Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School … Arts & Technology Charter Public School Annual Report 2016-2017 One Commercial Place PO Box 267 Adams, MA 01220 Submitted by:

BerkshireArts&TechnologyCharterPublicSchoolAnnualReport2016-2017

OneCommercialPlacePOBox267

Adams,MA01220

Submittedby:JamesC.WhiteII,ExecutiveDirectorAugust1,2017

www.BARTcharter.org413-743-7311(phone)413-743-7327(fax)

[email protected]

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TableofContents

INTRODUCTIONTOTHESCHOOL 3

LETTERFROMTHECHAIROFTHEBOARDOFTRUSTEES 4

SCHOOLPERFORMANCEANDPROGRAMIMPLEMENTATION 6FAITHFULNESSTOCHARTER 6MISSIONANDKEYDESIGNELEMENTS 6AMENDMENTSTOTHECHARTER 8DISSEMINATIONEFFORTS 9ACADEMICPROGRAMSUCCESS 11STUDENTPERFORMANCE 11PROGRAMDELIVERY 12SOCIAL,EMOTIONALANDHEALTHNEEDS 12ORGANIZATIONALVIABILITY 13ORGANIZATIONALSTRUCTUREOFTHESCHOOL 13TEACHEREVALUATION 13BUDGETANDFINANCE 14

APPENDIXA:ACCOUNTABILITYPLANEVIDENCE2016-2017 19

APPENDIXB:RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONPLAN 23

APPENDIXC:SCHOOLANDSTUDENTDATA 30

APPENDIXD:ADDITIONALINFORMATIONREQUIRED 34

APPENDIXE:ORGANIZATIONALCHART 35

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IntroductiontotheSchool

BerkshireArts&TechnologyCharterPublicSchool

TypeofCharter

(CommonwealthorHoraceMann)

Commonwealth Location Adams

RegionalorNon-Regional? Regional

DistrictsinRegion

(ifapplicable)

Adams-Cheshire,Clarksburg,Florida,

Hancock,Lanesborough,Mt.Greylock,NorthAdams,Pittsfield,

Savoy,Williamstown

YearOpened 2004Year(s)Renewed

(ifapplicable)2009,2014

MaximumEnrollment 363Enrollmentasof

June16,2017334

CharteredGradeSpan 6-12 CurrentGradeSpan 6-12

#ofInstructionalDaysperschoolyear

184(minimum)

189(maximum)StudentsonWaitlist(June30) 0

SchoolHours 7:55a.m.to3:35p.m. AgeofSchool 13years

MissionStatement

BARTCharterPublicSchoolpreparesstudentsforcollegebypromotingmasteryofacademicskillsandcontentwithastrongfoundationinartsandtechnology.TheSchoolprovidesmiddleandhighschoolstudentsinBerkshireCountywithaneducationalcommunitythatregardseveryone,includingteachersandparents,aslifelonglearners.

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LetterfromtheChairoftheBoardofTrusteesAugust1,2017

DearFriendsoftheBerkshireArts&TechnologyCharterPublicSchool:

“BART”isavibranteducationalcommunitywithinBerkshireCounty.TheSchoolservesadiversestudentbodythatreflectssendinginstitutionswithinourlocaldistricts.OurteachersandstaffsupportboththestudentsatBARTand,increasingly,educatorsandstudentsbeyondtheSchool.

OurlocalcommunitiesalsosupportBART’sstudents,allofwhomaretheirchildren.Thisyearwesawmorethanonehundredcommunityvolunteerscontributingtheirtimeandexpertisetoourstudentsbyparticipatinginprogramssuchascollegeessayreviews,mockinterviews,BART’ssciencefair,andend-of-yearportfoliopresentations.Weareproudtosharewithawideaudienceallthatourstudentsandfacultyaccomplish,andweappreciatethecontributionsofourcommunities’volunteersandsupporters.

The2016-2017schoolyearwasaparticularlyimportantoneforBART.TheSchoolwelcomed363studentstothenewschoolyearinAugust2016.Spreadovergrades6through12,thisstudentbodywasthelargestinBART’shistory.

JuliaBowen,foundingExecutiveDirector,departedBARTafterfourteenyearsofbuildingandwonderfulaccomplishment.Ataformaleventrecognizinghercontributions,creationoftheJuliaBowenBridgeScholarshipprogramwasannounced.AlreadytheScholarshipprogramhasraisedmorethan$50,000.

RespondingtoannouncementinFall2016ofJulia’sdeparture,BART’sBoardofTrusteesbegananinvolvedsearchforhersuccessor.Formalizedtransitionplanningwasfollowedbyanextensivenationalsearch,andDr.JamesC.WhiteIIwasselectedasBART’snewExecutiveDirector.Ascientistbytrainingandformorethanadecadethechiefacademicofficerattwonationalliberalartscolleges,Jayhasanenticingblendofadministrativeandfund-raisingexperienceaswellassignificantinternationaldevelopmentexperienceandpastserviceasanadministratoratanindependentboardingschool.JaybeganinhisroleforBARTinJune.

TwoaccomplishmentsbyBART’sfacultyandstaffbearmentioning.BywayofanawardfromthefederalDepartmentofEducation’sElementaryandSecondarySchoolCounselingGrantsProgram,BARThasmadesignificantimprovementinthelastyearinourmulti-tieredsystemsforstudentsupport.Inaddition,wetransitionedtoonlineMCAStestingforallmiddleschoolstudents.

2016-2017concludedwithconsiderableactivitythathasspreadintosummer.UpgradesintechnologycontinuedthroughouttheSchool,and,giventheincreasingsizeofthehighschoolstudentpopulation,BARTisthissummerincreasingtheofficespacededicatedtocollegecounselingandinternshipplacementbynearlyafactoroftwo.Thiswillpermitustobringentirehighschoolclassestogetherforgroupcounseling,whichisalwaysinadditiontoindividualcounseling.

WereceivedwordinsummerofreceiptofagrantthathasconsequencesforBARTandtwoneighboringschooldistricts.TheSchoolhasbeenawarded$244KtosupportfortwoyearsdisseminationofthemannerinwhichBARThasemployedDataWiseandAchievementNetworkapproachestoimprovingstudentperformanceinmiddleschoolmathematics.JoiningasmallgroupofBARTmiddleschoolteacherswillbeteachergroupsfromtheNorthAdamsPublicSchoolDistrictandtheAdams-CheshireRegionalSchoolDistrict.

TheyearhasendedwithBoardofTrusteeactivitiesaswell.InJuneBARTsaidgoodbyetoTrusteeMarniCloughfollowingsevenyearsofservice.WearefortunatetohavebenefitedfromMarni’s

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legalinsightsduringhertenureontheBoard.Atthesametime,weelectedtoathree-yeartermnewTrusteeMauraDelaney,aprofessorandcurrentlyInterimVicePresidentforAcademicAffairsatBerkshireCommunityCollege.MaurawillbringconsiderableexperienceinhighereducationtoourBoard,whichcontinuestoincludeTrusteeswhorepresentourvariouscommunitiesandhaveskillsetstoserveourmissionappropriately.

Finally,IformallydepartthepositionofChairthissummer.MytermasChairdone,IlookforwardwithenthusiasmtocontinuingasaTrusteewiththeleadershipofBART’snewExecutiveDirector.TrusteeDianneCutillo,whohasservedtheBoardofTrusteesasChairinthepast,willmovesmoothlybackintotherole.

Sincerely,

CharlesSwabeyChair,BoardofTrustees

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SchoolPerformanceandProgramImplementation

FaithfulnesstoCharter

MissionandKeyDesignElements

AtBART,westrivetocreateastrong,supportive,college-preparatorylearningenvironmentthroughtheuseofastandards-basedcurriculum,throughthepervasiveuseofartsandtechnology,andthroughtheclear,highexpectationsthatwesetforourstudents.Ourcorevaluesarepurpose,curiosity,effort,reflection,respect,andintegrity.Thesecorevaluesareembodiedthroughoutourprogram.

Centraltoourmissionisprovidinganacademicprogramthatpreparesstudentsforcollege.BART’scollegepreparatorycurriculumisalignedwiththeCommonCoreandMassachusettsStateCurriculumStandards.Studentsattendaminimumof20hoursofcoreacademicclasseseachweek,includingEnglishLanguageArts(ELA),history/socialstudies,mathematics,science,and,startingin9thgrade,Spanish.Additionalremedialsupportinreadingandmathisprovidedforthosestudentswhoneedit.Studentsinthe10thand11thgradetakethePSAT,andinordertograduate,all12th-gradestudentsneedtositforeithertheSATortheACT,passacollegecourse,completeaninternship,andbeacceptedtocollege.

Collegiateskillsclassesservetoprovidesocial-emotionalandbehavioraleducationtoallstudentsthroughacomprehensive,evidence-basedprogramthatprovidestheplatformforlearning,emotionalwell-being,andpositiveengagementintheSchoolandinthewidercommunity.Thegoalsoftheprogramaretoincreasethelikelihoodofstudents'successincollegeaswellastheemotionalcompetenciesnecessaryfortheirpersonaldevelopmentduringandbeyondhighschoolandcollege.Allofourstudentstakethiscourse,startingin6thgrade.

Ourstudent-ledconferencesandportfoliopresentationsarecentraltooureffortstoteachbotheffortandreflection.BARTstudentsarerequiredtoconducttwostudent-ledconferenceseachyear—oneinthefall,oneinJune.Studentsinthe8th,11th,and12thgradespresentaportfoliooftheirworkinlieuofastudent-ledconferenceinJune.In11thand12thgrades,thosepanelsconsistof,ataminimum,ateacher,anadministrator,acommunitymember,andarepresentativefromhighereducation.

TheopportunityforBARTstudentstopresenttheirworkthroughstudent-ledconferencesandportfoliopresentationsisextremelyvaluable.Bothactivitiesgivestudentsdirectownershipovertheselection,reflection,andpresentationofabodyofworkthatisrepresentativeoftheiruniqueinterestsandlearningobjectives.Additionally,theportfoliopanelshaveprovedanexcellentwayforbusiness,academic,andcommunityleaderstoexperiencethisuniqueelementofBART’seducationalprogramandtoseetheimpactonstudentsintermsofachievementandconfidence.Thepresentationprocessalsoservestoeducateandengagefamiliesinwhatisneededfortheirchildrentobesuccessfulincollegeandbeyond.Allstudentsusepresentationsoftwareandtechnologyfortheirportfoliopresentations.

TheGraduationPortfolio,presentedattheendofsenioryear,emphasizesstudent-centeredlearningactivitiesasadditionalevidenceoflearning.ThecontentoftheportfolioincludesworkundertakenaspartofBART’scollegeandinternshipprograms.Thegoalofeachoftheseprogramsistoengageourstudentsinthelifeofourlargercommunity,expandingourprogrambeyondBART’scampusandestablishingafoundationfortheirnextexperiencesincollegeandtheworkplace.

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TechnologyisafundamentalcomponentofBART’sacademicprogramandisavailabletoallBARTstudents.TheSchoolcurrentlyoperatesawirelessnetwork,andallcomputershaveaccesstotheinternet.Therearemorethan150laptopandtabletcomputersavailabletostudents,aswellasa24-hourdesktopmulti-medialab.Allmathclassroomshaveaninteractivewhiteboardtosupportinstruction.MiddleandhighschoolstudentshavetheopportunitytotaketechnologycoursessuchasIntroductoryCoding,IntermediateCoding,IntroductiontoDigitalMedia,GraphicDesign,andAdvancedVideoProduction.HighschoolstudentsparticipatedintheDiscover,Design,Buildcoursethisyearforthefirsttime;thisisateam-taught,multidisciplinarycoursefocusingonreal-worldproblemsolving,drawingonconceptsfromtechnology,science,andthearts.Teachersinboththemiddleschoolandthehighschoolintegratetechnologyinstructionthroughouttheircourses.

BART’sfocusontheartsprovidesacreativeenvironmentwherestudents’expressivecapacitiesarenurturedandencouraged.Withafewexceptions,allstudentsingrades6through11participateinartsandtechnologyelectivecoursesand/orenrichmentclasses.(Enrichmentclassesoperatemorelikeclubs—theyareungraded,allowforstudentstopursuenewinterests,andtaketheplaceofstudents’supportedstudytime.)Workfromtheseclassesformsthebasisofsubmissionsforourshowcasesandstudentperformances.Wehostthreeartsandtechnologyshowcaseseachyear,inadditiontotalentshows,dramaticperformances,andmusicalperformances.Inall,BARToffersmorethan30differentelectivesandenrichmentsinthefieldsofComputerScience,STEAMandMulti-Media,VisualArt,Drama,Dance,Music,andCreativeWriting.

InAprilof2017,withthesupportofthreedifferentgrants—theSTARSartistresidencyprogramfromtheMassachusettsCulturalCouncil;theLocalCulturalCounciloftheNorthernBerkshires;andtheWilliamandMargeryBarrettFundforAdams,CheshireandSavoy—BARTwasabletohostmembersoftheinternationallyrenownBreadandPuppetTheaterforafour-dayresidency.TheBreadandPuppetTheaterhasbeenaninnovatorandleadingforcebehindtheuseofpuppetartsandcantastoria(aformofstreettheater)toadvocateforsocialandeconomicjusticesinceitsfoundingin1963.ThirtyBARTstudentsjoinedtheensembleinrehearsalsandcantastoriaworkshops,culminatingintwoperformancesofanoriginalwork,Faust3,themostrecentplaywrittenanddirectedbyBreadandPuppet'sfounderanddirector,PeterSchumann.Theresidencyhadatremendousimpactonourstudents—boththosewhoworkeddirectlywiththemembersoftheensemble,andthelargerschoolcommunitywhoattendedtheschooldayperformance.ThepartnershipsthatdevelopedoverthefourdaysoftheresidencyprovidedstudentswiththeuniqueopportunitytobepartofaprofessionaltheatricalproductionandthechancetoworkdirectlywithperformersfromChile,Mexico,GermanyandfromregionsacrosstheUS.Thediversityoftheensembleofferedourstudentsthechancetoexperiencepeoplefromotherculturesandtraditionswhilesimultaneouslyworkingwiththemtoperformatheatricalworkthatexploredarangeofissuesofpressingglobalimportance.TheSchoolregardseveryone,includingparentsandteachers,aslifelonglearners.TeachersreceiveextensiveprofessionaldevelopmenteachyearduringanAugustResidency(2weeksforreturningteachers;3weeksfornewteachers)andhalf-dayworkshopsthroughouttheschoolyear.Additionally,eachWednesdaythefacultymeetsforanhourforaprofessionaldevelopmentmeeting.AsthebudgetpermitsandinlinewiththeSchool’spriorities,teachersareprovidedwithadditionalopportunitiestoattendconferencesandseminarstoimprovetheirteachingpracticeordeepentheircontentknowledge.Inall,teachersreceivemorethan100hoursofprofessionaldevelopmenteachyear.In2016-2017,teachersreceivedtrainingatBARTintopicsthatincludedBackwardsDesign,data-driventeachingandlearning,restorativepractices,positivebehavioralinterventionsandsupports,technologyintegrationandwritingacrossthecurriculum.Teachers

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alsoparticipatedinoff-campustraininginPBIS,shelteredEnglishimmersion,fitness,andforeignlanguageinstruction.

BARTcontinuestoprovidefamilieswithopportunitiestobelifelonglearners.TheSchoolprovidesmanyinformationsessionstohelpourstudents’familieslearnhowtosupporttheirchildren’seducation,includingprogramstospecificallysupportthecollegeapplicationandfinancialaidprocesses.Additionally,webelieveourstudent-ledconference/portfolioprocessprovidesanopportunityforfamiliestoengagewiththeirchildren’sacademiccontentandlearndirectlyfromtheirchildren’sexperience.Furthermore,weengagefamiliesinsupportingtheirchildren’sacademicsthroughtheregulardistributionofgrade-levelnewslettersfromteachers.

AmendmentstotheCharter

Date Amendment Requested Approved?

April6,2017

Changethelengthofschoolyearfor2016-17only,toaminimumof180days.

Yes

April13,2017

October24,2016

Shorten the length of the school day by 15minutesbeginningforthe2017-18schoolyear.

Yes

October 31, 2016

June22,2017

Updateenrollmentpolicytoincludetheenrollmentofnew 10th grade students through September 30th ofeachyear.

Yes

June 29, 2017

DisseminationEfforts

BestPracticeShared

VehicleforDissemination

(describethemethod,format,orvenueused

tosharebestpractices)

Whoattheschoolwas

involvedwiththe

disseminationefforts?(Title)

Criteriathatbestalignstothesharedbestpractice(choosefromthedropdownmenu)

Withwhomdidtheschooldisseminateits

bestpractices?(PartnersandLocations)

Resultofdissemination(Listanyresultingartifacts,materials,agendas,orresultsfrompartners.Alsoindicateiftheschoolreceivedgrantfundingtodisseminateandifagrant

reportwaswritten.)

UsingDatatoSupportEquityinStudentAcademicAccomplishment

LiveVideoPresentation

AprilWest,Principal

AccessandEquity

DataWiseInstitute,HarvardSchoolofEducation

Sharedpracticesforintegratingdata-wiseimprovementprocesstoaddressequityconcerns.

ELACurriculumAlignmentwithMCAS2.0

Committeeparticipation

Sean Keogh, ELA Instructional Coach

Curriculum ELAprofessorsfromMassachusettsCollegeofLiberalArtsandBerkshireCommunityCouncil

WorkingpaperwithrecommendationsforcurriculumalignmentwithMCAS2.0

StudentAdvisoryandCollegeCounselingProgram

Schoolvisitandmeetings

KateMerrigan,CollegeCounselingCoordinator

Curriculum GuidanceCounselorfromMonumentMountainRegionalHighSchool

SharedinformationonAdvisoryandCollegeCounselingProgram.

BestPractices,SpecialEducation

CommitteeParticipation

SusanLubell,Director,SpecialEducation

SupportforDiverseLearners

NorthernBerkshireCountySpecialEducationDirectors

Sharedinformationondifferentiatedinstruction.

SafeandHealthySchools,OpioidPrevention

WorkinggroupofDistrictSuperintendents

JuliaBowen,ExecutiveDirector

Social,EmotionalandHealthNeeds

BerkshireCountySuperintendents

StrategiesforcombatingopioiduseinBerkshireCounty

CulturalSensitivity

MuseumProgramwithClarkArtInstitute

ElizabethMarr,ELAInstructor

Curriculum ClarkArtInstitute,Williamstown,Massachusetts;PartnerSchool,Strasbourg,France

Studentartworkandwritingonsocialjusticeandtolerance.Grantfunded.

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SocialEmotionalLearningCurriculainMiddleandHighSchools

PresentationstoBerkshireCountySchoolAdjustmentCounselorandSchoolPsychologistAssociation

ErinEgan,HealthandWellnessCoordinator

Social,EmotionalandHealthNeeds

BerkshireCountySchoolDistricts

SharingeffectivestrategiesforimplementingSELCurriculainmiddleandhighschools.

StudentPortfolios

Schoolvisitandmeetings

KateMerrigan,CollegeReadinessCoordinator

Curriculum TeachersandVicePrincipal,MonumentMountainRegionalSchoolDistrict

Proceduresforimplementingstudentportfolioprogram.

InternshipProgram

Participationin“mockinterviews”

KateMerrigan,CollegeReadinessCoordinator

Curriculum GuidanceCounselorsfromDruryandHoosacValleyHighSchools

Sharingproceduresforimprovingstudentpublicspeakingskills.

AcademicProgramSuccess

StudentPerformance

BART’smostrecentschoolreportcardcanbefoundathttp://profiles.doe.mass.edu/reportcard/rc.aspx?linkid=37&orgcode=04140305&fycode=2015&orgtypecode=6&.

BARTmeasuresstudentperformancethroughavarietyofmeansinadditiontothestate’sassessmentsystem.Forthemostpart,assessmentsareusedtosupportdata-driveninstructionandarenotmeanttobesummative.Inthemiddleschool,BARTusesAchievementNetworktoguidetheschool’sinterimassessmentprocessinELAandmath.ThetablebelowshowstheperformanceofBARTmiddleschoolstudentsthroughouttheyearontheseinterimassessmentscomparedtothenetworkaverage.

Sinceeachassessmentaddressesdifferentstandards,onecannotexpectscoreincreasesfromoneassessmenttoanother.However,BARTdoesattempttocontextualizeourresultscomparedtothenetworkofschoolsusingAchievementNetwork.InbothELAandmath,inallgrades,BARTstudentsconsistentlyoutperformedtheirpeersinthenetworkdistricts.

2016-2017MathPerformance 1stAssessment 2ndAssessment 3rdAssessment 4thAssessment BART Diffrom

NetworkBART Diffrom

NetworkBART Diffrom

NetworkBART Diffrom

Network6thGrade

51% +8 58% +16 53% +12 50% +6

7thGrade

43% +10 50% +11 45% +15 47% +6

8thGrade

44% +10 44% +7 48% +8 46% -3

2016-2017ELAPerformance 1stAssessment 2ndAssessment 3rdAssessment 4thAssessment BART Diffrom

NetworkBART Diffrom

NetworkBART Diffrom

NetworkBART Diffrom

Network6thGrade

59% +11 38% +8 47% +13 50% +11

7thGrade

56% +11 52% +14 51% +13 60% +13

8thGrade

51% +13 55% +11 54% +13 54% +11

Atthehighschoollevel,BARTfacultyreviewstudentperformanceonboththePSATandSAT.All10th-and11th-gradestudentsarerequiredtotakethePSAT,whichBARToffersduringtheschoolday.AllseniorsarerequiredtotaketheSATpriortograduation.

ThetablebelowincludesthemostrecentlyavailablecomparableSATdataforBARTandourthreemainsendingdistricts.ItisimportanttonotethatBARTrequiresallstudentstotaketheSAT;theotherdistricts’scoresrepresentonlytheportionofstudentswhochosetotaketheSAT(onaverage,60%).Despitethis,BARTstudentsoutperformedtheirsendingdistrictsand,intotal,scoredwithin15pointsofthestatewideaverage.

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2015-2016SATPerformance

CriticalReading Writing MathState 509 497 522Adams-Cheshire 494 478 489Pittsfield 508 484 497NorthAdams 472 468 477BART 514 497 502

ProgramDelivery

Inthe2016-2017schoolyear,weimplementedanumberofrefinementstoouracademicprogram.

Wealteredourscheduletoaccommodateanumberofchangesrequestedbyteachersoridentifiedasnecessarythroughourdataanalysis.Allmiddleschoolstudentshaveadaily60-minutemathclass.Additionallywechangedoursupplementalmathworkshopsfrom30to45minuteseachday.Wealsoaddedtwomathinterventionpositionstotargettier2and3mathinstructionalneeds.Mathclassesaregroupedheterogeneously;mathworkshopshomogeneously.

WecontinuedtostrengthenourpartnershipbetweenourhistoryandELAfaculties,ensuringthatELAstandardsaretaughtconsistentlyacrossbothsubjects.Thisincludesintegratingthreefulldatacyclesforstudentwriting,anchoringresearchwritinginthehistoryclassrooms.Wealsocontinuedtoimprovemiddleschoolscienceinterimassessments,aligningourcurriculuminternallyandwiththeNextGenerationScienceStandards,whilebalancingouraccountabilitytoMCASsciencestandards.ScienceteacherswereabletouseNGSS-alignedinterimassessmentstodriveinstructionbackwards-designedfromthenewstandards.InbothELAandmath,teachersreviewedupdatestothecurriculumframeworksinregularlyscheduleddataandcurriculummeetings.

Inresponsetoagrowingnumberofstudentswithsignificantlearningneeds,wecontinuetoenhanceour“LearningAcademy”—substantiallyseparateprogrammingforstudentswhoneedsignificantsupportsduetocognitiveorsocial-emotionalchallenges.

Finally,collegiateskillsandwellnessteamscontinuetodevelopconsistent,streamlinedcurriculumwithinandacrossgradelevelsthataddressesallaspectsofachild’swellbeinginpreparationforcollegeandcareer.

Social,Emotional,andHealthNeeds

Wecontinuetoimplementandenhanceprogramsthatsupportthesocial,emotional,andhealthneedsofourstudents.NowinthesecondyearofourUSDOEElementaryandSecondarySchoolCounselingGrant,wecontinuetobuildourprogramsateachofthethreetiersofinterventionandsupport.Theimplementationofourschool-widesocial-emotionallearningcurriculum,CircleForward,continuestobethefocalpointofouractivities.InAugustof2016allteachersparticipatedforasecondyearoftrainingleadbystafffromtheInstituteforRestorativeInitiatives(IRIS).ThroughouttheschoolyeartheHealthandWellnessCoordinator(HWC)andAssistantPrincipalcontinuedtoworkwithteacherstobuildtheirskillsasCircleleaders.CirclePracticehasnowbecomethecornerstoneofouradvisoryprogram.Asharedrepositoryofovertwenty-fiveCircleActivities,organizedbytopicandgradelevel,isnowavailabletoallteachersfortheiruseinadvisoryandtheclassroom.Teachersselfreportagreaterlevelofcomfortinthedeliveryofthiscurriculum,andanincreasingnumberofteachersuseCirclePracticeasapartoftheirregularclassroomactivities.

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OurHWC,apositionwecreatedin2015withthesupportofthegrantmentionedabove,workswiththeschoolnurse,schooladjustmentcounselor,outsideproviders,andothermembersofourstudentsupportgrouptoensurethatallmembersoftheteamareworkinginconcerttosupportthesocial,emotional,andmentalhealthneedsofourstudents.TheHWCcontinuestooverseetheimplementationofanumberofTier2andTier3interventions,includingZonesofRegulationandDialecticalBehaviorTherapytosupportstudentswhohavedifficultywithimpulsivityorworkingthroughprevioustrauma,respectively.Theseprogramswillcontinueinthe2017-2018schoolyear.

OrganizationalViability

OrganizationalStructureoftheSchool

WehavemadeveryfewchangestotheorganizationalstructureoftheSchool.Inthe2014-2015schoolyear,theDirectorofSpecialEducation,SusanLubell,wasresponsiblefortheoversightofspecialeducation,504plans,andourEnglishLanguageLearner(ELL)program.Inthe2015-2016schoolyear,weaddedapart-timeLearningServicesCoordinator,ErinHattaway,whoassumedtheoversightof504plans,ourELLprogram,andourDistrictCurriculumAccommodationPlan(DCAP)process.Inthiscapacity,shealsoservedontheInstructionalLeadershipTeam,specificallysupportingteachersindifferentiatedinstruction.Duringthe2016-2017schoolyear,Ms.HattawaybecameAssistantPrincipalandthetwopositionswerecombined.Withtheretirementofbusinessmanager,MarthaMellor,whoworkedforBARTinapart-timecapacity,thepositionwasexpandedfor2016-2017tofulltime,andanewbusinessmanager,JuliaMarko,beganatBARTinJanuary2017.InJuneof2017,Dr.JamesC.WhiteIIwashiredastheSchool’snewExecutiveDirector,replacingfoundingExecutiveDirectorJuliaBowen.TheSchool’sorganizationchartfor2016-2017isincludedinAppendixE.

TeacherEvaluation

Inthepastyeartherehavebeennochangestoourteacherevaluationsystem.Teachingfacultyandprincipalareevaluatedusingthe5-StepCycleandrubricsprovidedbytheMassachusettsModelSystemforEducatorEvaluation.However,giventhesmallsizeofourdistrict,wehaveoptednottoimplementthedistrict-determinedmeasureelementofthemodel.Instead,thePrincipalappliesherownjudgmentonateacher’sstudentimpactbasedonevidenceprovidedbytheteacherandstateassessments,aswellasprogresstowardSMARTgoals.

Otherprofessionalsareevaluatedusingvarioustools.AdministratorsandofficestaffareevaluatedonthebasisofperformancecomparedtojobdescriptionsandprogresstowardSMARTgoals.ParaprofessionalsarealsoevaluatedonthebasisofperformancecomparedtojobdescriptionsandprogresstowardSMARTgoals.Additionally,theSpecialEducationDirectorhasdevelopedalistofperformanceexpectationsthatareusedaspartofaself-evaluationprocesswheretheperceptionsofthesupervisorandparaprofessionalarecomparedanddiscussedasapartoftheannualreviewprocess.

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BudgetandFinance

UnauditedCombinedFY17StatementofRevenues,ExpensesandChangesinNetAssetsJuly1,2016-June30,2017

BARTCharter BARTFoundation Combined

PublicSchool

Total

OperatingRevenue

Tuition 4,870,416 0 4,870,416

Grants-State 31,290 0 31,290

Grants-Federal 375,735 0 375,735

Grants-PrivateDirect 41,775 0 41,775

NutritionProgram 102,239 0 102,239

OtherProgramFees 13,832 0 13,832

Donations-General 97,012 132,504 229,516

StateReimbursements 298,645 0 298,645

TotalOperatingRevenues 5,830,945 132,504 5,963,449

OperatingExpenses

Administration 510,010 0 510,010

InstructionalServices 3,081,812 0 3,081,812

PupilServices 696,297 0 696,297

Operation&MaintofFacility 465,334 0 465,334

Benefits&OtherFixedCharges 448,190 0 448,190

Depreciation-Bldg/Equipment 179,488 0 179,488

FoundationExpenses 0 44,676 44,676

DonationstoSchool 0 66,343 66,343

GrantstoSchool 0 10,000 10,000

TotalOperatingExpenses 5,381,130 121,019 5,502,149

NetOperatingIncome 449,814 11,485 461,299

Non-OperatingRevenues(Expenses):

Grants-Private 0 0 0

Contributions-CapitalorOtherRestriction 1,490 26,095 27,585

Investment/InterestIncome

12,386 12,386

Realized/UnrealizedGain 141 0 141

LTDebtService-QLIFI/Construction (271,046) 0 (271,046)

Amortization-LoanClosings

(13,964) (13,964)

Amortization-CapitalLease (99,125) 0 (99,125)

CapitalDonations/GrantstoSchool

0 0

OtherNonoperatingExpenses 0 0

TotalNon-OperatingRevenues(Expenses) (368,540) 24,517 (344,023)

Changeinnetposition 81,274 36,002 117,276

NetPosition-BeginningofYear 1,194,355 704,876 1,899,231

NetPosition-EndofYear 1,275,629 740,878 2,016,507

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UnauditedCombinedStatementofNetAssetsForFY2017

BARTCharter BART Combined

PublicSchool Foundation Total

ASSETS CurrentAssets:

Cash&cashequivalents 848,551 111,683 960,234

Accountsreceivable 32,844 1,625 34,469

Grantsreceivable-General 30,557 0 30,557

Pledgesreceivable-General 175 1,625 1,800

Pledgesreceivable-Capital 35,082 0 35,082

Prepaidexpense 45,415 12,396 57,811

Totalcurrentassets 992,624 127,329 1,119,952

NoncurrentAssets:

CapitalAssets

Facilitiesundercapitallease 3,518,937 0 3,518,937

Leaseholdimprovements 5,451,956 0 5,451,956

Equipment 454,533 0 454,533

Constructioninprogress 8,616 0 8,616

9,434,042 0 9,434,042

Lessaccumulateddepreciation 1,424,889 0 1,424,889

Totalcapitalassets 8,009,154 0 8,009,154

Pledges&grantsreceivable-capital 11,579 0 11,579

Loansreceivable 0 2,696,135 2,696,135

Artcollection 19,500 0 19,500

Financingfees(net) 0 24,835 24,835

Totalnoncurrentassets 8,040,233 2,720,970 10,761,202

TotalAssets 9,032,856 2,848,298 11,881,154

LIABILITIESANDNETPOSITION CurrentLiabilities:

Accountspayable 67,915 679 68,594

Accruedwages/payrollliabilities 207,733 0 207,733

Accruedexpenses-other 6,722 0 6,722

Deferredrevenue 25,769 8,347 34,116

Currentportionoflong-termdebt 142,646 0 142,646

Totalcurrentliabilities 450,785 9,026 459,811

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NoncurrentLiabilities:

DeferredRevenue 0 62,427 62,427

Long-termdebt 7,306,442 2,035,967 9,342,410

Totallong-termliabilities 7,306,442 2,098,395 9,404,837

TotalLiabilities 7,757,227 2,107,420 9,864,647

NetPosition:

Netinvestmentincapitalassets 1,228,684 0 1,228,684

Restrictedfor:

Specificprojectsandprogramming 46,660 74,607 121,267

DebtService

0 0

Contributionsrestrictedtofutureyears 0 0

Unrestricted 285 666,271 666,556

Totalnetposition 1,275,629 740,878 2,016,507

TotalLiabilitiesandNetPosition 9,032,856 2,848,298 11,881,154

17

BerkshireArts&TechnologyCharterPublicSchoolBudgetApprovedApril5,2017

FY2018CombinedBudget

BARTCharter BART Combined

PublicSchool Foundation Total

REVENUES

CharterSchoolTuition 5,066,754 0 5,066,754

FederalGrants 313,857 0 313,857

StateGrants 22,700 0 22,700

PrivateGrants/Foundations 0 0 0

IndividualDonations 125,000 40,000 165,000

StateReimbursements 319,283 0 319,283

EarnedRevenues 129,451 0 129,451

InvestmentIncome 12,386 12,386

TotalRevenue 5,977,045 52,386 6,029,431

EXPENDITURES

Administration 559,808 0 559,808

InstructionalServices 3,065,293 0 3,065,293

PupilServices 696,471 0 696,471

Operation&MaintofFacility 507,774 0 507,774

Benefits&OtherFixedCharges 495,194 0 495,194

FoundationExpenses 0 33,200 33,200

Depreciation-Bldg/Equipment 181,062 0 181,062

OperatingContingency 100,000 0 100,000

ContributionstoSchool 0 0 0

LTDebtService 263,700 0 263,700

AmortizationCosts 99,125 13,963 113,088

TotalExpenditures 5,968,427 47,163 6,015,590

NetIncome 8,618 5,223 13,841

FY2017CapitalPlan

BARThasestablisheda10yearcapitalneedsplanthatisupdatedannually.Sincethereisnostatefundingforcharterpublicschoolfacilities,thenecessaryfundsfortheseprojectswillbesupportedbyacombinationoftheannualbudget,capitalreserveaccount,grantsfromfoundationsandlongtermfinancing.

Duringthe2016-17schoolyearthefollowingprojectswerecompleted:

• Upgradestolightingthroughoutbuildingforgreaterenergyefficiency,atatotalcost$79,645.

• Replacementofa20+year-oldHVACunit,atatotalcostof$16,385.• Theadditionoffirestoppingthroughoutthebuildingtomeetcoderequirements,at

atotalcostof$9,590.• Additionofasixteen-camerasecuritysystem,atatotalcost$14,563.

18

• InstallationofflooringintheSchool’snewMultiPurposeroom,atatotalcostof$69,445.

• Replacementoftelephonesystem,atatotalcostof$13,199.

Capitalprojectsplannedforthesummerof2017include:

• ReplacementoftheSchool’snorthwingroof,atacostof$31,620.• Renovationoftwoclassrooms,atacostof$15,600.• Installationofagenerator in theSchool’sbasement tobackupasumppump,ata

costof$9,500.• Outfittingofa fitnessclassroomwithtreadmills,stationarybikesandflooring,ata

costof$26,715.

19

APPENDIXA:ACCOUNTABILITYPLANEVIDENCE2016-2017FaithfulnesstoCharter

2016-2017Performance

(Met/PartiallyMet/NotMet)

Evidence

Objective1:BARTstudentswilldemonstratetheyareontracktobepreparedforacollege-levelcurriculum,unlessspecificaccommodationstothecontraryaremadeintheirIEPs,throughworkcontainedintheirportfolios,collegecoursesandthecollegeapplicationprocess.

Measure1.1:100%ofgraduating8th-gradestudentswillreceivepassinggradesontheirGatewayPortfoliosandthepresentationoftheirGatewayPortfoliospriortothestartof9thgrade.

Met

In2016-2017,BARThad62eighthgraders,allofwhomreceivedpassinggradesontheirGatewayPortfoliosandpresentations.

Measure1.2:100%of11thgradestudentswillreceivepassinggradesontheirGatewayPortfoliosandthepresentationoftheirGatewayPortfoliospriortothestartofsenioryear.

PartiallyMet

Allbut3ofour32eleventh-gradestudentsreceivedapassinggradeonaGatewayPortfolioandpresentationpriortotheendof11thgrade.ThethreestudentswhodidnotreceiveapassinggradewillpresenttoapaneltheweekofAugust14th,priortothestartof12thgrade.

Measure1.3:100%ofgraduatingseniorswillhavereceivedapassinggradeinacollegecourseonacollegecampuspriortograduation.

Met

All16graduatingseniorspassedacourseatBerkshireCommunityCollegeorMassachusettsCollegeofLiberalArtsduringthe2016-2017.OnestudentalsotookonlineclassesatCornellUniversity,UniversityofNewEngland,andSt.Michael’sCollege.

Measure1.4:100%ofgraduatingseniorswillhavebeenacceptedintoatleastonecollegepriortograduation.

Met

Onaverage,graduatingseniorswereacceptedinto4four-yearcolleges,withtherangebeing1-7collegesandamedianof3colleges.Asofgraduation,100%ofseniorsintendtoattendcollegeinthefallof2017.

Objective2:Studentswilldemonstrateastrongfoundationinartsandtechnologythroughworkcontainedintheirportfoliosandattheschool’sartsandtechnologyshowcases,unlesstheirIEPrequiresotherwise.

Measure2.1:85%ofstudentsingrades6through11willparticipate(eitherina

Met 91%ofstudentsparticipatedin2and89%participatedin3

20



Evidence

performanceorbysubmittingwork)intwoartsandtechnologyshowcasesorin-schoolperformanceseachyear.

artsandtechnologyshowcasesorin-schoolperformances.

Measure2.2:100%ofgraduatingseniorswilldemonstrateproficiencywithcommunicationstechnologyandoffice-productivitysoftwarethroughworkcontainedintheirexitportfolios.

Met

Allseniorscreatedadigitalpresentationoftheirportfoliosusingoffice-productivitysoftware.Additionally,allseniorscompletedanexitportfoliothatcontainedmultiplesamplesoftheirworkacrossdisciplines,manyofwhichrequiredtheuseofoffice-productivityorsubject-specificsoftware.

Objective3:Theschoolwillprovidesignificantopportunitiesforparents/guardianstolearnhowtobeengagedinandsupporttheirchild’sacademicexperience.

Measure3.1:Attheendofeachyear,atleast90%ofparentswhorespondtotheannualsurveywilleitheragreeorstronglyagreetotheprompt,“Theschoolworkshardtogetparentsinvolved.”Atleast40%offamilieswillrespondtothesurvey.

Met

91.5%ofparentseitheragreedorstronglyagreedthatBARTworkshardtogetparentsinvolved.54%offamiliesrespondedtothesurvey.

Measure3.2:Atleast90%ofparents/guardianswillattend1student-ledconferenceoraportfoliopresentationeachschoolyear.

Met

93%ofstudentshadaparentorguardianattendtheirfallstudent-ledconference;91%ofstudentshadaparentorguardianattendaspringconferenceorportfoliopresentation.

Objective4:Theschoolwillprovidesignificantprofessionaldevelopmentopportunitiesforteachers.

21



Evidence

Measure4.1:Teacherswillbeprovidedwithatleast60hoursofprofessionaldevelopmenteachyearineitherspecificcontentareasorinstructionalpedagogy.

Met

Allteachersreceivedatleast60hoursofprofessionaldevelopmentatBART,asnotedinthetextofthisreportrelatedtotheschool’smission.Mostnotably,allteachersreceived12hoursofprofessionaldevelopmentinrestorativepractices,notincludingadditionalcoachingprovidedasneeded.Teachersalsoreceivedprofessionaldevelopmentinavarietyofothertopics,includingdatadriventeachingandlearning,backwardsdesign,brainscienceandlearning,andtechnologyintegration.

Measure4.2:Attheendofeachyear,atleast80%ofteacherswhorespondtotheannualsurveywilleitheragreeorstronglyagreetotheprompt,“IfeelIhaveampleprofessionalgrowthopportunitiesatBART.”

NotMet

67.3%ofteachersrespondedthattheybelievedtheyhaveampleprofessionalgrowthopportunitiesatBART,similartotheprioryear.

AdditionalnotesformeasuresthatarenotmetasoftheAugust1reportingdate:

Many veteran teachers reported that our August 2016 professional development was the best in which they had ever participated. However, as the school year progresses, Wednesday after-school professional development topics become more procedural, and less focused on practice. We theorize that the survey results reflect this shift from earlier in the year when the highest quality PD was delivered, impacting teachers’ overall perception. We also have discussed the possibility that teachers may interpret this question differently from administration. While recognizing these explanations might account for the lower percentage of teachers believing they have ample opportunities for professional growth, we acknowledge it is important to make some concrete changes for the 2017-18 school year to improve the quality and focus of dedicated time for teacher collaboration and professional development. We believe the changes in our morning schedule to allow for daily teacher PD/collaboration time will improve the quality of collaboration and frequency of PD available for various topics. A sample view of our new weekly professional development schedule follows on page 21.

MONDAY: All Faculty Meeting

TUESDAY: Horizontal Teams

WEDNESDAY: Vertical Teams

THURSDAY: Horizontal Teams

(IEPs, 504s, DCAPS)

FRIDAY: New Teacher

Meetings Committees

Week 1

Faculty Meeting Monthly faculty meetings, facilitated by the Principal, will address a variety of topics, including updates regarding school priorities, instructional best practices, dissemination of important information, mandated training, and other PD topics.

Grade-Level Culture Building Horizontal teams will address topics to ensure a cohesive and productive grade-level culture, including: advisory circles; student recognition planning; classroom expectations; PBIS/behavior, etc.

Pre-cycle Planning Meeting Vertical teams will plan from standards in order to maintain instructional alignment with pacing calendar (SAS; CAG). Teams may use the Critical Friends -- Tuning a Plan protocol to receive feedback from colleagues. --OR-- Reflection Meeting Vertical teams will examine and reflect upon the results of their action plan following each interim assessment data meeting

Special Education Planning Review needs and improve supports for special education students

New Teacher Meeting w/Mentor Cultural Competency Committee Steering committee composed of school leaders and staff to provide program oversight regarding equity at BART

APPENDIXB:RECRUITMENTANDRETENTIONPLAN

SchoolName:BerkshireArts&TechnologyCharterPublicSchoolDate:August1,2017

Pleaseprovideabriefnarrativereportonimplementationofrecruitmentstrategiesfromlastyear’splan.Wesuccessfullyimplementedthe2016-2017recruitmentplanoutlinedinourannualreportfromAugust1,2016.Ourgeneralrecruitmentactivitieswereconductedastheyhavebeenforthelast13years.Ourspecificrecruitmentactivitiescontinuetoattractadiversestudentbodycomparabletooursendingdistricts’,asreportedontheDESEwebsite.Inall,weexpect92newstudentstojoinBARTinAugust,2017.

Describetheschool’sgeneralrecruitmentactivities,i.e.,thoseintendedtoreachallstudents.Generalpublicrelations:KeepingBARTfrontandcenterinthegeneralpublic’smindiscriticaltoourrecruitmentefforts.WestrivetobeconsideredalongsidealloftheotherpublicschooloptionsinBerkshireCounty,andwetakeactionsaccordingly.Afewexamples:wesendpressreleasesaboutupcomingschoolevents;wepublishourhonorrollinthepapereachtrimester;wegetannouncementsabouttheschool’seventsontolocalcablechannelsthatbroadcastschoolannouncements.Directoutreachtocommunityleaders:WebelievethatifourlocalcommunityleadershaveapositiveimpressionofBART,theywillhelpspreadthewordaboutourprogram.Wetakemanystepstomakesurethattheyremainupdatedonourprogress,includinghostingaFallBreakfastforlocalleaderstohearaboutourprogressoverthepreviousyear;invitingincommunityleaderstoserveaspanelistsforourstudents’portfoliopresentations,sciencefairjudges,mockinterviewers,orcollegeessayreviewers;andextendingindividualinvitationstoprovideaschooltourtocommunityleaders.Openhouses:Atleast3timesannually,wehostanopenhouseandinvitethecommunityintoseetheschoolandtheworkofourstudents.TheseareadvertisedthroughourschoolcommunityandinannouncementsthatareadvertisedtothebroaderBerkshirecommunity.Theytypicallyfocusonourartsandtechnologyprogramsandshowcasestudentwork.Enrollmentpressreleases:Eachtimewehaveanenrollmentdeadline–atleast6timesannually–wesubmitapressreleasetoallofthelocalmediahouses.Theseareconsistentlyprintedinthelocalnewspapersandonline.Electronicpresence:Wemaintainanup-to-datewebsitewithinformationaboutourprogram,enrollmentprocedures,studentsuccesses,policies,events,etc.,atwww.bartcharter.org.Additionally,wehaveaFacebookpagewithover1,300“friends”asawaytoencourageviralmessagingaboutourschoolanditsprograms.Brochuresandotherprintcollateral:Eachyear,wereviewand,ifnecessary,updateourbrochurewiththelatestinformationaboutourprogramanddistributethebrochureaswidelyaswecan.Additionally,wehaveaseriesofotherprintmaterialsthatareusedasappropriate,rangingfroma

RecruitmentPlan2016–2017

24

one-pagesummaryofourschoolforsomeonewhoisjustlearningaboutus,tomoredetailedinformation,likeourstudenthandbook,forsomeonewhowantstoknowspecifics.WetranslateallrecruitmentinformationintoSpanish,themostprevalentsecondlanguageinourgeographicarea.Familytoursandinformationsessions:Inadditiontocoordinatingmuchofouroutreachdescribedabove,ourEnrollmentCounselorworkscloselywithanyfamilythatexpressesinterestinBARTtoensuretheyhavealloftheinformationthattheyneedtomakeaninformeddecision.Specifically,sheinvitesfamiliesinforindividualtoursandsetsupconversationswithprofessionalsinthebuilding,dependingonthefamily’squestionsorneeds.Shealsosetsup“shadowdays”forprospectivestudentstoexperienceBARTalongsidecurrentBARTstudents.Informationsessionsarescheduledonweekdaysatvarioustimestoallowfordifferencesinfamilyschedules.Effortsaremadetoinsurethatthefollowingareinattendance:schoolleaders,specialeducationteammembers,translators,and/ormembersofourparentadvisorycouncils.

RecruitmentPlanStrategiesListstrategiesforrecruitmentactivitiesforeachdemographicgroup.

Chartdata 2016-17StrategiesSpecialEducationStudents/StudentswithDisabilities

SchoolPercentage:21.1%CIPercentage:14.8%GNTPercentagenotavailableBARTCharterPublicSchoolisaboveCIpercentages

MetGNT/CI:noenhanced/additionalstrategiesneeded

TheEnrollmentCounselor(EC)sharesinformationwithfamiliesofdisabledstudentsthroughdirectoutreachtothelocalchapterofUnitedCerebralPalsy,anon-profitthatservespeoplewithdisabilities.

Theschooladvertises,throughamailingtoalleligiblestudentsinoursendingdistricts,aninformationsessiononBART’stiered-instructionmodelandhowwesupportstudentswithlearningdisabilities.ArepresentativeoftheSpecialEducationdepartmentattendstheinformationsession.

TheDirectorofSpecialEducationattendsinformationmeetingswithfamilieswhoaretouringtheschool(andstudentswhoareshadowing)andexplainshowBARTwillsupporttheirchild’sIEP.

LimitedEnglish-ProficientStudentsSchoolPercentage:1.7%CIPercentage:1.0%GNTPercentage:.5%BARTCharterPublicSchoolisaboveCIandGNTpercentages


TheECsharesinformationwithfamiliesoflimitedEnglish-proficientstudentsthroughoutreachtotheBerkshireImmigrantsCenter(BIC),anonprofitorganizationthatservestheimmigrantpopulationandiswellconnectedwithotherorganizationsworkingdirectlywiththelocalimmigrantpopulation.Additionally,theECworkswiththeBICtoidentifyimmigrantclubs,churches,temples,mosques,libraries,healthcenters,andotherorganizationsthatservenon-English-speakingpopulationstowhomBARTcansendinformationalmaterialsandarrangeanon-siteinformationsession.

TheSchooladvertises,throughamailingtoalleligiblestudentsinoursendingdistricts,aninformationsessionthatincludesinformationabouthowweserveLEPstudents.Thismailingisintheprevalent

25


Chartdata 2016-17Strategiessecondlanguageofoursendingdistricts(Spanish).ASpanishtranslatorandtheELLCoordinatorattendtheinformationsession.

Translatorsareprovidedasneededforfamilieswhoaretouringtheschool(andstudentswhoareshadowing).

Low-IncomeStudentsSchoolPercentage:41.9%CIPercentage:28.8%GNTPercentage:NABARTCharterPublicSchoolisaboveCIpercentages


Theschoolemploysrecruitmentpracticesthathaveproventoattractalow-incomepopulation.Theschool’smailingtodistrictfamilieshighlightsthatBARTistuitionfreeandprovidesfreetransportationtoallsendingdistrictswithinourcharter.Theseareimportantfactsforlow-incomefamilies,sincethereisacommonmisconceptionthatBARTchargestuition,andsinceschoolchoiceintheBerkshiresdoesnotgenerallyincludetransportation.

Wealsopostenrollmentdeadlinesandinformationaboutourfreetransportationonthelocalpublic-accessTVstations,sothatparentswithoutaccesstotheinternetknowtheseimportantfacts.

Additionally,theschoolmaintainsandadvertisesalow-costdresscodesothatlow-incomestudentswon’tfeelsingledoutbytheirinabilitytokeepupwiththelatestfashiontrends.

StudentsWhoAreSub-ProficientGoal:Continuetoattractasimilarpercentageofsub-proficientstudentsasoursendingdistricts.

Theschoolcontinuestoemployrecruitmentpracticesthathaveproventoattractsub-proficientstudents.Theschoolalsoadvertises,throughamailingtoalleligiblestudentsinoursendingdistricts,aninformationsessiononBART’stiered-instructionmodel.

StudentsAtRiskofDroppingOutofSchoolGoal:Continuetoattractasignificantpercentageofnewstudentswhohavenotperformedwellacademicallyorwhomayhaveotherchallengesthatputthematriskofdroppingout.

Theschoolcontinuestoemployrecruitmentpracticesthathaveproventoattractstudentsatriskofdroppingout.

Inadditiontootherstrategiesalreadymentioned,theECreachesouttotheDepartmentofChildrenandFamiliestoensuretheyhavebrochuresandotherinformationonhandastheirclientsconsiderschoolplacements.

StudentsWhoHaveDroppedOutofSchoolGoal:Maintainoutreachtostudentswhohavedroppedoutbeforecompleting9thgrade,thelastyearthatBARTacceptsnewstudents.

TheECsendsenrollmentinformationtothelocalGEDprograms.GiventhatBARTstopsacceptingnewstudentsintothehighschoolinFebruaryof9thgrade,therearenotmanystudentswhohavedroppedoutofschoolthatBARTcanattract.

26


Chartdata 2016-17StrategiesSubgroup:StudentsofColor

Goal:AttractasimilarpercentageofstudentsofcolortoBART,ascomparedtoourthreemajorsendingdistricts.In2016-2017,27.1%ofBARTstudentswerestudentsofcolor,comparedtoourthreemajorsendingdistricts’percentagesof8.0%(Adams-Cheshire),18.4%(NorthAdams)and32%(Pittsfield).)

Theschoolwillcontinuetoemployexistingrecruitmentpracticesthathavealreadyproventoattractstudentsofcolor,includingsendingdirectmailadvertisingtofamiliesinPittsfield,adistrictwithasubstantiallyhigherpercentageofstudentsofcolor.

27

RetentionPlan2017–2018

Pleaseprovideabriefnarrativereportonthesuccessesandchallengesofimplementinglastyear’sretentionstrategiesfromthe2016-17RetentionPlan.Duringthe2016-2017schoolyear,wecontinuedtoimplementanumberofinitiativesthatwebelievehavereducedourattritionrate,asoutlinedinlastyear’sretentionplan.Wealsocontinuedtoofferarangeofextracurricularactivities(andsports),eitherafterschoolorduringourin-schoolenrichmentblock.Additionally,wecontinuedthewhole-schoolimplementationofrestorativepracticesatBART,usingcirclesinadvisoryclassestoprovidestudentswithmoreopportunitiestoexpressthemselvesandbuildastrongerculture.Reducingattritionhasbeenastatedgoaloftheadministrativeteamforeachofthepast3years.Overthattimeperiod,wehavereducedbothattritionandchurn.Thisyear,wereducedourschool-yearchurnrateto9.7%,from12%inthepreviousschoolyear.(ForthestudentswhowerepresentonOctober1,thechurnrateisthepercentagewholeftBARTbeforetheendoftheschoolyear.)Asofthisreporting,ourretentionratewas82.6%,5.4%belowourgoalof88%setinlastyear’sannualreport.(Forthestudentswhofinishtheschoolyear,theretentionrateisthepercentwhoreturnforthefollowingschoolyear,whiletheattritionrateisthepercentwhodonotreturn.)Movingforward,wewillcontinuetoenhancethestrategiesoutlinedinourretentionplan.Wedorecognizethatwewillalwayshavelowerretentionthanourlocaldistrictsduetoourlargecatchmentarea(somestudentsultimatelyfindthatridingabusanhourtoandfromschoolistoodifficult),ourlimitedextracurricularofferings,andthefactthatcharterschoolfamilies,bydefinition,aremorelikelytochangeschools.

OverallStudentRetentionGoal

Annualgoalforstudentretention(percentage):

88%

\]\]RetentionPlanStrategies

Liststrategiesforretentionactivitiesforeachdemographicgroup.CHARTData Strategies

Specialeducationstudents/studentswithdisabilities

SchoolPercentage:22.1%

ThirdQuartile:9.4%

BARTisabovethirdquartilepercentages

(b)2016-2017Strategies

Maintainspecialeducationprogramthatachievesa“Level1”specialeducationprogramstatuswiththeDESE.

Providesocial-skillsgroupsforspecialeducationstudentswhosedisabilitiesmakeitdifficulttoparticipateactivelyintheschoolcommunity.Consultwithexpertsinhigh-incidencedisabilityareas(e.g.,autism,emotional)forthesegroups.

28

(c)Abovethirdquartile:additionalstrategies

Deliver12+hoursofprofessionaldevelopmenttoallinstructionalstaffonbrainscienceandlearning,includingexecutivefunctionsandself-regulation.

ProvideDialecticalBehavioralTherapy(DBT)groupsforspecialeducationstudentswithemotionaldisabilities.

ReviseStudentSupportTeamstructuresandpracticestoimproveidentificationandmonitoringofstudentsforMulti-TieredSupports.

ChartDataLimitedEnglish-proficientstudents/Englishlearners


ThirdQuartile:12.4%



ProvideextensiveELLsupportswithintheschooldaytoensurethatELLstudentsareabletomakeappropriateacademicgains.

Createopportunitiestoeducatenon-ELLstudentsaboutthecountriesoforiginofourELLstudents.



Organizeacross-stakeholdercommitteeofstaff,students,parents,andcommunitymembersregardingdiversityandinclusiontoanalyzeschooldata,adviseonpoliciesandpractices,andrecommendschoolimprovements.

ChartDataStudentseligibleforfreeorreducedlunch


ThirdQuartile:11.0%



Providefreetransportationforafter-schoolprograms.

Printweeklyannouncementsforparentswhodonothaveaccesstotheinternet(andthus,oure-mailedweeklyannouncements).

Provideextensivecollegecounselingsupportthatincludesafocusonfinancialaid,scholarships,andfinancialplanning.Thisisopentoallparentsintheschool,withspecificeffortstoengagefamiliesbeginningin9thgrade.


PrincipalwillparticipateinESE’sLeadingEducationalAccessProject(LEAP)TrainingoftheTrainersprograminordertolearnconcepts

29

andstrategiesforsupportinglearningforstudentsinpoverty.

Deliver12+hoursofprofessionaldevelopmenttoallinstructionalstaffonbrainscienceandlearning,includingexecutivefunctionsandself-regulation.

ProvideDialecticalBehavioralTherapy(DBT)groupsforstudentswhohaveexperiencedtraumaorstrugglewithemotionalwell-being.


Studentswhoaresub-proficient

2016-2017Strategies

Provideextensivetieredinstructiontosupportstudentswhostruggleacademically.Offerafter-schooltutoringwithfaculty.

Schedulestudentsintoadailyadvisoryperiodsothattheiradvisorcanhelpthembeginthedaywithaplantoachievetheirshort-andlong-termacademicgoals.

Provideonlineaccesstoteachergradebookssothatparentscanhelpmonitorandsupportstudents’academicprogram.

Studentsatriskofdroppingoutofschool

2016-2017Strategies

Deliveraschool-widesocial-emotionalskillscurriculumtosupportstudents’developmentofskillsthatimproveacademicpersistence.

ContinuetostrengthenthesystemofcommunicationbetweentheStudentSupportteamandthegrade-levelteams.

Studentswhohavedroppedoutofschool

2016-2017Strategies

Hold“FamilyMeetings”thatincludethestudent,theacademicteachers,thefamily,andtheprincipaltoidentifyanactionplantosupportthestudentatBART.

Coordinatewithoutsideproviders,suchastheBrienCenter,toprovidesocial-emotionalorfamilysupportsforstudents.

Studentsofcolor

2016-2017Strategies

Createopportunitieswithintheschooldaytorecognizeandcelebratestudents’culturalandracialdifferences.

Provide8+hoursofprofessionaldevelopmenttofacultyinbecomingmoreculturallysensitiveeducators,especiallyforstudentsofcolor.

Organizeacross-stakeholdercommitteeofstaff,students,parents,andcommunitymembersregardingdiversityandinclusiontoanalyzeschooldata,adviseonpoliciesandpractices,andrecommendschoolimprovements.

ContinuetostrivefordiversityamongBARTemployees,volunteers,andpartnerstoprovidestudentswithdiverserolemodels.

Studentswithahistoryofbehavioralinfractions

2016-17Strategies

Increasetheuseoffunctionalbehaviorassessmentsandbehaviorinterventionplanstocurbnegativebehaviorswithnewlyhired

30

APPENDIXC:SCHOOLANDSTUDENTDATABART’sschoolprofilecanbefoundatthefollowingsite:http://profiles.doe.mass.edu/profiles/general.aspx?topNavId=1&orgcode=04140305&orgtypecode=6&STUDENTDEMOGRAPHICANDSUBGROUPINFORMATION

Race/Ethnicity #ofstudents %ofentirestudentbody

African-American 52 14.6Asian 9 2.5Hispanic 24 6.7NativeAmerican 0 0White 256 71.9NativeHawaiian,PacificIslander 1 0.3Multi-race,non-Hispanic 14 3.9Specialeducation 75 21.1LimitedEnglishproficient 6 1.7Economicallydisadvantaged 152 41.9

ADMINISTRATIVEROSTERFORTHE2016-2017SCHOOLYEAR

Name,Title BriefJobDescription Startdate

Enddate(ifnolongeremployedattheschool)

ExecutiveDirector(0.8)JuliaBowen

Responsibleforoversightofacademicprogram,organizationalviability,andadherencetomission.

September,2003 June19,2017

ExecutiveDirectorJamesC.WhiteII

Responsibleforoversightofacademicprogram,organizationalviability,andadherencetomission.

June19,2017 N/A

HealthandWellnessCoordinatorErinEgan

Responsibleforoversightofhealthandwellnesscurriculumandsupports(physical,mental,

July,2015(JoinedBARTastheStudent

Adjustment

N/A

BehaviorInterventionist.

ContinuetoimplementspecifictherapiessuchasZonesofRegulationtosupportstudentswhodemonstratechallengeswithimpulsivity.

Continuetodevelopasetofrestorativedisciplinepracticesthatpromotebuildingrelationshipsamongstudentsandbetweenstudentsandteachers.

CodifyourcurrentpracticesandsupplementwithbestpracticesfromaPositiveBehaviorInterventionsandSupportssystem.

Partnerwithlocalcourtstoidentifyandrequireadditionalsupportstobeprovidedtothestudentandfamily.

31

ADMINISTRATIVEROSTERFORTHE2016-2017SCHOOLYEARemotional). CounselorinAugust,

2007)TechnologyDirector(0.5)J.P.Henkel

Responsiblefortechnologyinfrastructureandutilization(includingintegration).

August,2007 N/A

DataandAssessmentCoordinatorBrendanLonge

Responsibleforoversightandimplementationofallassessmentsystems.

July,2015 N/A

DirectorofSpecialEducationSusanLubell

Responsibleforentirespecialeducationprogramanddelivery.

July,2015(EmployedatBARTsinceAugust,2007,invariousotherpositions)

N/A

BusinessManager(0.5)MartiMellor

Responsibleforfinancialprocedures,budgeting,fundmanagement,facilitymanagement.

November,2005 March31,2017

BusinessManager,JuliaMarko

Responsibleforfinancialprocedures,budgeting,fundmanagement,facilitymanagement.

January,2017 N/A

CollegeReadinessCoordinator(0.5)KateMerrigan

Responsibleforoversightofallcollegeandcareercounselingprograms.

August,2014 N/A

GrantsCoordinator(.6)BrianO’Grady

Writingandreportingofallgrants June,2004 N/A

PrincipalAprilWest

Responsibleforallacademicinstructioninbuilding,includingsupervisionofteachers.

July,2013(JoinedBARTinAugust,2006,asa

teacher)

N/A

AssistantPrincipalandLearningServicesCoordinatorErinHattaway

Responsibleforsafeschool,positiveschoolclimate.ResponsibleforoversightanddeliveryofELLand504Plans,DCAPprocess.

July,2016(JoinedBARTinAugust,2012,asateacher)

N/A

32

TEACHERSANDSTAFFATTRITIONFORTHE2016-2017SCHOOLYEAR Numberasofthe

lastdayofthe2016-2017schoolyear

Departuresduringthe2016-2017schoolyear

Departuresattheendoftheschool

year

Reason(s)forDeparture

Teachers

42

4

9

Contractnotrenewed(2)

Otheremployment(4)Retirement(1)

Movingoutofareas(3)Personal(3)

OtherStaff 28

6

3

Contractnotrenewed(1)

Otheremployment(1)Retirement(1)

Movingoutofarea(2)Personal(4)

33

BOARDMEMBERSFORTHE2016-2017SCHOOLYEAR

Name PositionontheBoard

Committeeaffiliation(s)

Numberoftermsserved

Lengthofeachterm(includingdateof

electionandexpiration)

JonathanButler Trustee FinanceandAudit

1 6/2016-6/2018

CindyBrown Trustee Charter&Accountability

3 8/2010-6/20126/2012-1/20151/2016-6/20172/2017-6/2020

MarnieClough Trustee Development 2 6/2013-6/20156/2015-6/2017

DianneCutillo Trustee Charter&Accountability

4 6/2006-6/20096/2009-2/20126/2012-6/201412/2015-6/20172/2017-6/2020

JenniferKerwood

Trustee Finance&Audit 1 8/2015-6/20176/2017-6-2020

BillMulholland Trustee(retired12/2016)

Charter&Accountability,Executive

2 6/2013-6/20156/2015-12/2016

ChrisPerkins Vice-Chair Charter&Accountability

2 6/2012-6/20146/2014-6/20176/2017-6-2020

BillPolk Trustee Governance,Finance&Audit

3 3/2011-6/20126/2012-6/20156/2015-6/2018

FredPuddester Treasurer Finance&Audit,Executive

2 6/2013-6/20156/2015-6/2018

GeraldineShen Secretary Development,Executive

2 6/2013-6/20156/2015-6/2018

PatriceSmith Trustee Development 1 1/2015-6/20166/2016-6/2019

BobStegeman Trustee Charter&Accountability,Governance

3 7/2010-6/20126/2012-6/20156/2015-6/2018

CharlesSwabey Chair All 3 12/2010-6/20126/2012-6/20156/2015-6/2018

34

APPENDIXD:ADDITIONALINFORMATIONREQUIREDKeyLeadershipChangesforthe2016-2017SchoolYear

Position NameBoardofTrusteesChairperson CharlesSwabey(Nochange)CharterSchoolLeader JuliaBowen,(July1,2016-June19,2017)CharterSchoolLeader JamesC.White,II,(asJune19,2017)AssistantCharterSchoolLeader AprilWest(Nochange)SpecialEducationDirector SusanLubell(Nochange)MCASTestCoordinator BrendanLonge(Nochange)StudentInformationManagementSystem(SIMS)Coordinator MartiMellor(Nochange)

EnglishLanguageLearnerDirector ErinHattaway(Nochange)FacilitiesBARThasnotrelocatedoracquiredanewfacilitywithinourdistrict.Enrollment

Action Date(s)

StudentApplicationDeadline March1,2018

Lottery March 1, 2018

ComplaintsTheBoardofTrusteesreceivednowrittencomplaintsinthe2016-2017schoolyear.

BARTCharterPublicSchoolOrganiza8onChart2016-2017

District/FacilityStaff

Execu8veDirectorJuliaBowen6/16/17

JamesC.WhiteII6/19/17

BusinessManagerJuliaMarko

FinancialAssistantKimberlyGoodell

DirectorofFacili8es(.7)NoahSnyder

Facili8esSupervisor(.5)JohnLeClair

DirectorofTechnology(.5)

JPHenkel

NetworkAdminChristopherTawes

Administra8veAssistantEmilyBrannan(.5)

GrantCoordinator(.63)BrianO’Grady

PrincipalAprilWest

DirectorofSpecialEduca8onSusanLubell

EnrollmentCounselor/Communica8onsCoordinator

(.8)

MoniqueNo`ke

DevelopmentDirectorLeahThompson

Recep8onistLizDaniels

Organiza(onChart2016-2017Instruc(onalTeam

PrincipalAprilWest

AssistantPrincipal(.5)ErinHaFaway

Administra(veAssistant

AmyShapiro-VanDusen

DeanofStudentsMaryGraceBrown

StudentSupportRoomMonitor

JamalAhamad

Health&WellnessCoordinatorErinEgan

SchoolCounselorChris(naDaignault

SchoolNurseAnnPfister

CollegeReadinessCoordinatorKateMerrigan

CollegeandInternshipPlacementCoordinator

StephanieMaselli

Teachers(32FTE,36People)

Subs(tuteTeachers(1FTE,2People)

DataandAssessmentCoordinator

BrendanLonge

LearningServicesCoordinator(.5)ErinHaFaway

Instruc(onalCoachesSeanKeogh(.5)AlexisDekel(.5)

Administra(veAssistant(.5)JenKupiec

37

Organiza(onChart2016-2017

SpecialEduca(onDepartment

DirectorofSpecialEduca(on

SusanLubell

SpecialEduca(onTeachers(3)

LearningAcademyCoordinators

AkilahEdgerton

AlanaMazza

ReadingSpecialist

ShannonFarley

Paraprofessionals

(5)

ContractedServices(OT,PT,Speech,TVI,BehaviorInterven(onist,etc.)

Administra(veAssistant

(.5)

JenKupiec

Berkshire Arts & Technology Charter Public School … Arts & Technology Charter Public School Annual Report 2016-2017 One Commercial Place PO Box 267 Adams, MA 01220 Submitted by:

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