Readington Township School DistrictAchievement of District Goals 2016-17

Presented to the Readington Board of Education

June 13, 2017

Goal #1: Expand academic and extra-curricular opportunities for students and provide staff with the professional training

to support this work.● Computer Coding elective at RMS ran successfully this year.

● MakerSpace Labs have been implemented at three schools; Holland Brook will have a MakerSpace next year.

● MakerDay on March 24 was celebrated in all schools.

● Google Classroom instruction embedded in all subjects for grades 3-8.

● The Board of Education supported the attendance of 13 teachers at the Fall 2016 Learning and the Brain Conference in Boston.

● The 1:1 Chromebook initiative for 6th grade students was highly successful this year. Expansion of the program to 7th and 8th grades has been included in the 2017-18 budget and plans for Device Use and Acceptable Use approvals, registration of devices, and other protocols will be finalized shortly.

● Two students completed courses in Computer Science and Web Design for the Fall 2016 semester; four students are registered for Spring 2017 courses in MS Space Station Academy, Physics Mechanics, MS Engineering, and Meteorology.

Provide expanded academic and cultural arts opportunities for students.

O Instrumental study for 4th grade students began in Fall 2016 with performances at the March 28 Board of Education meeting.

O New elective choices were provided for 7th and 8th grade students: Sustainable World, Creative Writing, Computer Coding, and Current Events/Journalism.

O A Readington Fine and Performing Arts Alliance was formed and will continue under the auspices of the Home and School Association.

O In place of a partnership with Newark Museum, our Supervisor of Humanities has successfully applied to have our Art and Humanities teachers attend “Educational Leaders as Scholars” at Princeton University in July to develop school/district projects that stress arts integration with NJ’s Student Learning Standards.

O The “Soft Fitness Room” is ready with a portable barre for instruction. RMS will offer a Dance Club for 2017-18.

O A group of RMS 8th grade students viewed the film documentary The Eagle Huntress in December.

O SlamPoet Taylor Mali presented a poetry reading/assembly to 7th and 8th grade students and met with LA teachers in grades 4-8.

Continued professional development and modeling of instructional technology

applications

The following 2016-17 Teacher Academy Sessions have been presented:

● Getting to Know Smart Notebook ● Google Suites Review ● Intro to Google Classroom● Things I Love About Google Apps and Chrome Extensions ● Google Apps, Extensions, and Add-Ons● “Flipping” Over Math Tutorials ● Transitioning to 1:1 with Chromebooks ● Google Classroom ● Blended Learning ● Blended Learning Using EdModo● Chrome Extensions I Need to Mention ● Introduction to Microsoft Movie Maker ● Project-Based Learning● A Maker Education Session: Learn How to Use littleBits Teacher Academy

2016-17: 20% of classrooms will employ blended learning.

2016-2017 End-of-Year (EOY) Kindergarten Running Record Data

2016-2017 EOY Grade 1Running Record Data

2016-2017 EOY Grade 2Running Record Data

2016-2017 EOY Grade 3Running Record Data

2016-2017 EOY Grade 4Running Record Data

2016-2017 EOY Grade 5Running Record Data

2016-2017 EOY Grade 6Running Record Data

Writing BenchmarksKindergarten

Writing Benchmarks1st Grade

Writing Benchmarks2nd Grade

Writing Benchmarks3rd Grade

Writing Benchmarks4th Grade

Writing Benchmarks5th Grade

Writing Benchmarks6th Grade

Writing Benchmarks7th Grade

Writing Benchmarks8th Grade

Meet or exceed established student benchmarks.

★ PARCC performance will continue to strengthen

in each testing cycle with growth

demonstrated each year for each

cohort.

★ Continue to maintain goal of 86%

of students meeting reading benchmarks.

★ Math Benchmarks are being continued and expanded to include a

mid-year check-in.

★ A goal for Science benchmarks could be considered for 2017-18.

Math Achievement Data (Reflex Math) 2016-2017

9% 53%

45% 87%

15% 85%

77% 94%

83% 93%

78% 85%

End of Year Math Test Results

End of Year Math Test Results

End of Year Math Test Results

End of Year Math Test Results

End of Year Math Test Results

O Morning Meeting and Team Meetings have occurred consistently at the K-8 level to promote positive relationships. Whitehouse School piloted “Town Hall” meetings. At Holland Brook School, the classrooms have paired up for smaller versions of grade level meetings for student celebrations and team-building activities.

O New Teacher Orientation was expanded this year and included check-in meetings

throughout the year. Orientation sessions included:❖ Teacher Responsibilities in IEP, HIB, and Division of Child Welfare ❖ District Technology Training ❖ Danielson Training Overview ❖ Danielson Training in Domain 2: The First Five Days, Establishing Culture ❖ Business Office Matters: Health Benefits and Payroll ❖ District Policies and Professionalism ❖ Meet with Mentors ❖ Mentors and First Year Teachers: Peer to Peer Content Review

O Lockdown drills have been observed by local law enforcement and an Evacuation and Relocation Drill was conducted in May.

Goal #2: Promote a healthy and caring school environment for students and staff members.

Promote a healthy and caring school environment for students and staff members.

O Faculty Book Studies at the school and district level on How to Talk So Kids Can Learn, The Importance of Being Little, and 99 Activities and Greetings have occurred.

O Dr. Moss and Mr. Connelly presented an overview of the district’s Transgender Policy to each school’s faculty and led a discussion on creating a safe haven for students.

O There were three (3) meetings of the Collaborative Council (RTEA Leadership, Principals, and Superintendent) and the group read and discussed Move Your Bus at the January meeting.

O Class Size guidelines were reviewed and the maximum class size for grades 4 and 5 was reduced to 22 students per class.

O Food advisory meetings were held at each school with students, staff, and parents in attendance. Articles were included in parent newsletters about menu items and nutrition content. Student suggestions for food offerings were implemented by cafeteria staff.

O School Safety Teams attended: Introduction to Teasing and Bullying training at the NJ Law Center. The program focused on school climate.

Promote a healthy and caring school environment for students and staff members.

In the area of Sustainability and Environmental Awareness:O Recycling is in place in all four schools; composting is occurring at the three elementary

schools.O Sustainable World elective in place at RMS.O The intent is to recertify for Sustainable NJ Schools during the 2017-18 school year.O The district has enjoyed annual avoided energy costs of no less than $60,000 since

2012-13.O The superintendent was a panel presenter (substituting for Dr. DeRosa) with Lauren

Theis of Raritan Headwaters and Brittany Mussolino of Stonybrook Millstone Watershed Association at the January 2017 ANJEE Conference;

O Several grants were received, including $2000 for each school from NJEA for Sustainable Schools;

O New energy tracking software has been employed this year.O Eyes of the Wild assembly at RMS - teaches students about conservation and protecting

wildlife. STEM talks during WHS Lunches and wildlife assemblies at TBS and HBS.O Numerous assemblies and guest speakers in all schools to promote environmental

awareness, conservatism, and sustainability.

Building % Change Electric

% Change Nat Gas

% Change Total Energy (BTU)

% Change Electric Demand

6 months Avoided Cost

Holland Brook (24)% 6% (5)% (15)% $17,842

Readington Middle (26)% (14)% (19)% (17)% $28,441

Three Bridges (18)% (6)% (9)% (12)% $8,473

Whitehouse (21)% (7)% (11)% (16)% $9,583

Grand Total (23)% (5)% (11)% (15)% $64,338

6 months, Year 4 Energy Review December 2015 – May 2016

Building % Change Electric

% Change Nat Gas

% Change Total Energy (BTU)

% Change Electric Demand

6 months Avoided Cost

Holland Brook (20)% (13)% (16)% (13)% $ 17,807

Readington Middle (11)% (13)% (12)% (18)% $ 14,567

Three Bridges (21)% 0% (10)% (12)% $ 9,754

Whitehouse (15)% (9)% (12)% (24)% $ 7,308

Grand Total (17)% (10)% (13)% (16)% $ 49,436

6 months, Year 5 Energy Review July 2016 – December 2016

Readington Township School DistrictHistory of Energy Cost Reduction

YEAR AVOIDED COST

December 2012-November 2013 $62,815

December 2013-November 2014 $62,763

December 2014-November 2015 $99,050

December 2015-May 2016 $64,338

July 2016 - December 2016 $49,436

2016-17 Migrated to Energy Manager Software July 2016 to June 2017 data forthcoming

Goal #3: Build a strong community in and among our schools and township.

❖ SHREK was shown for RMS Family Movie Night in March as a complement to the RMS Drama Production of SHREK.

❖ Parent Orientations were scheduled for incoming 4th grade, incoming 6th grade, and outgoing 8th grade families.

❖ The Parent Enrichment Evening was held in March and a subsequent session offered for the book The Importance of Being Little was offered through the Whitehouse Methodist PreSchool.

❖ RMS Math and Science teachers visited WHS for a content walkthrough; HBS teachers visited RMS for a transition walkthrough; TBS teachers visited HBS for content and special education articulation.

❖ Superintendent Chats were held on October 7, January 13, and March 30; minutes were shared through Staff and Parent newsletters.

❖ National Education Week was celebrated with additional community speakers with Stephanie Stevens, Leonard Lance, and Jack Ciatarelli joining the roster of visitors.

❖ Charity fundraiser events occurred at all schools. Most notable were River Clean-Up with TBS and WHS, Readington Starfish Foundation and the Hunterdon County Food Pantry at HBS; Read-a-thon for St. Hubert's Animal Shelter and collection of books for an African School at RMS.

❖ Presented a budget of 1.8% growth that aligns with district goals and provides for sufficient funds for capital projects and the ability to generate operating surplus.

Goal #4: Enrich character education and service learning opportunities for our students.

● Our Mindfulness Coordinator prepared Morning Meeting videos for October, November, December, January, and February. These have served as lessons for students. School counselors have supplemented with other Morning Meeting lessons on self-management.

● Yoga and breathing techniques have occurred consistently in Holland Brook and Readington Middle School P.E. classes. Next year’s work will focus on the primary schools.

● Teacher Academy sessions included “Mindfulness” and “Mindfulness, Part 2”● Anthony Tumolo presented “Mindfulness” at the Parent Enrichment Evening.● September and November Superintendent Newsletters contains articles on mindfulness.● Character Education Assemblies at the schools included:

○ Pinwheels for Peace and Anti-Bullying Magician (TBS)○ Monthly Town Hall meetings with family groups (WHS)○ Cris Johnson Assembly (Promotes students as heroes and not bullies) and Detective

Mackiewicz (HBS)○ "You don't know me until you know me" by Mykee Fowlin, which focused on accepting

students' differences. Grade level team meetings focused on character education.

Enrich character education and service learning opportunities for our students.

WHS: Monthly Service Projects were coordinated with the bucket character trait and included a River Clean-Up with TBS, Goodie Bags for Firemen, a local Food Drive, Pajama Drive with Scouts, Sneaker Drive for Guatemala, Surplus School Supply Sale, and Wounded Warrior fundraiser.

HBS: Readington Starfish Foundation, Hunterdon County Food Pantry, St. Jude's Research Hospital, Children with Diabetes TBS: River Clean-Up with WHS, Pajama Drive, Grab & Go Bags for Readington Township Police, Candy Collection for our Troops Overseas, Great Crayon Clean-out for children in hospitals. RMS: 6th Grade: Read-a-thon for St. Hubert's Animal Shelter, Student Academy Day with community representatives teaching our students; Student-Faculty Kickball game charity fundraiser; Town Hall meeting with Leonard Lance and 8th grade students; Valentine's cards to Veterans' hospital; Canned food drive by student council; Senior citizens invited to the RMS musical; Chromebook Etiquette completed with 6th grade students at RMS.

Potential 2017-18 Objectives

O 40% of classrooms will employ blended learning.

O Robotics club or team at HBS and/or RMS.

O Expand Chromebook 1:1 initiative to include grades 6-8.

O Establish benchmark targets for Science.

O Explore opportunities to expand SAMBA KIDS beyond 5th grade.

O Dance Club at RMS.

O Recertification through Sustainable Jersey for Schools program.

O Holland Brook or Readington Middle School apply for Green Ribbon status.

O Expand Mindfulness Program into grades 5+.

O Renovate student and faculty restrooms in older sections of RMS.