Northfield Elementary School Improvement Plan 2017-2019 I.
INTRODUCTION
The Massachusetts Education Reform Act of 1993, Section 59C of Chapter 71 of the Acts of 1993 called for the establishment of a school council at each elementary, secondary, and independent vocational school in the Commonwealth. At Northfield Elementary School the school representatives are elected by the Northfield Elementary School staff, the parents are chosen by a PTO sponsored election, and the community members are invited to join the Council by the principal. The members for 2016-2017 school year are as follows: Megan Desmarais Amy Tibbetts Lisa Wheeler Cheryl George Alissa Alteri Shea Matt Atwood
Principal Teacher Teacher Parent Parent Community Representative
II. VISION Our vision at Northfield Elementary School is to introduce our students to the life-long pursuit of knowledge in a caring, safe, and challenging environment which is responsive to children's learning abilities and needs and which encourages students to reach their fullest potential. III. MISSION To achieve this vision, our mission at Northfield Elementary School is deeply committed to providing a safe, engaging, and inclusive teaching and learning environment that promotes respect, responsibility, and academic excellence. Northfield Elementary School provides opportunities for members to become adept at critical thinking, creative problem-solving, and collaboration, with a goal of preparing its members to be actively engaged and effective contributors to an increasingly diverse and rapidly evolving global society. To be successful in our mission, we recognize providing the following supports as critically important:
- A teaching and learning environment respectful of and welcoming to all members - Curriculum, instruction, and assessments that promote multiple paths to development, growth, and success - Relevant and meaningful policy - Ample financial resources - Safe, clean, and attractive facilities The staff at Northfield Elementary School understands that our effectiveness in providing these supports forms the basis of our members’ success at achieving their potential in the academic, civic, social, technological, and personal realms. This plan focuses on carrying out our mission and continuing to improve the educational experience for our students. The Northfield Elementary School Council presents the following goals for the 2017-2018 and 2018-2019 school years: Goal 1: Transition from the 2006 Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) Curriculum Framework to the 2016 Massachusetts STE Curriculum Framework through creation of curriculum units by grade level (PreK-6) Goal 2: Implement the Lucy Calkins writing assessments across all grade levels (K-6) Goal 3: Implement updated Second Step Curriculum to address social emotional learning and bullying prevention (K-6) Goal 4: Ensure a positive adult and child learning community Goal 5: Improve the home-school connection through classroom communication and whole school communication.
In addition to the goals set forth in the plan, the School Council recommends that class size determinations take into consideration the following:
Reasonable teacher/student ratio The needs and dynamics of the class Smaller class sizes are beneficial to student learning and emotional well-being Staffing to meet academic needs Behavioral supports provided when needed School choice openings allotted only when class size would not exceed 20 students
Area of Focus
Curriculum Expectations & Assessment
Goals
Timeline
Goal 1: Transition from the 2006 Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering (STE) Curriculum Framework to the 2016 Massachusetts STE Curriculum Framework through creation of curriculum units by grade level (PreK-6)
Year 1: Implement one new science unit per grade level, including a design project
Goal 2: Implement the Lucy Calkins writing assessments across all grade levels (K-6)
Year 1: For narrative writing, conduct pre-, post-, and end-of-year ondemand assessments
Year 2: Add a second new unit per grade level, including a design project Year 3: Add a third new unit per grade level, including a design project
Year 2: Introduce ondemand assessments for opinion and informational writing
Activities
Persons Responsible
Utilize PD time to develop curriculum and determine necessary resources
Teacher leaders, classroom teachers
Acquire and/or develop resources for teaching new science curriculum
Classroom teachers
Provide access to Mystery Science online resource for teaching
Administration, technology department
Utilize PD time to train staff on implementing and scoring on-demand writing assessments Administer the pre-, post, and end-of-year on-demand assessments for narrative writing Administer the pre- and poston-demand assessments for opinion and informational writing Use student on-demand writing to inform instructional practice
Principal
Classroom teachers
Classroom teachers
Classroom teachers, special education liaisons
Area of Focus
Timeline
Goals Goal 3: Implement updated Second Step Curriculum to address social emotional learning and bullying prevention (K-6)
Purchase new materials
Year-long, weekly or biweekly lessons
Implement lessons throughout Classroom teachers the year
Fall 2017
Provide training and time in the PD calendar to review the materials available Plan sequence of Bullying Prevention lessons Incorporate literature that complements Second Step/Bullying Prevention Incorporate additional resources to address gaps in the curriculum Use consistent language around Bullying Prevention
Teacher leader group, administration Classroom teachers
Monthly
Continue All School Meetings
Principal and teachers
At least every other faculty meetings as well as fall PD Fridays
Use Leading Together protocols and activities with staff
Principal, School Culture Advisory
Throughout the 17-18 school year
Revisit and refine expected behaviors (recess, lunch, halls, etc.)
Daily
Consistently enforce expected behaviors
Principal and staff, including instructional assistants All staff members
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Goal 4: Ensure a positive adult and child learning community
Persons Responsible
Summer 2017
Fall 2017
School Culture, Safety, & Discipline
Activities
Principal
Classroom teachers
Classroom teachers
All staff
Area of Focus
Goal 5: Improve the home-school connection through classroom communication and whole school communication.
Communication & Community Outreach
Timeline
Goals
Begin fall 2017
Ongoing
Activities Establish expectations regarding communication (MCAS times, academics, specials, parent teacher conferences) Individual teachers determine method of communication such as a weekly newsletters/ blog/email/class website
Persons Responsible Principal, staff
Staff
Fall 2017
Establish a master school email list
Principal
Ongoing
Continue to use Connect Ed for robo calls
Principal
Annually
Work with the PTO to provide a parent night (such as math, science, etc.)
PTO, principal, staff
