Huntsville City Schools

TOWN HALL MEETING

July 23, 2013HCS Leadership Team

District OverviewExpanded Pre-K Program: We have 38 Pre-K programs, 23 classrooms are locally funded; Dawson, MLK, and Lakewood

have multiple Pre-K classrooms 60% of at-risk students now have the opportunity to attend a high-quality Pre-K program

Formative Assessments: Setting high expectations for student achievement Using real-time data to guide decisions & instruction to ensure all of our students are college

& career ready Bringing formative assessments online this year in all grades and subjects to augment our

STAR formative assessments for reading and math

District-Wide Talent Management & Development: Staffing effort focused upon providing every classroom highly effective teachers - teacher

performance is reviewed every year for probationary teachers and for tenured teachers as requested by principals – the review is conducted using multiple measures of teacher effectiveness

Implemented Summer Learning Labs for Teachers Provided 30 Days of Embedded Professional Development in Every School

District Overview

System Wide Digital Conversion: All students and core classrooms have learning technology to include I-Pads or

Laptops and Active Boards

Breakfast in the Classroom: Expanded from two schools to thirteen schools - breakfast participation rates have

tripled - all priority schools have breakfast in the classroom programs to aid student learning, reduce absenteeism, and improve school culture.

Status of Child Nutrition Program for

School Year 2012-2013

The Huntsville City Schools’ Child Nutrition Program was recently certified by the Alabama State Department of Education as meeting all requirements of the “Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act” of 2010. (HHFKA)

This means that our Child Nutrition Program is meeting all State and Federal Regulations in regards to serving healthy nutritious meals. It is important to the district because certification allows us to receive an extra 6 cents for every lunch we serve, which equates to about $15,000 per month.

BREAKFAST IN THE CLASSROOM (BIC)

The impact of the Breakfast in the Classroom Program over time.

Comparison of Breakfast Participation rates for the Title 1 Schools

• Davis Hills Middle 58 % 99 %

• Ed White 35 % 78 %

• Highlands 38 % 86 %

• Lakewood 46 % 98 %• McDonnell 38 % 87 %• Montview 48 % 85 %• Morris 49 % 88 %• MLK 44 % 86 %• Rolling Hills 49 % 93 %• Ridgecrest 34 % 90 %• University Place 50 % 85 %• James Dawson 41 % 84 %• Westlawn 46 % 83 %

School Year 2010-2011 School Year 2012-2013

Congratulations to M.L.K. Elementary for winning the 2013 USDA “Best Practices Award”.There are only 120 “Best Practices Awards” given out each year in the entire country.The award will be formally presented to the school this November. Fantastic job by all!!!

We started a Summer Feeding Program in June where we provided a free hot breakfast, lunch, and supper to any child ages 18 and under. This program was available in 12 different schools. How did our Summer Feeding Program compare to other school districts in Alabama?

According to Danielle Turk of the Alabama State Department of Education, Huntsville City Schools served a total of

71,089 total meals during the month of June. To put that into perspective, the school district that finished second to us

in June only served 38,217 total meals. We will finish the program this Friday with a final total between 97,000 and 100,00 meals!

What new programs will Child Nutrition be implementing this

upcoming school year?

We will be starting a “Breakfast in the Classroom Program” in both Butler High and Johnson High School beginning this school year. I want to personally thank both new Principals for their willingness to try something new and to thank them both for putting the needs of their students first.

Huntsville City Schools

Enrollment & Facilities Planning

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Provide diverse, equitable schools that afford every student access to effective, personalized instruction in safe and orderly educational centers of excellence by:

• Building new schools that consolidate student bodies within feeder patterns that achieve a consistent student progression from Pre-K to 12th grade.

• Locating and right-sizing new schools so as to accommodate enrollments within communities with a focus upon maintaining local elementary schools and improving the programmatic efficiency and offerings of secondary schools serving local elementary schools.

• Improving the location and condition of magnet schools to align programs, and foster enrollment and achievement growth.

• Complete $194 million in New School Construction by 2016 to Deliver:

o Two High Schoolso One Freshman Academyo One Junior High Schoolo One P-8 Schoolo Two Elementary Schools

• Replace 1.8 million square feet of Old Schools with 1.1 million square feet of New Schools

• Completion of the Construction Program will Reduce Our Total MaintenanceBacklog by 35 Percent

Under the Court Approved Plan We Will Build Seven New Schools, Substantially Reduce our Maintenance Backlog, and Reduce Excess Space

Under Our Court Approved Plan, We Will:

• Schools Consolidated Since July 2011:o Chapman Elementary and Middle Schoolso Mountain Gap Elementary and Middle Schoolso Whitesburg Elementary and Middle Schoolso Providence Middle School and Williams Middle School

• Schools Retired Since July 2011:o Seldon Centero Homebound School

• Schools Retiring 2013 to 2014:o Ed White Middle Schoolo University Place Elementary School

• Repurposed Schools:• Terry Heights Pending Demolition for Construction of New Elementary School• HCT will be Repurposed for Use by City and School System Utility Services

Since 2011 We Have Taken Steps to Align Enrollments and Facilities

• Schools Sold As of June 2013:• Lincoln Elementary• University Place Elementary• Homebound School

• Schools Under Agreement for Sale/Transfer to Huntsville City:• Grissom High School• Johnson High School• East Clinton Elementary

• Schools Pending Disposition:• West Huntsville Elementary• Academy for Academics and Arts (Cavalry Hill Campus)• Seldon Center• Stone Middle School

We Have Sold or Reached Agreements to Sell Six Schools So As to Reduced Excess Capacity While Adding Value to Local Communities

By the Close of 2018, All of Our Students Will Attend New High Schools, and We Will Have Retired Our Oldest, Least Equitable, and Least Efficient Capacity

• Provide All Students with Equitable Learning Environments from Programming to Commissioning

• Relocate 27% of Huntsville City Schools’ Students from Obsolete or Overcrowded Facilities to New Schools

• Retire 700,000+ ft2 (20+%) of the System’s Current Building Capacity that has a Weighted Average age of 48 years

• Reduce the Average Age of School Facility Square Footage from 43 Years to 24 Years

• Achieve a Recurring Annual Operating Savings of $5 million

• Reduce our Maintenance Backlog by 35 Percent

Completion of Our Plan Will:

James I. Dawson Elementary School

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Dawson Elementary What we are doing to bring about academic improvement:Year 2 Implementation of the School Improvement Grant (SIG)—Receive funds to improve student achievement• Extended Learning Time for students; and extra 30 minutes a day for instruction• Embedded Coaching and Collaboration—Weekly Team Support Meetings; Faculty Seminars;

and Data Meetings• Technology Initiative-Wi-fi Cards; laptops for 3rd-5th graders; and iPads in K-2 grades• External Monitoring by an outside provider, Solution Tree • Comprehensive Behavior Management Plan from The Education Company--• Grant Personnel Support--Transformation Specialist; other instructional coaches who provide

support to the teachers and students—TOSA and Instructional Technologists

District Support:• On-going Professional Development for teachers with the Pearson Consultants• Monthly trainings for Reading Coaches and Curriculum Specialists• Support from district level Curriculum Specialists

Goals for 2013-2014• Increase student achievement at Dawson 25% growth in Math…More growth than any school in the district 8% growth in Reading

• Improve Student Attendance and maintain a 95% attendance average for the year • Build leadership capacity among the Dawson Staff---We will have two more years of

grant support. Establish a Professional Learning Community; allow teachers to learn from each other thru collaboration, classroom observations, and on-going professional development

Resources Needed:• Funding for TFAs…Outstanding TFA---Carter Lorant; Total of 8 TFAs at Dawson• Digital Signage—Digital TVs throughout the school to broadcast announcements,

school news and upcoming events• Discretionary funds for the Principals’ Books to support various school activities

(field trips, supplies, books, incentives)

Lakewood Elementary School

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Lakewood Elementary School

We are:

• Providing specific Professional development from Pearson to help with the core instruction in the class. The teachers are being coached by some of the best educators in the U.S. to improve instruction in the classroom.

• Providing a Pre-K program that helps prepare students in our community for school• Using data to guide our instruction in the classroom. Teachers are looking at data on a

weekly basis to help understand what the students need and to develop lesson plans.• Hiring intervention tutors to work with students who are having problems in reading and

math. They are giving the students an extra dose of instruction to improve their proficiency. • Monitoring teachers to ensure that they are implementing the PD that they are receiving in

the classroom.

The school system has provided 30 days of professional development . Educators are working side-by-side with teachers to provide best practices on improving instruction utilizing digital resources.

Goals For 2013-2014:• Increase the number of students proficient in reading and math• Improve students’ attendance• Implement the Leader in Me to develop student leaders and

improve parental involvement.

Resource needs:• Lighthouse School Initiative - Seeking community support over

the next two years ($5,000 per year)

• Monetary Support for Intervention Tutors($5,000)

Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary SchoolImprovements:• Increasing teacher capacity via professional development and coaching• Analyzing student data for all students to determine instructional next steps• Providing specific reading and math interventions designed to meet students’ needs• Building a collaborative culture within the school as well as outside of the school• Utilizing technology and digital resources to increase student engagement and depth

of knowledge• Implementing The Leader in Me based on The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by

Stephen Covey• Implementing the Blessings in a Backpack program

Key Resources Provided by HCS:• Teach for America teachers• 1:1 Digital Conversion• 30 days of Pearson on-site coaching and professional development• Access to the most up to date digital curriculum• Breakfast in the Classroom program• Non-tenure review process• Recruiting and hiring process• Planning phase for a new school• Maintenance staff is on-site weekly

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Elementary School

Goals for 2013-2014:①Increase math and reading proficiency②Increase the amount of writing in all curricular areas③Decrease the amount of disciplinary referrals

Community Support Opportunities:• Sponsor a Teach for America teacher $62,000• Sponsor 80 students for Blessings in a Backpack $6,500• The Leader in Me materials and supplies $5,000

Morris Elementary School

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Morris Elementary Success in Academics

• High expectations for students and teachers 30 days of professional development for reading

and math

• Use of the STAR data to guide instruction Student learning progressions and monitoring Provide intervention

• Key Resources provided by the district: Teacher On Special Assignment Breakfast in the Classroom Morning Tutors

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Morris Goals and SupportGoals

Become stronger professional learning communities in grade levels to implement needed strategies for reading, writing, and math

Discipline/Classroom Management *Leader in Me book study implementing 7 habits of effective

people Build Community/PTA

Support the District is providing: An extra 1st grade class to reduce the class size: $60,000 An additional P. E. teacher to help with discipline problems in P. E. : $60,000 IXL math program for the district

Community Support Needed: Funding for the teachers above Full time Circle Project Social Worker who impacts

Morris, Westlawn and Butler students*Thanks to Commissioner Bob Harrison

Chapman Middle School

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xChapman Middle School

Staffing Changes resulting in low ACS (23)2 New TFA Teachers2 Additional Units (Bolster Arts and Honors)3 Teachers from Providence

CulturePBS (Positive Behavior Support)The Leader in Me (7 Habits)

Academic ChangesOffer 25% more honors classes75% of the 6th Grade will have one or more honors classes

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Chapman Middle School2013-2014 Focus

AttendanceSchool-Wide Focus and Call to ActionInformation Campaign

Reading and Math ImprovementThe Big 4 (CM, Planning, Inst., Assessment)Pearson Tier II and Tier III interventions60% or better growth - Cut gap in half

Discipline Reduce Discipline Referrals by 70%

Needs (More TFA)Community Support of The Leader In Me 32

Davis Hills Middle School

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Davis Hills Middle SchoolImprovement Efforts

Implementation of new Literacy Plan

Data Driven Scheduling - double dose of reading and math instruction daily

Mentoring Program –KNeighbors Investing in Great Horizons for Terrific Students (KNIGHTS)

Differentiation - Individualized Instructional programs

Increased professional development for teachers – embedded coaching

Additional support through External providers/consultants: Behavior Management & Curriculum Development

Honors classes in all grades(Reading, Math)

District Support Additional Units – Title I

& General Funds (Math & English Teachers)

District Curriculum Support

Culture – Improved Facilities & Unified Uniform Policies

Professional Development

Digital Curriculum Strategic Teaching Laying the Foundation Administrative Support

Davis Hills Middle School

2013-2014 Goals Increase reading

proficiency by 20%. +12% - 2012-2013 SY Increase math

proficiency by 20%. +36% - 2012-2013 SYReduce discipline

infractions by 20% -39-49% 2012-2013 SY

Support Needed

Additional Teacher Unit (Teach for America)

Increase Library collection of non-fiction text ($5000-$10,000)

Expand Student Celebrations ($3000)

Westlawn Middle School

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Westlawn: Meeting Our Academic GoalsSteps Toward Academic Success:

1. Be a “Change Agent” for Positive School Culture and Climate Maintain an Academic Focus Develop Collective Commitment and Buy-In from

Everyone Goal-Setting and Celebrations for Student Growth Workshops for Parents

2. Use the Additional Hour To Support Student Achievement Daily Professional Development for Teachers Support for Students in Need of Acceleration,

Remediation and English As a Second Language

3. Provide Additional Student Support Teacher On Special Assignment (TOSA) –Funded by

SIG Grant Social Worker - Funded by SIG Grant Project Lead the Way Teacher –Funded by SIG Grant Parent Educator- Funded by SIG Grant English as Second Language Teacher – Funded by

SIG Grant Math and Reading Intervention Teachers –Funded by

Title I Full Time Nurse – Funded by HCS Two Guidance Counselors –Funded by HCS

Goals for 2013-14 Increase Number of Proficient

Students on STAR Math and Reading by 20%

Add One Additional Advanced Class Per Core Subject Area in Each Grade Level in order to Accelerate the Instruction and Increase the Number of Advanced Students by 50%

Decrease the Number of In-School Suspension and Out of School Suspensions by 50%

Help to Sustain ProgressCommunity Support Needed

#1 Funding for One Teach for America Teacher (TFA)

Freddie Stokes Social Studies Teacher

2nd year TFA assigned to Westlawn Middle School

#2 Additional School NeedsProvide Shuttle Bus Tokens for Parent

Involvement Activities ($2400)Purchase Chairs, Music Stands and Keyboard

for Choir and Band ($5000)

Thanks for District Level Support!

Help to Improve the School’s Culture and Climate by Upgrading the Physical Plant

Provide Support for the Components of the School Improvement Grant (SIG)

Additional 30 Days with Pearson to Support the 1 to 1 Digital Initiative

Thanks for District Level Support!

Help to Improve the School’s Culture and Climate by Upgrading the Physical

Plant

Provide Support for the Components of the School Improvement Grant (SIG)

Additional 30 Days with Pearson to Support the 1 to 1 Digital Initiative

Butler High School

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Butler’s Academic Improvements2013-14 School Year

• TOSA-Teacher on Special Assignment to support academics and discipline

• Nine additional teacher units in English, Math, Science and Social Studies

• Modified English Block-all 9th gradersstudents will receive additional 52 minutes of reading, writing, informational text,

ACT prep, small group instruction• Social worker

to assist w/ attendance-other needs of students. • Education Company and Solution Tree

PD to leadership and faculty behavior management• Boys and Girls Club – TEEN CENTER

Passport to manhood, power hour, Be-Great graduate, Robo Tech, Money Matters, Career Launch• Transportation

To assist with attendance issues

Goals 1. Improve Graduation Rate by 30%-2015 2. Improve Attendance by the end of the 2013-

14 school year3. Improve disciplinary incidents by 50% 2013-

14 school year

Support Needed:Parental Support TFA- Gabby Kroon $36,000

J.O. Johnson High School

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Academic Improvement Strategies:

Why is Johnson a Priority School?

-Student Deficiencies in Reading, Writing, and Mathematics

-Culture, Acceptance of Mediocrity

-Low Expectations, Low Morale

District Action Steps In Place

-New administrative team

-Faculty of 45 teachers, 47% Retained, 53% transferred out

-Additional teachers in core academic subject areas

(English, Math, Science, Social Studies)

-Remodel building, decrease instructional

space appropriate for enrollment,

administrative self-sufficiency

J.O.Johnson High School

1. Graduation Rate• Fewer retentions, failures, reflective grading• Emphasize college and career readiness, improve ACT2. Improve Test Scores, Emphasis on Literacy, Mindset Shift,

Emphasize Academic Growth 3. Build Faculty Capacity

JOJ Vision for Growth and Improvement

JOJ Goals, Removed from “The List”

Shifting Culture to High Expectations

Fresh Start, Revise Policies and Procedures (dress code, arrival and departure, attendance, etc.), Breakfast in the Classroom, New Instructional Approach (Reading, Writing, and discussion everyday and every period), Literacy Based, Consistent School Instructional Model, Build Faculty Capacity, Ongoing Professional Development, Data Led Decisions, Grow Teacher Leaders, Double in English / Reading for 9th and 10, Common Planning, NACEE Partnership, Intolerance of Mediocrity Community Support Needed: 1. Adopt a TFA 2. Funding for Exposures to Colleges and Universities ($10,000)3. Funding for Student Recognition ($3000.00)

JOJ Vision for Growth and Improvement

Community Support Needed: 1. Adopt a TFA 2. Funding for Exposures to Colleges and Universities

($10,000)3. Funding for Student Recognition ($3000.00)