Highland Mill Montessori School Improvement Team Meeting Thursday

Highland Mill Montessori School Improvement Team Meeting Thursday, September 17, 2020

Agenda -Welcome -Introductions -Grading Policy -School Improvement Plan -Safety Plan (elected members only will stay for this portion of the meeting) -Signature Page

SIT Team Members Staff Parents Vicki High, Primary teacher Robyn Lowery Kate Baltes, Lower Elementary teacher Cathleen Davis-Whitmore Melissa Pouler, Middle Elementary teacher Rynette Canty Bharathi Balaji, Upper Elementary teacher Shavon Harmon Mandy Norman, Teacher Assistant Nicole Argento Tianna Le. Gardye, Talent Development teacher Jill Vande Woude Wendy Neisler, Media Specialist Lauren Kendall Beth Leo, Literacy Facilitator Dave Levy Allison Horinko Stephanie Roberson Kathryn Crespo Megan Van. Fleet Revonda Allen Kati Mayo

Grading Policy Primary, Lower Elementary, and Middle Elementary At Highland Mill Montessori, our report cards utilize a 1 -4 rating that reflects your child’s mastery of content standards based on whole and small group participation, work completion, and academic performance. These components are demonstrated through asynchronous work, whole and small group discussion, teacher observation and informal assessments. Description of each rating will be provided on the report card. Upper Elementary At Highland Mill Montessori, our report cards utilize a percentage grading/letter grading policy that reflects your child’s mastery of content standards based on whole and small group participation, work completion, and academic performance. These components are demonstrated through class discussions, class participation, Canvas quizzes, and mid-unit and end of unit assessments. Quarterly grades are based on formal (60%) and informal (40%) assignments/assessments. All students are encouraged to complete all assignments on time. Points will be deducted for late assignments.

School Improvement Plan Access the School Improvement Plan at www. indistar. org Username: Guest. S 16767 Password: Guest. S 16767 Comprehensive Plan Report- This will include what we are sharing at the meeting today.

School Improvement Plan Vision At Highland Mill Montessori, we will create a Montessori culture of high academic standards in a peaceful learning environment emphasizing strong moral values, passion for lifelong learning, responsible independence, celebration of diversity, and positive contributions to the global community. We will build partnerships with families and local community to extend our support network for students. Our Values Our children will learn in a culturally diverse Montessori environment that is well prepared and is safe and orderly. Our children will learn at the highest level when family, student, and community are in partnership. Our children will develop socially and emotionally while excelling academically as a result of having well trained Montessori teachers. Mission Highland Mill Montessori School fosters a peaceful and caring environment by embedding elements of grace and courtesy throughout the curriculum. We provide individualized, rigorous instruction that addresses unique learning styles and encourages curiosity and creativity while focusing on the Montessori curriculum to prepare student leaders for a changing global community.

School Improvement Plan Indicator 2. 04 Instructional teams develops standards-aligned units of instructions for each subject and grade level. Action Steps: Administrative team members will join with teachers during weekly planning time to support the planning of whole group, small group instruction, and possible replacement lessons. Topics covered will include: Montessori curriculum, SEL (social/emotional learning), MTSS (multi-tiered systems of support)/data analysis, EL curriculum, and Envisions curriculum All staff regularly discussing Montessori Cosmic Curriculum during planning meetings, staff meetings, and Early Release Days and how it enhances our cultural instruction.

School Improvement Plan Indicator 4. 01: The school implements a tiered instructional system that allows teachers to deliver evidence-based instruction aligned with the individual needs of students across all tiers. Action Steps: Attend school-based and district provided professional development and implement interventions and progress monitoring as outlined in the revised Standard Treatment Protocol. Include Student Services Team in team planning discussions to assess the progress of students' behaviors and adjust services as needed. Topics will include MAP (measures of academic progress) universal screener for academics and Panorama universal screener for behavior.

School Improvement Plan Indicator 4. 06: ALL teachers are attentive to students' emotional states, guide students in managing their emotions, and arrange for supports and interventions when necessary. Action Steps: Provide school-based and district professional development (through PLC (professional learning community) meetings and staff meetings) and coaching focused on students' emotional states and supports. This will be focused on supports/strategies for students with learning difficulties specifically in a Montessori setting. We will use resources from the SWAS (student wellness and academic support) department and Montessori publications. In addition, the school counselor will attend weekly PLC meetings to support the teachers in the use of the Caring Schools curriculum and provide additional SEL resources when needed. Implement the use of the Panorama screener to assess the effectiveness of the core and maintain continual communication between teachers, school counselor and administration regarding students who are frequently not attending live, synchronous meetings and/or not completing assignments so she can support families with needs they may have.

School Improvement Plan Indicator 3. 03: The principal monitors curriculum and classroom instruction regularly and provides timely, clear, constructive feedback to teachers. Action Steps: The principal and leadership team will observe instruction regularly and provide targeted coaching and support to teachers. This will be done through observations during zoom class meetings, virtual whole group, and virtual small group lessons. Feedback will be provided through informal communication, evaluation write-ups and conferences, weekly collaboration/professional development at planning and staff meetings.

School Improvement Plan Indicator 1. 06: The school regularly communicates with parents/guardians about its expectations of them and the importance of the curriculum of the home (what parents can do at home to support their children's learning) Action Steps: Multiple pathways will be used to communicate with families to inform them of important school information. Feedback will be gathered to analyze most effective means of communication and parent/student/family needs. These will include weekly/biweekly Connect. Ed messages, school messages in PTA weekly emails, school-wide newsletters sent to families, consistent communications between teachers and families, and maintaining school website with current information. Staff will provide parent education centered around our Montessori philosophy, lessons, and materials. Feedback will be collected and plans will be adjusted based on the need reported by families. We will create a Montessori resource document accessible on school website. We will host parent technology support sessions as needed to help with use of devices, how to navigate Canvas, etc. We will host parent education regarding Caring Schools curriculum and SEL strategies for students and parents

Safety Plan All elected School Improvement Team members stay on the zoom call. Thank you to everyone else for attending today’s meeting.