Grafton Elementary School

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09-12

WINDHAM NORTHEAST SUPERVISORY UNION

ATHENS/GRAFTON JOINT CONTRACT SCHOOL DISTRICT

GRAFTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOLWIDE

ACTION PLAN

2009-2012

TO PROMOTE CONTINUOUS STUDENT GROWTH

AND ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Originally Adopted: __6/4/2009__

2010 Review Adopted: _____________

2011 Review Adopted: _____________

2012 Review Adopted: _____________

ATHENS/GRAFTON JOINT CONTRACT SCHOOLWIDE DISTRICT

ACTION PLAN COMMITTEE MEMBER

Lisa A. Wilson Principal

Roberta Martin Special Educator

Beth Ann Drinker Reading Coach

Charlene Huyler Teacher

Shane Clifford Teacher

Sarah Newcomb Teacher

Molly Superchi Teacher

Emily Lewis Teacher

Deb Noe Teacher

Bernie Skrocki Teacher

Mary Beth Culver School Secretary

Wendy Johnson Physical Education Teacher, Health Educator

Carol DeMuzio School Nurse, Health Educator

Carrie Towle Guidance, Health Educator

Tracy Binet-Perrin Early Education Outreach Coordinator

Rod Lawrence Athens/Grafton School District Board Member / Parent

Lisa Dufresne Athens/Grafton School District Board Member / Parent

Megan Lyman Athens/Grafton School Board Member/Parent

Susan Fulkerson Parent

Molly Leuschel Parent

Cris Parker-Jennings Parent

Mona DiStefano Parent

ATHENS/GRAFTON JOINT CONTRACT SCHOOLWIDE DISTRICT

GRAFTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOLWIDE ACTION PLAN FOR 2009-2012

MISSION STATEMENT

It is the mission of the Grafton Elementary School to help each child realize his/her potential, lead a successful and satisfying life, and make a meaningful contribution to our local and global communities.

VISION STATEMENT

It is the vision of the Grafton Elementary School to provide a positive, safe, respectful learning community for all students, staff and families. We will accomplish this through a shared commitment to the success of every student.

INTRODUCTION:

We believe that all students will be successful when we create an environment where students are challenged and assessment guides our instruction. The purpose of this Schoolwide Action Plan is to ensure that we focus our instruction on individual student learning while meeting the standards outlined in the Vermont Grade Expectations. We must work collaboratively with colleagues, parents, students and our greater community if we are to meet this goal.

Over the next three years we will maintain our professional learning community that will support effective assessment strategies in the classroom and utilize the results to guide individual and classroom instruction.

1. We will develop and maintain a plan to implement new learning and support colleagues in a professional learning community.

2. We will collect data on student performance.

3. We will meet with colleagues to assure ongoing progress on the work outlined above.

These strategies, along with the goals and activities that follow, will strengthen our core academic programs and provide opportunities for all children to meet the State’s proficient and advanced levels of student achievement.

FOCUS AREA (1): Ensure that all students meet or exceed Vermont Grade Expectations.

Goals:

1. Align our instruction to the Grade Expectations (GE’s).

2. Use assessment to drive instruction.

3. Increase school readiness.

4. Integrate technology into appropriate classroom activities and instruction.

FOCUS AREA (2): Improve School Climate.

Goals:

1. Strengthen the school community with emphasis on student leadership, responsibility, and respect.

2. Strengthen parent and community partnerships.

3. Create a professional learning community with a shared mission and vision, where collective inquiry and collaborative teams are valued and a commitment to continuous improvement is evident.

FOCUS AREA (3): Improve Health & Wellness for Grafton Elementary School Community.

Goals:

1. Continue to provide quality fitness and physical activity options for students of Grafton Elementary School in accordance with VT Nutrition and Fitness Policy Guidelines, Healthy Vermonters 2010 recommendations and our District Wellness Policy.

2. Continue to provide nutrition and health education, and to follow nutritional guidelines in accordance with VT Nutrition and Fitness Policy Guidelines, Healthy Vermonters 2010, and our District Wellness Policy.

FOCUS AREA (1): Ensure that all students meet or exceed Vermont Grade Expectations.

GOAL 1: Align our instruction to the Grade Expectations (GE’s).	TARGET: By 2012 85% of students in grades 3-6 will meet or exceed standards on the NECAP, 100% of students will demonstrate a minimum of 1 year’s growth on the Gates-MacGinite assessment, and 85% will meet grade level computational fluency expectations as demonstrated on an AIMS- Web or similar assessment.
Need: Teachers need a strong understanding of Grade Expectations to guide instruction. Teachers need access to meaningful data to drive instruction and intervention.
Activity	Person Responsible	Evidence	Timeline
1. Designate time for teachers to collaborate and align instructional programs to the GE’s in reading, math, science, and social studies at all grade levels.	Principal	School year teachers’ schedules.	September of each school year.
2. Follow the Literacy Committee’s recommendations for writing, including, but not limited to Framing Your Thoughts, Kansas Writing strategies and 6 Traits Writing Strategies.	All teachers	1. Strategies evident in weekly lesson plans. 2. K-6 portfolios will serve as local assessment.	June of each school year
3. Provide on-going professional development through CFG funds for literacy, math, science and social studies initiatives.	All Teachers	Improved assessment results in all subject areas.	June 2012
4. Implement the Windham Northeast Supervisory Union (WNESU) K-6 problem-solving initiative.	Math Committee Representative and K-6 math teachers	Math portfolios.	June Annually
5. Implement the Windham Northeast Supervisory Union (WNESU) K-6 Math Curriculum	Math Committee Representative and K-6 math teachers	Progress Monitoring	June Annually
6. Develop Computational Fluency (skill mastery) K-6 as indicated in the GE’s.	Math Committee Representative and K-6 math teachers	Progress Monitoring	June Annually
7. Implement the Windham Northeast Supervisory Union (WNESU) Science Curriculum K-6	All Teachers	Local Assessment	June Annually
8. Students needing additional support to be successful can access appropriate CFG staff for intervention.	CFG Staff	CFG staff schedule	June Annually
9. Implement the WNESU Social Studies Curriculum in grades K-6.	All Teachers	Local Assessment	June Annually
10. Provide summer instruction in math and reading as supported by Consolidated Federal Grants.	Principal	Student Enrollment	August Annually

FOCUS AREA (1): Ensure that all students meet or exceed Vermont Grade Expectations.

GOAL 2: Use assessment to drive instruction.	TARGET: By 2012, all Grafton Elementary School teachers will be using specific formative assessment strategies that are proven to reveal gaps in student achievement and improve performance of all students.
Need: Teachers need resources and professional development to implement formative assessments that drive instruction.
Activity	Person Responsible	Evidence	Timeline
1. Complete the school wide assessment plan.	Principal with recommendations from the WNESU curriculum committees.	Plan	September 2010
2. Implement WNESU assessments for each subject area as they become available.	Principal and Curriculum Committee Representatives	Completed Assessments	2010
3. Provide instructional coaching to link assessment to instruction as supported by Consolidated Federal Grants.	Principal and Data Facilitator, Reading Coach	Documented Coaching Schedule	Annually
4. Provide intervention for at risk students as measured by performance measurement tools such as DIBELS and AIMS WEB as supported by Consolidated Federal Grants..	Principal, Classroom Teachers, Reading Coach, Math Data Facilitator	Completed Assessments	On Going
5. Provide opportunities for students who excel academically.	Principal, Classroom Teachers, Reading Coach, Math Data Facilitator	Student Participating in Specialized Programming	On Going

FOCUS AREA (1): Ensure that all students meet or exceed Vermont Grade Expectations.

GOAL 3: Increase school readiness.	TARGET: By 2012, 90% of students entering kindergarten will show “readiness” as documented on the Vermont Department of Education Readiness Survey.
Need: Increase school readiness in all academic and social areas.
Activity	Person Responsible	Evidence	Timeline
1. Continue participation in the Supervisory Union Early Childhood Program at the Athens Early Education Center.	Principal	Enrollment Budget approval	Ongoing
2. Find families and provide them with appropriate resources as supported by Consolidated Federal Grants.	Early Education Outreach Coordinator	Number of families identified	Ongoing
3. Conduct home visits with families to discuss concerns as supported by Consolidated Federal Grants.	Early Education Outreach Coordinator	Number of home visits conducted	Ongoing
4. Provide opportunities for children and their caregivers to interact within the community as supported by Consolidated Federal Grants.	Early Education Outreach Coordinator	Playgroups	Ongoing
5. Increase the number of students accessing preschool opportunities as supported by Consolidated Federal Grants.	Early Education Outreach Coordinator, Preschool Teacher, EEE Coordinator, Principal	Number of students participating in pre-school opportunities	Annually
6. Identify children at risk of school failure and provide access to needed services as supported by Consolidated Federal Grants.	EEE Coordinator & Supervisory Union Home/School Coordinator.	Documentation of pre-school vs. non-preschool. (Read First testing).	June Annually
7. Increase collaboration between Pre-K and kindergarten teachers in the district to identify barriers to school readiness as supported by Consolidated Federal Grants.	Pre-school providers, Kindergarten Teachers	Compiled list of barriers and strategies to address them	2010
8. Provide parent workshops to help with parenting challenges as supported by Consolidated Federal Grants.	Early Education Outreach Coordinator	Number of parents attending workshops	Ongoing
9. Pursue grant opportunities to increase accreditation of pre-schools as supported by Consolidated Federal Grants.	Early Education Outreach Coordinator	NAEYC and/or STARS	2012
10. Provide resources to families through the Early Education Outreach Coordinator as supported by Consolidated Federal Grants.	Principal, Early education Outreach Coordinator	Documentation of number of families served	June Annually

FOCUS AREA (1): Ensure that all students meet or exceed Vermont Grade Expectations.

GOAL 4: Integrate technology into appropriate classroom activities and instruction.	TARGET: By 2012, all students will meet GE’s regarding technology use.
Need: Teachers need training, equipment, materials, and technical support to integrate computer technology into daily classroom activities as appropriate.
Activity	Person Responsible	Evidence	Timeline
1. Provide professional development in classroom technology.	Principal, Technology Integration Resource Educator	Report from TIRE (Technology Integration Resource Educator) regarding use.	Annually
2. Improve and update hardware and software to keep current with technological changes.	Principal, Technology Coordinator	The GES hardware and software will continue to serve the GES school community.	Annually
3. Align our technology instruction to the GE’s(Grades 3-6) through checklist implementation and performance tasks.	Grade 1 – 6 teachers	Checklist/survey results for all Grade 3-6 students.	Annually
4. Provide professional services for maintenance of technology equipment.	Technology Coordinator, Principal	The GES equipment and software will continue to serve the GES school community.	Quarterly
5. Review and resubmit Technology Checklist	School Technology Committee Representatives	Checklist submitted	June 2011
6. Information Technology Safety Specialists will present programs on internet safety to school and community.	Principal, Guidance Counselor	Attendance of students, staff and community.	Annually

FOCUS AREA (2): Improve school climate.

GOAL 1: Strengthen the school community with emphasis on student leadership, responsibility and respect.	TARGET: Reduction in number of bus and discipline referrals.
Need: Students need to apply school behavior expectations to all settings.
Activity	Person Responsible	Evidence	Timeline
1. Teachers and paraprofessionals will be trained in the Responsive Classroom approach as supported by Consolidated Federal Grants.	All teaching staff and paraprofessionals	Teachers certified in Responsive Classroom	on-going
2. At an initial staff meeting, teachers will identify the Climate Focus Areas for the year. These will be introduced to students during one of the All School Meetings each month and introduced to parents via the parent component of “Choosing Civility”.	All staff	All classroom teachers, specialists, and paraprofessionals will follow Responsive Classroom approach for class management, as documented in staff meeting notes of the Climate Focus Area and Gabber articles.	June Annually
3. Re-establish consistent language and expectations for student behavior prior to the start of the school year.	All staff	A written all-school Behavior Plan.	September Annually
4. Teachers will explore, choose and implement a student leadership program that includes: student leadership, peer mediation, conflict resolution and restitution.	All Teaching Staff	Students trained in the program Decrease in discipline and bus referrals	Explore and choose 2010 Implement Fall 2011

FOCUS AREA (2): Improve school climate.

GOAL 2: Strengthen parent and community partnerships.	TARGET: By 2012, 100% of parents will be satisfied with their children’s educational experience at Grafton Elementary School as documented on the parent survey.
Need: We need students, families, and school staff working together to ensure that children are successful in school.
Activity	Person Responsible	Evidence	Timeline
1. Implement consistent homework folders (Kindergarten – Grade 2).	Classroom teachers	Daily communication folders in Kindergarten – Grade 2.	Ongoing
2. Implement consistent assignment books (Grades 3-6).	Classroom teachers	Daily use of assignment books in Grades 3 – 6.	Ongoing
3. Continue representation at PTG meetings.	All staff	Meeting notes	Ongoing
4. Parental participation in parent/teacher Conferences.	All classroom teachers, CFG teachers, Special Educators	100% of parents will meet with teachers at least one time per year.	Annually
5. Provide parent/community activities including programs such as History Day, Open House, Raising Readers, Science/Math Nights, etc. as supported by Consolidated Federal Grants.	All staff	Percentage of families attending and Principal’s Report.	Annually
6. Provide opportunities for after-school enrichment activities through CFG Funds.	Principal, Nurse, CFG staff	Percentage of student applications as well as participation.	Annually
7. Communication at least weekly with parents and community through publications like the “Gabber”, teacher newsletters, and the school website.	All staff	Current information available.	Ongoing
8. Recruit volunteers to support school activities.	All staff	Maintain appropriate level of volunteerism, as documented by staff.	Ongoing

FOCUS AREA (2): Improve school climate.

GOAL 3: Create a professional learning community with a shared mission and vision, where collective inquiry and collaborative teams are valued and a commitment to continuous improvement is evident.	TARGET: By 2012, Grafton Elementary School will be a professional learning community in which teachers have the knowledge and skills to implement, evaluate, and support effective, research-based formative assessment strategies in the classroom.
Need: We need to gain knowledge and develop skills to collaborate effectively.
Activity	Person Responsible	Evidence	Timeline
1. Explore and implement norms and protocols to govern our professional learning community and plan explicit strategies for collaborating with other teachers.	All Staff	Documented norms and strategies.	June Annually
2. Promote a positive school climate by modeling the qualities and characteristics that we hope to instill in our students.	All Staff	Staff Meeting Minutes	Ongoing
3. We will collaborate in developing instructional strategies, utilizing a variety of assessments, and advancing the vision of the school.	All Teachers	Scheduled Grade Cluster Meetings, LST Minutes	Ongoing
4. The school wide coach/data facilitator will coordinate the collection and analysis of data and guide appropriate intervention and instruction.	Coaches/Data Facilitator, All Teachers	Agenda, Meeting Minutes	Ongoing

FOCUS AREA (3): Improve Health and Wellness for Grafton Elementary School Community.

GOAL 1: Continue to provide quality fitness and physical activity options for students of Grafton Elementary School in accordance with VT Nutrition and Fitness Policy Guidelines, Healthy Vermonters 2010 recommendations and our District Wellness Policy.	TARGET: Grafton Elementary School will continue to have a cohesive health and wellness policy that will guide and support fitness and physical activity programs throughout the school.
Need: Quality physical education programs positively impact students’ physical, social, and emotional health and improve student learning and well being. Physical education and other physical activity opportunities will instill a passion for life long physical and health promotion. (Healthy Vermonters 2010)
Activity	Person Responsible	Evidence	Timeline
1. Continue to provide supplemental physical activity opportunities throughout the school year for students.	After School Coordinator, Principal, PE Teacher	Student Participation	Ongoing
2. Continue to support staff Wellness/Path Points Program for staff.	Staff Wellness Coordinators	Staff Participation	Yearly
3. Implement effective fitness assessment program in P.E. class which documents and communicate students’ progress, strengths and concerns.	P.E. Teacher	Written assessments and grade reports with collaboration with School Nurse and Counselor as necessary	Ongoing

FOCUS AREA (3): Improve Health and Wellness for Grafton Elementary School Community.

GOAL 2: Continue to provide good nutrition, health education, and follow nutritional guidelines in accordance with VT Nutrition and Fitness Policy Guidelines, Healthy Vermonters 2010, and our District Wellness Policy.	TARGET: Grafton Elementary School will continue to have a cohesive health and wellness policy that will guide and support nutrition programs throughout the school. Grafton Elementary School will provide health education to students using research-based curricula.
Need: To improve the health of the overall population we need to follow our District Wellness Policy that provides a system of learning and an environment conducive to reinforcing healthy choices and promoting life long health and disease prevention. (Healthy Vermonters 2010)
Activity	Person Responsible	Evidence	Timeline
1. Continue to provide a federally funded lunch and breakfast program.	Principal	Student participation in program	Annually
2. Provide nutrition guidelines to teachers, after-school leaders/coaches, PTG and parents for all food provided at school events based on the VT Nutrition and Fitness Guidelines to support good nutrition and encourage healthy eating habits.	Principal	Healthful choices being offered at all school events.	Annually
3. Continue research-based nutrition education program that aligns with the Vermont Health Education Guidelines for Curriculum and Instruction.	Health Educators	Report Card Summary	June Annually
4. Include a monthly health and safety note in the Friday notes (Gabber) to promote family and community health awareness.	Health Teachers, School Nurse, Guidance and Secretary	Information included in Gabber	Ongoing
5. Sponsor Parent Education Nights to promote parent and community health awareness (suggested one per year).	Health and Guidance Personnel	Percentage of families and number of community members attending	Annually
6. Continue School Health Advisory Council meetings (3 times per year).	Committee Members to include parent, student and teacher representation	Meeting Minutes	Ongoing
7. Provide regular meeting time for PE teacher, Counselor and Nurse	PE teacher, Guidance Counselor, Nurse, Principal	Scheduled Meeting Time	Ongoing

Glossary of Terms

· Action Plan – A plan designed by GES staff that focuses on improving student performance.

· AIMS WEB – A quick assessment used for progress monitoring.

· Assessment - A collective term for methods of interpreting and measuring student performance.

· CFG (Consolidated Federal Grant) – Federal funds that come to the WNESU.

· Climate Focus Area – A behavior or attitude that the entire school will be learning and practicing during the month.

· Computational Fluency – Having efficient, flexible, and accurate methods for computing (from NCTM)

· DIBELS – Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills

· Framing Your Thoughts – A program to teach the function of language and grammar used in grades 1-3.

· Gabber – The weekly school newsletter at Grafton Elementary.

· Kansas Writing – A program to teach sentence, paragraph and essay structure used in grades 4-6.

· Mentoring – Professional collaboration designed to share knowledge and expertise between teachers.

· NAEYC – National Association for the Education of Young Children.

· NECAP – New England Comprehensive Assessment Plan. A reading and math test given to Vermont, New Hampshire and Rhode Island students in grades 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 10. It also includes a writing test at grades 5 and 8.

· NCTM – National Council of Teachers of Mathematics

· Portfolio – A collection of student work reflecting their best efforts in the areas of math and writing.

· Responsive Classroom – An approach and set of guiding principals that brings together social and academic learning throughout the school.

· STARS – Step Ahead Recognition System is Vermont’s quality rating system for childcare and preschool.

· TIRE – Technology Integration Resource Educator. This teacher works in all WNESU schools assisting teachers with the integration of technology into regular academics.

· Vermont Grade Expectations – A stated objective that relates directly to a Vermont standard ands associated evidences.

· Vermont Standards – Content standards identify what students have to learn at each grade level and performance standards identify what students need to know and be able to do.

WNESU Curriculum Committees – Teachers and administrators who develop curriculum and assessments.

Grafton Elementary School - Grafton, VT 802-843-2495 Tel: 802-843-2495