School Improvement Plan 2007-08
Executive Summary
Introduction
Montpelier is a comprehensive elementary school with a vision of strong home/school connections leading to the creation of lifelong learners who are prepared socially, emotionally and academically for success in the 21st century. Classroom instruction is based on the Prince George’s County curriculum frameworks, with special emphasis on content standards from the Maryland State Department of Education’s Voluntary State Curriculum (VSC).
Students in Pre-K through third grade are taught in self-contained classrooms. Classes at grades four through six are departmentalized with two classes on each teaching team. Students in these grades receive reading/language arts instruction from their homeroom teachers and then switch teachers for science/social studies/health and math. In addition to the instructional focus, teachers work with students to develop the characteristics of responsibility, cooperation and respect for themselves and others.
School Demographics
Montpelier enrolls approximately 720 students Pre-K through grade six. Seventy eight percent (78%) are African-American, 5% are Caucasian, 12% are Hispanic, 4% are Asian, and > 1% are American Indian. Students receiving free and reduced-price meals (FARMS) make up 37% of the population. ESOL students comprise 7% of the school population. Four percent (4%) of the students qualify to receive special education services. The majority of students are transported each day by fourteen school buses.
The teaching staff at Montpelier is an experienced one, with only 12% (5 teachers) having less than 3 years of experience. Two specialists hold conditional certificates, however, all other teachers have standard or advanced professional teaching certificates. Thirty-three percent (33%) are African-American, and 66% are Caucasian.
Montpelier has an active PTA. This organization sponsors events for the enjoyment of students and their families throughout the school year and also enriches the academic program. These events include assemblies to enrich student learning during the school day, as well as evening events such as the Ice Cream Social, Sock Hop and Spring Family Picnic. At this time, Montpelier has several business and community partnership: Office Depot, Staples, Silver Diner, Rawlings, Councilman Dernoga’s office, and are soliciting more.
Major initiatives and how these efforts will improve student performance.
Montpelier’s priority needs are to improve student achievement in reading and math as assessed by the Maryland State Assessment (MSA). African-American males, FARMS and special education students were the lowest performing subgroups in 2006 and so will be the targeted subgroups. Students in first through third grades will receive a supplemental support from the Reading Specialist. Regular classroom and special education teachers will continue to plan together for the delivery of lessons based on the curriculum frameworks and VSC. In addition, the master schedule will feature co-teaching settings for the purpose of including special education students in the regular classroom. We are participating in an extended learning opportunity (ELO) program through the FOCUS office this year. This after school program will target students in subgroups who are in the “middle band” in meeting success in MSA. The program will be taught by classroom teachers, using specific materials and curriculum to provide these students with the skills to meet MSA goals.
In an effort to increase our math scores our fifth grade students will participate in the “First In Math” program. This is a county wide initiative for all fifth grade students in which they use an online program modeled on “24 Challenge” to enhance basic math concepts. Date will be collected on this program and used to track student performance.
Sub Group Performance
Special Education Students
Although Montpelier met AYP for special education in 2006-07, not all students were successful in all grade levels. We will continue to target these students to ensure their meeting testing goals for the 2007 - 08 school year. For the 2007-08 school year all special education positions are filled by certified staff. We will continue our inclusion/co-teaching model which was implemented during the 2004-05 school year. This model has been successful in enhancing learning opportunities for these students. The inclusion class size will be limited to 20 students. Special educators will specialize in either math or reading in order to have less preparation and to streamline their efforts. Weekly collaborative planning between regular education and special education staff is allotted in the master schedule. An in house audit of all IEP’s will be conducted and completed by September 15, 2007. All teachers will receive an IEP snapshot for all special education students. The office of special education will work closely with staff on how to successfully implement the co teaching model. Ms. Johnson and Mr. Blackson, from the office of Special Education, will offer demonstration lessons, peer coaching, in-service training, and IEP support. In addition to their expertise, staff will attend any county wide special education provide by the system.
Special Education students will be invited to participate in the ELO program noted above.
Targeted students in SPED will have enhanced curriculum instruction in math, in the computer lab. This instruction will be taught on their instructional level, with the goal of using this technology to move them to a higher instructional level.
ESOL/Limited English Proficiency Students
Montpelier is currently an ESOL Center. We service our neighborhood ESOL students and their families. We will be continuing our monthly ESOL staff development opportunities, and have hired ESOL staff and a parent liaison.
All ESOL students in grades three through six will be invited to participate in the ELO program..
Safe and Orderly Environment
In an effort to continue to decrease the number of both discipline referrals and student suspensions we will continue our Character Education initiatives for the upcoming school year. The program features a different character trait monthly such as Responsibility. Every morning the daily thought will be shared on “Wake Up Montpelier” our morning news program. In addition, students caught displaying the trait will receive “character grams” from staff members which can be redeemed for a prize once the student has collected five. Also any student who receives five or fewer checks on the daily behavior clipboard will participate in a monthly behavior incentive. We will collect data on the number of students receiving “character grams” and participating in the monthly reward. During Data U we will analyze data and see if a decrease in referrals and suspensions are noted. Our school motto is: Productive, Positive, Peaceful. This motto in addition to school wide rules will be posted in every room within the schoolhouse.
Attendance data is collected and analyzed monthly. The classes with excellent (96 %+) attendance are recognized on the morning TV show and in the parent bulletin. Individual students with perfect attendance are recognized at the end of each marking period as part of the honor roll. Students with perfect attendance each month are recognized by having their name posted on the “Perfect Attendance” bulletin board in the school lobby. all students with perfect attendance for each month will receive a special reward. The parents of students with chronic attendance problems are notified by letter, followed by a conference with the principal. If the necessity arises we involve the Pupil Personnel Worker. Our part time secretary calls the parents of any student who is absent to verify that the absence is excused. We will also submit quarterly disaggregated attendance reports to the Region 5 office.
Parent Involvement
Montpelier is fortunate to have a history of superior parental involvement. Our goal for the 2007- 08 school year is to have a membership of at least 250 families and all staff members. The PTA organizes both educational events as well as social events for the school community. For example: educational assemblies, Ice Cream Social, fundraisers, Sock Hop, skate nights, picnics, Restaurant Nights and several others. The PTA has a representative on the School Management Team, and holds membership meetings the first Tuesday of each month.