Freehold BoroughStrategic Planning3-8 Subcommittee

Rich Pepe Joy ForrestWill Smith Sarah

JacobsenNicole Sabel John BrovakTracey Edwards Diane

DispenzaKelly Bernazzoli Steve

HirschDr. Michael Lichardi

OUR VISITS- Metuchen

Metuchen – Edgar Middle SchoolDemographic Data DFG = I, P-12 district, ~2,300 students

Grade Span Structure

P-K (~150 students) – Principal + shared supervisors*1-4 (~700) – Principal + shared supervisors*5-8 (~700) – Principal + AP + shared supervisors* + 2 counselors9-12 (~800) – N/A* 5 district content supervisors

Common Planning PE/Cycle - 2/day => 1 daily prep + 4 duty periods/week + 1 PLC/wk

Grouping

ELA: unique learners, high, average, skills, BSI, resource, ESL/Bilingual (heterogeneous for Writers Workshop)Math – unique learners, high, average, low average, skills-double period, resource, ESL/Bilingual

TechnologySMART Boards in every classroomLabs: technology, writing, industrial artsSocial Media: Edmodo

Challenges 5th and 8th in same building

OUR VISITS- Red Bank

Red Bank Borough – Red Bank Middle SchoolDemographic Data DFG =CD, K-8 district, ~1,000 studentsGrade Span Structure K-3 (~550)

4-8 (~450)Common Planning Daily with grade level + 1 additional common planning period /

week4th & 5th have same 2 back-to-back periods for prep/duty…same for 7th & 8th

Grouping ELA 4-8 Bilingual OR ESL-only (during specials)Math 4-8 Bilingual OR ESL-only (during specials)

Technology STEM Initiative – Project Lead the WayLinkIt assessment & data warehouse system

Challenges 3rd-4th articulation

OUR VISITS- MERS I

MERS – MEMSDemographic Data DFG = GH, P-8 district, ~4,100 studentsGrade Span Structure P-K (~400)

1-5 (~3,000)6 (~650) – Principal + AP + Counselor7-8 (~1,400) – Principal + 2 AP’s + 2 Counselors + CST* 3 shared district supervisors (Math, ELA, Science)

Common Planning Every other day for 60 minutes during PE (including Special Education teachers) + daily prep during cycle classes

Grouping ELA: 3 levels + supplemental assessment readiness classMath: 4 levels (including 8th grade Geometry track) + supplemental assessment readiness class

Technology SMART Boards in most classroomsSMART Table in Life Skills roomNew Classrooms: mounted projectors w/ easy access station + phonic ears w/ mounted speakers

Challenges (none mentioned)

OUR VISITS- MERS II

MERS – Pine BrookDemographic Data DFG = GH, P-8 district, ~4,100 studentsGrade Span Structure P-K (~400)

1-5 (~3,000)6 (~650) – Principal + Assistant Principal + Counselor7-8 (~1,400) – Principal + 2 AP’s + 2 Counselors + CST* 3 shared district supervisors (Math, ELA, Science)

Common Planning Daily prep + 3 extra periods (during PE) – 1 team mtg w/ admin per week + 2 extra preps + monthly department PLC (contractual – after hours)

Grouping Math: Pre-Algebra-A (gifted), Pre-Algebra-B (advanced), 6A, 6-ICS

Technology SMART Board & document camera in every roomLinkIt assessment & data warehouse system

Challenges No vertical articulation, no long-term relationships with students, only math teachers have multiple classes for which to prep

VisitHighlights• Gradual transition to middle school environment

beginning in 5th grade with structured support for students is critical

• Schedules all built to provide daily prep + extra periods for common planning & PLC-based PD

• Extra periods dedicated to targeted instruction (remediation, supplemental support, enrichment)

• Time dedicated to departmental collaboration (at least monthly)

• All districts visited have leveled grouping for Math & Reading

WeRecommend…

Part 1: Grade Span Structure P-2, 3-8**3-8 school to have tiered schedule

• 3-4 common bell schedule• 5-8 common bell schedule

Rationale• 5th & 6th together to allow for gradual transition

from elementary setting to departmentalized setting

• 6th, 7th, & 8th in same grade span to allow for articulation related to progression toward proficiency with 8th grade standards

• 6th in same grade span as 7th & 8th is needed in our district to ensure we have enough students to field sports teams

WeRecommend…

Part II: Scheduling ConsiderationsIn addition to daily prep period, provide a second

daily release period to be used for common planning, collaboration, articulation, and targeted instruction

Rationale• Provides weekly time for targeted instruction for

the purpose of remediation, supplemental support, and enrichment

• Provides opportunities for job-embedded, ongoing professional growth

• Provides opportunities for horizontal and vertical articulation

• Provides time for working with data to make instructional decisions