TANTASQUA REGIONAL JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

School Improvement Plan

2019-2020

School Council Members:

Ellen Canavan,Teacher

Jeffrey Johnston,Teacher

Moira McGrath, Parent

Heidi Peterson, Assistant Principal

Judith Powell, Parent

Casey Ellison, Student

Dylan Clark, Studen

Greg Sturges, Principal

SCHOOL COUNCIL OVERVIEW The Law: A school council is a representative; school building-based committee composed of the principal, parents, teachers, community members and, at the secondary level, students, required to be established by each school pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 59C. Council Membership: The principal is responsible for establishing the membership of the School Council "pursuant to a representative process approved by the superintendent and school committee," and to define the size and composition of the council. The following stipulations were considered when the junior high council was established: 1. Parents "have parity with professional personnel on the school councils" 2. "Not more than fifty percent of the council shall be non-school members." "Non-school members" are defined as members who are "other than parents, teachers, students and staff at the school." 3. The membership of school councils "should be broadly representative of the school building and community." School Advisory Council Members: 1) Greg Sturges Principal Signature ________________________________

2) Ellen Canavan Teacher Signature ________________________________

3) Jeffrey Johnston Teacher Signature ________________________________

4) Moira McGrath Parent Signature ________________________________

5) Heidi Peterson Assistant Principal Signature ________________________________

6) Judith Powell Parent Signature ________________________________

7) Dylan Clark Student Signature ________________________________

8) Casey Ellison Student Signature ________________________________

TRJHS School Improvement Plan 2019-2020 Dear Parents/Guardians and Community Members: The members of the TRJHS School Council are excited to present the School Improvement Plan for 2019-2020, which aligns with the district’s mission and goals. We believe the School Improvement Plan reflects the commitment, support and dedication of the staff, our student body and our communities. We understand the unique challenges of junior high school and appreciate the effort that our students bring to these two important years. So much individual growth (emotional, social, academic, intellectual, and physical) takes place during the two years of junior high, and we continue to strive to make the learning experience the best it can be for our students; encouraging them to continue to develop their strengths, work on areas of improvement, refine their interests, and become lifelong learners in a connected world. The School Improvement Plan establishes a yearlong effort for our school and provides a clear focus by identifying priorities for enhancement and measurable goals for accountability. As such, the goals and objectives are primarily focused on the enhancement of academic achievement, technology integration and increased parent and community engagement, social emotional learning and school safety. On behalf of the staff and student body I thank the School Council members for their continued commitment to the school and to the work of the Council. Respectfully submitted, Greg Sturges, Principal

“All of us should be involved in our own futures to create a world that our children will want to live in”. Harry Chapin

TRJHS School Improvement Plan 2019-2020

Goal 1: Improve academic achievement for all students

Focus Area Strategies/Implementation Success Measures Status

An increase in student achievement as measured by changes in instructional practice, student grades, and standardized assessment data.

Faculty meetings focusing on adjustments to professional practice. Continue to investigate, implement and apply formal assessment procedures related to student learning and instructional practice. Ex. MCAS, STAR, department common assessments. Teacher collaboration around best practices, lessons, assessments and materials including instructional technology. Examine improvement opportunities for addressing the needs of students with disabilities (including but not limited to examining models for inclusion that meet individual student needs). Update Atlas with current curriculum for all subjects.

Agendas and meeting notes Student achievement on benchmark assessments (STAR, Department Common Assessments , etc.) which are based on adjustments to instructional practices Department meetings/Full faculty meetings Data collection sheets Student feedback Parent feedback PD agendas Curriculum maps for all subject areas that are continually updated through Atlas

Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing

Establish a common framework for curriculum and instruction to bring coherence to academic language, instructional practices and professional learning to ensure that instruction is rigorous and relevant.

Continue to implement the Collins Writing Program in all subjects

Professional Development will be continued district-wide for the Collins Writing Program. All new staff as part their orientation receive Collins training. An increase in student academic performance levels based on statewide assessment

Ongoing Ongoing

Data Teams/PLCs Continue to reflect upon and refine school wide processes related to RTI and collaboration for the benefit of students and closing the achievement gap.

Investigate further uses of and refine the implementation of individual student learning profiles for all students as managed through G-Suite collaboration tools Provide regular feedback through digital notes and attend periodic PLC meetings to ensure that PLCs are working to support teaching and learning Review the data team processes and see where improvements could be made that support student learning and tiered support Investigate and Implement forms of walkthroughs to promote dialogue around peer teaching and learning

Analyze student data using baseline data for comparison. Adjust as needed. Data collection, co-planning and collaboration Teacher feedback, Professional Practice goals in place for teacher professional growth.

Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing \ Ongoing

The Student Support Team (SST) comprised of principal, assistant principal, grade level counselors, school nurse, adjustment counselor, school resource officer, school psychologist, and special education staff will:

● Continue to revise and implement a school wide systemic protocol for supporting students at risk academically and social/emotionally

● Utilize outcome data to review individual students

● Utilize outcome driven data to make informed decisions regarding student services and school initiatives

● Assist teachers in the development of Individualized Student Support Plans and tiered intervention strategies in line with RTI

Staff feedback and internal evaluation

Ongoing

Support educator professional learning and growth as a means to support academic/social and emotional growth for students.

Investigate the possibility for staff to participate in professional learning with district behaviorists in supporting students with dysregulation and disruptive behaviors Use staff meeting time to provide professional learning based on the Massachusetts Educator Evaluation System as a means to promote professional dialogue and growth around teaching and learning Organize Edcamp/Unconference types of professional development throughout the course of the school year to promote high interest, staff generated professional learning and collaboration opportunities Invite a presenter to work with staff around difficult conversations to promote a positive school culture and collaboration. Continue to work on adult learning and feedback, using school based and district developed performance measures to gather responses and drive improvement

Internal collaboration time, Social-Emotional Learning Training(s) Staff provided with information on the evaluation process. Professional Development Days -Teacher reviews, EdCamp format utilizing teachers expertise in specific areas to teach each other Anti-Defamation League PD for staff. Unconscious Bias trainer for administration, students receiving ADL information through athletics and National Honor Society

Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing

TRJHS School Improvement Plan 2019-2020

Goal 2: To increase the use of technology to support teaching and learning and to improve communication with families

Focus Area Strategies/Implementation Success Measures Status

Increase the use of technology for classroom instruction and expand the use of assistive technology

Purchase replacement technology for aging desktop computers Provide formal and informal PD opportunities for technology, such as use of Google Suite and other technology initiatives. Provide opportunities for instructional staff to attend professional technology workshops. During the 2019-2020 school year, all students will receive explicit instruction in Digital Citizenship, and staff will collect and review data to best target this instruction.

*Parent workshop to review digital footprint *Explore digital citizenship curriculum *Provide PD on the new Technology Frameworks

Train and utilize student techsperts (:Students who can support technologically)

Teachers will continue to use Google Drive to share lessons and resources.

Appropriated funding through Capital Improvements will be spent in accordance with Technology Replacement / Procurement Plan. Professional development summary for the 2019-2020 school year will include instructional technology programs offered by faculty of TRJHS.

Students participated in National Internet Safety Awareness Day. All students get internet safety through exploratory classes. Outside presenters from the DA’s office (Ellen Miller) on internet safety.Screenagers was shown for parents during the evening. Google drive is used regularly to share resources among staff.

Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing

Increase the use of technology to communicate with families and the greater community Investigate and work with district representatives to seek a new student information system to improve parent communication

Administration, teachers and teams will maximize use of technology for communication amongst colleagues and for school-to-home connections (i.e. Jupiter Grades, Remind, Google Classroom, Twitter, Facebook)

Encourage teachers/staff to maintain and updated / current and relevant web-pages The school webpage will be updated to include accurate links to all forms and documents.

Ongoing Ongoing

Develop a school-wide plan to move to 1:1 environment.

Provide professional development for successful implementation of 1:1 devices

Support teachers in technology integration. .

Ongoing

Use technology as an embedded tool for teaching and learning, while also fostering appropriate use of technology with students, staff and the school community

Provide professional development to staff on the new Massachusetts State Frameworks in Technology Provide ongoing professional development in the use of G-Suite tools as the district transitions to Gmail. Investigate and pilot AI (Artificial Intelligence) in classrooms with Google Home devices Host a district wide viewing of the short film Screenagers as a means to inform parents and the community about student technology use and screen time. Provide students with a building based program to educate on screen time and the risks of the internet. Support teachers and specialists as they teach digital literacy lessons and content in the classroom setting

Encourage staff/faculty to take risks, try new apps, implement new initiatives, experiment with ideas, etc. Administration google suite training series, G-Suite training for staff during PD days.

Ongoing

TRJHS School Improvement Plan 2019-2020

Goal 3: Create an inclusive, student-centered learning environment that allows for academic success and social emotional well-being

Focus Area Strategies/Implementation Success Measures Status

Establish and maintain a learning environment based on a common understanding of high expectations among staff, students and families.

Create a community meeting structure to celebrate student successes and share messages about smart and healthy decisions Provide facts and outcome-based learning opportunities that educates students on topics such as substance use disorder prevention, mental health awareness,bullying, common adolescent issues and making good choices, empowering positive risk taking & leadership ie. NaturalHigh.org and Project HERE Education & Prevention

Schedule events throughout the school year (i.e. honors breakfasts, honors banquet, student/teacher of the month award, Project 351, NELMS scholar leader recognition)

SST partnership with local counseling/support agencies Analyze student data using baseline data for comparison. Collaborate with the Health classes Utilize outside presentations.

Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing

Promote student-driven initiatives to provide peer support for social emotional well-being (support groups, socialization groups)

Increase the number of students availing themselves of extra curricular activities/increase number of social events for students (dances, clubs, groups, etc).

Provide additional opportunities for student-directed leadership initiatives (Video interviews of family/friends speaking of root heritage)

Provide opportunities that highlight diversity

Create online resources, team and school webpage, resource center for students in various locations throughout the school Expand student leadership opportunities, such as, grade specific orientations and initiatives, NJHS, Student Council and student ambassadors, etc.

Continue to develop school wide programs, initiatives, and professional learning opportunities that focus on the social and emotional wellbeing of students in turn enabling them to learn at high levels and be high functioning members of the school community.

Use digital citizenship curriculum and lessons to support students using technology in ways that respect others Incorporate Tier II interventions related to social emotional learning into classroom instructional strategies Provide specific PD for social - emotional learning to staff

Data collection sheets, weekly meetings, student feedback, parent feedback Utilize student support plan process, improve staff awareness of 504/IEP accommodations

Ongoing Ongoing

TRJHS School Improvement Plan 2019-2020

Goal 4: Expand parent, student and community engagement in school activities and initiatives

Focus Area Strategies/Implementation Success Measures Status

Expand parent, student and community engagement in school/community activities and initiatives.

Bridge communication to families and community as well as provide input and feedback to school. Look to expand ways to involve parents through events such as career day. Expand opportunities for parent volunteers to assist and support student initiatives and social opportunities. Increase community involvement through lesson-plan based local field trips Provide opportunity for parents to participate in activities such as Open House, Math Night, Career Night, Family Science Night, Cultural Night, Night at the Museum, Entrepreneurial Night, Technology Night.

Meetings with the School Council and feedback forms E-mail communication, phone calls, ConnectED, social media Team/grade level and faculty meetings will strategize for effective ways to utilize parents’ strengths to support student learning

Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing

TRJHS School Improvement Plan 2019-2020

Goal 5: Support a safe school environment for teaching and learning

Focus Area Strategies/Implementation Success Measures Status

Stay updated on best practices in regards to school safety procedures

Continue to partner and coordinate with local service agencies for better readiness (Police and Fire) to ensure the safety of the school community and obtain an analysis of structural and procedural recommendations for safety protocols on an annual basis Investigate and implement the installation of surveillance cameras inside and outside

Meet regularly with the school crisis team to review protocols and procedures so that communications will support effective responses to emergency situations within the school. Addition of the school resource officer. Seek bid proposals for replacement of exterior doors which would allow for keyless entry

Ongoing Ongoing

Clearly communicate procedures and protocols so that the school community is informed

Continue Training with ALICE protocol (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, and Evacuate) to help ensure the safety of all students in emergency situations Complete at least two ALICE drills each year at different times of the day (announced and unannounced), that align with the district’s procedures for safe schools Provide a communication to the TRJHS parent community about the school’s work with ALICE during the 2019-2020 school year

Utilize law enforcement and community experts who are specifically trained and work regularly with school staff. Invite these personnel to a monthly staff meeting. Follow-up debriefing with faculty and staff Surveys and feedback

Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing

Create post-vention protocols Meet quarterly with post-vention team to develop and implement protocols and procedures

On going review Ongoing