watertown public schools school committee curriculum and budget & finance subcommittee hearing
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Watertown Public Schools School Committee Curriculum and Budget & Finance Subcommittee Hearing February 15, 2011 ________________________ Student Services Presentation Preserve & Sustain. Budget Goals. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
Watertown Public SchoolsSchool Committee Curriculum and Budget & Finance Subcommittee Hearing February 15, 2011________________________Student Services PresentationPreserve & Sustain
Budget GoalsI. Develop a budget that continues to provide
quality education, at all levels, at a time when the Town and the School District face unprecedented financial restrictions, both in the current fiscal year and next year.
II. Preserve and sustain our educational programming:
maintain class size maintain adequate classroom supplies and
overall classroom support ensure professional learning and growth provide adequate support staff for instruction
and administration continue technology implementation strengthen in-district special education
programming
Budget Scenarios
% TBD Preserve & Sustain
% TBD Level Services
2.5% Manager’s Preliminary Budget
0% Level Dollar
Student Services Include
• Special Education
• Early Childhood Education
• Community Education
• Nursing
Special Education
• What new programs have we implemented?
• What have we learned?
• What are the recommendations for next year?
• Changes in out-of-district placements
What’s New in Special Education in Watertown?
• Secondary Special Education Coordinator
• New / Expanded Programming
Secondary Special Education Coordinator FY 11
• Oversee programming at WMS / WHS– Trouble shooting and solving complex problems– Collaborating with Principals – Identifying and implementing alternative
curriculums– Training staff in preparation for upcoming DESE
Program Review – Developing the Community Explorers Program at
WMS and The Social Network at WHS– Member of the Connections Leadership Council
and the Teaching and Learning Council
Update on New Special Education Programming in Watertown-Learning Support-Integrated Services -Language-Based-Watertown Connections
Learning Support Services
Number of Students 2010
Number of Students 2011
Projected Number of Students 2012
Elementary 10 12 10
Middle 9 12 10
High
LEAP
8
0
2
2
5
3
Learning Support Program at the Cunniff
• The Learning Support Class at the Cunniff is designed to provide an environment where learning can be individualized to support each students learning style and ability level.
• Staff: .6 FTE special education teacher, 2.0 FTE instructional assistants
Learning Experiences Adult Program (LEAP) at WHS
• LEAP supports students in learning daily living, leisure, employment, communication, self-advocacy, and health skills. Its goal is to provide students with a supported transition from school to adult life.
• Staff: 1.0 FTE teacher, 1.0 FTE instructional assistant / job coach
Learning Support Services FY 11 -What We Learned?
Elementary• Importance of individualizing curriculum• Critical role of repetition• Daily communication with parents
Middle• Promise of alternative curriculums
High • Several Learning Support students from WMS applied to
Minuteman this year and were accepted – new trend
LEAP (18-22)• Monthly bus passes for students increase independence • Paid internships are highly motivating • New programming requires the development or
identification of new curriculum
Learning Support Recommendations for FY 12
• Continue to explore / develop alternative curriculums
• Continue to work with outside agencies to develop paid internships
• Continue to pursue assistive technology opportunities
Integrated Services ProgramNumber of Students 2010
Number of Students 2011
Projected Number of Students 2012
Elementary As needed As needed As needed
Middle 7 classroom10 respite
7 classroom8 respite
3 classroom 13 respite
High 0 Compass0 New Systems0 Look Out25 CAP
7 Compass6 New Systems5 Look Out29 CAP
10 Compass6 New Systems4 Look Out26 CAP
What is New in the Integrated Services Programs (ISP) in FY
11?
Hosmer added an Opportunity Room
WHS added several new components: ▪ Compass ▪ New Systems ▪ Look Out ▪ Expanded Counseling Services
Opportunity Room at the Hosmer
• The Opportunity Room allows students access to a therapeutic space for breaks, time out, lunch/recess groups, and a quiet work space. The goal is to provide ongoing behavioral and emotional support to students.
• Staff: .5 FTE Behavior Specialist, 1.0 FTE instructional assistant
COMPASS at WHS• Compass provides a
classroom setting throughout most of the day for students dealing with difficulties attending class and participating due to anxiety and related issues. The goal is to help students develop new coping strategies that will allow them to integrate into the mainstream.
• Staff: 1.0 FTE teacher, 1.0 FTE instructional assistant
NEW SYSTEMS at WHS
• New Systems provides a classroom base or respite for students experiencing behavioral challenges that affect academic and social success. Its goal is to help students develop new ways of approaching old problems at school.
• Staff: 1.0 FTE teacher, 1.0 FTE instructional assistant
LOOK OUT at WHS
• The Look Out program uses a team approach to help students with a variety of academic and social difficulties which have resulted in poor attendance and /or tardiness. The goal of the program is to address barriers to successful participation at WHS.
• Staff: .5 FTE, MSW, 1.0 M.A, Counseling
Counseling Support at WHS
• Ken Barringer, LMHC, & 3 Interns from the Academy of Physical and Social Development
• Allyn Carey, MSW, Academy of Physical and Social Development
• Mike Ferullo, MSW, from Colony Care Associates
• Mike Memmelo, M.A. Counseling, WHS
• Nicole Camp, M.A. & Certified School Psychologist, WHS
• Consultation: Barbara Gortych, Ph.D., Coordinator of Assessment & Guidance, K-12
Administrative Oversight
• Arlene Shainker, Secondary Special Education Coordinator
• Annemarie Boudreau, Associate Headmaster
Cost / Benefit of Investments in New ISP Programming at WHS FY 11
Investment in WHS Integrated Emotional Support Programming
Cost-of-Out of District
Savings
Integrated Social – Emotional Program at WHS served 47 students - 16 at risk of outside placement 3 FTE special education teachers 3 FTE instructional assistants 1 FTE mental health counselor .3 FTE School Psychologist .65 FTE licensed social workers 1.45 FTE mental health counselors (.25 professional and .4 interns x 3)
Private Out-of-District Program
Tuition $52,772 x 16 = $844,352Transportation $3,038 x 16 = $ 48,608
Plus provide services to an additional 31 studentsnot counted in at risk numbers
Totals $ 319,850
$ 892,960
$ 573,110
Integrated Services ProgramsWhat We Learned FY 11?
WHS- An Open House is a great way to welcome parents and
students to new program offerings - Students respond positively to the individual attention
available in small classes
- The varied components of the Integrated Services Programming at WHS supports students changing needs
- Case management is time intensive and includes: 3 hours of regularly scheduled weekly clinical meetings with teachers and counselors; intensive work with outside agencies including the Department of Children and Families (DCF), hospitals, drug intervention programs, group homes, Waltham District Court; on-going communication with parents / guardians; constant monitoring / revision of behavioral interventions
Integrated Services Program Recommendations for FY 12
• Add .2 FTE MSW at WMS• Add an ISP teacher leader next year at
WHS to coordinate the work of the internal team of faculty and consultants, various external agencies, students, and their families
• Support the further development of the teaching team by continued training on strategies for integrating therapeutic and behavioral interventions
Number of Students 2010
Number of Students 2011
Projected Number of Students 2012
Elementary 127 at Hosmer5 at Lowell
2416 at Hosmer8 at Lowell
2815 at Hosmer7 at Lowell
Middle 21 21 21
High 4 25 21
Language-Based Programming
Language-Based Programming What We Learned in FY 11
• Think Math can be effective, we just need to teach one method for doing an operation and slow down the pacing
• Center-based work helps to individualize programming
• It is important for teachers to be licensed in reading and special education
Language-Based Recommendations for FY 12
The Lowell would like to expand their language-based programming for next year by adding a new Language-Based teacher
WMS would like to purchase a Language-Based structured MathCurriculum and professional development to improve math
instructionIn all special education programs
WHS is interested in creating a Task Force to study programming and
curriculum for Language-Based Classrooms to increase continuityacross subjects
WHS needs to add a .5 FTE reading teacher to meet student needs
Number of Students 2010
Number of Students 2011
Projected Number of Students 2012
Elementary 8 Preschool 5Primary 6Intermediate 5
Preschool 4Primary 9Intermediate 6
Middle 2 5 4
High 1 3
Watertown Connections Program
Watertown Connections ProgramWhat We Learned FY 11
• Specialized teachers make effective consultants
• Effective use of 1:1 instructional assistance requires training and planning time for teaching teams
• Power of ipad / itouch in supporting communication
• Importance of Home-Based Services Coordinator to match families with providers
Watertown Connections Recommendations FY 12
• Increase the use of teachers in specialized classrooms in consulting roles
• Project staffing to include additional 1:1 instructional
assistants as needed to deliver services • Provide summer training for new staff
• Budget 30” / week planning time for each Connections Team to review programs and analyze data
• Create an Assistive Technology Task Force to review technology applications for students with disabilities
Out-of-District Programs FY 11
• This year five students returned to Watertown from private special education schools
• One former WHS student returning from private school is having her tuition paid by another community
• Number of students in Out-of District placements starting to decrease:FY 06 – 76, FY 07 – 71FY 08 - 66, FY 09 – 75FY 10 – 72, FY 11 - 66
Coordinated Family and Community Engagement
Project• Family Center
Strengthening family connectionsPlaygroupsParent support
• Parent Child Home Program Early Literacy Outreach
• Professional Development and Program quality access
Staff developmentQuality preschool-child care program
development
Family Center FY 11
• Watertown Family Network moved to the Phillips School
• Family Center Advisory investigated the feasibility of opening a staff infant toddler center in the new space
• Currently the open space in the Family Center is being used for speech and language play groups
Early Steps Integrated Preschool
• Classroom Models- 5 classrooms- Double session integrated classes- Full Day integrated class- Full Day Sub-separate /integrated
• Therapeutic Intervention• Assessment – Preschool
Intake Review Team• Consultation
What We Have Learned About Early Childhood Programming
FY 11?
To anticipate increases in:- English Language Learners- Children with behavioral challenges
To be prepared for theunpredictable
Early Childhood Recommendations FY 12
• Increase .5 FTE teacher to create afternoon ELL class (tuition support)
• Re-design Preschool Connections Classroom to align with district Connections model
• Identify resources to address social-emotional-behavioral needs of children and families
• Provide ongoing professional development • Evaluate space needs and potential
construction needs (Capital Improvement)
Number of Students 2010
Number of Students 2011
Projected Number of Students 2012
Elementary
297 / year283 Courses for Kids / session 91 MCAS
340 / year 326 Courses for Kids / session76 MCAS
426 / year375 Courses for Kids / sessionTBD MCAS
Middle 76 / week 103 / week 119 / week
High 25 / week 40 / week 46 / week
Watertown After School Programs
After School ProgramsWhat We Learned FY 11
• Developed a new organizational structure
• Importance of building programs to serve students with diverse needs
• Usefulness of DESE Quality Standards in bringing programs together
Summer School Programs FY 11
Fourth consecutive year of
project-based programming
• Increased access to technology
• New Kindergarten Entry Enrichment Program
Watertown Summer School Program
Summer SchoolParticipants
Summer
2007
Summer 2008
Summer 2009
Summer 2010
Preschool/Elementary
AM 249PM 47
AM 275PM 68
AM 292PM 51
AM 251PM 131
Middle 17 25 35 51
Academic High School
56 89 77 48
Summer School Programs What We Learned FY 11
• Offer one more morning class at each level to reduce class size
• Provide access to technology• Continue the co-teach model for
morning classes• Offer two 3 week sessions• Offer project-based learning in high
interest areas: nature, sports, animals, outdoor activities, music
Summer School Recommendations for FY 12
• Schedule regular coordinator meetings
• Develop a high school program for students with disabilities, one for upcoming freshman and another for current ISP students
Nursing Program FY 11
Convene Watertown Wellness Committee
March 2nd to discuss:• WPS Food Services Program • Findings in the Department of Public
Health Body Mass Index (BMI) Screening Program