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SCHOOL CLIMATE
Accomplished 2007-2008:
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All staff and students participated in a “lockdown drill” under the supervision of the Stoneham Police Department. The drill was carried out and the school responded in accordance with the Stoneham Public Schools Crisis Plan. |
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Supported and encouraged the participation of staff/students/parents in the JUG Program |
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School-wide Enrichment program provided by the Stoneham Cultural Council through the efforts of the PTO: Made in the Shade a historical survey of Jazz across America was presented to all of our students. |
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Health component was added to the PE curriculum in all grades in spring of 2008. The topics included CPR/First Aid, Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, and Nutrition. In addition, Peer Leaders were involved in the presentation of lessons dealing with decision making, relaxation, self esteem, and respect for self and others. |
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Intramurals added in the winter of 2008. |
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Caught Being Good program was continued to reward students who performed unsolicited good deeds. They are recognized as good school citizens. These students can be nominated by any staff member. |
Goals for 2008-2009:
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Request PTO to continue to fund at least one enrichment program per year (with follow-up) relative to the Middle School’s core values of accountability, respect, and decision-making. Ideally, the Program becomes part of the school culture. |
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Continue to strengthen language in student handbook addressing bullying (including cyber-bullying) and harassing behaviors. |
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Continue to strengthen language in student handbook addressing the dress code and attendance. Continue to tie excessive absenteeism and tardiness to revoking the privilege of attending extracurricular activities. Language in handbook to be consistent with the H.S. |
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Extra-curricular activities such as Junior Great Books and Math Team must continue in order for students to feel a sense of belonging and to build school pride. |
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Continue to seek the support of the Stoneham business community to sponsor JUG activities. This is most necessary since the 3-year grant from BCBS expires at the end of the 2008 academic year. |
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Continue Intramurals such as dodge ball and weight-lifting as after-school activities. |
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Continue to seek funds to provide after school chorus, band and drama programs. |
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Continue with the Health component that was added as of March 2008 to the physical education curriculum in all grades. The topics include CPR/First Aid, Alcohol, Drugs, Tobacco, and Nutrition. In addition, Peer Leaders will continue to be involved in the presentation of lessons dealing with decision making, relaxation, self esteem, and respect for self and others. |
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Maintain the relationship with the SHS peer leaders, who visit classes by teacher request, to focus on respect and tolerance for all students; however, a more orchestrated and far-reaching approach is needed. |
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Continue to push for the re-instatement of the full DARE program at the Middle School, as having the DARE Officer in the building full-time adds to a positive school culture. The weekly visibility of the School Resource Officer is also desired. |
PHYSICAL PLANT
Accomplished 2007-2008:
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All student bathrooms were painted. |
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The refurbishment of the auditorium was completed. |
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Lockers have been replaced. |
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The Middle School gymnasium floor was completely refurbished. |
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Carpeting in the library in the student work area was removed and existing floor repaired. |
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The Middle School encourages students/staff to recycle plastic, metal and glass. Designated bins are placed in the cafeteria for this purpose. |
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Through the efforts of JUG and the Stoneham Rotary our courtyard received an extreme makeover. Plants, shrubs, four picnic tables and two park benches were all donated to the school. |
Goals for 2008-2009:
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Create a “Community Service” team of MS students to assist with school based needs and projects such as clothing drives, lunch clean-up, stuffing envelopes for PTO, etc. |
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Continue to support initiatives such as Extreme Makeover and High School DECA students providing beautification to the school. |
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Replace classroom blinds with shades as needed. |
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Update faculty and student lavatories. |
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Replace central intercom system and individual room telecom system for more reliable communication |
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Replace underground fuel storage tank, as it is a single–walled tank that does not meet current EPA standards. Fuel level gauge is obsolete and fuel level must be measured manually. |
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Improve and update our heating system or replace the existing system in response to student and faculty survey results. |
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Replace the water fountains in the building in response to student survey results. |
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Continue with the locker restoration project. |
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Replace the lockers in the boys’ locker room. |
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Restore a fourth custodian in response to student , faculty and parent survey results . |
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Replace the windows in the old wing along the William Street side of the building. The windows are pulling away from the building, which has cold air coming through the buckled cracks all winter long. Assistance may be sought from the Building Association. |
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The Council continues to enthusiastically recommend construction of a new Middle School as recommended in the 2002 Feasibility Study. The Council urges a reasonable time-line for this project be developed, particularly given the increasing maintenance expense and deferred maintenance on the existing building. |
STAFFING NEEDS
Accomplished 2007-2008:
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A Teaching Assistant was added in the area of Special Education for inclusion support in order to be compliant with the state mandates/student services. |
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A Tech aide was added to keep the computer labs open and to provide teachers with technical assistance. |
Goals for 2008-2009:
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The Council has drafted a position statement relative to the loss of teams and the failure to meet the accepted standards for Middle School education. Please refer to the attached document. It is the intention of the Council to distribute this position paper to legislators, parents, local papers and other parties, as appropriate. The Council requests the School Committee’s continued support in this initiative. In light of the aforementioned position paper, the Council recommends: |
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Reinstatement of one social studies and one science teacher in order to reduce class size for safety and instructional purposes is tantamount to the restoration of four exploratory programs (Health, Technology and Engineering which is a component of the MCAS test, Family and Consumer Sciences, Keyboarding) which would allow the team concept to be reinstated (6 positions). |
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Add a Media Specialist position. |
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The Council also continues to recommend the restoration of the third guidance counselor given the 320+ student caseload for each of the two existing guidance counselors. |
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The Middle School hopes to proceed with the Five Year Middle School Restoration Plan (see attached document). |
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Develop a program for students who have been identified with EBD. |
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Add a special education teacher to work with increased population of special education students. |
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Hire a program supervisor for the special education department. |
STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT
Accomplished 2007-2008:
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Targeted remediation for sixth graders was achieved with two new courses for recommended students. |
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Worked with the Assistant Superintendent of Schools to develop and implement interim assessments in math. |
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The Math Action Team (MAT) was initiated in response to MCAS test results. The middle school is in “corrective action” in math in the special education subgroup. The team is headed by the Assistant Superintendent of Schools and is made up of the principal, math teacher from each grade level, special education teacher and parent representative. |
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All students participated in the math MCAS practice test administered in December. Results for each grade were analyzed to help drive instruction. |
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Offered Homework Club to all interested students. Homework Club meets Monday-Thursday from 3-4 p.m. |
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Offered Peer Tutoring to students who met the curriculum with difficulty. |
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Individual Student Success Plans developed for all students on warning status. |
Goals for 2008-2009:
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Continue to use formative assessments in math to drive instruction. |
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The sixth, seventh, and eighth grade self-contained math classes will be abandoned in favor of placing those students in the deliberate math classes with the appropriate academic support. |
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Deliberate math will be added to the grade six math curriculum. |
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The title Deliberate math will be changed to Transitional math in all grades. |
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The Math Action Team will continue to develop and implement initiatives that will increase academic achievement. |
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Strive to achieve Adequate Yearly Progress for all student subgroups. |
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Participation in the Summer MCAS Academy for students on warning or needs improvement status |
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Develop an articulated curriculum for the Math Enrichment course with specific benchmarks for grades 6, 7, 8 |
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Continue to develop Individual Student Success Plans for all students on warning status. |
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Continue to integrate open response questions into all content areas on a daily basis. |
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Continue to offer Homework Club to all interested students. |
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Continue to offer Peer Tutoring to students who are meeting the curriculum with difficulty. |
SCHOOL HOME COMMUNICATION
Accomplished 2007-2008:
Weekly e-mail blasts by the PTO and implementation of the Connect-Ed message system were well received by parents. The Middle School upgraded the school web site, with assistance and training provided by Learning Networks. Parents are able to find information on textbooks purchasing, school supply lists, MCAS dates, and upcoming events.
Goals for 2008-2009:
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Continue to request that the PTO distribute weekly e-mail blasts and quarterly newsletters |
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Encourage the use of Connect-Ed by teachers and staff for appropriate uses as determined by the building principal |
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STAFF DEVELOPMENT
Accomplished 2007-2008:
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English teachers attended John Collins writing workshop. |
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Math teachers attended a data analysis workshop. |
Goals for 2008-2009:
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Provide programs that would allow Special Education and content area teachers to come together to discuss and review teaching roles and responsibilities that are clearly defined by program supervisors and administrators (e.g., modifications, accommodations, testing, etc.) |
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Develop a true co-teaching model. |
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Additional technology and training. |
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Provide full day Early Release Days instead of half days. |
STUDENT LEARNING TIME
Accomplished 2007-2008:
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SMS met its required 900 hours of instructional time. Each student is currently scheduled for over 990 hours of time on learning. There are no scheduled study halls for students. |
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Added Activity Period every Day 2. During this activity period students may participate in Chorus, Band, Gym Leaders, or Sustained Silent Reading. |
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To capitalize on stronger language now included in the Student Handbook regarding poor attendance and chronic tardiness, the Council developed benchmarks for intervention with students and families, for example: At 5 absences, make parent contact by phone. At 10 absences, contact parent in writing, placing letter in student file. At 15, absences, involve the Stoneham Public Schools’ Attendance Officer. At 20 absences, file a Truancy CHINS with the Lowell Juvenile Court. |
Goals for 2008-2009:
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Continue to support and value Activity Period every Day 2. |
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Continue to support our World Language and Reading Enrichment programs. |
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