yearly report 2015-2016

Hilaria Bauer, Ph.D.

Superintendent

ANNUAL REPORT 2015-2016

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

District Priorities __________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1

Strategic Highlights ________________________________________________________________________________________________ 1

General Administration ___________________________________________________________________________________________ 9

Instructional Leadership _________________________________________________________________________________________ 11

Leaderhip Style ___________________________________________________________________________________________________ 12

Community Relations___________________________________________________________________________________________ 133

Board/Superintendent Relations ______________________________________________________________________________ 155

Personnel Management ________________________________________________________________________________________ 155


Page 1

DISTRICT PRIORITIES

The most rewarding part of my job as your superintendent is to ensure that the Alum Rock

Union Elementary School District continues to be a community-based, community-led

educational organization providing high quality innovative education for all students. The

most challenging part as your superintendent has been to find ways to ensure our district has

solid foundations for such lasting organization. For the past school year, the administrative

team has read and reflected on Built to Last, the seminal work by Jim Collins and Jerry Porras,

from Stanford University. As a result of those sessions, we have concluded that our areas of

focus gathered from our stakeholders during the spring of 2014 must remain:

1. Develop an English Language Development program that will ensure English Language

Learners reclassification within the first three to four years of participating in Alum

Rock School District’s academic program.

2. Redesign the Alum Rock Middle School Program to include a rigorous, Common-Core

based curriculum, with a project-based instructional component that provides all

students with a viable college and career pathway. The middle school program in Alum

Rock will also incorporate socio-emotional resources designed to appropriately support

all students in this level.

3. Engage parents in meaningful conversations to improve all district programs and

services, and encourage active parent participation at all schools and district functions.

STRATEGIC HIGHLIGHTS

The following initiatives have been implemented to address the district’s priority areas:

Priority 1. English Language Development Program.

We implemented a comprehensive English Language Development Program that included

professional development, Early Childhood intervention, and parent training. 70% of our

teachers have participated in Constructing Meaning. Working with our Kinder staff, we were

able to offer extended kinder in all of our elementary campuses. In addition, we have reached

out and provided training opportunities for parents of English Learners to guide them to

support our English Language proficiency and reclassification efforts. The following are

programmatic examples of our English Language Development program:


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Constructing Meaning. This is a professional development program designed to train teachers

to address English Language Learners’ linguistic needs throughout the day and in all academic

areas. During the 2015-2016 school year, approximately 60 teachers participated in this

training. In addition, we have been able to secure four Trainers of Trainers instructional

coaches in our district, who provided on-going training for new teachers and teachers in need

of extra support. They will continue this effort in years to come until we have our own Trainer

of Trainers cadre.

Kinder Plus. Extended day kindergarten. 100% of kinder classrooms offered extended day

kinder. Teachers received two-hour paraprofessional support. During the 2015-2016 school

year, we were able to extend TK services to young TK students whose birthdates are up to

January 31, those who became 5 years old between December 2, 2015 and January 31, 2016.

This allowed our system to provide TK classes with a minimum of combo classes throughout

the district. In addition, thanks to a San Jose Learns grant we were able to provide after school

programming for kinder students in the following schools: Adelante, Hubbard, Linda Vista,

McCollam, Russo/McEntee, and Painter. Our TK teachers participated in a Professional

Learning Community (PLC) guided by the New Teacher Center that allowed them to prepare an

appropriate and rigorous Early Childhood program for all our TK students.

Extended Year Programs Examples:

Think Together Summer Academy- In partnership with Think Together staff, eight Alum

Teachers provided summer academic support and enrichment opportunities to over two

hundred students second through fifth grades. The program focused on project based learning

opportunities and critical thinking. The target students were our lowest performing students.

Kinder Plus - Alum Rock has been offering extended year services for kinder students in

collaboration with Kidango. Last summer, ten families in the Russo/McEntee area qualified for

free or reduced fees.

Bridge to Kinder- In collaboration with the United Way, we provided kinder support to

approximately forty families in Arbuckle, Chavez, Dorsa, and San Antonio attendance areas.


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Results for First Year of English Language Development Program Implementation

We have about 5,876 English Learners in our district, or about 53% of our total district

population. The goal of our program for English Learners is for them to acquire proficiency in

English as soon as possible. English Learners demonstrate proficiency in English through the

reclassification process. Last year, we had about 8% of our English Learners reclassified into

Fluent English Proficient (RFEP). This year, after one year of program implementation we were

able to reclassify about 17% of our English Learners. We are confident that percentage will

increase as we provide a consistent program.

NOTE: Special Ed reclassification criteria (Fischer)

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ALUM ROCK UNION SCHOOL DISTRICT Reclassification Report

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Priority 2. Middle School Re-design

During the 2015-2016 school year, we continued to focus on middle school re-design.

Mathson Institute of Technology (MIT) and Ocala Steam Academy have continued their efforts

of offering our middle school students college and careers focused middle school programs.

At Mathson, we continued to offer students and staff opportunities to integrate high tech into

the curriculum. The following are examples of the efforts at MIT:

• Summer Tech camp offering web design, 3D modeling, coding/programming, and hardware troubleshooting for approximately 80 students

• Grade level Project-Based-Learning (PBL) in ELA/SS • i-Ready implementation levels 2,3 • City Year for approximately 100 students • Advisory period/elective offering ELD support, electives including technology • MESA projects using 3D modeling and printing • Saturday Math support program (February – April) using data from interim SBAC

assessment

Ocala STEAM Academy welcomed the 2015-2016 school year with a brand new emphasis:

STEAM with an emphasis on Green Science and Protecting the Environment. Ocala staff

participated on the Buck’s Institute Project-Based-Learning training during the summer, and

they opened the school year with project-based curriculum from day one.


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The following table exemplifies how Ocala has integrated PBL throughout the curriculum:

Environment Social Justice Self -Discovery

6th

“A World Without Fish”

Why should we care

about our oceans? What

can we do to help our

oceans?

“Making Communities Equitable”

What can we do to make San Jose a

more equitable place to live?

“When the Going Gets

Tough”

What do people do when

the “going gets tough?”

7th

“We Create Our

Environment”

How is our environment

challenging and what can

we do to change it?

“The Faces of Discomfort”

What are the faces of the

marginalized of modern day? How

can we bring about change for the

marginalized?

“Pieces of Me”

How was I shaped by my

ancestors, and how can I

learn from them?

8th

“How does your garden

grow?”

How can we improve the

garden in an eco-friendly

and sustainable way to

maximize food

production?

“Art and Injustice”

How has art been a product of

injustice? How can we teach

tolerance through art?

“Leaving My Mark”

How is identity shaped

by relationships and

experiences? What

legacy do you hope to

leave for posterity?

Every student at Ocala participates in a STEAM class. They are expected to learn the “Design

Thinking Process,” which will allow them to participate in STEAM competitions/challenges like:

Tech Academy

Destination Imagination


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Math Olympiad

MESA

Techbridge

Also, Ocala has embraced the socio-emotional side of students. 61% of Ocala students, 480

students, have received some kind of mental and/or emotional services, including:

counseling, mentoring, tutoring, etc.

We have successfully redesigned Ocala, and now we are on our way to monitor its growth and

endurance.

In addition to Mathson and Ocala, Fischer Middle School has successfully redesigned its

program with an emphasis on Business and Communication. This was the planning year for

the Fischer staff, who also requested to integrate technology into the school. Fischer Middle

School will re-open as Fischer Business and Communication New Tech Academy for school

year 2016-2017.

Hubbard Elementary was another example of our re-design process. Staff and parents at

Hubbard Elementary requested our support to re-design their campus into a TK-8th Academy.


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Hubbard staff spent this school year planning the new design. As a result of staff and parent

feedback, Hubbard will be a TK-8th Communications Academy. In addition, as a result of a

strong partnership with the Santa Clara County Office of Education, Hubbard Communications

Academy will be the first school in the Bay Area implementing the Youth Cinema Project,

providing 4th grade students with the opportunity to learn and produce their own short-films.

The entire school is now in process of identifying grade-level appropriate standards and

activities to prepare all students with a strong curriculum in communication arts.

Middle School Increased Support Services:

Measure A Santa Clara County. This initiative provides Alum Rock students with

increased counseling services in the following schools: Sheppard/Painter, Ocala, and George.

All three schools successfully implemented this program.

City Year. This extended day support was implemented in twelve of our schools. City

Year provided support to close to 1,100 students.

Citizen Schools. This support increased from George Middle School to include

Sheppard Middle School and Renaissance Academies. This initiative offers focused support to

sixth grade students. Citizen Schools has supported approximately 1,600 students.

Middle School Extended Year:

During the 2016 extended year season at Alum Rock, we are anticipating to serve 3,152

students, 576 students more than last year. About 1,335 of these students are grades 6th to

8th, and the focus for most programs is mathematics. The goal is to continue to support our

middle school students to be ready for college and careers by being proficient not only in

reading, but in mathematics. Proficiency in algebraic skills is one of the college completion

milestones.

Programs offered:

Jose Valdez Summer Institute at San Jose City College. Last year, approximately 80

students participated for the first time in this intensive math program free of charge to our

Alum Rock students. This year we have 230 middle school students registered to participate

in this program. This is almost a triple increase from last year.


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ALearn & Elevate Math- Focused on supporting over two hundred sixth, seventh and

eighth grade students in reaching grade level proficiency in mathematics.

Priority 3. Parent Engagement.

Parent and community engagement continues to be one of our district priorities. We have

successfully integrated authentic parent and community engagement throughout the district

and beyond specific sites.

Highlights:

Community Liaisons. This year we have been able to secure community liaisons at every site.

Their role focuses not only on increasing parent engagement at the site, but in translating

school policies, activities, and culture for all parents.

Parent University. This effort has evolved from a single event at the beginning of the year to a

series of events throughout the year, providing a rich variety of opportunities for parents to be

part of our schools and our district. Here are some examples:

Back to District Night

Annual Parent University Conference

Parent University Father-Son Conference

Parent University Mother-Daughter Luncheon

George Middle School/Cureton Elementary Mini Parent University Conference

Latino Educational Summit

Kinder enrollment efforts. Kinder enrollment efforts have continued throughout the year in a

variety of ways. Perla Rodriguez, from VOLERSA, has provided professional development for

community liaisons and site office administrative assistants in the area of customer service

and outreach.

Media outreach. This past year, I continued to work on establishing good communications

with our local media. I had opportunities to provide a positive district presence on TV, social-

media, and print media.

Pathway to College. We continue to provide upper elementary and middle school parents

with an opportunity to learn more about supporting their students on their pathway to


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college. This year we hosted two “Pathway to College” nights. The one at Fischer Middle

School hosted over 300 parents.

Middle School Expo Nights. These events are designed to promote the great work our middle

schools are doing. Parents throughout the district had an opportunity to learn about our

middle school programs and our policy of open enrollment.

Principal Parent Engagement Goal. Every principal was asked to include a Parent Engagement

Goal as part of their evaluation process. We had four new PTA/PTO organizations throughout

the district.

GENERAL ADMINISTRATION

A. Efficient/Effective Management

Accomplishments: Addressed all the business of the district on an efficient and timely

manner, including:


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Recruiting and hiring. We opened the 2015-2016 school year fully staffed in

regular educations, and we had only five Special Education vacancies

Facilities. Able to bring to the district the Old MACSA building for use as the

Gym for Mathson Middle School and Renaissance at Mathson Academy.

Completed the summer projects on time. Addressed the fire at Mathson in an

efficient manner. Continue to address all the facility needs around the district

within our means.

Bonds. Successfully passed Measure I in June, 2016. This will allows to

continue the “re-modernization” of our district facilities, including the

completion of the George Multi-Purpose Room

Innovation. Re-designed Fischer Middle School and Hubbard Multi-Media

Academy.

Worked effectively with district legal counsel to address a number of personnel

and agreement issues with different agencies, including charter schools and

other local partners

Universal Pre-school. Worked collaboratively with First Five, Kidango, Santa

Clara County Office of Education, and the City of San Jose to bring to our

district a preschool class in every elementary school by August 2017.

B. Policies and Programs

Accomplishments: Upheld all district policies and agreements. Worked effectively

with staff and construction management company to address a number of facilities

issues, completed all last summer projects, addressed emergencies such as Hubbard’s

broken water main, and completed the number of bathrooms that needed to be

refurbished. This partnership with Kidango increased the number of refurbished

bathrooms. I have secured $300,000 from First Five to support our work with Universal

Preschool at Alum Rock, and have also secured $95,000 from the SCCOE to implement

the Youth Cinema Project at Hubbard for school year 2016-2017.

C. Planning

Accomplishments: Worked with parents, stakeholders, executive and extended cabinet

members to update and align Local Control Funding Formula (LCFF) and other funding

sources to district priorities. This led to the development of the 2016-2017 LCAP. As a


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result of this work, we are working to offer a reasonable salary increase to staff,

provide increased support for all district sites and departments, including the

allocation of LCAP resources for school facilities improvement.

D. Communication

Accomplishments: Increased communication efforts throughout the district. This year,

we sought out stakeholder input via surveys. We offered staff and parents an

opportunity to provide input on the LCAP process via surveys and community and staff

forums. We kept positive and productive communications with charter partners while

adhering to all current agreements.

INSTRUCTIONAL LEADERSHIP

A. Curriculum Development

Accomplishments:

1. English Learner Priority. We continued to integrate Constructing Meaning (CM) as

the pedagogy to assist teachers decrease the number of Long Term English Learners.

We were able to secure a Trainer of Trainers cadre of 6 staff trainers in CM. They, in

turn, have provided our professional development efforts throughout the district.

2. Middle School re-design at Fischer and Hubbard re-design to TK-8 Media Arts

Academy.

Fischer Middle School of Business and Communication. Fischer’s academic goal

is to provide a rigorous, challenging, and innovative instructional program that

prepares students for college-readiness and excellence in the 21st century.

Fischer Middle School will also be part of the New Tech Network.

Hubbard Media Arts Academy. Hubbard’s staff and parents requested the

board’s permission to change the grade span at Hubbard to allow students to

stay in the school they feel is best for their family. In addition, the staff worked

together to identify the area of emphasis they wanted their curriculum focus. In

addition Hubbard has been selected by the Youth Cinema Project as the first

school in the Bay Area to implement their innovative curriculum.

B. Program Evaluation

Accomplishments:


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iReady. iReady, is an adaptive diagnostic assessment that has been adopted as our

local assessment. It supports the integration of technology in a blended learning mode,

as well as the implementation of Common Core standards. The adaptive technology

provides students opportunities to focus on working on standards and skills at their

specific level as determined by the on-going assessments.

C. Staff Development

Accomplishments:

1. English Language Development. Constructing Meaning. This provides teachers with

the process and tools for integrating explicit language instruction into content-area

teaching. We have been successful in preparing the first district’s Trainer of Trainers

cadre who has continued training district teachers.

2. Program Evaluation. The majority of our sites are now implementing iReady. It has

been very helpful in providing academic data to reclassify and assess English Learners.

In addition, when implemented with fidelity, it has allowed our schools to implement

blended learning.

3. Leadership Development. We implemented the Deloitte Courageous Principals

Training in a number of sites. Principals utilized this tool to work with staff improving

the communication in a number of our sites. In addition, we read the book Built to

Last by Collins and Porras. The book gave focus to our management meetings and

allowed our Site Administrators’ Roundtables to identify “Big Hairy Goals” and

organizational core values.

D. Stability and Continuity

Accomplishments:

1. Partnerships. We continue to use Partners in School Innovation’s Cycle of Inquiry

model, and we have modified it to align with the needs of our district. In addition, we

have supported other programs that have been effective in our district, such as City

Year, Citizen’s Schools, Elevate Math, Jose Valdez Institute, etc. All the after school

providers that were able to demonstrate student success continue in our schools.

LEADERSHIP STYLE

A. Student Advocacy


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Evidence: All district initiatives and efforts are student centered. The three district

priorities start and end with the student in mind. Focusing on the reclassification of

English Learners provides the majority of our students (about 52% of ARUSD students

are English Learners) the support and services needed to become fluent in academic

English as soon as appropriate. The main purpose of redesigning Middle Schools is to

capture students’ hearts and minds, making schools more meaningful and places

where students want to be. Increasing parent engagement allows our district to

understand the point of view of our parents who want the best for our students. Thus,

the three district priorities are designed to provide success for all our students.

B. Clear Vision

Evidence: As I mentioned last year, Alum Rock is a “turned-around” district. Our

schools have increased academic performance for the past several years. We are now

taking Alum Rock to the next academic level. We are building on the strong

foundations of solid academic performance and creating the “New Alum Rock.” The

New Alum Rock is innovative, welcoming, and provides all students with a solid college

and career pathway.

C. Collaborative Management Process

Evidence: I continue to implement all district initiatives in collaboration with all

stakeholders. We have implemented a Curriculum Council with the support of AREA

and administration. The LCAP process included all stakeholders, and parents were

invited to facilitate the parent and community meetings and respond to surveys.

Parent University included a variety of partners, including community organizations,

parent groups, teachers, ARUSD alumni, and administrators. Principals led Principals’

Roundtables, and a variety of administrators collaborated in creating all management

meetings and retreats.

COMMUNIY RELATIONS

A. Communication

1. Vision of The New Alum Rock: Creating our New Image. The New Alum Rock is a

turned around district. During the past two years, three of our schools have been

designated as a ‘Golden Ribbon School’: George Middle School, LUCHA and

Adelante Academies. Our quest for high achievement and innovation has caught


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the attention of a number of partners, including: First Five, Santa Clara County

Office of Education, the City of San Jose. Our focus on Middle School redesign has

created the Alum Rock Middle School Model focused on college and career

readiness, starting in TK. The New Alum Rock has high student expectations and

provides students with the academic rigor and student support that each student

needs to be ready for the 21st century work environment.

2. Media. With the support of Perla Rodriguez and Rolando Bonilla, our district has a

new media presence. Alum Rock is now “on the news” for its innovation and

improvement. Last year, we took our message to both Radio and TV stations, both

in English and Spanish, to offer our community the many high quality programs our

schools offer. In addition, when something of importance to parents needed to be

addressed, we did so in a prompt and transparent manner.

3. Creating a Digital Presence. The creation of the Communications Assistant position

in my office has allowed us to develop a better, updated website. The new website

look helped us not only tell information, but tell a story through pictures. This year,

we have added the Citizen’s Oversight Committee tab to our website. This tab

gives our stakeholders information about our bond projects progress. I believe that

this information supported the passing of Measure I. In addition, the

Communications Assistant has been able to allow my office to provide better

communications and public relations services throughout the district.

B. Visibility

Evidence: I continue to visit every school in the district. I attended the majority of

Back to School and Open House nights throughout the district. I participated in a

number of parent meetings, including Principal’s Coffees, PTO/PTA meetings, Middle

School, Kinder, and Elementary promotion ceremonies. I worked closely with

community/parent groups, including Somos Mayfair, PIQUE, etc. I received the NFL

Hispanic Leadership Award from the 49ers and District 27 Woman of the Year Award,

for the collaborative efforts and helping turn around our district’s image and

achievement. I spent many hours supporting and participating in a variety of volunteer

events, including NVIDIA, Measure I, and City Year. I participated in many LCAP input

sessions with our community and supported sites special events.


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BOARD/SUPERINTENDENT RELATIONSHIPS

A. Communication

Evidence: I continue to learn to communicate according to each of the board

members’ preference. I have crafted weekly Friday memos, except the weeks when we

have a board meeting. I have set opportunities for one-on-one board preparation for

each board member to be able to answer questions and provide any needed

information. I provide you with timely information outside the Friday memos

whenever pertinent.

B. Teamwork/Mutual Support

Evidence: It has been my sincere effort to respond appropriately to the direction of the

board. I have followed the board’s direction as I prepare board agendas with the board

president, address negotiation challenges, and work with our bonds construction

management company to fulfill the board’s facilities goals. Each of you is equally

important and significant to the success of our district and mine as your

superintendent.

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT

A. Visibility

Evidence: I keep an open door policy. Every employee and all parents and community

members have access to my time. I have continued to invite stakeholders to have one-

on-one meetings with me. I worked closely with the negotiations team throughout the

negotiations process, being able to successfully reach a win-win agreement with all

bargaining units, and this works continues.

B. Morale

Evidence: I reach out to all employees in different manners. I have reached out to all

ARUSD constituencies at the beginning and end of different seasons, sharing thoughts

and videos to support the district’s vision of creativity and innovation. We have

sponsored a couple of potluck events for district office employees, seeking

communication with employees that traditionally are difficult to schedule, such as bus

drivers, maintenance, and technology support. I reach out to teachers on a regular

basis to seek feedback from them in all of our initiatives. Some teachers were invited

to the management retreats both in January and June.


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C. Staff Development

Evidence: I continue to support our classified employees when they ask to receive

more training. I worked with MOT Director to identify areas of need. As a result of

this, three bus drivers have applied for the trainer’s professional development. This

next school year, we are planning to offer a full-day of professional development for

CSEA. If needed, we will pay “extra-duty” for their participation. I continued to

support AREA leaders in their effort to provide AREA members with Common-Core

training. We paid teachers to participate in these trainings. I have supported all staff

in their pursuit of higher degrees, including all administrators seeking a doctorate.

D. Staffing

Evidence: We were able to implement all the district’s initiatives by increasing the

number of staff involved in decision making, including in cabinet another level of

administrators. The district’s work keeps on-going.

As I completed my second year as your superintendent, I realize how fortunate I am with your

support through all the victories and challenges. We have set the foundation to develop

exemplary learning environments in all our schools. Creativity has now been added as a core

academic area where students are challenged daily through rigorous instructional practices as

they thrive in their journey towards college. Thank you so much for the opportunity to serve

such a great district!

Hilaria Bauer, PhD

Superintendent

July 29, 2015

Alum Rock Union Elementary School District

2930 Gay Ave. San José, CA

Tel (408) 928-6800

www.arusd.org

http://www.arusd.org/

yearly report 2015-2016

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