Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment

 

  1. Curriculum Review Process:

á      The Tri-States Consortium accreditation process resulted in a review of our K-12 mathematics curriculum, the final report will be available shortly.

á      At the elementary level we implemented the Standards-Based Report Card for the first time. Teacher and parent surveys have been conducted and the results will inform future development in this area.

á      As a result of the SBRC, trimester benchmarks will be addressed for next year and currently we are beginning summer curriculum work to incorporate 21st century skills into new scope and sequence for major subject areas.

á      A Response to Intervention Plan is currently underway through CIAC to meet the federal and state mandates to have a program in place by 2012.

 

  1. Curriculum Mapping:

 

  1. English Language Arts:

 

  1. Mathematics Curriculum:

 

  1. Focus on the Arts:

 

  1. World Languages:

 

  1. Gifted Programs:

 

  1. Curriculum Alignment:

 

  1. Differentiated Curriculum:

 

  1. Benchmark Assessments:

 

  1. Improving Instruction Through Data Analysis:

 

  1. Addressing the Achievement Gap:

 

  1. School Day Scheduling:

 

Special Education

 

  1. Educate More Special Needs Students In-District:

 

  1. Identifying Students with Disabilities:

á      Instructional Support Teams worked effectively in collecting data to support Response to Intervention, resulting in more appropriate referrals to special education.

á      Classified students are currently 10.8% of the Pelham student populations, well below the state average.

 

  1. Procedure and Protocol Compliance:

á      The action plan, as it relates to office procedures, is completed.

á      The Director of Special Education remains abreast of ongoing changes in regulations through workshop attendance, state education websites, and the timely reading of legal publications.

 

  1. Technology Resources for Special Needs Students:

á      A program was presented to SEPTA to educate parents and staff about assistive technology.

á      The staff is currently working to evaluate the needs of our students and expand our use of assistive technology, where appropriate.

 

  1. Mainstreaming Students with Special Needs:

á      The least restrictive environment is a critical consideration to student placement recommendations.

á      Our program incorporates the integrated, co-teaching model.

á      Related service providers of speech/language and occupational therapy consult in classrooms.

 

  1. Classroom Instruction in Handwriting:

á      The districtÕs occupational therapist worked with classroom teachers to encourage and support direct instruction in handwriting.

á      Staff development targeted the differences between occupational therapy needs and developmentally appropriate handwriting instruction.

á      Preventing Academic Failure remained the districtÕs recommended handwriting program.

 

Technology

 

  1. Technology Benchmarks for Students:

 

  1. Technology Standards for Staff:

 

  1. Teacher Technology Training:

 

  1. Student Learning and Achievement and Technology:

 

  1. Benchmarking District Technology Program:

 

  1. Student and Financial Management Systems:

 

Student Growth and Development

 

  1. Character Education/Anti-Bullying:

 

  1. Anti-Violence Program: Joe Torre, Safe at Home Foundation:

á      An evaluation of the program was completed, and, as a result. the Joe Torre Foundation renewed its commitment to PMS for three more years.

á      The program was enhanced with a tutoring component and an extension of the bullying program.

 

  1. Addressing Substance Abuse:

á      The Director of Guidance presented the results of the Michigan Study to the public.

á      PACT facilitated a presentation with the district to the community on this report.

á      Two initiatives began regarding the revision of the substance abuse curriculum; Project Success was added to the 9th grade curriculum, and the review of preventative programs began at the elementary level.

á      A list of available programs has been created.

á      Survey results of the Michigan Study were presented to the faculty.

 

  1. Wellness Policy:

á      The committee was active meeting every two months to review current practices and worked with the food services operations to introduce health variety to food selections to students and staff.

 

  1. Co-Curricular Programs:

á      The PMS G.O. worked closely with the Tech Club to promote and clearly articulate the clubs and activities being offered.

á      The video announcement program was utilized to communicate with our students regarding club/activity information.

á      Club and activity representatives had access to students during the mentoring period to provide additional club information directly to students.

á      A freshmen transition program was successfully introduced.

á      A short survey was distributed to students assessing their interests in new clubs by the student association.

á      A day of Skill and Trust Building was presented to our student leaders as a result of a grant.

 

  1. Programs for At-Risk Students:

á      The Pelham Bridge Academy has grown to include 28 students.

á      Passing rates continue to be high in the program.

á      Donations from community members continue to supplement this program.

  1. Student Transitions:

á      The PMS Site-Based Team refined the parent and student orientations for 5th to 6th grade transitions.

á      Input was gathered from parental and student surveys and discussion groups.

á      A successful freshmen transition program was instituted this past fall.

á      CIAC is also studying transitions.

 

  1. Senior Experience/Culmination Project:

á      The district Technology Committee began investigating the possibility of mandating a student portfolio as a requirement for high school graduation.

á      This concept will be studied over next year.

 

 

 

 

Public Engagement & Home/School Communications

 

  1. Guidelines for Teacher/Parent Communications:

 

  1. Electronic/Automated Communication Systems:

á      Transitioned to e-newsletters in three elementary schools.

á      Initiated quarterly e-staff newsletters.

á      Initiated e-administrative updates.

á      Completed work with the PTA to improve a secondary parent email list.

á      Collected community email addresses via the districtÕs census form.

 

  1. District/School Websites:

á      Using parent surveys, improved the design and format of district and five of six school websites.

á      Began to revise resource folders on each website.

á      Introduced Granicus online video access of the BOE meetings, District/PTA informational meetings, and school events.

 

  1. Enhanced Cable Channel 77:

á      Introduced Granicus to provide website access to meetings and shows broadcast on Channel 77 but not available to non-Cablevision users.

á      Piloted principal forums on the Standards-Based Report Cards and series of short budget informational videos.

 

  1. School/Community Partnerships:

á      Continued partnerships with town senior citizens.

á      Established new partnerships with Pelham Green on school-based energy campaigns and with Junior League and PMHS Environmental Science Club on recycling.

á      Worked with the Recreation Department to distribute electronic flyers.

 

  1. Showcasing Student Achievements:

á      Expanded student role at School Board meetings to include participation in presentations at study sessions.

á      Expanded use of district and high school websites to showcase student achievements.

á      Showcased student musicians and artists as part of the PMHS PTA House Tour.

 

Facilities Management

 

  1. Renovation Planning:

á      Created RFP, solicited and awarded bids, for Phase I of the bond project.

á      Continued to develop appropriate plans for submission to the NYSED for Phase II of the bond project.

 

  1. Building Conditions Survey:

á      Continued to review existing building conditions survey to coordinate with the current capital construction projects within the bond.

á      Began to work on updating the building conditions survey.

 

  1. Safety Planning:

á      Continued to review and update safety plans.

á      Conducted emergency drills at schools as required by NYSED.

 

  1. Parking Plan Implementation:

á      Completed new plan at the beginning of this school year.

 

  1. Enrollment and Space Planning:

á      Continued to work on a district wide enrollment project to assist in the better projection of student enrollment.

á      Assisted in conducting district wide census to assist the work of the K-5 Task Force on Neighborhood Schools.

 

Financial Planning, Oversight and Budgeting

 

  1. Cost Efficiencies:

 

  1. Alternative Revenue Services:

á      Expanded the number of in-house special education programs and solicited out-of-district, tuition paying students.

á      Worked toward the application of ARRA funds to reduce annual budget expenditures.

á      Investigated and applied for a possible grant for the use of SARA funds for a records retention room in the high school.

 

  1. Enrollment Projections:

á      Continued to evaluate enrollment projections through the use of live birth data.

á      Worked with a consultant to capture enrollment data using a software package that demonstrates where students are located.

 

  1. Financial Oversight:

á      Continued to assess district operations with the internal auditor to improve financial oversight.

á      Worked with the BOE Audit Committee to review the internal audit recommendations and improve action plans for the implementation of these recommendations.

á      Conducted a risk assessment of the payroll area and implemented new procedures to improve oversight and controls as a result of the report.

 

  1. Financial Planning:

á      Updated future budget projections in collaboration with the BOE Finance Committee as a guide to financial planning.

á      Utilized the Benefits Committee to explore an alternative, less expensive health plan to reduce District benefit costs.

 

Human Resources

 

  1. Transitions, Mentoring and Evaluation Systems

á      Successfully implemented a new teacher-mentoring program for beginning teachers.

 

  1. Recruitment, Selection and Hiring Practices

á      Began to create a new interview and hiring packet for all administrators to assist in the hiring process.

á      Used OLAS, BOCES Job Fair and internal postings to successfully fill vacant positions.

á      Updated the districtÕs seniority list to ensure that any layoffs were properly implemented.

á      Adjusted teaching assignments to align with the restructuring of staff due to curriculum changes.

 

  1. Administrative Restructure:

á      Conducted a study of the administrative structure.

á      Implemented a reorganization plan, which reflected the recommendations of the report.

á      Completed the hiring of new administrators to implement the administrative reorganization.

 

In summary, the BOE goals were met and the district administrators are well underway to identify and prioritize future goals both long term and short term.

 

I look forward to another successful year because we are in a very good place at this point in time.

 

Thank you for listening.