Results/Expectations and Operational (Strategic) Plan

For Gainesville Middle School Earth Quest Academy

2006-2007

Chris Wood, Earth Quest Principal

 

GOAL 1:  To educate all children at GMS to be successful students.

 

Objective 1:  Emphasize individual student achievement in language arts, reading, mathematics, science, and social studies through increases in test results.

Accountability: (5.0) Dec 2006, May 2007:  Shumake and GMS Principals

  1. 95% of Earth Quest students meeting expectations

  2. ‘Pre’ and ‘post’ assessments in grades 6-8 content areas for Earth Quest students.

  3. 60% of Earth Quest students enrolled in Carnegie unit classes    

  4. 90% success rate of Earth Quest students enrolled in Carnegie classes

  5. Lesson plan template

  6. GMS Calendar

Strategies:

  1. Increase lexile scores to 900 for 6th grade, 1000 for 7th grade, and 1050 for 8th grade Earth Quest students
  2. Implementation of after school tutorials for Earth Quest students failing any part of CRCT and nine weeks grades (Completed)
  3. Differentiated Instruction (DI) training for Earth Quest instructional staff (Completed)

Objective 6:  By Nov 2006, share the plan for GMS laptop implementation and training for staff.

 

            Accountability:  (4.5)  Nov 2006:  GMS Principals

 

            Strategies:

  1. Earth Quest teachers use laptops for instructional purposes (Completed)

  2. Ongoing meetings with senior administrative staff and Superintendent to ensure alignment of GMS Earth Quest Academy goals and initiatives with that of GCSS.

    • Met with Dr. Whitaker, Mentor monthly first semester

  3. Use of laptops to improve communication throughout Earth Quest Academy.

  4. Articulate with the high school laptop initiative and duplicate effective practices/procedures currently utilized at GHS

  5. Continue PowerSchool and PowerGrade training sessions .

  6. Implementation of LCD projects per grade level of Earth Quest students. (Completed)

Objective 10:  By Aug 2006, to identify the middle school initiatives to be implemented for a three-year plan for the 2006-2009 school years.  Middle school restructuring for academies, improved counseling services, ownership for each students’ success, as well as incorporating an advisement program similar to GHS.  Communication channels must be increased with all stakeholders as well as the creation of a “small school” culture currently in place at GCSS elementary schools

 

            Accountability:  (5.0)  Jul 2006, Nov 2006, May 2007:  GMS Principals

            Strategies:

  1. Create “Stomping Ground” newsletter for Earth Quest teachers. (Completed)

  2. Counselor and instructional coaches dedicated to Earth Quest.

    • Lecrisha Peyton - Counselor

    • Dr. Lisa Sheehy and Jamey Moore - Instructional Coaches

  3. Create a graduation coach for tutoring of CRCT scores and middle school graduation.

    • Valerie Lucas - Math

    • Sandy Blankenship - Language Arts

    • Kim Jones - Social Studies

    • Annette Colwell - Reading

  4. Create a bulletin linked to Earth Quest website to put questions for feedback.

Objective 11a:  For all students/parents in GMS academies to have an annual conference.  Extended counseling and mentoring must include a focus on career options and expanded vocational opportunities for students.  An academic plan to articulate our students’ progress complete with a timeline, personnel requirements and staff development needs.

Accountability:  (4.5)  Aug 2006, Sep 2006, Jun 2007:  Shumake, Whitaker, and GMS Principals

Strategies:

  1. Parent Connection Seminar for Earth Quest families

  2. Conflict resolution for Earth Quest students with Earth Quest counselor

  3. Earth Quest teachers will have career connections listed on their Homework Hotline as links to career opportunities.

  4. Centerpoint training for mentors

  5. Links to community organizations

  6. Counselors Log

Objective 17:  Increase the number of students enrolled in Carnegie level courses by 5%.

By Nov 2006, cite the number of students for the past 3 years enrolled in each Carnegie level course.

 

            Accountability:  (3.7)  Nov 2006:  GMS Principals

 

            Strategies:

  1. Actively enroll students in Carnegie level classes. (Completed)

  2. Add Carnegie level classes, etc. Spanish II, Environmental Science, and Health/Personal Fitness.

  3. Advocate advanced classes for Earth Quest students through parent contact and explain the benefits of to students and parents. (Completed)

  4. Use data to identify students that should be enrolled in Carnegie level classes. (Completed)

Objective 18:  Maintain baseline data of students assigned alternative assessment intervention (IEP/ESOL) by Nov 2006 and improve/reduce critical areas.  Also, provide a quarterly report of students exiting the programs with designated time identified.

Accountability:  (3.6)  Dec 2006, Jun 2007:  Bibb and GMS Principals

 

Strategies:

  1. Teachers are provided planning period to create blocks of instructional time to best meet the needs of those students. (Completed)

  2. Central location for easy access to modifications. (Completed)

  3. Time for SPED coordinator to sit down with Earth Quest teachers and case managers on Earth Quest students. (Completed)

  4. Have release time to meet with case manager for correct protocol. (Completed)

Objective 19:  By Mar 2007, have the GMS and GHS leadership teams report on the vision for grades 6-12 articulation for athletics, activities, arts and academies.

 

            Accountability:  (4.0)  Mar 2007:  GHS/GMS leadership teams

 

            Strategies:

  1. Earth Quest Principal is the Administrator over GMS Athletics to ensure fairness and consistency within athletics

  2. Implement administrative duty at every athletic event (Completed)

  3. Implement athletic manual for consistency among athletic programs and coaches. (Completed)

  4. Implement new web page for GMS athletics. (Completed)

Goal 2:  To provide fiscal accountability to the citizens of Gainesville City & Hall County

 

Objective 9:  Require all personnel receiving supplements for activities to complete a yearly syllabus and put online to be approved by the Campus Principal and Assistant Superintendent by Aug 2006

 

            Accountability:  (3.5)  Oct 2006:  Bibb and GMS Athletic Director

 

            Strategy:

  1. Ensure compliance with assessment of athletic staff. (Completed)

Goal 3:  To provide clean, safe and educationally appropriate facilities conducive to learning

 

Objective 1:  Continue to participate with the Superintendent in establishing a Culture of Success.

 

            Accountability:  (5.0)  Oct 2006, Jun 2007:  Bibb and GMS Principals

 

            Strategy:

  1. Continue creating the culture of CARE. The expectation is that Earth Quest faculty and staff will CARE for students as if they are their own.

  2. Ongoing meetings with senior administrative staff and Superintendent to ensure alignment of GMS goals and initiatives with that of GCSS

  3. On-going monitoring and focus of CARE will be emphasized.

  4. Hold faculty and staff accountable for positive interaction with students, parents, and community.

  5. CARE enough to accept NO EXCUSES!

Goal 4:  To provide an atmosphere for staff to become innovators and risk takers

 

Objective 2:  By Jun 2007, the final report will be made on the implementation of ‘new’ athletic administrative procedures and options to involve Hispanic students.

 

Accountability:  (5.0)  Aug 2006, Mar 2007, Jun 2007:  Bibb and GMS Principals

 

            Strategies:

  1. Encourage Hispanic students to join/participate in athletic activities/clubs through counseling, disciplinary alternatives, and “contract” rewards

  2. Implement athletic handbook and design sports web page. (Completed)

Objective 5:  To maintain teacher attendance at 97% or improve by 1% over 2005-2006.

  • Teacher Attendance for Sep/Oct
    Earth Quest Teacher Attendance through March 30, 2007 is 97%. Average missed days: 4.9

    • Accountability:  (4.4)  Dec 2006, Jun 2007:  Bibb and GMS Principals

                Strategies:

    1. Employ a teacher incentive/reward program that fosters regular attendance by Earth Quest teachers. (Completed)

    2. Improve morale among teachers through positive communication

    3. Time and support for Earth Quest teachers

    Objective 6:  To coordinate a shared reading study with faculty using:  The Gainesville Model, A Framework for Understanding Poverty, and No Excuses for all new employees.

  • Framework for Understanding Poverty

    •             Accountability:  (3.2)  Oct 2006:  Whitaker and Campus Principal

     

                Strategies:

    1. Instructional circles within the Earth Quest Academy with a lead teacher facilitating instruction

    2. Create opportunities for teachers to demonstrate use of professional development

    3. Professional development coincides with curriculum area.

    Goal 5:  To have continuing dialogue with our communities

     

    Objective 3:  To establish a Parent Coalition Team and attempt to ‘use’ all faculty with at least one home visit for all new students within the 9-week period from enrollment.  The team will include administrators, teachers and members of the PTA.

     

                Accountability:  (4.0)  Sep 2006, Jun 2007:  Whitaker and GMS Principals

     

                Strategies:

    1.  Engage the GMS PTA by forming a Visitation Committee for parent involvement.

    2. Use translators as needed for households that are non-English speaking

      • Hilda Reyes
      • Arcelia Dalton
      • Cynthia Segovia
      • Gloria Pendraza
      • Alejandra Padilla
      • Elizabeth Silveira

    3. Team of Earth Quest teachers with principal and translator visit individual homes of new students.

    4. Involve PTA and form a visitation committee

    5. Accountability program for Earth Quest teachers and students.

    6. Work closely with counselor to identify new students.

    Objective 4:  To provide evidence of a vibrant PTA and School Council, as well as new linkages extended to all communities with special outreach for minority communities.

     

                Accountability:  (4.0)  Nov 2006, May 2007:  Whitaker and GMS Principals

     

                Strategies:

    1. Foster increased information dissemination through Hispanic media (radio, newspapers (Monthly article sent to Mexico Lindo newspaper))
    2. Increase the number of PTA sponsored activities for students and staff (special event nights, dances, Spirit Shirt sales, etc.) (Completed)
    3. Increase the number of parent volunteers for literacy, office assistance, school store management, Academy sponsorship, field trip chaperones, student incentive programs, and visitation committee participation. (Completed)

    Objective 6:  To provide mentors for the 10% of students struggling in each school family

     

                Accountability:  (4.2)  Jan 2007:  Shumake and Academy Principals

     

                Strategies:

    1. Earth Quest Principal will individually meet with Earth Quest Academy students and parents to intervene with students as needed.

    2. Earth Quest Principal will identify students in need and develop a cyclic meeting plan to monitor student academic progress and disciplinary records.

      • All Earth Quest Teachers have two students they mentor