Monticello Central School District MODEL SCHOOLS 2015 Changing

Monticello Central School District MODEL SCHOOLS 2015

Changing our world one habit at a time… From district-wide initiative to visible school change

OUR MONTICELLO TEAM • Stacey Sharoff, Board of Education President • Tammy Mangus, Superintendent Of Schools • Nikki Horler, RJK Middle School Principal • Dana Taylor, Elementary Representative

MONTICELLO’S MODEL FOR SYSTEM-WIDE REFORM • A challenge from the Sullivan County Partnership • Monticello - Team of 10 • 2 x 2 (Noah’s Ark)

Board of Education Goals District Goals 2012 -2014 1. We will continue to improve instructional programs in all areas as evidenced by continuous growth in proficiency for all students on state assessments. 2. Our budget process will include short and long range planning to ensure the district’s fiscal strength in the years ahead. 3. We will work to update, maintain and enhance school facilities. 4. We will ensure a safe and welcoming environment by fostering respect and responsibility so all students are able to learn. 5. We will communicate effectively to stakeholders emphasizing quality, civility and service. District Goals 2014 -2017 1. The Board of Education will continue to monitor, evaluate and assess student improvement. 2. The Board will budget strategically to guarantee fiscal strength in the coming years. 3. The Board will update, maintain and enhance school facilities. 4. The Board will model and maintain its expectation that all staff and students will exhibit respect, responsibility and kindness.

MUTUAL AGREEMENT THINK

Folks talk about culture and how it will prevail over all strategies… But how do you change it?

We Do This Together

ONE MONTICELLO How does this happen? • • • BOE Belief Statements and Goals Monti Navigator Essential Habits and Questions Shared Definitions Shared Beliefs

ONE MONTICELLO • Let’s tackle shared definitions first… • We are not seeking automatons. We are seeking diverse views, really cool ideas and diverse actions centered around collective commitments. • This is what great organizations do!

Innovation Matters. . . Ideas Rule!

2012 -13 We need to lead Monticello’s student population down the appropriate path. Education = Opportunities

2013 -14 We need to lead Monticello’s student population down the appropriate path. 1. Common Core Implementation 2. Growth and Data-based Decisions 3. Engagement, Engagement!

2014 -2015 The Essential Question of the Year Are you crazy enough to keep making a difference? • This requires greater than average courage. • This requires greater than average hope. • This requires greater than average ideas. • This requires greater than average commitment. • This requires greater than average integrity. • This requires greater than average ferocity.

2014 -2015 The Essential Habit of the Year Be Greater than the Average! Can we? Why yes, we can! This essential habit was “lifted” from Nikki Horler who “lifted it” from Colleen Corwin who lifted it from a tshirt. This wasn’t actually stealing. Emulation is the sincerest form of flattery. If we knew the guy or gal who created it, we’d tell em’ thanks…. . At any rate, great idea Colleen and Nikki, and thanks amazing quote writer.

ELA GROWTH CHECK 2012 -2013 MGP: 46. 6 2013 -2014 MGP: 53. 4 Percentage of students growing faster than the average: 52. 6

MATH GROWTH CHECK 2012 -2013 MGP: 41. 4 2013 -2014 MGP: 59. 6 • Percentage of students growing faster than the average: 64. 4

SUMMING UP

SUMMING UP– HEDI Growth YEAR NWEA NYSED 2012 -2013 7 7. 5 2013 -2014 12. 25 15. 75 Last year our growth was in the developing range. This year, we are solidly effective for the NWEA (which measures only growth in reading) and a mere 2. 25 points away from highly effective growth on the NYS examinations! Our growth is…… GREATER THAN THE AVERAGE!

How do we move forward in this mission? We get there by THINKing

T TRUTHFUL and TRANSPARENT Are you being truthful and a transparent in your words and actions? People are always watching (especially our kiddos) and your words mean nothing if what you are saying is not what you actually do!

H HELPFUL We must create an US + THEM = WE culture!

I INSPIRING Are you inspiring fun and a sense of community every day? Are your actions and teaching style inspiring others to learn and know more?

N NECESSARY Ask yourself. . . Is this necessary for the success of our kiddos?

K KIND Be kind in all that you do. We can be truthful, direct, helpful, inspiring and take courageous steps, and we can communicate with kindness. WE OWN OUR CULTURE! THE ACTIONS WE CHOOSE DEFINE WHO WE ARE!

2014 -2015 The Essential Habit of the Year • Be Greater than the Average! • Mid-Year Nudge…. . Be a district that folks want to watch!

Shared Definition Time More Habits: • October – Overcome challenges or find a new path to reach our goals • November – Be intentional; be solutions-oriented, and be inspiring! • December & January – Be a passionately aggressive learner • February– Set high expectations for yourself and those around you as we seek to build a brighter Monticello! • March - Simplify, center our work around simple targets and be accountable. • April – Essential learning revolves around three timeless points of knowledge that all students needed to master: reading, writing and arithmetic • May – Innovate.

HOW DO WE MOVE FORWARD IN THIS MISSION? Keep it simple: • This student will learn to read. • This student will pass this course. • This student will learn appropriate behaviors. Communicate POWERFUL, yet simple, expectations.

What have we been up to? § OPENING DAY FESTIVITIES § 1: 1 INITIATIVE § FOUNDATION FRIDAYS § MONTICELLO APPAREL FRIDAY § SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELLNESS TOSA § STUDENT-CENTERED OPEN HOUSES § KLR GOLDEN DUSTPAN § DISTRICT-WIDE ELEMENTARY MATH SPECIALIST § STUDENTS WORKING WITH OUR CULINARY TEAM § PARENT UNIVERSITY BBQ § MATH FACT PIE FUN WITH MR. MURPHY § DATA JOURNALS AT KLR § COOKE COLLEGE VISITS § 504 PROCESS REVAMPING § HOMELESS LIAISON PARTNERING WITH OUR KIDDOS § NEW ADDITIONS TO OUR BUS FLEET § HEALTH DEPARTMENT’S COOL KIDS PEER PROGRAM § LITERACY /WRITTEN RESPONSE INITIATIVE § COME TOGETHER ACTIVITIES § ATHLETIC REBRANDING § FARM TO TABLE SALSA § SPIRIT WEEK § MOUSTACHE GROWING MAYHEM § STUDENT COUNCIL-CULINARY TEAM PARTNERSHIP § SCRATCH-MADE MEALS AND SNACKS § NYSSBA VISIT § COLLEGE ASSISTANCE PLANNING PROGRAM AT THE HS § THREE TEAM SPLITS…CULTURE, § PROGRESS NOTES AND REPORT CARD REVAMP = CRITICAL CONVERSATION INSTRUCTION AND DATA

What have we been up to? § § § § § § TRACKING HOME TUTORING APPLE TRAINING AND THE IPAD SUMMIT TENNIS IN SMALL PLACES INCREASED SECURITY EFFORTS BROCKTON VISIT MS PTA PARTNERSHIPS SUB BINDERS FOR PPS HANDLE W/CARE SECURITY REFERENDUM WORK ATHLETIC CALENDARS COMMUNITY THANKSGIVING DINNER 28 TH ANNUAL FOOD DRIVE THE LEADER IN ME BERNARD WOMA MOBYMAX STUDENTS CHARTING THEIR OWN GROWTH ESL DINNER MS THINK VIDEO DOOR DECORATING UGLY SWEATER DAY BUS BEHAVIOR TWITTER TAKES MONTICELLO CULINARY AND ATHLETICS TOY DRIVE PROCESS, PROCESS…CREATING THE GUIDES OF HOW WE DO THINGS § § § § § § HALL OF DISTINCTION STUDENT HOD RESEARCH FACEBOOK FEATURES TEACHER/EDUCATOR SPOTLIGHTS COOKE SCHOOL TECH EXPO VISIT CHASE DATA EXPERTS ULTIMATE FRISBEE NEW LUNCH FEATURES PANTHER ROOM SERVICE MS MURAL PAINTING INTEGRATED CO-TEACHING PLAN SCHOOLOGY GOES VIRAL GENIUS BAR PEER MEDIATION SUE SACH VISIT FIX IT AND MOVE ON REGENTS RESCHEDULES MENTORING A WORKING PDT COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS DRAMA PRODUCTIONS SUMMER SCHOOL REVAMP! LAB COATS FOR SCIENCE FOLKS AND A PARTRIDGE IN A PEAR TREE…… THE LIST GOES ON AND ON!

We Do This Together

OUR MIDDLE SCHOOL

WHERE WE? • Lacked high expectations • Unaware of our role as a change agent

WHAT DID WE DO? CREATIVE INGENUITY: ALLOW PEOPLE TO FLY THEIR CRAZY FLAG • PANTHER WORKSHOPS AROUND FOCUS POINTS - Set goals and together decided on BIG IDEAS for the year • STUDENT ENGAGEMENT - Culture & Climate • DATA DRIVEN INSTRUCTION - Data Team • COMMON CORE - Teaching & Learning • RIGOR, RELEVANCE & RELATIONSHIPS

RELATIONSHIPS MATTER • Faculty members connect/text and share ideas • If somebody has something that upholds the goals of the district and supports the essential habits and questions, do it! • Always better to take a risk and fail miserably than never take that risk

RELATIONSHIPS MEAN EVERYTHING • Birthday cards for all staff & faculty • Sunshine club • Warm & welcoming front office • Welcome pot luck • Holiday surprise luncheon • Valentine bagels • Teamwork water bottles • End of the year barbeque

WHAT HAPPENS (OR DOESN’T) IS UP TO THE PRINCIPAL • Allow Everyone To Call And Text • Know Your Staff And Faculty • Bi-weekly Newsletters • New Furniture • Think Posters • LFA

ELIMINATE EXCUSES • We try everything! • Some ideas work/some don’t. • Stop referring to the building as “montighetto”. • Failure is where we learn.

REBUILT THE MASTER SCHEDULE • Traditional 9 period day • 8 - 50 minutes periods • Repurpose positions • 5 marking periods • Quintets- modify the curriculum • Steam, reading, library skills- focus on what teachers do well

CREATE A NEW CULTURE • 1 - hour delay schedule every Friday • Foundation Fridays • 30 minute duty time with students • Olweus, D. E. A. R. Digital citizenship • Wellness Room

ALWAYS ASK: IS IT GOOD FOR THE STUDENTS?

THE POWER OF A T-SHIRT* (and Taco Bell) • Insert crazy flag ideas from t-shirts to pep rallies! • RJK BACKPACK PROGRAM • PROJECT CARE • ATTENDANCE OFFICER- ALARM CLOCKS • GARDEN • MONTHLY GOAL SETTING • FROST VALLEY

SEEING OUR WORLD FROM A NEW PERSPECTIVE • • • Library. PBIS Activity Fun Day Motivational media Holocost survivor Breaking the cycle Pto mini grant Maker space 1: 1 initiative Murals Fatheads • We went to college…so can you! • Spirit week • THINK video • Academic pep rally • Morning announcements • Moving Up Day • Field Day • PBIS Activity Fun Day • Motivational media • Holocaust survivor • Breaking the cycle • PTO mini grant

MY JOB IS TO FACILITATE REALLY GREAT, CRAZY IDEAS • DOOR CONTEST • UGLY SWEATER DAY • JIB JAB VIDEOS • 100% TEST- SHOWER • HALLOWEEN • BLUE & WHITE DAY • SMURFS

TAKE ADVANTAGE OF WHAT’S IN FRONT OF YOU • IHELP CAFE • 3 D PRINTER • DIGITAL SIGNAGE • BOYS AND GIRLS CLUB

BE YOUR AUTHENTIC SELF… SOMETIMES WE HAVE TO BE THE SHARK! MODEL RISK TAKING AND WHEN YOU LEARNED FROM FAILURE • “DON’T GO IN THE WATER”. . . MANY PEOPLE NEVER VENTURE INTO THE WATER OUT OF FEAR… WE NEED TO SWIM AWAY FROM THE SHORE. • “JUST WHEN YOU THOUGHT IT WAS SAFE TO GO BACK IN THE WATER”…. SOMETIMES WE TAKE A RISK AND IT TURNS OUT POORLY (WE FAIL). • “YOU YELL SHARK AND WE HAVE A PANIC ON OUR HANDS”…WE NEED TO CREATE A SAFE AND HEALTHY ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE • “YOU’RE GONNA NEED A BIGGER BOAT”…FEAR OF THE UNKNOWN, OF WHAT WE MAY FACE… LEADS TO CONTINUAL INACTION. • “I’LL NEVER PUT ON A LIFE JACKET AGAIN”…WE HAVE TO LOOSE THE RESTRAINTS THAT BIND US AND SWIM OUT INTO UNCHARTERED WATERS WITHOUT A LIFE JACKET. “There’s nothing in the sea this fish would fear. Other fish run from bigger things. That’s their instinct. But this fish doesn’t run from anything. He doesn’t fear. ” Peter Benchley

DON’T JUST FOLLOW THE RULES • Open school to different ideas • Break the rules that do not make sense anymore

We Do This Togeth er

Kenneth L. Rutherford Established 1960 Good work habits contribute to life-long learning and good citizenship

WHO ARE WE? • • • 528 Students 90 Faculty and Staff 54% Female 5% Limited English Proficient 34% Students with Disabilities 82% Economically Disadvantaged 94% Attendance Rate 1% Suspension Rate Local Assistance Plan in place for not making adequately yearly growth in specific sub groups for both ELA and Math

NYS EXAMS PERCENT OF STUDENTS WHO WERE PROFICIENT ON THE STATE EXAMS IN 2012 -13 & 2013 -14 2% 7% 8% 18% 77% 87% 2012 -13 Math ELA Science

GOOD NEWS T S N I E A D L U E T R S O S R F L Y K N H T E W H GRO L TO T A U ! ! Q E E G A R E V A KLR STU DENT GROWTH FOR MAT H IS ABOVE NYS AVERAG E!!! UP 16% FROM 2013 TO 2014!!!!

COMMUNICATION TRICKLE DOWN: A SYSTEMATIC CHANGE

Photos (evidence of district wide goals at building level) • THINK Bulletin Boards • Kindness Awards • Wall of Distinction-Kaveleski • Student Goal Setting • HW Flip Program • Technology- 1: 1 I Pads • Relationships us+them=we (Susie looping) • SEW Program • Employee of the Month

CRAZY IDEAS “A good leader listens first. I listen and then I let the faculty run with it” (insert Kim Patterson video) • The Leader In Me • Transitional First • Behavior Support Program • Six day special schedule

WE DO THIS TOGETHER Photo collage • EPIC • HS students-career readiness, govt, childrens literature • Therapy dogs • Sheriff • Custodians • Office Staff • Bus drivers • Faculty meetings/professional development • PTO