Athol-Royalston Regional School District Strategic Plan ... · DDMs Assessment changes of increase in student proficiency on DDMs Incorporate into VAP Teachers reassigned if necessary

ARRSD Strategic Plan Implementation Year 1 Priorities (2015-2016) 1

Athol-Royalston Regional School District

Strategic Plan Implementation Plan

Year One (2015-2016) Priorities

Presented to the School Committee on October 21, 2015


Teaching and Learning

Priority #1: Provide for all students a rigorous academic curriculum with full access to the Arts.

Goal 1: Align the curriculum – both horizontally and vertically – to the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks (incorporating the Common Core State Standards), and ensure that the taught curriculum is the written aligned curriculum.

Action Step Person(s) Responsible

Timeline Resources Needed Evidence of Completion

Evaluation and Next Steps

Continue to store and refine all curriculum documents on Atlas

Asst. Supt. Administrators Teachers

Ongoing through school year 2015-2016

Rubicon Atlas Atlas documents completed and aligned

Curriculum review by District Curriculum Committee in January and June

Continue to monitor the written and taught curriculum through observation forms

Principals, Primary and Secondary Evaluators


TeachPoint data obtained by teacher conferences and classroom observations by evaluators

TeachPoint reports, which contain formative and summative evaluations of teachers

Data from observations incorporated into teacher evaluations which will be used to assess the level of proficiency at the end of their evaluation cycle

Continue collaboration with Teachers for Teachers for ELA at the elementary level- using Units of study which are aligned with the Massachusetts Frameworks and the Common Core

Supt., Asst. Supt, DSAC, Principals, Title 1 Director, ELA coaches, Teacher for Teachers consultants, Teachers


Continued prof. dev., Book rooms with Leveled libraries and Readers workshop

Evaluation and supervision by Principals, information obtained by teacher and administrator walkthroughs, information gathered from classroom

Assessment changes of increase in student proficiency on DDMs Curriculum review by District Curriculum committee and District Instruction


observations of coaches, consultant observations of classroom instruction Book rooms in place and are used Student observations by primary and secondary evaluators

committees in January and June

Continue collaboration with Looney Consultants in Math at the elementary level with adoption of Eureka Math which are aligned with the Massachusetts Frameworks and the Common Core

Supt., Asst. Supt, DSAC, Principals, Title 1 Director, math coaches, Looney Math consultants, Teachers

Ongoing through school year 2015-2016.

Continued prof. dev., math coaching, Eureka Math materials

Evaluation and Supervision Assessment improvement of DDMs Evaluation and supervision by principals, information obtained by teacher and administrator walkthroughs, information gathers from classroom observations of coaches,

Assessment changes of increase in student proficiency on DDMs Curriculum review by District Curriculum and District Instruction committee in January and June


consultant observations of classroom instruction, Student observations by primary and secondary evaluators

Collaboration with Looney Consultants in Math at the Middle and High School Levels

Asst. Supt., Principals Teachers


Prof. dev. Math coaching

Evaluation and Supervision of teachers Assessment -improvement of DDMs

Assessment changes of increase in student proficiency on DDMs Incorporate into VAP Teachers reassigned if necessary

Collaboration with Central DSAC Consultants in ELA at the Middle and High School Levels

Supt., Asst. Supt., Principal Teachers


Prof. dev. ELA Coaching

Evaluation and Supervision of teachers Assessment - improvement of DDMs

Assessment changes of increase in student proficiency on DDMs Incorporate into VAP Teachers reassigned if necessary


Goal 2: Implement courses and programs which challenge students who have demonstrated mastery of the current standards.




Continue the Athol High School Honors Academy

Principal Teachers

Contact 8th grade students in March, decision and sign up prior to student scheduling process

Staffing Honors Academy projects by students

Survey of honors academy students and review of honors academy college acceptances

Review the program of studies at the high school to ensure course offerings meet the needs of all students

Supt., Asst. Supt. Principal, Department Chairs Teachers

December 2015 Staffing and materials for new courses

Revised program of studies

Review of MCAS, AP, and SAT scores and their correlation with teacher grades.

Explore alignment between 8th grade and high school schedule to make high school courses available to 8th graders

VAP Team January 2015 Staffing Transportation

8th grade course offerings

Feedback from 8th grade parents and students at the end of the year

ELA- Readers Workshop- Leveled by student ability. Students with Mastery advance at their own pace by book level.

Asst. Supt., Principal Teachers Support Staff

Ongoing Leveled libraries and leveled books in the book rooms

Use of higher leveled reading materials

More students scoring in the advanced category in DDMs, MCAS, PARCC, PSAT, SAT

Math- small group work by skill and ability

Principal, STEM Department Head, Teachers Support Staff

Ongoing Staff support for working with math small groups during scheduled math blocks

Assessment of specific skills in Math

More students scoring in the advanced category in DDMs, MCAS, PARCC, PSAT, SAT


Goal 3: Further enhance the curriculum by including 21st century skills and by strengthening and expanding District science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM) and world language offerings.




Plan to address this at the middle and high school level through the Vertical Articulation Plan

VAP Team January 2015 Staffing and Materials

Completed VAP Plan

Completion of VAP Implementation

At Riverbend- added a third teacher to teach project based learning skills in STEM content

Principal, Teacher

Ongoing Updated Curricular materials in Science and Technology

Teacher hired Teacher Evaluation, Curriculum and Instruction at a proficiency level

Teacher evaluation through TeachPoint, positive surveys of students and parents regarding their views on STEM coursework

Purchase of additional technology for Title 1 schools- Chrome books, document cameras and use of all available Smartboards

Supt, Asst. Supt., Tech Director, Title 1 Director, Sped Director, Principals, Teachers

Completed Technology hardware

Equipment in place Equipment used Next Steps- additional recommendations for technology and curriculum integration


Goal 4: Help students to develop life skills, such as utilizing teamwork and collaboration; practicing time management; taking initiative; setting goals; demonstrating persistent effort; adapting to change with resiliency; understanding and being able to work with people from different cultural and language backgrounds; performing community service; understanding consumer and financial management; appreciating the fine and performing arts; and exhibiting good character, ethical behavior and leadership, and responsible citizenship.




Train teaching staff and pilot the Life Skills program at the middle school

ARMS Administration, ARMS, Curriculum consultants, MS Health Teacher

October 2015 for training, implementation from Oct. 2015 t0 June 2016.

Life Skills materials, surveys of teachers, students and parents before and after curriculum is presented

Life Skills assessment materials show student have mastered at a 75% level taught material

Review assessment materials to determine expanding the program to other grades, survey teachers, students and parents to see if attitudes have changed

Continue the Futures and Strive classrooms

Sped Director, Principals, Special Education staff and paraprofessionals

Ongoing through end of School Year 2015-2016

Staffing to meet state mandated classroom ratios

Students Grades & Student IEP progress reports

Special Education SE54 evaluation per DESE, Successful completion of CPR

Establish expectations for collaboration and teamwork though Reader’s Workshop, Guided Math, and general classroom expectations

Looney Math Consultants, Teachers for Teachers Consultants, Principals, Teachers & School Staff

October 2015 and ongoing

Anchor Charts Lesson plans, anchor charts Observed student behaviors Instructional groups

Administrator observation and evaluation data


Goal 5: Develop and implement collaborative (faculty and administrators) cycles of curriculum review.




Develop a plan of curriculum review for all content areas over a 5-year cycle

District Curriculum Committee Assistant Superintendent, Superintendent

2016-2021 Curriculum meetings

Curriculum Team Meetings, Professional Development for District Curriculum Team, Access to Atlas

Written plan for timeline for Review of content areas over five year period

Written curriculum review, Updated and aligned, curriculum noted in Atlas Curriculum database

Priority #2: Consistently utilize research-based best practices in instruction in every classroom.

Goal 1: Create a culture of high expectations in which students are presented with challenging learning opportunities, are consistently urged to do their very best work, and are supported fully as they do so.




Participate in “Creating and sustaining positive school-wide learning environments” professional development

District Administrative Team

Fall 2015 Free offering through DESE

Successful completion of course

Develop a plan to implement the PD into the schools for 2016-2017

2016-2017 goal for ELA, Math and faculty meetings for increasing instructional rigor

Consultants Administrative Team, DSAC, Teachers

2016-2017 School Year

Prof development Faculty meetings, professional day visiting other school districts

Evaluation and Supervision of assessment materials and results by Supt., Asst. Supt. and Principals

Evidence in reports for observations Increased student achievement as shown on DDMs, evidence of higher scores on MCAS and PARCC


Goal 2: Reaffirm and emphasize that all teachers are teachers of reading and writing, who provide instruction in all content areas with constructive feedback in a timely manner.




Hire consultants to provide professional development for reading non-fiction and reading in the content area, and writing within the content area

Consultants Assistant Supt Title 1 Principals, Teachers

Planning 2015-2016 school year. Implementation 2016-2020.

Funding for consultants Funding for subs Funds to purchase a variety of books in content reading book baskets

Supervision and Evaluation-evidence of comprehension strategies in all content areas, teachers corrections on student writing

More students scoring in the advanced category in DDMs, MCAS , PARCC, increased numbers of students excelling in content focused subjects

Goal 3: Employ reading and math tutors to assist with tiered instruction.




MCAS Tutors hired at AHS to tutor students for the Math, ELA, and biology MCAS during intervention and after school

Principal October 2015 632 Grant Time sheets MCAS Scores

Review MCAS scores Review model for next year’s 632 grant application

Monitor tiered instruction Schedule and assign personnel as related to student achievement and student data

Title 1 Special Education Director, and SPED Teaching staff, Administrative Team, classroom teachers

2015- 2016 Planning, Implementation 2016-2020.

Schedule adequate time for tiered instruction which does not include focus lessons in major content areas

Supervision and Evaluation, Increased student achievement, progress monitoring of students who are designated for additional supports

Assessment of progress monitoring data for students provided tiered services Data collection and assessment of data, IEP’s altered if necessary


Title 1 tutors- who all are certified teachers

Title 1 Administrative Team

2015-2016 partial implementation, full implementation 2016-2020

Title 1 funds or District funding

Hiring of tutors Collection of student achievement data to assess effectiveness of tutoring support in tiered instruction

Goal 4: Provide access to Pre-K for all Athol Royalston families.




District Participation in the Birth to Grade 3 Initiative

Supt, Asst. Supt., Athol private Pre-school providers, Principals in schools with pre-schools

Planning 2015-2016, implementation 2016-2020

Time to attend conferences, funding to attend conferences

Completion of workshops Development of a plan to align curriculum and standards of private and district preschools

Evidence of MA state frameworks of pre-school standards implemented in pre-school programming, evaluation of preschool programming

Survey parents regarding interest in Pre-K program and develop models to meet the need

School Committee, Supt.

November 2015 through January 2016

Staffing for FY 16-17 to meet need, funding for staff

Survey data and pre-K program proposal in budget

If budgeted, implement for FY 17.

Goal 5: Develop and implement tiered models of instruction and intervention, as well as differentiated instruction that meet the needs of all learners.




Participation in DSAC prof. development for administrators about Massachusetts Tiered

DSAC Consultants Principals,

July 2015 ARMS library Completed Tiered system of support implementation


System of Supports

Supt., Asst. Supt. for supervision

evidenced in walkthroughs of classrooms

DSAC consultants to provide professional development regarding MTSS to all middle school and high school faculty

Assistant Superintendent Principals Teachers

October 9, 2015 January 15, 2016 February 3, 2016

ARMS Cafeteria MTSS plans created for both the MS and HS

Implement MTSS plans during 2016-2017 school year

Schedule and implement a tiered system of support at the new Athol elementary school

Title 1 Director, Administrative Team, SPED Director, Teacher, Title I and Special education teachers and Support Staff

Planning in 2015-2016, implementation in 2016-2020.

School-wide schedule targeting times for tiered support Schedules for tiered support personnel

Schedules showing how the tiered system of support will be implemented System of tiered support in place and functioning as seen in classroom walkthroughs

Continued evaluation of the effectiveness of the system of in the new Athol elementary school, Evaluation of Student achievement data that shows student improvement in testing

Title 1, Spec Ed and Gen Education meetings to discuss student groupings and instruction

Asst. Supt., Title 1 Director, Special Education Director, and Principals

Ongoing during 2015-2016 school year.

Intervention resources and staffing

Formative & summative evals, IEP progress reports, mtg notes

Weekly self-evaluation and discussion amongst teachers which show student improvement on testing

Scheduling of Child Study Meetings and intervention blocks

Principals Ongoing n/a Schedule in place Student progress monitoring for improvements


Goal 6: Ensure that all instruction incorporates higher-order thinking skills, including analyzing and interpreting data; synthesizing new learning; and evaluating ideas and information--in addition to such skills as accessing information; identifying problems; asking questions; thinking flexibly; making connections; drawing evidenced-based conclusions; and seeking rational, practical, and innovative solutions.




Implementation of Massachusetts Educator Evaluation system

Administrators Ongoing TeachPoint Administrators evaluations of teachers showing evidence, or lack thereof, in classroom instruction

Conferences with teachers, information from classroom visits to help establish teacher grade status

Goal 7: Utilize an individualized education approach, one which implements models of differentiated instruction that recognize the needs of all students: advanced students as well as those who are struggling.




Continue the system of tiered instruction (RB-SS) and then the new Athol elementary school which addresses the needs of individual students based on data and collaborative discussions

Supt., Asst. Supt., Principals, Teachers Support personnel

Ongoing 2015-2016

Increased time in the instructional schedule or funding for after school sessions for collaborative planning sessions

Decrease in IEP referrals

Increase in students achievement in classrooms and on DDMs, MCAS and PARCC

Goal 8: Ensure that all teachers have access to and the support of instruction leader(s) in addition to the Principal--such as coaches, department chairs, lead teachers, or team leaders.




Create a Unified Arts Department K-12 and designate a department chair

Superintendent Assistant Superintendent

Fall 2015-Completed

Stipend Department meeting minutes

Survey of teachers regarding department access


to support, and effectiveness to help determine model for other departments

Explore the creation on department chairs serving grades 5-12

VAP Team Planning up to January 2015, implementation in 2016-2017

Funding for Stipends for cross-school department chairs

Completed VAP Budgeted into FY17

Survey of teachers regarding department effectiveness

Provide access to Math and ELA Coaches, and DSAC at the elementary level

Assistant Superintendent Title 1 Coordinator

Ongoing Title 1 Funds, DSAC Funding

Administrator and teacher attendance at PD

Effective capacity within our own staff for lesson study

Implementation of Collaborative planning sessions for all grade levels

Supt., Asst. Supt., Directors, Principals Teachers Support Personnel Reading Specialists Coaches

Ongoing Increased time for Collaborative planning meetings and funding for after school meetings

Ongoing Students assigned to Tier 1,2,3 and assessed regularly for progress and reassignment

Surveys of teachers demonstrating increased access to support.

Goal 9: Fully incorporate technology into how students are taught.




Title 1 Purchase of a Chrome Book Cart with Chrome books at RB and SS and then as a purchase in the new Athol elementary school.

Title 1 Technology Director Technology staff

2016-2017 School Year

Title 1 funds Technology support, money budged into building plan

Carts in place and operational Walkthroughs of teacher classrooms showing evidence that technology is being used

Effective Use of Chrome Books Integration of technology in the classrooms for students, teacher evaluation and teacher status rating


Purchase Lexia Licenses for progress monitoring and instructional support

Title 1 Director, Technology Director Technology staff, Teachers, Instructional support staff

Partial implementation in 2015-2016, completed implementation in 2016-2017

Title 1 funds, Technology support through district budget

Licenses in place and used, walkthroughs of classrooms to observe teacher implementation

Progress monitoring of improvement of student achievement, Lexia diagnostic support, teacher evaluation

Purchase IXL licenses for student instructional support in Math

Asst. Supt., AHS Principal, STEM Department Chair, Title I director, RCS Principal

Fall 2015 632 Grant Title I Grant Royalston Academy Grant

IXL usage reports for individual students

Compare student usage to assessment data Examine access and usage of IXL

Goal 10: Institute an academic challenge and enrichment program to include STEM.




At Riverbend- A third teacher was hired to teach project based learning skills in STEM content

Principal Teacher

Ongoing in 2015-2016

Updated Curricular materials in Science and Technology

Teacher hired Teacher Evaluation, student improvement on STEM testing

Teacher evaluation status determined in part by results of student testing in STEM subjects

Offer Mad Science Program after school at RB for grades 3 and 4 students

Asst. Supt., Title 1 Principal, Mad Science Instructors

October to December, 2015 at RB and PSS

Title 1 funds Students sign up and participate in After School Program, student improvement in science testing

Evaluate program at completion Student surveys upon completion


Goal 11: Increase time on learning for all students.




Institute a school-wide schedule which allows for 100 minutes of instruction in ELA and Math (each)

Supt., Asst. Supt., ATA, Principal Teacher Coaches Support staff

Ongoing in 2015-2016

None Completed schedule which functions for each teacher to effectively cover the curriculum with the proper instructional methods as determined by classroom walkthroughs

Schedule in full operation at school Direct observation of the effectiveness of the schedule. Teacher evaluation status determined

Develop an ideal schedule for the new elementary school that would provide adequate time on learning and coverage

Supt., Assistant Superintendent Principal

Planning through school year 2015-2016

Meeting Time, ATA teacher flexibility

Proposed schedule approved by ATA and teachers

Implement the new schedule and provide opportunities for feedback

Explore contract language during negotiations to ensure that language regarding teaching and duty time will meet the needs of the new elementary school

Superintendent and School Committee

November 2015 to ???

Contract Negotiations

Completed Contract

Student needs met both on instruction and out of classroom supervision


Priority #3: Utilize a standard system of collecting and analyzing data to inform instruction, identify learning gaps, increase flexible grouping

options, tailor instruction to specific groups of students and provide a tiered system of support.

Goal 1: Create high caliber common benchmark, formative, summative, and teacher-made classroom assessments.




Professional development by DSAC regarding the development and interpretation of District Determined Measures for MS and HS Staff

Assistant Superintendent Principals Teachers

December 2, 2015 ARMS Cafeteria Completed DDMs Evaluation of DDM data. Determination of impact ratings

Elementary school assessment plan Supt., Assistant Superintendent Principals

Ongoing in School year 2015-2016

Testing materials and professional development

Assessment data housed in common spreadsheet

Evaluation of data to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement

Measure of Academic Progress testing

Assistant Superintendent Principals Tech Director

3 times per year MAP subscription (Measured Academic Progress)

MAP data produced on each student, classroom and school

Evaluation of data to identify trends, patterns, and areas for improvement

Goal 2: Continue to develop teacher proficiency at interpreting assessment data to inform instruction and make adjustments to practice.




Professional development for MS and HS faculty by DSAC on using data to drive instruction

DSAC, Assistant Superintendent Principals Teachers

September 23, 2015

ARMS Cafeteria Data observations completed by faculty

Use data observations to improve curriculum and instruction

Professional development for elementary teachers by ELA and math consultants on how to use assessment data to plan instruction

Assistant Superintendent, Principals, Consultants, Teachers

Ongoing Consultants Attendance at PD session, lesson plans, and administrator observations

Use of data for effective planning of interventions


Goal 3: Foster a cycle of continuous improvement, in collaboration with teachers and administrators, by using data to effectively examine system-wide programs and practices to meet the needs of all students.




Year-end school-wide administrator and teacher meetings

Supt., Asst. Supt., Principals, ATA

School year 2016-2017

Approval of ATA and change in CBA, Funding if necessary

Effective data collected and collated for presentation to teachers in the fall

Surveys of teachers and administrators of effectiveness of meetings

New School year administrator teacher meetings to provide and effective game plan to follow upon on end of year meetings

Supt., Asst. Supt., Principals, ATA

School year 2016-2017


Effective planning for data collection and assessment to meet practice in the 2016-2016 school year.

Surveys of teachers and administrators of effectiveness of meetings, improved student performance

Goal 4 and 5: Continue training in use of Benchmark Assessments for both ELA and Math; Provide for similar training in math assessments.




Continuous plan to implement training each school year during summer planning meetings

Supt., Asst. Supt., Principals, ATA, Teachers

Years 3-5 of Strategic Plan


Effective plans for each succeed year to fine tune and improve our benchmark assessments of students to drive instruction

Test scores need to show and improvement in students’ scores on ELA and Math on DDM’s, MCAS and PARCC.


Funding and Finance

Priority #1: Reduce Classroom size - K-4

Goal 1: FY 17 - K-1st (18), use funds from the cost saving of opening new school




Survey students to determine anticipated enrollment at each elementary school and at ARMS

Central Office Fall 2015 None Completed surveys Use data to calculate anticipated enrollment and classroom averages

Examine existing staffing at each elementary school and ARMS to determine the best way to reallocate staffing resources

Central Office, Principals

Fall-Winter 2015 None Staffing plan to fill needs at the new Athol Elementary School, RCS and ARMS.

Incorporate additional positions as needed and voted by the School Committee into the FY17 budget

Examines other expenditures (fuel, electricity, bussing) to determine any other savings from the new Athol Elementary school

Central Office, Principals, Business

Winter 2015 Projected usage for new building and data from closed buildings

Updated costs Incorporate any savings into the FY17 budget


Priority #2: Gain financial support from the municipalities to provide funding for instructional services to improve student outcomes as

measured by standardized assessments.




Hold joint meetings with the town government and town committees to dialogue on district requests, and town and district financials.

School Committee September 30, 2015 & Ongoing

None Meeting posting and minutes

Recommendations by School Committee to their Academic, and Budget Sub-Committees

Attend MASS/MASC PD on “How to build the best school budget and garner community support for this budget”

Assistant Superintendent

October 29, 2015 Registration Fee Completion Certificate

Share information with Superintendent and School Committee

Examination of projected FY17 and funding to make final decisions on what class sizes will be lowered.

School Committee Budget Sub-Committee, Supt., Business Manager

Spring 2016 State Ch. 70 numbers, Town Funding numbers, and District Resource sheet

Final completed FY17 budget

Analysis of class size figures for FY17 and recommendations for FY18


Priority #3: Pursue federal funds to expand pre-school.




Explore Chapter 70 money available FY18 for pre-k students who are not charged tuition in FY17

Business Manager, Supt.

Spring 2016 Funding to cover FY17 since money is not received until FY18

DESE /DOR communication on State Funding

Present scenarios to school committee for FY17 decision-making

Explore partnerships with Head Start.

Supt., Assistant Superintendent, Special Education Director, Elementary Principals

December 2015 -February 2016

Room availability in RCS and New Athol elementary school

MOI’s with Head Start with DESE, MSBA approvals

Present scenarios to School Committee for vote


Community Partnerships

Priority #1: Increase parental involvement in the schools.




Continue to hold Parents Involved in Education (PIE) Events

Supt, Assistant Superintendent, Principals

February and May of 2016

Speakers, Presenters, Agenda developed by school personnel and parents councils and PTA’s, food and beverages for meetings, child care services for meetings

Attendance at meetings by parents

Exit surveys to evaluate effectiveness of meetings and to begin planning or the next school year.

Conduct parent support groups for elementary and middle school parents

Principals, Guidance, Adj. Counselors, Chart Grant employees, CSO consultants

March and April 2016

Parent surveys as to need, info confidentially obtained from guidance, Chart Grant employees, CSO consultants

Meetings held with a statistically significant number of parents

Exit surveys to evaluate effectiveness of meetings and to begin planning or the next school year.

Increase parent use of student portal and District and School web sites.

Principals, Tech Director

September 2015-June 2016

On line parent training and in-person if necessary

An increase of 20% of parents utilizing the students portals

Exit surveys to evaluate effectiveness of training and parent utilization to begin planning or the next school year.


Priority #2: Provide more opportunities for member of the community to participate in the life of our schools as well as support district

leadership to be involved in the community.




Promulgate more effectively all District and School meetings, as well as all School Committee public sub-committee meetings.

Central Office and School Committee

School Year 2015-2016

District and School Committee community calendar published online and in Athol Daily News (ADN)

Increased attendance at meetings

Exit surveys of community members who attend meetings for suggestions to improve attendance and to make plans for the next school year.

Promulgate more effectively all School Community monthly meetings



School Com. agenda published in ADN/telecasts of meetings by AOTV

Increased attendance at meetings

Exit surveys of community members who attend meetings for suggestions to improve attendance and to make plans for the next school year.

Send specific invitations to school events to community groups personally and via ADN

Central Office, School Committee, Principals


Develop a list of community groups that will always receive a mailed invitation, and develop and ad for ADN which invites community members during the week of the activity.

Increased attendance at school events by community members

Exit surveys of community members who attend school activities for feedback and suggestions for improvement in order to make plans for the next school year.


Priority #3: Identify, develop and foster diverse opportunities for students to engage in active learning with businesses and the community.




Continue to enhance the high school internship program

High School Principal, Internship staff

Ongoing Staffing, transportation

Completed intern projects

Feedback from internship locations on suggestions to improve the program

Continue to expand the High School special education vocational training program

Special Education director, High School Special Education Staff, Principal

Ongoing Staffing, transportation

IEP Progress Reports

Feedback from vocational placement sites on suggestions to improve the program.


Priority #4: Effectively communicate our schools' successes and challenges.




Prepare a supplement to the annual report to be published twice yearly for the community which demonstrates School and District successes and outlines the challenges that must be met in the future.

Central Office, School Committee, Principals , Teachers, Parents and Students and a person designated as a PR liaison

June of 2016 in a pilot.

Info from schools, teachers, administrators regarding successes and challenges. Space for a PR liaison to work and a stipend for the position.

Yearbook document produced and disseminated community-wide.

Survey included in yearbook to be sent to Central Office and School Committee for suggestions for improvement and for planning for the next school year.

A School Committee statement in the Annual Report for both towns delineating School and District successes and challenges.


March 2016 School Committee PR Sub-Committee to plan how to create the document. A feedback form in the Annual Report that can be sent to the School Committee.

Statement appears in Annual Reports

School Committee solicits feedback from community to do its self -evaluation for the next school year and plan goals for the succeeding school year.


Facilities

Priority #1: Identify and implement a maintenance planning system




Create a detailed maintenance planning system for the entire District.

Supt., Business Manager, Director of Facilities, School Committee Facilities Sub-committee

March 2016 so that any costs can be included in the FY17 Budget

Research current planning systems in other districts. Research costs associated with developing the plan. Consider having a vendor create and monitor a plan for the District.

A plan in place to begin in July 2016.

School Committee must vote to add costs to the FY17 budget.

Priority #2: Identify and implement a work order system




Research current work order systems that are successfully in School District.

Supt., Business Manager and Director of Facilities

March 2016 so that any costs can be included in the FY17 Budget

Research current work order systems in other districts. Research costs associated with developing the work order system. Consider having a consultant help to create the plan.

A plan in place to begin in July 2016

School Committee must vote to add costs to the FY17 budget. Used as part of the business manager and facilities director performance evaluation.


Leadership and Human Resources

Priority #1: Utilize the Massachusetts teacher state evaluation system to improve the quality of teaching and to make appropriate decisions with

regard to teacher renewals, professional teaching status, and administrative contract renewal.




Continue to implement the MA educator evaluation system

Supt., Asst. supt., Administrators

Ongoing Time for administrators to complete their walkthroughs and evaluations Collected teacher, administrator and classroom data

EPIMS data Review educator evaluation data for status determination

Place educators on directed growth and improvement plans based on the observation system

Administrators Spring 2016 Legal Counsel consults, monthly meeting with teachers and administrators on these plans, time for administrators to complete their walkthroughs and evaluations, Collected teacher, administrator and classroom data

Completed Educator Plans

Re-determination of teacher status and assignment to an updated teacher status.


Priority #2: Create and foster partnerships with local educational organizations and colleges/universities to encourage student teaching and

professional development.




Continue to actively use DSAC for professional development of educators and for consults to improve the quality of District education to our students.

Supt., Asst. Supt. Ongoing None, funded by DESE

Year-end meetings between DSAC and Central Office to evaluate goals set last spring and summer.

New plan drafted between DSAC and the District for the next school year.

Continue to reach out to local colleges to build student teaching relationship

Assistant Superintendent, Principals

Ongoing Memorandum of Agreement with ATA

Student teaching placements

Feedback to and from the colleges/ universities

Priority #3: Provide paraprofessionals with relevant professional development and tie attendance and use of training to their evaluations.




Continue to invite all paraprofessionals to relevant professional development such as the Non-Violent Crisis Prevention Training and the opening of school professional development activities

Supt., Asst. Supt., Principals, Director of Special Education, CPI Trainers

Ongoing, for the Non-Violent Crisis Training, Fall 2015

Stipend for trainers and materials

Effective course completion by all paraprofessionals

Set next fall date for CPI Training, and seek input from paras on trainings for next year.


Climate and Culture

Priority #1: Create a positive and supportive environment that promotes the value of education.




Participate in the “creating and sustaining positive school-wide learning environments professional development” offered by the Dept. of Education.

Administrative Team in Year 1, Teachers in Year 2

Fall 2015, Fall 2016

Free offering through DESE

Successful completion of course

Develop a plan to implement the PD into the schools for 2016-2017 school year.

Create a simple educator handbook for the District which gives detailed suggestions on what promotes or what negatively impacts a positive and supportive environment.

School Committee, Central Office, Principals, Teachers and support personnel

Spring of 2016 Time for people to meet and discuss the issue, and then prepare a simple document with suggestions.

Successful completion of the handbook/document

Develop a plan to evaluate how our document impacts the creation of a positive environment in the District through surveys to students, parents, teachers, administrators and community members.


Priority #2: Schools must be student focused.




Develop and implement a District Hierarch of needs which prioritizes the needs of students first, their parents, then teachers, administrators and School Committee and create examples of such.

School Committee, Central Office, Principals and Teachers

Spring of 2016 Time to meet and discuss the issue.

A brief chart or document which should be disseminated to all which clearly defines the hierarchy of needs and why.

Should be an integral part of the evaluation of all who work or are involved with the education of students. Including the School Com.

Priority #3: Establish behavioral expectations for students, staff and visitors that foster a positive, safe and respectful.




Promulgate the creation of Priorities #1 and #2 to the entire School Community and to the Towns of Athol and Royalston.

School Committee, Central Office, Administrators and teachers.

Spring of 2016 Ads in ADN, and Community Presentation in Spring.

Successful completion of Priorities 1 & 2 and successful community presentation.

Repeat this process every year and have the community surveyed on their thoughts on whether or not it has an impact.


Technology

Priority #1: Provide teachers with support to integrate available technology into curriculum, instruction, and assessment




Incorporate technology Professional Development (PD) and coaching in the FY17 PD plan.

Supt., Assistant Superintendent, Technology Director, Principals

Ongoing Time made available for teachers for the PD Funding if teachers would have to meet after school.

Completed PD with sign in sheets and teachers given PDP’s for their work.

PD feedback by way of administrative and faculty surveys.

Include specific observations of effective teacher utilization of PD strategies in Principal observation of teachers’ classes.

Principals, Tech Director.

Spring 2016 Occasional classroom visits by the Tech Director to assist the Principals in evaluating the effective utilization of PD strategies in the classroom. Teacher data will be entered into TeachPoint.

Successful teachers’ assessment of instruction using technology as per PD given to all teachers.

Evaluation of teacher results, with recommendations for PD in the succeeding year, and mentoring for teachers who are not having success in using instructional technology.

Documents

Athol-Royalston Regional School District Strategic Plan ... · DDMs Assessment changes of increase in student proficiency on DDMs Incorporate into VAP Teachers reassigned if necessary