Marshall Simonds Middle SchoolSchool Improvement Plan 2013-2014
Submitted by Richard J. Connors, Principal May 27, 2014
School Council Members
Richard J. Connors – Principal
Noreen Abati – Team Leader
Marie Chesnick – Teacher
Ceil Bova- Teacher
Dee Lane – Parent
Tom Lee – Parent
Lisa Scarfo – Parent
James Duffy – Community Member
Mildred Nash – Community MemberMarshall Simonds Middle School
District Goals
Goal 1: Improve the Capacity of Burlington Public Schools
Goal 2: Improve Technology Integration/Professional Development
Goal 3: Improve Communication (and Customer Service) at all Levels and throughout the Community
Goal 4: Continue to Improve Facilities and Business Management Operations
Marshall Simonds Middle School
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District Improvement Plan 2013-2014Mission
The mission of the Burlington Public Schools is to help all students acquire organized knowledge, master creative and intellectual skills, and understand ideas in ways that foster a positive self-image and lead to lifelong learning, self-sufficiency, and responsible citizenship.
VisionThe Burlington School Department Vision is “striving for excellence” and will be accomplished by:
1. Helping students achieve their highest potential by providing a rigorous balanced curriculum.2. Employing highly qualified teachers, administrators and support staff who are committed to the Burlington mission
statement.3. Encouraging parents to take an active role in their children’s education through involvement with the schools to enhance
student academic success.4. Providing opportunities for community members to participate in school activities to reinforce the goals and advantages of
providing quality educational programs for every student.
Core ValuesAll students’ potential for excellence should be developed by the schools.A program of study that has the same academic objectives for all students should be provided by the schools.A sensitivity to students’ differing learning styles and intellectual development should be reflected in the educational environment.
GoalsThe Burlington Schools District Improvement Plan focuses on four major goals that are critical to the basis of strong effective public schools for the school children of Burlington for the coming years.
1. Improve the Capacity of Burlington Public Schools 2. Provide a Clear Direction for Technology 3. Improve Communication and Customer Service at all Levels and throughout the Community 4. Continue to Improve Facilities and Business Management Operations
IntroductionPage 2
The 2013-2014 reflects the Middle School’s coordination with the District’s Goals that have been approved by the Burlington
School Committee. Specifically, the School Council has aligned their recommended initiatives to further the District priorities in the
areas of curriculum, technology, communication, facilities and business management operations.
This year our plan includes a number of state mandates. The recommendations emphasize new educator evaluator regulations,
realigning the curriculum to reflect the new Common Core standards, our compliance with the Department of Justice’s mandate
regarding Sheltered English Immersion training for teachers and a pilot of the new state assessment test, (PARCC) Partnership for
Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers.
Technology integration continues to be a strong asset to the growth and development of curriculums at Marshall Simonds. All
students have been provided with iPads which provide online resources to teachers. Presently, students have digital portfolios that
will receive expanded utilization.
The School Council members encouraged the adoption of the Aspen Student Portal. Every student at M.S.M.S. now has a
portal login and is able to check their grades online. The Aspen Family Portal has also been implemented to give parents their own
Aspen account.
The Middle School community continues to benefit from the construction of the new addition, renovation and athletic field. A
major goal of providing optimum instructional environments has been enhanced significantly.
Finally, it is the Council’s strong expectation that student learning and achievement remain as the foundation of the 2013-2014
School Improvement Plan. We expect that meaningful professional development, administrative support, teacher collaboration, and
an emphasis on student-teacher engagement experiences will contribute to this goal.
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1B. Articulate how we will know whether students are achieving expectations identified in the Common Core Standards
Grade level curriculum meetings
Classroom walk throughs
Teacher evaluations
Professional development meetings
Written and verbal communication by “leadership team”
Focused conversations on the transition grades - 5 to 6 and 8 to 9
Semester assessmentsStudent growth percentilesTeacher / Supervisor conferences
Team meetingsProfessional developmentCurriculum meetingsI.E.P. meetings
Principal
Asst. Superintendent
Team Leader
Teachers
Program Coordinators
Support Coordinator
Director of Special Education
Team Chair
Guidance Counselors
Walkthrough data
Teacher / Supervisor conferences
Curriculum Emphasis FormsSummer curriculum work in ELA and math
Parent Communication
Inter-school, grade level meetings
Report Cards
Mid-Term Progress Reports
Goal 1: Improve the Capacity of Marshall Simonds Middle School
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Initiatives Priority Action Steps Support Resources Staff Responsible Indicators of Success
1A. Modify what we expect students to know and be able to do at each grade level to reflect the Common Core Standards 6-8
Create a structure that enables teachers to meet, communicate and collaborate in order to implement the guiding principles of the Common Core
Professional development opportunities
Identify topics that have been added or removed from middle school curriculum
DESE - Common Core Standards
Grade 6-8 Curriculum Emphasis Forms
Grade level curriculum meetings
Common Core assessment materials
After-school math prep classes
Teachers
Team Leader
Support Coordinator
Program Coordination
Principal
Assistant Superintendent
Director of Special Education
Team Chair
Well-defined curriculum expectations that reflect scope and sequence of curriculum frameworks for math and English language arts
Performance on school and state-mandated assessments
Instruction that highlights Common Core expectations
Goal 1: Improve the Capacity of Marshall Simonds Middle School
Initiatives Priority Action Steps Support Resources Staff Responsible Indicators of Success
1C. Articulate what we will do if students are behind or ahead of expectations.
Use team and curriculum meetings to assess student progress
Involve guidance, special education staff, and school psychologist to identify student needs
Support inclusion program in all academic teams
Continue after-school Math Olympiad program
Promote daily student engagement in lesson planning
Individualize instruction to promote, challenge, and differentiation
Implement advanced math grouping in grades 6, 7, and 8
Implement after-school math prep course
Middle School Team Chair
School Psychologist
Principal
Team Leader
Counselors
Inclusion Teachers
Program Coordinators
Special Education Department
Team meetings
Curriculum meetings
Homework Clinic
Parent communication
Math Olympiad
Project Explore
B.E.A.M.
Principal
Assistant Superintendent
Director of Special Education
Math and ELA program coordinators
Team Leader
Team Chair
School Psychologist
Teachers
Guidance
Councelors
Inclusion Specialists
Scholars’ List
Reduction in referrals
Improved student achievement
Student growth scores
Semester assessments
Report cards
Individualized course expectations
Increased opportunities for students with unique talents
Reduced out-of-district placements
Parent satisfaction and support
Mid-Term Progress Reports
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Goal 1: Improve the Capacity of Marshall Simonds Middle School
Initiatives Priority Action Steps Support Resources Staff Responsible Indicators of Success
1D. Implement new educator evaluation regulations
Identify S.M.A.R.T. Goals
Conduct required observations
Complete Formative and Summative Assessment Forms
Department of Education Guidelines
Burlington Education Association contract language
Implementation timeline
Standards and indicators of effective teaching practice
Principal
Team Leader
Support Coordinator
Team Chair
District Coordinators
Superintendent of Schools
Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Educator Evaluation cycle is completed
Evidence of teacher performance is submitted
Instructional meetings are conducted between evaluators and evaluates
Improvement of classroom instruction
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Goal 2: Technology at Marshall Simonds Middle School
Initiatives Priority Action Steps Support Resources Staff Responsible Indicators of Success
2A. Support the integration of technology into the learning environment at M.S.M.S.
Use Aspen for middle school mid-terms, report cards and scheduling
Distribute iPads to all teachers and students
Implement iPad applications in academic and exploratory curriculum
Provide professional development for teachers in the utilization of technology
Promote teacher communication and collaboration
Increase student engagement
PC Lab
iMac Lab
Lightspeed audio system with stereo inputs for laptops and wireless microphones
Ceiling-mounted interactive projector with interactive pointers
Airserver Software
Operational and capital budgets
Student digital portfolios
District “How Do I Do That?” Sessions
Classroom blogs
Social learning platforms
Professional development conferences
Director of Technology Integration
District technology team
Superintendent of Schools
Assistant Superintendent
Principal
Teachers
Team Leader
Support Coordinator
Library Media Specialist
Computer Instructor
Program Coordinators
Technology is used to enhance curriculum goals
Student work reflects the integration of technology
1:1 iPad environment that engages students in productive learning activities
Expanded use of technology by middle school staff
High interest and participation during professional development opportunities
Expanded use of social learning platforms
Evidence of student digital products
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2B. Opening of student and parent Aspen Online Gradebook
Establish student and parent Aspen accounts
Communication with students and parents
Teacher orientation meetings
Aspen student information system Josh Murphy - Director of Student Information
Principal
Team Leader
Teachers
Aspen secretary
Utilization of Aspen login ID and password by students and parents to access grades and other assessment information
Goal 2: Technology at Marshall Simonds Middle School
Initiatives Priority Action Steps Support Resources Staff Responsible Indicators of Success
2C. Use of PARCC assessment to evaluate student progress in English language arts and mathematics
Conduct teacher orientation meetings
Prepare students in grades 6,7, and 8 for PARCC tests
Create student scheduling assignments
Coordinate assessments procedures with Director of Technology and technology team
Technology equipment
Computer Labs
Director of Technology
Technology Team
Principal
Team Leader
Teachers
Support Coordinator
Teacher and student surveys
Evaluation by Rennie Center
Focus meetings with students, teachers and administrators
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Goal 3: Communication at Marshall Simonds Middle School
Initiatives Priority Action Steps Support Resources Staff Responsible Indicators of Success
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3A. Structure opportunities for instructionally focused conversations throughout the school and community
Maintain high levels of parent communication
Introduce new educator evaluations
Provide time for staff to discuss and share instructional strategies
Schedule community events that highlight school goals, student work and program initiatives
Continue to engage in inter-school discussions
Promote community service projects
Encourage utilization of school blog and teacher blogs
Continue student recognition initiatives
Parent / Teacher organization
School Council
Team Meetings
Curriculum Meetings
Education Nights
Faculty Meetings
Teen LIGHT
Professional Development
Blogs
Burlington Education Foundation
Newsletters
Parent Conferences
Student events and activities
Student recognition opportunities
Spring Open House and Exhibition
After-school professional development meetings
Everyone Parent and community attendance
Active involvement by middle school teachers
Parent awareness of school policies and events
Welcoming school culture and environment
Expanded teacher communication and collaboration opportunities
Increased school initiatives that highlight school programs and student recognition
Expanded opportunities for teacher leadership and decision making
Increased use of technology to communicate with parents and staff
Goal 4: Continue to improve facilities and business management operations.
Initiatives Priority Action Steps Support Resources Staff Responsible Indicators of Success
4A. Maintain or construct optimum teaching and learning environments
Landscaping of school grounds
Orientation of parents and students to the new addition and renovated classrooms
Utilize technology, space and educational opportunities provided by new addition and renovation
Implement superior cleaning and school building maintenance procedures
Evaluate building needs and submit recommendations to central office administration
Purchase new risers for music department
School Budget
Warrant Article
Director of Operations and Finance
Superintendent of Schools
Principal
Team Leader
Support Coordinator
Teachers
Program Coordinators
Assistant Superintendent of Schools
Custodial and Maintenance Personnel
New athletic field is utilized by students and community
Teachers use technology and building enhancements to improve programs and student learning opportunities
Exemplary physical plant and student learning opportunities
Continued attention to the maintenance of quality learning environments
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