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Mary Lyon Local School Council

CPS Network 3 School

Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2017

Principal’s Report

5:45 p.m. Submitted by: Cliff Gabor, Principal

Mary Lyon Mission

Mary Lyon Elementary School will provide an environment for student growth so that they have the opportunity to be on track to meet /

exceed goals and objectives in their continuing education and become college ready. All students will be developed as a whole child in order

to use all their talents and creativity in their roles as adults in the 21st century.

Continuous Improvement Work Plan – (CIWP) Strategies

Literacy:

If we do the Mary Lyon Balanced Literacy Program with embedded CCSS curriculum, grade level scope and sequence, materials,

support staff, professional development, family support and partnerships.

Then we will see improvement in the core literacy program and attainment of middle of the year (MOY) and end of the year (EOY)

NWEA growth targets for each student and priority subgroup.

This will lead to achieving the Growth and Attainment Percentages of the NWEA Targets in the 2016-17 SQRP.

Math:

If we do the Mary Lyon CCSS Mathematics Program with embedded grade level scope and sequence, materials, support staff,

professional development, and family support.

Then we will see improvement in the CCSS mathematics program and attainment of MOY and EOY NWEA growth targets for each

student and priority group.

This will lead to the achievement of the growth and attainment percentages of the NWEA targets in the 2016-17 SQRP.

Science:

If we continue the partnership with Next Generation Science Collaborative from Loyola University, then we will see the Next Generation

Standard (FOSS Full Option Science System; K-5 Science and Technology for Children (STC); and K-8 SEPUP Science for Public

Understanding Program) implemented.

This will lead students to be successful in the NGSS Science standards, as measured by the Illinois State Science assessments in 5th and

8th Grades.

English Learners:

If we provide quality bilingual instruction, necessary English Learner (EL) instructional materials, professional development, EL

reading support staff and parent involvement then we will see increased progress on the World-class Instructional Design and

Assessment (WIDA) standards.

This will lead to increased bilingual student growth as measured by the Assessing Comprehension and Communication in English State-

to-State for English Language Learners (ACCESS) assessment.

Social Emotional Learning:

If we do an integrated social emotional learning program which includes a focus on fine arts programming, restorative and progressive

discipline, attendance, after-school sports and after-school clubs.

Then we will see increased engagement in the Balanced Literacy and Math Programs at Lyon which will lead to increased NWEA

percentages in reading and language arts and positive student and parent comments on the 2016-17 My School, My Voice survey. This

will also support maintaining high attendance rates.

Mary Lyon School Rules (R.O.A.R.S.)

Respectful:

All Lyon students will be respectful of self, school, and adults.

Organized:

All Lyon students will come to school prepared to learn every school day.

Accountability:

All Lyon students will be accountable by wearing their uniform every school day, showing positive behavior, not chewing gum or candy, and not

bringing their cell phone to school.

Responsible:

All Lyon students are responsible for completing their work, telling a school adult of any problems, and being honest.

Safe:

All Lyon students will be safe by not allowing bullying, bringing weapons to school, and asking for help when needed.

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Enrollment: 1410 as of Monday, Dec. 18, 2017 our attendance rate is 96.63%

In an effort to address attendance we have put together an attendance cold weather plan.

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Lyon is currently searching for an assistant principal and temporary assigned art teacher.

Graduation is Friday, June 15.

Heating of new (to cold) and old building (to hot) has been problematic throughout Nov.

and Dec. Mr. Hancock and our Facilities Manager have addressed many problems in

regard to our school building. We currently are monitoring our heat daily to be sure

everything is functioning.

NWEA Testing is currently taking place until the end of Jan. 2018.

Important Dates:

Staff Luncheon Sponsored by Parents: Thursday, Dec. 21, 2017

Winter Vacation – Dec. 25 through Jan. 7. School resume Jan. 8, 2017

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Principal Gabor Responses are in Bold

Competency A: Champions Teacher and Staff Excellence through a Focus on Continuous

Improvement to Develop and Achieve the Vision of High Expectations for All Students

Standard A1: Develops, implements, and monitors the outcomes of the Continuous Improvement Work

Plan (CIWP) and school-wide student achievement data results to improve student achievement

National Growth Percentile Math

Standard B1. Works with and engages staff in the development and continuous refinement of a

shared vision for effective teaching and learning by implementing a standards based curriculum.

For the 2017 -18 School Year Mary Lyon is using "Go Math" as the primary resource for the

Common Core Math Curriculum to enhance student growth in math for all students.

On going:

Primary Grades: TRC reading– Middle of the Year Benchmark testing is taking place in

Kindergarten through 2nd

grades.

Kindergarten is working on phonemic awareness, letter and number recognition

Intermediate: Guided Reading and Go Math

Upper Grades: ELA – follows are reading curriculum maps and Go Math.

2. Provides timely updates on progress toward CIWP benchmarks to LSC

Mr. Gabor has had the CIWP updated on Dec. 8, 2017

Mary Lyon School Action Plan

Current State

Mary Lyon’s Dashboard Data indicates an ON-TRACK percentage of 77.4%

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SMART GOAL

By June, 2018, Mary Lyon will improve the school’s ON-TRACK Percentage to 85%, as

measured by the June, 2018 CPS ON-TRACK data, in order to strengthen and support learning

for all students.

Risk/Barriers to Reach Goal

If Mary Lyon focuses on the school vision by developing the relationships and partnerships that

empower each student, family and community member then we will establish a learning rich

environment that fosters personal, social and emotional growth for each student to reach their

achievement goals. The development of the relationships and partnerships necessary to reach our

ON-TRACK goal will depend on the level of student and family involvement in our action plan.

STRATEGY/INTERVENTION

PART 1 - Mary Lyon Attendance Improvement Strategy – Counselor / Mr. Gabor – 2/1/18 - Q 2

Evidence for Status – Dashboard Data, Counselor Log of Parent Calls, Meetings and Home

Visits with parents of students with chronic or high absenteeism. Counselor logs and agendas for

SEL sessions with students that have exhibited chronic absenteeism.

PART 2 – Mary Lyon Grade Improvement Strategy – Ms. Kelly (MTSS) / Mr. Jackson – 2/1/18

– Q2 Evidence for Status – Dashboard Data, Spreadsheet data for all Personal Learning Plan

(PLP) intervention results for individual student grades. Student records will be monitored for all

after-school intervention classes that support redo’s of homework, class assignments, or

assessments to strengthen academic grades.

Note: Mary Lyon’s Two-Part Strategic Action Plan will continue for Q 3 and Q 4 with evidence

collection and status reports.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

1. SEL Strategies // Counselor // All Staff // PD Flex Day // Agenda and Evaluations

2. PLP Strategies // (MTSS) // All Staff // PD Flex Day // Agenda and Evaluations

3. Parent Strategies that Increase Student Achievement // PAC Chair // BAC and PAC

Members // Date TBA // Agenda and Evaluations.

Standard A2: Creates a continuous improvement cycle that uses multiple forms of data and student work

samples to support individual, team, and school-wide improvement goals, identify and address areas of improvement, and celebrate success.

Goals are currently being set for the 2017 -18 school year for NWEA and PARCC.

Primary Grade Testing TRC, and 3 -8th

Grade NWEA testing is currently taking place.

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3. Delegates responsibility and empowers teams in the work of the school; and clearly

communicates expectations and timelines (examples of teams can include ILT, Grade-Level

Teams, Professional Problems Committee, etc.)

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Mary Lyon ILT Meeting Minutes - 11/27/17

Members Present

Ms. Hickey

Ms. Theall Ms. Martinez

Ms. Maguire

Ms. Romero

Ms. Johnson

Mr. Segreti

Roles

Facilitator -Segreti Time Keeper - Hickey

Recorder - Maguire

Items Discussed

Review Previous Meeting Notes o Off-Track Data Reports o Bringing back attendance incentives to help drive our attendance numbers up o Using robo-calls and notes home for families with students who are serially

absent seems like the best option Having only 2 admins definitely creates an understandable strain on their

time and resources, and ability to make these calls

NWEA Insight Report

o The online data presentation is not very user-friendly or intuitive You can only see data for each instructional topic by hovering over the

little data bar There is no “generate report” feature to create a more easy-to-read

presentation of all of the data Teachers can create their own data tables and reports if they have two

laptops open to have the data on one screen and enter data on the other

o Data, when it’s presented in a cleaner way, can be very useful Helpful to know which topics have the most questions in the test bank, so

teachers know which topics to focus on in class Important to still review less common topics so that students don’t drop in

those areas o Concerns about the new NWEA test

Imbalance between previous year scores and current test Real frustration about kids with “artificially” high scores, and concerns that

the students’ drop in RIT will be blamed on teachers rather than the different tests between 5th and 6th Grades

A student who received a 240 in 5th grade will receive an entirely different set of “240-level” questions in 6th grade, and the difficulty / ability-level of the question banks don’t match between the two tests

Moving forward:

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o Mr. Velazquez will post the collected data tables to the Google Classroom for staff to access

o Next ILT Meeting: Dec. 11th

School Data Results. Standard A3: Collaborates with staff to allocate personnel, time, material, and adult learning resources

appropriately to achieve the CIWP targets.

The ILT provides communication through Google Classroom – Principal sends minutes to staff.

4. Maximizes existing school and district resources in order to support the achievement of CIWP

priorities

CIWP programs are currently in place for the school year.

NWEA is being reviewed with all Diverse Learning teachers.

5. Provides LSC with budget and internal accounts reports on a regular basis

Budget Enclosure

Internal Accounts for Dec. 2017 Enclosure

Standard A4: Creates a safe and orderly environment

6. Creates a safe and orderly environment (e.g., train staff on School Safety Plan, ensure orderly

and timely start to school day, ensure orderly transitions between classes or during dismissal)

All required drills lockdown, shelter in place, fire, and bus evacuation are listed below:

School Cleanliness and heating and air-conditioning:

There have been less complaints this past month in regard to cleanliness and lack of supplies

in the washrooms. On Monday, Dec. 18, it was reported that soap was low – Aramark has

ordered more soap and supplies to complete the week.

Heating of new (to cold) and old building (to hot) has been problematic throughout Nov.

and Dec. Mr. Hancock and our Facilities Manager have addressed many problems in

regard to our school building. They are currently working on repairing the circuits for the

lights outside by door 5. Mr. Hancock has made several trips to the roof to repair the lights.

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We currently are monitoring our heat daily to be sure everything is functioning.

Competency B: Creates Powerful Professional Learning Systems to Guarantee Learning

for All Students Standard B1 : Works with and engages staff in the development and continuous refinement of a shared

vision for effective teaching and learning by implementing a standards-based curriculum relevant to student needs and interests, research-based effective practice, academic rigor, and high expectations for student

performance in every classroom.

1. Ensures curricular plans are driven by Common Core State Standards (CCSS) and implemented

consistently

Guided Reading - all Kindergarten through 5th grade classrooms are to be conducting

Guided Reading lessons. This is the key vehicle for teaching our students literacy skills in the

primary and intermediate grades. Guided Reading Lessons support our Balanced Literacy

Program. Please let me know if you need support with your Guided Reading lessons.

Please note that Guided Reading, small group instruction for Math as well as Odyssey will

provide our students with instruction at their level. The purpose of small group instruction

is to help students grow to meet their goals.

Mary Lyon Balanced Literacy: Writing, Word Work, Comprehension and Fluency.

Mary Lyon Decoding Skills - please be sure to be reviewing these decoding skills with our

students who need them:

Odyssey Update:

We've had much success in the past with Odyssey and our end of the year NWEA results.

Each classroom has approximately three computers in it. We need to utilize these computers.

Odyssey needs to be taking place during class time.

Please be advised that all classrooms need to have an Odyssey rotation schedule. If you have

a specific concern / reason regarding the use of Odyssey for your class please contact me

directly. Schedules should be in effect by the end of this week – Jan. 12, 2018.

I know our school has focused a lot of time on "Go Math" this school year. Please

understand that Odyssey works with the student at their instructional RIT level. "Go Math"

works at Grade Level.

As winter vacation approaches, we will be setting up different incentives in regard to

Odyssey. Changes have been made since last year to help recognize those students who

spend time and complete assignments on Odyssey over the winter vacation. All students

will have an opportunity to participate in the incentives. I will send a more detailed update

shortly regarding this matter.

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Using last year’s scope and sequence backwards map what will be taught and when.

Plan time for re-teaching.

Plan with NWEA skills also being covered.

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2. Coordinates curriculum planning between educators within and across grade levels, including

educators serving English language learners and students with disabilities to ensure alignment and

consistency

Mr. Gabor continues to meet with all grade level teams and all grade level lead teachers.

3. Ensures that English language learners and students with disabilities have access to quality

instruction delivered by qualified teachers and are having learning needs met

Lyon is currently addressing our compliance status in regard to EL.

Ms. Johnson has been overseeing materials and curricular questions in regard to the second

quarter and the placement of student in our native language and transitional programs.

4. Provides professional development, instructional coaching, and other resources to support

teachers implementing curriculum aligned to Common Core State Standards.

REACH Instructional Focus and MTSS Update:

I wish to push our teachers' and staffs' thinking around our REACH Instructional Focus:

1A - Knowledge of Content and Pedagogy and MTSS Tier 2 and Tier 3 Interventions.

Please reflect on the following questions:

How are we planning with each other?

How are we sharing strategies with each other?

How are we differentiating for our students who are receiving Tier 2 (D and F) and Tier 3

Interventions?

How long are we conducting whole group lessons with no differentiation when we are

presenting?

As I observe classrooms I have noticed that a majority of our students who are receiving Tier

2 and Tier 3 interventions are being taught in whole group instruction for a majority of the

class with little or no differentiation taking place. I then review Gradebook and see that these

students are failing.

I ask everyone to consider: How can we support our teachers in planning for our students

who are struggling?

Please take a moment to review the MTSS December Newsletter which will follow this email.

It provides additional information that can be useful in your planning for students receiving

Tier 2 and Tier 3 interventions.

Standard B2: Evaluates the effectiveness of teaching and holds individual teachers accountable for

meeting their goals by conducting frequent formal and informal observations in order to provide

timely written feedback on instruction, preparation, and classroom environment as a part of

REACH Students.

REACH Observations are ongoing – pre and post conferences with teachers and all staff

members are ongoing.

5. Regularly observes teaching practice and provides timely and constructive feedback about

instruction, preparation, and classroom environment grounded in CPS Framework for Teaching

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REACH Observations are ongoing

Competency C: Builds a Culture Focused on College and Career Readiness

Standard C1: Leads a school culture and environment that successfully develops the full range of

students' learning capacities, creative, social emotional, behavioral, and physical

1. Exposes all students to college and career experiences that are linked to students' aspirations

(e.g., college visits, job shadowing, internships, Career Day, etc.)

8th Grade students are currently working on their high school applications – all but 3

students have completed the GoCPS Application.

2. Works with staff to define and implement a process requiring students to create both short and

long term academic and social-emotional goals (e.g., student portfolios, progress tracking, goal

sheets, surveys, etc.)

Ms. Blake, Ms. Mendicuti, Ms. Todd, and Ms. Cruz are meeting as a SEL team to support

our students and our school climate / culture.

Social Emotional Learning:

October was Lyon ROARS for Unity month

November is Lyon ROARS for month

December is Lyon ROARS for Generosity month

PATHS days are on Mondays and Thursdays for grades K -8 – 20 minutes

3. Reviews and monitors Student Code of Conduct to ensure a supportive discipline model,

emphasizing corrective and restorative responses before moving to out-of-school suspensions (as

appropriate)

R.O.A.R.S. is continually in place as we move through the school year. Parents are being notified

by way of paper and telephone communication about their student’s behavior.

4. Ensures all students have equitable access to rigorous and enriching curriculum beyond basic

literacy and numeracy (e.g., science, arts, etc)

Students in upper grades continue to receive science training through SEPUP – Science

Education for Public Understanding

The following programs continue at Lyon:

CHIMOP – Orchestra Concert took place Dec. 15, 2017

PRAA – Music

The Kitchen Community Garden

ART

New music teacher: Ms. Pearsall has joined the Mary Lyon faculty.

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PE

Computer Technology

Library

Competency D: Empowers and Motivates Families and the Community to Become Engaged

Standard D1: Proactively engages families and communities in supporting their child's

learning and the school's learning goals

1. Engages families in supporting their child's learning and the CIWP priorities (e.g., State of the

School Address, PTA, PTO, PAC, BAC, parent-teacher conferences, etc.)

Dates for PAC meetings:

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Translation is offered in English at all PAC events and meetings. Below is the PAC report

from Dec. 13, 2017.

2. Fosters home-school connections, with communications and events focused on student progress

toward academic and social-emotional expectations (e.g., principal newsletter, open house, report

card pick-up, literacy night, Career Day, teacher-parent phone calls, etc.)

CHIMOP Concert took place on Friday, Dec. 15, 2017.

4 Lyon students to perform in North Carolina at Duke University.

Winter Concert took place on Dec. 21, 2017 and assemblies to take place at Steinmetz High

School.

Kindergarten Parent Meeting Dec. 19, 2016 at 8:45 a.m. in the auditorium

The Book Fair took place in Nov. led by Ms. Blake.

3. Responds to concerns of families in a professional and timely manner, providing resources to

address concerns.

With the help of the entire school team principal is able to communicate with most concerned

parties in a timely manner.

4. Engages LSC, parents, and community members in school governance, problem-solving, and

decision-making to ensure student success (e.g., dealing with issues of academic performance,

discipline, attendance, etc.)

Currently working with the Northwestside Housing Center with our Parent Mentor program.

Parent Mentors have begun serving classroom as of Oct. 30, 2017.

5. For Elementary School Principals Only: Develops and implements a comprehensive plan for

families and children to successfully transition to kindergarten

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V. Competency E: Relentlessly Pursues Self-Disciplined Thinking and Action

Standard E1: Creates and supports a climate that values, accepts and understands

diversity in culture and point of view

1. Builds collaboration, understanding, and respect between different stakeholder groups

(students, staff, parents, LSC, community) (e.g., partnerships to access community resources)

CPS is not involved in the organization of a Friends of … this must be done outside of the

school.

2. Effectively responds and resolves concerns and issues of students, staff, parents, LSC, and

community members.

Principal completes monthly principal report for LSC. Which is uploaded to principal

webpage on school website.

PPLC receives monthly responses to concerns.

3. Uses ongoing written and oral communication to effectively communicate with different

stakeholders about school curriculum, activities, student achievement, and safety

Principal Updates are sent out once to twice a week to update staff regarding important

informational items.

4. Motivates and inspires staff to contribute to success of school

With the support of our Social Emotional Learning Team has implemented a recognition

board to help recognize staff members for going above and beyond for the Mary Lyon

School which is located in the main office.

5. Maintains honesty, integrity, and professionalism in carrying out leadership responsibilities

Principal Updates are sent out once to twice a week to update staff regarding important

informational items. Mr. Gabor has set a calendar for the school year – he is attempting to

attend most grade level meetings.

6. Fosters a school environment that embraces diversity and cultural differences (e.g., Diversity

Professional Development, Community Service, Unity Month, Black History Month, National

Hispanic Heritage Month, Women's History Month, etc.)

Winter Concerts

CHIMOP Orchestra Concert