the coming years.

1. Improve the Capacity of Burlington Public Schools 2. Provide a Clear Direction for Technology 3. Improve Communication and Customer Service at all Levels and throughout the Community 4. Continue to Improve Facilities and Business Management Operations

IntroductionPage 2

The 2013-2014 reflects the Middle School’s coordination with the District’s Goals that have been approved by the Burlington

School Committee. Specifically, the School Council has aligned their recommended initiatives to further the District priorities in the

areas of curriculum, technology, communication, facilities and business management operations.

This year our plan includes a number of state mandates. The recommendations emphasize new educator evaluator regulations,

realigning the curriculum to reflect the new Common Core standards, our compliance with the Department of Justice’s mandate

regarding Sheltered English Immersion training for teachers and a pilot of the new state assessment test, (PARCC) Partnership for

Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers.

Technology integration continues to be a strong asset to the growth and development of curriculums at Marshall Simonds. All

students have been provided with iPads which provide online resources to teachers. Presently, students have digital portfolios that

will receive expanded utilization.

The School Council members encouraged the adoption of the Aspen Student Portal. Every student at M.S.M.S. now has a

portal login and is able to check their grades online. The Aspen Family Portal has also been implemented to give parents their own

Aspen account.

The Middle School community continues to benefit from the construction of the new addition, renovation and athletic field. A

major goal of providing optimum instructional environments has been enhanced significantly.

Finally, it is the Council’s strong expectation that student learning and achievement remain as the foundation of the 2013-2014

School Improvement Plan. We expect that meaningful professional development, administrative support, teacher collaboration, and

an emphasis on student-teacher engagement experiences will contribute to this goal.

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1B. Articulate how we will know whether students are achieving expectations identified in the Common Core Standards

Grade level curriculum meetings

Classroom walk throughs

Teacher evaluations

Professional development meetings

Written and verbal communication by “leadership team”

Focused conversations on the transition grades - 5 to 6 and 8 to 9

Semester assessmentsStudent growth percentilesTeacher / Supervisor conferences

Team meetingsProfessional developmentCurriculum meetingsI.E.P. meetings

Principal

Asst. Superintendent

Team Leader

Teachers

Program Coordinators

Support Coordinator

Director of Special Education

Team Chair

Guidance Counselors

Walkthrough data

Teacher / Supervisor conferences

Curriculum Emphasis FormsSummer curriculum work in ELA and math

Parent Communication

Inter-school, grade level meetings

Report Cards

Mid-Term Progress Reports

Goal 1: Improve the Capacity of Marshall Simonds Middle School

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Initiatives Priority Action Steps Support Resources Staff Responsible Indicators of Success

1A. Modify what we expect students to know and be able to do at each grade level to reflect the Common Core Standards 6-8

Create a structure that enables teachers to meet, communicate and collaborate in order to implement the guiding principles of the Common Core

Professional development opportunities

Identify topics that have been added or removed from middle school curriculum

DESE - Common Core Standards

Grade 6-8 Curriculum Emphasis Forms

Grade level curriculum meetings

Common Core assessment materials

After-school math prep classes

Teachers

Team Leader

Support Coordinator

Program Coordination

Principal

Assistant Superintendent


Team Chair

Well-defined curriculum expectations that reflect scope and sequence of curriculum frameworks for math and English language arts

Performance on school and state-mandated assessments

Instruction that highlights Common Core expectations



1C. Articulate what we will do if students are behind or ahead of expectations.

Use team and curriculum meetings to assess student progress

Involve guidance, special education staff, and school psychologist to identify student needs

Support inclusion program in all academic teams

Continue after-school Math Olympiad program

Promote daily student engagement in lesson planning

Individualize instruction to promote, challenge, and differentiation

Implement advanced math grouping in grades 6, 7, and 8

Implement after-school math prep course

Middle School Team Chair

School Psychologist

Principal

Team Leader

Counselors

Inclusion Teachers


Special Education Department

Team meetings

Curriculum meetings

Homework Clinic

Parent communication

Math Olympiad

Project Explore

B.E.A.M.

Principal



Math and ELA program coordinators

Team Leader

Team Chair

School Psychologist

Teachers

Guidance

Councelors

Inclusion Specialists

Scholars’ List

Reduction in referrals

Improved student achievement

Student growth scores

Semester assessments

Report cards

Individualized course expectations

Increased opportunities for students with unique talents

Reduced out-of-district placements

Parent satisfaction and support

Mid-Term Progress Reports

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1D. Implement new educator evaluation regulations

Identify S.M.A.R.T. Goals

Conduct required observations

Complete Formative and Summative Assessment Forms

Department of Education Guidelines

Burlington Education Association contract language

Implementation timeline

Standards and indicators of effective teaching practice

Principal

Team Leader

Support Coordinator

Team Chair

District Coordinators

Superintendent of Schools

Assistant Superintendent of Schools

Educator Evaluation cycle is completed

Evidence of teacher performance is submitted

Instructional meetings are conducted between evaluators and evaluates

Improvement of classroom instruction

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Goal 2: Technology at Marshall Simonds Middle School


2A. Support the integration of technology into the learning environment at M.S.M.S.

Use Aspen for middle school mid-terms, report cards and scheduling

Distribute iPads to all teachers and students

Implement iPad applications in academic and exploratory curriculum

Provide professional development for teachers in the utilization of technology

Promote teacher communication and collaboration

Increase student engagement

PC Lab

iMac Lab

Lightspeed audio system with stereo inputs for laptops and wireless microphones

Ceiling-mounted interactive projector with interactive pointers

Airserver Software

Operational and capital budgets

Student digital portfolios

District “How Do I Do That?” Sessions

Classroom blogs

Social learning platforms

Professional development conferences

Director of Technology Integration

District technology team



Principal

Teachers

Team Leader

Support Coordinator

Library Media Specialist

Computer Instructor


Technology is used to enhance curriculum goals

Student work reflects the integration of technology

1:1 iPad environment that engages students in productive learning activities

Expanded use of technology by middle school staff

High interest and participation during professional development opportunities

Expanded use of social learning platforms

Evidence of student digital products

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2B. Opening of student and parent Aspen Online Gradebook

Establish student and parent Aspen accounts

Communication with students and parents

Teacher orientation meetings

Aspen student information system Josh Murphy - Director of Student Information

Principal

Team Leader

Teachers

Aspen secretary

Utilization of Aspen login ID and password by students and parents to access grades and other assessment information

Goal 2: Technology at Marshall Simonds Middle School


2C. Use of PARCC assessment to evaluate student progress in English language arts and mathematics

Conduct teacher orientation meetings

Prepare students in grades 6,7, and 8 for PARCC tests

Create student scheduling assignments

Coordinate assessments procedures with Director of Technology and technology team

Technology equipment

Computer Labs

Director of Technology

Technology Team

Principal

Team Leader

Teachers

Support Coordinator

Teacher and student surveys

Evaluation by Rennie Center

Focus meetings with students, teachers and administrators

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Goal 3: Communication at Marshall Simonds Middle School


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3A. Structure opportunities for instructionally focused conversations throughout the school and community

Maintain high levels of parent communication

Introduce new educator evaluations

Provide time for staff to discuss and share instructional strategies

Schedule community events that highlight school goals, student work and program initiatives

Continue to engage in inter-school discussions

Promote community service projects

Encourage utilization of school blog and teacher blogs

Continue student recognition initiatives

Parent / Teacher organization

School Council

Team Meetings

Curriculum Meetings

Education Nights

Faculty Meetings

Teen LIGHT

Professional Development

Blogs

Burlington Education Foundation

Newsletters

Parent Conferences

Student events and activities

Student recognition opportunities

Spring Open House and Exhibition

After-school professional development meetings

Everyone Parent and community attendance

Active involvement by middle school teachers

Parent awareness of school policies and events

Welcoming school culture and environment

Expanded teacher communication and collaboration opportunities

Increased school initiatives that highlight school programs and student recognition

Expanded opportunities for teacher leadership and decision making

Increased use of technology to communicate with parents and staff

Goal 4: Continue to improve facilities and business management operations.


4A. Maintain or construct optimum teaching and learning environments

Landscaping of school grounds

Orientation of parents and students to the new addition and renovated classrooms

Utilize technology, space and educational opportunities provided by new addition and renovation

Implement superior cleaning and school building maintenance procedures

Evaluate building needs and submit recommendations to central office administration

Purchase new risers for music department

School Budget

Warrant Article

Director of Operations and Finance


Principal

Team Leader

Support Coordinator

Teachers


Assistant Superintendent of Schools

Custodial and Maintenance Personnel

New athletic field is utilized by students and community

Teachers use technology and building enhancements to improve programs and student learning opportunities

Exemplary physical plant and student learning opportunities

Continued attention to the maintenance of quality learning environments

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