JABISH BROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL

 

 

 

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

2007 - 2008

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear Belchertown School Committee:

 

 

Each year it is the responsibility of the school council to evaluate the needs of our school. At Jabish Brook Middle School, the following actions take place. 

 

We analyze state assessment data to identify areas of strength and areas needing improvement.  We review the school climate, the curriculum and course offerings to assess the everyday effectiveness of the school.  We speak with students, parents, faculty, staff and the community regarding the overall learning environment. The goals and objectives presented in this school improvement plan represent the culmination of this work.

 

Jabish Brook Middle School has begun a multi-year development plan to review the courses, programs and resources available in the new middle school to promote student achievement. We continue to strive to develop a safe school environment where every child has the opportunity to grow and achieve to their full potential.  

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

The Jabish Brook Middle School 

School Council

 

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  Thomas K. Ruscio, Principal

 

Ann Maziarz, Parent 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 ________________________________________

 

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  Megan Drake, Faculty Member

 

Lisa Gustafson, Parent

 

 

 

 

 

 

________________________________________

 

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Elizabeth Teixeira, Faculty Member

 

Nancy Beaudette, Community Member

 

 

 

 

                       

 

 

JABISH BROOK MIDDLE SCHOOL - MISSION STATEMENT AND GOALS

 

The Jabish Brook Middle School faculty and staff are committed to nurturing the growth of our students by providing a safe, supportive learning environment which not only inspires creativity but motivates and challenges students to reach their academic potential.  Our faculty and staff are also dedicated to fostering the social and emotional growth of our students, by emphasizing such values as acceptance, tolerance, cooperation, responsibility, respect and a positive work ethic.  At Jabish Brook Middle School we aspire to instill in students the desire to become life-long, active learners. To guide our actions as we strive to fulfill our responsibility, the following goals have been established:

 

I. To enhance and refine student communications skills

 

Maintain a common curriculum providing the essential knowledge in areas of numeracy, scientific thought, language, literature and culture, the arts, history, geography and civics.

 

Monitor our programs to determine the relevancy of our essential knowledge to the region and the nation.

 

Establish a process for the continual review and revision of essential knowledge as it relates to current and predicted societal requirements.

 

 

II. To develop and strengthen critical and creative thinking skills and provide opportunities for a variety of applications.

 

Furnish the technology, resources, time and support for student research activities.

 

Provide the opportunity for students to work together in group situations and build on the ideas of one another.

 

Create multidisciplinary experiences that challenge students to function in an interdependent world.

 

 

III. To provide a framework that enables students to experience the privileges and responsibilities that goes with growing up.

 

Deliver opportunities for all students to excel in their areas of strength and to provide support in their areas of need.

     

Provide a continuum of expectations that allow students to experience failures and successes in a safe environment.

 

 

IV. To expand the partnership between school, parents, and the community

 

Utilize the wide variety of community members, the Five College System and other area institutions to develop alternative educational experiences for students.

     

Provide more opportunities for members of the community to actively participate in educational experiences through volunteer programs, mentoring programs, and other programs designed around the specific needs and skills of students and community.

 

 

 

School Improvement Plan: Goals

 

 

Goal A: Maintain a positive and safe educational environment.

 

Goal B: Maintain strong modes of communication with parents, students, faculty & the community.

 

Goal C: MCAS assessment evaluation and review.

 

Goal D: Expansion of the Foreign Language Program.

 

Goal E: Promote the use of Computer Technologies.

 

Goal F: Expansion of Health & Physical Education Curriculum.

 

Goal G: Continue support for the After School Program.

 

Goal H: Develop a cooperative relationship with Belchertown High School.

 

 

 

 

Goal A: Maintain a positive and safe educational environment

 

 

 

 

Rationale: It is the continuing goal of the professional staff at Jabish Brook Middle School to create a middle school environment that is academically excellent, developmentally responsive, and socially equitable. We strive to maintain a safe, clean, supportive educational environment that responds to the needs of every child.

 

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

RESPONSIBILITY

NOTES & PROGRESS TO DATE

STATUS REPORT

1

Review all existing building procedures, activities, course offerings, and after school enrichment and support services.

Principal, Assistant Principal, Faculty, Paraprofessionals, Secretaries, support staff, custodians

A full review of the educational services and programs, as well as a concerted effort to promote the daily activities of Jabish Brook Middle School is a continuing practice for the School Council.  Events and activities are coordinated with the Student Council with a focus to promote a positive school climate.

Done Annually - Ongoing

2

Coordinate and collaborate with all school agencies, i.e. school council, student council, PTO, student activities advisors, Grade Level Coordinators, Middle School Teams, building staff, parent and community representatives on fostering a positive school climate.

Principal, Assistant Principal

It is the goal of the administration to maintain clear understanding and implementation of the school's mission and goals, in order to coordinate effective educational practices in our middle school.

Done Annually - Ongoing

3

Maintain a safe, clean, positive school environment.

Principal, Assistant Principal, Faculty, Paraprofessionals, Secretaries, support staff, custodians

It is the responsibility of all employees to assist with the maintenance of the school through direct intervention, shared responsibility, and cooperative efforts.

Done Annually - Ongoing

4

Ensure that all individuals feel comfortable and welcome at school and are free from harassment.

Principal, Assistant Principal, Faculty, Paraprofessionals, Secretaries, support staff, custodians

The understanding and enforcement of existing district policies, such as anti-harassment and discrimination policies make this goal a daily expectation.

Done Annually - Ongoing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goal B :  Maintain strong modes of communication with parents, students, faculty & the community

 

 

 

 

Rationale:  The development of a strong school-student-parent communication system is a major concern identified and experienced with parents of middle school aged children. The methods used to keep parents informed of academic progress, school activities, and annual events such as orientation sessions and school registration need to be consistently provided to all students, parents and faculty. 

 

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

RESPONSIBILITY

NOTES & PROGRESS TO DATE

STATUS REPORT

1

To provide clearly established and effective forms of communication used on a regular basis, including written, verbal and printed materials

Principal, Assistant Principal, Faculty, Secretaries

Jabish Brook Middle School creates monthly newsletters that are mailed home with progress reports and report cards. A computerized voicemail and homework mailbox system has been established for telephone communications between the school and home.  Regular publication of information on the local newspaper has been established as a regular practice.

Established December 2005 - ongoing

2

The continued development of existing forms of communication during the 2006-2007 school year, with anticipated development of school website.

Principal, Assistant Principal, Faculty, Secretaries

Jabish Brook Middle School, through training of our secretarial staff, has created a school website. As we develop the use of this technology, school information is available at http://jabishbrook.belchertownps.org.

Developed Dec. 2006 - ongoing

3

Continued use and development of computerized school database information for the dissemination of school information.

Principal, Assistant Principal, Faculty, Secretaries

The transition to Rediker software and GradeQuick grading software has provided the opportunity for a more updated school information system.  Our use of this system allows the school to better manage and utilize information for parents, students and teachers,  including student schedules, emergency contact information, discipline records, etc.

Established July, 2006 - ongoing

 

 

 

 

 

 

Goal C : MCAS assessment evaluation and review

 

 

 

 

Rationale:  Standards-based assessment requirements from both federal and state regulations mandate the use and review of the MCAS assessment system.  The ongoing practice of this review continues to drive course and curriculum expectations, and is utilized by the faculty and administration to highlight effective practices, as well as identify and address areas of weakness.

 

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

RESPONSIBILITY

NOTES & PROGRESS TO DATE

STATUS REPORT

1

Analyze student MCAS performance on an annual basis, relative to the past year, and previous year's results. 

Principal, Faculty

Adequate yearly progress in the aggregate for both English and Mathematics has been met for the past three years.  2006 MCAS results show growing concern in specific subcategories. The positive results of student MCAS scores reflects the exceptional work of the middle school faculty to address the needs of our students in their transition from elementary school in preparation for the high school.

Done annually - Ongoing

2

Provide analysis and support for the expansion of the MCAS assessment system, including future needs for Science & Technology and Social Studies exams.

Principal, Faculty

The addition of Social Studies & Science and Technology MCAS exams as a “high stakes tests” for our current seventh and eighth grade students is anticipated to have secondary implications on the curriculum at the middle school level in coming years.  Time to review and assess these academic areas will be necessary.

Review to be done 2007-2008

 

Goal D: Expansion of the Foreign Language Program 

 

 

 

 

Rationale:  Our students need to have a well-rounded academic experience that provides exposure to the widest possible range of subjects and challenges.  The study of foreign languages provides a comprehensive and meaningful understanding to the study of the world.   The foreign language program needs to be further developed at the middle school level in order to properly support the high school graduation requirement. Positions that existed at the middle school level in past years have yet to be reinstated.

 

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

RESPONSIBILITY

NOTES & PROGRESS TO DATE

STATUS REPORT

1

Request the addition of a foreign language teacher to provide a full year foreign language program to the eighth grade, and a minimum of an exploratory introductory course to all seventh grade students.

Principal

Budget requests have been submitted for the past two years for the replacement of this position.  Financial limitations to the district have made this endeavor cost prohibitive.

FY2008 Budget request

 

Goal E: Promote the use of Computer Technologies.

 

 

 

 

Rationale:  The expansion and development of technological services to be utilized for the storage, dissemination and submission of information regarding the daily operations of Jabish Brook Middle School continue to be of growing demand by the school district and the Massachusetts Department of Education.

 

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

RESPONSIBILITY

NOTES & PROGRESS TO DATE

STATUS REPORT

1

Align the school database system, and the use of Rediker software with Belchertown High School.

Principal, Faculty

Rediker software was utilized for the 2006-2007 school year.  This database system is being developed to better manage and utilize school information for the school district.

Established July 2006- ongoing

2

Establish the regular use of technologies into the everyday practices with the educational environment.

Principal, Assistant Principal, Faculty, Secretaries, Support Staff

In line with the district transition to computerized data use, the school regularly uses our internal computer network for the dissemination and storage of school information, including faculty handbooks, school handbooks, calendars, directories, and other school information found on our website.  The regular use of email for the daily dissemination of information is used by the administration and faculty.

Review beginning 2007-2008

2

The continued development of existing forms of communication during the 2006-2007 school year, with anticipated development of school website.

Principal, Assistant Principal, Faculty, Secretaries

Jabish Brook Middle School, through training of our secretarial staff, has created a school website. As we develop the use of this technology, school information is publicly available from the middle school at http://jabishbrook.belchertownps.org.

Developed Dec. 2006 - ongoing

 

Goal F: Expansion of the Health & Physical Education Curriculum.

 

 

 

 

Rationale:  The lack of physical activity among our youth in today’s society has continued to identify the need for structured physical and personal health and wellness education in our schools for all age levels.  In relation to the middle school population, of immediate concern is the limited offerings for these services.  A priority must be established to provide more time and resources to this component to the educational process to comply with impending state and federal guidelines and recommendations.

 

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

RESPONSIBILITY

NOTES & PROGRESS TO DATE

STATUS REPORT

1

Review current health and physical education curriculum. 

Principal, Faculty

A district Wellness Plan has been approved within the Belchertown School District.  Changes regarding the implementation of the plan are being reviewed and implemented.

District Wellness Plan accepted 2006 - Implementation ongoing

2

Expansion of the health and physical education curriculum is recommended.

Principal, Faculty

It is the hope that this curriculum area will be provided additional resources in order to expand course offerings for both health and physical education into the daily curriculum.

FY2008 Budget Request

 

Goal G: Continued support for the JBMS After School Program

 

 

 

 

Rationale:  Our students need to have a well-rounded academic experience that provides exposure to the widest possible range of subjects and challenges.  Community need, support and use of the after school program, through the past few years has been readily apparent.  That need continues at the middle school level and throughout the district.

 

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

RESPONSIBILITY

NOTES & PROGRESS TO DATE

STATUS REPORT

1

Secure financial support for the continuation of the after school program at Jabish Brook Middle School by securing grant and/or private funding.

Principal

Finalized April 2, 2007 - the private financial support of the after school program from The Art of Giving and Country Bank has been secured for the next three years.

Finalized April 2, 2007 thru January, 2010

 

Establish a proposed structural plan for the continued implementation of the After-School Program at Jabish Brook Middle School, as part of a District plan to provide after-school enrichment and services throughout the elementary, middle, and high school levels.

Principal

Expansion of the after school program to service additional students in the district is a future goal.

Beginning 2007-2008

 

Goal H: Develop a cooperative relationship with Belchertown High School

 

 

 

 

Rationale:  Jabish Brook is a school committed to meeting the needs of our students on all levels, and we have an excellent faculty, administration, and support staff that rise to the challenge.  Due to financial limitations being experienced district wide, it is a goal of the new middle school to develop a cooperative relationship with the high school, with future plans of sharing resources and facilities.  It is hoped that a cooperative relationship with the high school to share resources and materials will provide the educational benefits of transitional services from the middle school to the high school, with the financial benefit of shared resources.

 

STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES

RESPONSIBILITY

NOTES & PROGRESS TO DATE

STATUS REPORT

1

Review of current staff and curriculum at both levels, and the identification of areas where shared resources can be of mutual benefit.  Examples include the possibility of shared staff, as well as the shared utilization of school facilities and resources.

Principal, Scheduling Review Committee

Preliminary steps are currently being taken, working with the Superintendent, Mr. Pazasis and Belchertown High School Principal Mrs. Vigneux, to review methods for the future sharing of staff and resources.

Review started January, 2007