Atlantic SIP 2023-2024

Atlantic Middle School Improvement Plan 2023-2024

Quincy Public Schools

Atlantic Middle School

Improvement Plan

2023 - 2024

Atlantic Admirals logo

Aliza A. Schneller, Principal

Elizabeth Roy, Assistant Principal

TABLE OF CONTENTS

I. Principal’s Path p. 3

Data Reflection
Goals Reflection
VOCAL Reflection

II. School Improvement Plan

A. Goal Statements and Action Steps p. 5

B. Professional Development Plan p. 14

C. Extended Day Offerings p. 16

D. Family Engagement and Communication p. 17

III. School Demographics p. 19

IV. Facilities p. 21

V. Budget p. 22

VI. Appendix p. 23

Spring 2023 MCAS Data
MAP RIT Scores 2022-2023
2023 Accountability Data
Spring 2023 VOCAL Data
Completed Action Steps
Staffing: Support Services
School Council Members

Principal’s Path

Dear Members of the Quincy School Committee,

It is with dedication to the ongoing success of the Atlantic Middle School community that we present our School Improvement Plan for your consideration. This comprehensive plan reflects our commitment to fostering an environment that not only supports academic achievement but also cultivates the personal development of each student. Our start to this school year has been successful in terms of academics, school culture and student expectations, and we will be working throughout the year to improve upon our existing school structure as well as make adjustments when necessary.

Our plan includes SMART goals and action steps that correspond with our overarching goal: to improve the overall educational and social experience at Atlantic Middle School. We have engaged in an analysis of various data sources as well as our current practices in order to reflect on last year’s progress as well as to create our goals. Overall, we were very proud of student performance and growth on MCAS and MAP tests and our analysis led us to identify key areas for improvement that are reflected in our action steps

Our first goal will address improving student abilities to write effectively across all content areas. Our spring 2023 MCAS writing scores as well as teacher-created fall assessments indicate room for improvement this year. We have a variety of creative action steps across content areas in order to achieve this goal, which will give students additional guidance and practice with the mechanics of writing as well as the stamina that they need for writing tasks.

Next, while we were pleased with our math and science MCAS results, we did not reach our respective goals from last year, which were MAP-related. Our MCAS scores showed growth and scores that were in line with the state average and also helped us to identify areas for improvement. We are narrowing our focus this year on geometry and physical science for our second and third goals, and we will use winter MAP data to assess progress throughout the year and then spring data to determine if we met our goal. Science teachers are exploring new curriculum while continuing to create hands-on meaningful experiences for our students. Our math teachers will integrate geometry into their curriculum earlier in the school year and spiral back throughout the year in order to ensure that students are progressing in this area.

Overall, we believe that these action steps are rooted in evidence-based practices, best pedagogical approaches, and a deep understanding of the diverse and changing needs of our middle school learners.

There is much to be celebrated when looking at our VOCAL data. It is clear that students and families feel comfortable with our staff, that interactions are positive and that our staff respects and has high expectations for our students. We have a very dedicated staff that works hard to make sure everyone feels welcome and included, and seeing that reflected in the data validated all of our efforts! Our VOCAL data did point out that there is work to be done in terms of student interactions in the building. Atlantic’s staff will continue to help support students with their peer interactions with improved action steps and efforts, which is a large part of our fourth goal. We are committed to Atlantic’s culture of respect - for students, staff and the school - and will continue to ensure that students are meeting our expectations. Celebrating the positive choices that students are making - through earned field trips, incentives from the All-Star Initiative with the Boston Celtics and individual recognition - will help our culture, along with hearing consistent messages from all staff members about expected behaviors. Increasing the use of Open Parachute and following up when necessary will give students the extra support that they may need in order to discuss concerns regarding grades, bullying and student conflicts.

It has been a wonderful start to the year, with tremendous Extended Day activity sign-ups and an increased number of student-athletes. We hosted a successful family engagement event, and our PAC hosted one as well; we look forward to additional collaboration with our Atlantic families throughout the year. Together, we are committed to creating an environment that inspires student confidence and achievement, fosters creativity, and prepares our students for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead. Thank you for your time, consideration and dedication to the education of our Atlantic Middle School students.

Regards,

Aliza Schneller signature

Aliza A. Schneller, Principal

School Improvement Plan

Goal Statements and Action Steps

SMART Goal # 1: During the 2023-2024 school year, students in Grade 6-8 will improve their ability to respond to reading and writing prompts thoroughly and accurately. This will be measured by a 3% increase at each grade level in their MCAS scores in the area of writing, as published in the spring 2024 CU306 report.

Action Steps/Monitoring Plan: ELA/Reading Teachers

Step	Strategies/Activities	Timeline	Sources of Evidence	Team/Person Responsible	Status New, Revised or Continued
1	Create writing assessment at end of each novel using a common rubric for evaluation.	Trimester 2, 3	Written assessments, rubric	Grade 6-7 Reading Skills teachers	New
2	Read and analyze a novel in verse (Before the Ever After). Focus on the poem’s structure, language, literary elements, and content and respond to writing prompts.	Trimester 2	Expository Writing Assignment; Daily Lessons	Grade 8 ELA teachers	New
3	Create and execute poetry unit with 5 winter poems focusing on figurative language, word choice, structure, text-to-self connections, and theme	December 2023	Student generated interactive flip books; black out poetry; written reflection	Grade 6 ELA teachers	New
4	Apply Wordly Wise vocabulary in context beyond the textbook definition.	September 2023-June 2024	Creative writing activity at the end of each unit	Grade 7 ELA/Reading Skills teachers	New
5	Create writing contests in classes and at all grade levels in order to increase student interest and create additional opportunities for students to practice writing.	November 2023-June 2024	Writing samples, contest announcements	ELA / EL / Reading / Social Studies / Health / Media / World language teachers	New
6	Create constructed response lessons and assignments that include the writing process to prepare students for writing argumentative, informational text and narrative essays.	September 2023-June 2024	Writing assignments, graphic organizers, graded rubrics	Grade 6-8 ELA teachers	New
7	Relate Spanish and French roots and prefixes to their English counterparts to enrich advanced vocabulary acquisition.	September 2023-June 2024	Thematic vocabulary and readings in the target language formative and summative assessments	World Language teachers	New
8	Read and respond to mini novels in the target language that relate to ELA and Reading Skills such as sequencing, character analysis, setting, conflict and solution	Month long unit, rotating each term	Use of Marcus Vega Doesn’t Speak Spanish, Eva va a California to create independent and class book projects to demonstrate proficiency	Spanish teacher	Continued

Action Steps/Monitoring Plan: EL Teachers

Step	Strategies/Activities	Timeline	Sources of Evidence	Team/Person Responsible	Status New, Revised or Continued
1	Incorporate language review into class daily (grammar, punctuation, sentence structure/tense review).	November 2023 - June 2024	Student journals, written work	EL teachers	New
2	Create and execute specific lessons related to character traits and feelings: via read-alouds, storytelling, and readers’ theater.	November 2023 - June 2024	Performance portfolios, oral presentations, summative assessments	EL teachers	New
3	Evaluate new curriculum materials in conjunction with district initiative, particularly in terms of opportunities for student writing and speaking.	November 2023 - June 2024	Written work, teacher reflections on curriculum	EL teachers	New

Action Steps/Monitoring Plan: Social Studies Teachers

Step	Strategies/Activities	Timeline	Sources of Evidence	Team/Person Responsible	Status New, Revised or Continued
1	Focus on using academic language in the Social Studies content when writing, during small group and whole group class discussions.	September 2023 - June 2024	Writing assignments, vocabulary quizzes, vocabulary worksheets, Investigating History curriculum	Grade 6-8 Social Studies teachers	New
2	Integrate various Social Scientists and their roles for interpreting Human History.	September 2023 - June 2024	Primary sources Investigating History curriculum	Grade 6-8 Social Studies teachers	Revised
3	Collaborate and plan diverse interdisciplinary activities that incorporate additional reading and writing.	September 2023 - June 2024	Novels such as the Breadwinner, A Long Walk to Water, etc. students’ backgrounds and experiences.	Grade 6-8 Social Studies teachers	Continued
4	Create and use step-by-step instructions to guide students through the process of working on chronological thinking (timeline completion), note taking skills and summarizing content.	September 2023 - June 2024	Investigating History curriculum	Grade 6-8 Social Studies teachers	New

SMART Goal # 2: During the 2023-2024 school year, students in Grades 6-8 will improve their knowledge and application of geometry. This will be measured by a 3% decrease in the low category and a 3% decrease in the low average category for the geometry instructional area as indicated by the Spring 2024 MAP Grade Report.

Action Steps/Monitoring Plan: Math Teachers

Step	Strategies/Activities	Timeline	Sources of Evidence	Team/Person Responsible	Status New, Revised or Continued
1	Create lessons with manipulatives to promote understanding of surface area and to develop background knowledge for solving different geometric problems.	September 2023-June 2024	Lesson plans creating nets for cubes, rectangular prisms, and triangular prisms	Grade 6-8 Math teachers	New
2	Create and execute additional lessons with hands-on activities in units related to geometry, distributive property, rational numbers, statistics/probability	September 2023-June 2024	Lesson plans, Hands On Equations, Integer tokens	Grade 6-8 Math teachers	Continued
3	Use cumulative review throughout the year to increase fluency in fraction operations.	September 2023-June 2024 cx	Lesson plans, Prodigy, IXL and Reflex data	Grade 7 Math teachers	New
4	Use technology for extending learning opportunities with basic math facts in multiplication and division (0-12).	September 2023-June 2024	Reflex Math	Grade 6 Math teacher	New/Revised
5	Develop and execute additional strategies for helping ESL students acquire math vocabulary.	September 2023-June 2024	Lesson plans including visuals, modified questions, assignments, anchor charts, references and models, flashcards	Grade 6-8 Math teachers	Revised

SMART Goal # 3: During the 2023-2024 school year, students in Grades 6-8 will improve their knowledge and application of physical science. This will be measured by a 3% decrease in the low category and a 3% decrease in the low average category for the physical science instructional area as indicated by the Spring 2024 MAP Grade Report.

Action Steps/Monitoring Plan: Science Teachers

Step	Strategies/Activities	Timeline	Sources of Evidence	Team/Person Responsible	Status New, Revised or Continued
1	Implement a new physical science curriculum unit, Open Ed Science (NSCA), based on additional professional development.	March 2024	Lesson plans	Grade 6 science teacher	New
2	Continue to incorporate more real world phenomenon applications in physical science to deepen student understanding.	November 2023 - June 2024	Lesson plans introducing phenomena aligned with the essential question	Science teachers	Continued
3	Implement more graphs/data analysis per unit.	September 2023 - June 2024	Lesson plans	Science and Technology/ Engineering teachers	New
4	Continue to fully implement Project Lead the Way (Engineering curriculum) for all students in grades 6-8; including teacher training, professional development, supplies and equipment.	September 2023 - June 2024	Lesson plans, course completion certificates, student projects	Technology/ Engineering teacher	Continued
5	Continue to review and remediate science practices and prior knowledge: asking questions, developing and using models, planning and carrying out investigations, analyzing and interpreting data, constructing explanations, communicating information and engaging in argument from evidence.	September 2023 - June 2024	Variety of hands-on activities, STEM challenges, listening to experts, inquiry labs, small group discussions and implementation of Aha connections page.	Science and Technology/ Engineering teachers	Continued

SMART Goal # 4: During the 2023-2024 school year, Atlantic staff and students will participate in community-building activities that will enhance their understanding of diversity, equity and inclusion issues and will improve their cultural competency and understanding of mental health challenges that they or their peers could face. This will be evident through each grade level completing 3 units (12 lessons) through the Open Parachute program and 8 community circles.

Action Steps/Monitoring Plan

Step	Strategies/Activities	Timeline	Sources of Evidence	Team/Person Responsible	Status New, Revised or Continued
1	Encourage perfect attendance and positive behavior through the All-Star Initiative with the Boston Celtics and Arbella Insurance.	November 2023-May 2024	Event photographs, student attendance data, additional incentives, parent outreach	All staff	New
2	Plan and execute an orientation program for Grade 6 students to teach them expected behaviors and help them feel part of the Atlantic community.	September 2023	Schedule and planning document, event photos	Grade 6 teachers, Principal, Assistant Principal, Guidance	Continued
3	Plan and execute new DEI monthly activities for all students during AMP (Academic Mentoring Period).	monthly	GoogleSlide presentation / lesson plans	Principal, Assistant Principal, Guidance, AMP Teachers	Revised
4	Execute Open Parachute lessons for all students during AMP and health classes. Reevaluate lesson topics and timing on an ongoing basis.	monthly	Lesson plans	Principal, Assistant Principal, Guidance, Health teacher, AMP teachers	Revised
5	In conjunction with the NAN Project, work with students on mental health and ways for students to help themselves, seek help and help others.	November 2023	Lesson plans	Health teacher, NAN community partner	New
6	Organize students to attend Out of the Darkness Walk to promote mental health awareness and suicide prevention.	October 2023	Event photos	Health teacher	New
7	Create additional awareness about bullying and kindness; educate students about solutions and who to turn to for assistance.	September 2023-June 2024	AMP lesson plan for No Name Calling Week (January 2024), photos from World Kindness Day, Open Parachute lessons	All staff	New
8	Host grade-level assemblies with the MARC center from Bridgewater State regarding bullying and cyberbullying, fighting and conflict; conduct necessary follow-up.	Spring TBD	Assembly schedule	All staff	New
9	Plan and execute Healthy Choices Day, a community event including trivia, active stations and ‘Minute to Win it’.	November 22, 2023	Event photos	All staff	Continued
10	Create and administer mid-year and year-end student and staff surveys to gauge cultural competency and level of engagement in DEI and Open Parachute initiatives.	January 2024, June 2024	Surveys through GoogleForms	Principal, Assistant Principal, Guidance	Continued
11	Create weekly videos that include DEI information and highlight students who demonstrate kindness, promote integrity and demonstrate creativity.	weekly	Admiral Update videos	Video Production Club and Advisors	Continued
12	Incorporate Community Circles into AMP on Fridays and in academic classes as necessary.	bi-monthly	Lesson plans	Principal, Assistant Principal, Guidance, AMP teachers	Continued

B. Professional Development Plan

Date	Time	Location	Participants (Team/Grade Level)	Topic	Presenters	Goal #
9/5/2023	9:00 am -12:00 pm	AMS Cafeteria	All staff	Principal PD: Review teacher handbook Review safety, security and lockdown procedures Review mandated Reporting (51A), physical restraint, civil rights, harassment policies, Internet and technology policies, educator evaluation Review updated health guidelines for students	Administration, Guidance, Nurse	4
9/13/2023	1:00-3:00 pm	AMS Media Center	All staff	Principal PD: Team meetings, Educator evaluation, Community Circles, Open Parachute	Administration and teaching staff	1-4
10/11/2023	1:00-4:30 pm	AMS Media Center	All staff	Assessment Day 1 Review and analyze MCAS and MAP test results to find strengths and weaknesses, to guide in the planning and creation of action steps and improvements for the 2023-2024 school year.	Administration	1-4
10/25/2023	1:00-2:30 pm	AMS Media Center and classrooms	All staff	Principal PD: Team meetings, Attendance initiatives, Open Parachute, AMP	Administration and teaching staff	1-4
11/7/2023	8:30 am - 2:30 pm	Quincy High School	All staff	System-wide PD: Collaborate and plan with vertical content and program teams
1/10/2024	1:00-3:00 pm	AMS Media Center	All staff	Principal PD: Team meetings, Attendance initiatives, Open Parachute, AMP
2/14/2024	1:00-4:30 pm	Various locations	All staff	System-wide PD: Collaborate and plan with vertical content and program teams	Directors, Coordinators, and Team Administrators	1-4
2/28/2024	1:00-2:30 pm	AMS Media Center	All staff	Principal PD: Team meetings, Attendance initiatives, Open Parachute, AMP	Administration and teaching staff
3/13/2024	1:00-3:00 pm	AMS Media Center	All staff	Assessment Day 2 Work in vertical and grade-level teams to discuss and reflect upon the status of SIP action steps. Assess progress and make recommendations for further action.	Administration	1-4
4/10/2024	1:00-2:30 pm	Various locations	All staff	System-wide PD: Collaborate and plan with vertical content and program teams	Directors, Coordinators, and Team Administrators	1-4
5/22/2024	1:00-2:30 pm	AMS Media Center	All staff	Assessment Day 3 Work in vertical and grade-level teams to discuss and reflect upon the SIP goals. Assess progress and make recommendations for the 2024-2025 school year	Administration	1-4
6/12/2024	1:00-3:00 pm	AMS Media Center	All staff	Principal PD: Goals set / Goals met, team meetings, advanced course lists for the 2024-2025 school year	Administration and teaching staff	1-4

C. Extended Day Offerings

Dates	Club or Activity	Target Audience	Location
2023-2024 school year	Art Club	All students	Room 217
Fall 2023	Badminton Club	All students	Gym
2023-2024 school year	Board Game Club	All students	Room 203
2023-2024 school year	Dance Club	All students	Room 211
2023-2024 school year	Dungeons and Dragons Club	All students	Room 209
2023-2024 school year	Homework Help	All students	Room 215 - Mondays/Thursdays Room 209 - Tuesdays
2023-2024 school year	Jazz Band	All students	Room 115
2023-2024 school year	LEGO Robotics	Fall - grade 7-8 students Spring - grade 6 students	Room 114
Fall 2023, Spring 2024	QARI LOL Program	All students	Room 107
2023-2024 school year	Mandarin Club	All students	Room 214
2023-2024 school year	Morning Gym	All students	Gym
Winter 2023-2024	School Musical	All students	Auditorium
2023-2024 school year	Student Council	All students	Auditorium
2023-2024 school year	Video Production Club	All students	Room 212
Fall 2023	Volleyball Clinic	Students interested in trying out for the volleyball team	Gym

D. Family Engagement and Communication

Date	Topic	Target Audience	Location
September 14, 2023	Back to School Night	All families	Atlantic Middle School
September 26, 2023	Tea with Teachers	English Learner families	Atlantic Middle School cafeteria
November 4, 2023	PAC families / teachers trivia event	All families	Atlantic Middle School
December 7 and 13, 2023	Report Card Conferences	All families	Atlantic Middle School
December 13, 2023	Book Fair	All families	Atlantic Middle School
December 20, 2023	Winter Concert	All families	Atlantic Middle School
September 20, 2023 October 18, 2023 November 15, 2023 January 17, 2024 February 14, 2024 March 13, 2024 April 11, 2024 May 15, 2024 June 5, 2024	PAC Meetings	All parents - Communicated to families through hard copy flier, email reminders from Principal and PAC, PAC Facebook page	In person at Atlantic Middle School
January TBD	Tea with Teachers - ACCESS test information	English Learner families	Atlantic Middle School
February TBD	ELA family engagement event	All families	Atlantic Middle School
March/April TBD	Preparing for high school / course selection	Grade 8 families	Atlantic Middle School
March/April TBD	STEM Fair	Grade 8 families	Atlantic Middle School
Spring 2024 TBD	Stargazing event	All families	Atlantic Middle School
May/June TBD	Spring Concert	All families	Atlantic Middle School
June TBD	Information night for incoming grade 6 families	Grade 5 students and parents	Atlantic Middle School
June TBD	Grade 8 Promotion Ceremony	Grade 8 students and parents	Quincy High School
Weekly Parent Communication	Comprehensive emails through Smore from the Principal with school information, important dates, health updates, etc.	All families	School Messenger, Aspen

III. School Demographics as of 11/28/2023

Total

Enrollment

Special Education

Low Income

(Eligible for Free & Reduced Meals)

ELE

(English Learners)

FEL

(Former English Learners)

565

(+7 from 2022-23)

106

(18.7%)

279

(49.4%)

(17.3%)

123

(21.8%)

Race	Total Subgroup Population
Asian	335 (59.5%)
Black/African American	15 (2.5%)
Hispanic or Latino	37 (6.5%)
Multiracial, non-Hispanic	14 (2.5%)
Native American	0 (0%)
Pacific Island	1 (0.2%)
White	163 (28.8%)

Advanced Class Enrollment	# of Students in Advanced out of # in Subgroup	% of Population
All Students Enrolled	161 of 565	28.5%
Low Income	65 of 279	23.3%
Asian	117 of 335	34.9%
Black/African American	0 of 15	0%
Hispanic/Latino	5 of 37	13.5%
Multiracial	1 of 14	7.1
Native American	0 of 0	0%
Pacific Island	0 of 1	0%
White	38 of 163	23.3%

Core Academic Class Sizes (General Education) As of 11/28/2023

20 or

fewer

21-23

Gr. 6 - 8

108 sections

(25.0%)

(26.9%)

(13.9%)

(20.4%)

(5.6%)

(7.4%)

(0.9%)

86.2% of core academic class sections have 25 or fewer students, a 4.8% decrease over the 2022-23 school year.
The 15 class sections with 26 or more students are:

4 ELA: Honors ELA Gr. 7 & 8; Reading Grade 7
2 Math: Grade 7 & 8
6 Science: Grades 7 & 8
2 Social Studies: Grade 7
1 World Languages: Gr. 8 Spanish

Atlantic is also home to the citywide Special Education PASS program with 17 students in 2 class sections

2022-2023 SSDR Incident Data

Total Incidents	# of Incidents Resulting in Suspension	% of Incidents Resulting in Suspension
41	35	85.4%

IV. Facilities

2022-2023 Improvements

Installation of projectors in rooms: 112, 114, 200A, 207A, 216, band room
Asbestos remediation in cafeteria, kitchen, media center, locker rooms, storage room off lobby
Replaced stair treads in stairways B, D and E
New wall pads in gymnasium
Loading dock renovation

2022-2023 SIP Areas of Need

2023-2024 SIP Areas of Need

New lockers for all grades

Renovation of media center

Broken seals on some windows

Auditorium seating needs to be repaired and/or replaced

Stair treads need to be replaced in Stairways B, D, and E COMPLETED

Installation of projectors needed in rooms: 112, 114, 200A, 207A, 216, band room COMPLETED

New lockers for all grades

New carpet in media center

Broken seals on some windows

Auditorium seating needs to be repaired and/or replaced

Reattach water bottle filler/fountain in cafeteria

Complete locker room ceiling

Install stove and oven in kitchen

Repair ceiling in room 112

Installation of projector in auditorium

V. Budget

Amount available

in 2023-2024

TEXT/LEARNING MATERIALS

(textbooks and learning materials/supplies needed to support

classroom instruction) $ 10,830.00

SUPPLIES

(pens, pencils, rulers, paper,glue, photocopy paper, etc.) $ 15,751.00

ACTIVITY STIPEND ACCOUNT $ 30,107.00

OTHER: (art supplies, science supplies, library, etc.)

Art Supplies $ 2,052.00

Science Supplies $ 1,710.00

Library $ 2,500.00

SPECIAL FUNDING

(gifts, grants, partnerships, PTO, etc.)

P.T.O. (approximate) $ 5,000.00

QCSP Mini-Grants (5) $ 2,000.00

TOTAL $ 69,950.00

VI. Appendix

Spring 2023 MCAS Data

English Language Arts (EE/ME %)
Grade	Atlantic 2022	Atlantic 2023	State 2023
6	48.8%	35.6%	42.3%
7	49.1%	40.4%	40.5%
8	48.3%	50.9%	43.7%

Mathematics (EE/ME %)
Grade	Atlantic 2022	Atlantic 2023	State 2023
6	53.5%	41.9%	41.0%
7	33.5%	47.8%	38.1%
8	41.9%	41.0%	37.7%

STE (EE/ME %)
Grade	Atlantic 2022	Atlantic 2023	State 2023
8	49.7%	48.6%	40.9%

B. NWEA MAP 2022-2023 Data

MAP Math RIT 2022-2023
Math	Fall	Winter	Spring
Grade 6	216.2	219.3	224.5
Grade 6 National	214.75	219.56	222.88
Grade 7	224.3	227.7	229.6
Grade 7 National	220.71	224.04	226.73
Grade 8	226.2	230.4	233.2
Grade 8 National	224.92	228.12	230.3

MAP Reading RIT 2022-2023
Reading	Fall	Winter	Spring
Grade 6	210	213	214.2
Grade 6 National	210.17	213.81	215.36
Grade 7	215	217.9	217.3
Grade 7 National	214.2	217.09	218.36
Grade 8	218.9	220.7	221.2
Grade 8 National	218.01	220.52	221.66

MAP Science RIT 2022-2023
Science	Fall	Winter	Spring
Grade 6	207.4	209.5	210.7
Grade 6 National	203.86	207.26	208.47
Grade 7	213.1	215.5	215
Grade 7 National	206.56	209.5	210.61
Grade 8	214.9	216.9	218.9
Grade 8 National	209.64	212.41	213.44

C. Spring 2023 Accountability Data

Screenshot of accountability data from https://profiles.doe.mass.edu/accountability/report/school.aspx?linkid=31&orgcode=02430305&orgtypecode=6&. Please contact webmaster@quincypublicschools.com to obtain an accessible version of this data.

D. Spring 2023 VOCAL Results (Grade 8)

Dimension	Description	Always/ Mostly True %	Mostly Untrue/ Never True %
ENG	Adults working at this school treat all students respectfully, regardless of a student's race, culture, family income, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.	93%	7%
ENG	My textbooks or class materials include people and examples that reflect my race, cultural background and/or identity.	58%	42%
ENG	Students from different backgrounds respect each other in our school, regardless of their race, culture, family income, religion, sex, or sexual orientation.	77%	23%
ENG	Students are open to having friends who come from different backgrounds (for example, friends from different races, cultures, family incomes, or religions, or friends of a different sex, or sexual orientation).	94%	6%
ENG	In my academic classes, I work with groups of students who are from different backgrounds (for example, students from different races, cultures, family incomes, or religions, or students of a different sex or sexual orientation).	92%	8%
ENG	My parents feel respected when they participate at our school (e.g., at parent-teacher conferences, open houses).	91%	9%
ENG	My teachers use my ideas to help my classmates learn.	41%	59%
ENG	I have a choice in how I show my learning (e.g., write a paper, prepare a presentation, make a video).	71%	30%
ENG	In my classes, my teachers use students' interests to plan class activities.	56%	44%
ENG	My classmates behave the way my teachers want them to.	42%	58%
ENG	In at least two of my academic classes, students are asked to teach a lesson or part of a lesson.	30%	70%
ENG	In at least two of my academic classes, students plan and work on projects that solve real-world problems.	68%	32%
ENG	In my academic classes, students review each other's work and provide advice on how to improve it.	65%	35%
ENG	In my classes, teachers use open-ended questions that make students think of many possible answers.	82%	18%
ENG	I can connect what I learn in one class to what I learn in other classes.	72%	28%
ENG	In my academic classes, students wrestle with problems that don't have an obvious answer.	66%	34%
ENG	Students respect one another.	52%	48%
ENG	Teachers are available when I need to talk with them.	92%	8%
ENG	Adults at our school are respectful of student ideas even if the ideas expressed are different from their own.	85%	16%
ENG	My teachers promote respect among students.	93%	7%
ENV	Students have a voice in deciding school rules.	33%	68%
ENV	School staff are consistent when enforcing rules in school.	78%	22%
ENV	Teachers give students a chance to explain their behavior when they do something wrong.	65%	34%
ENV	My teachers will first try to help (guide) students who break class rules, instead of punishing them.	57%	43%
ENV	Students help each other learn without having to be asked by the teacher.	82%	18%
ENV	My teachers are proud of me when I work hard in school.	87%	13%
ENV	My teachers set high expectations for my work.	87%	13%
ENV	My teachers believe that all students can do well in their learning.	91%	10%
ENV	My school work is challenging (hard) but not too difficult.	76%	25%
ENV	My teachers support me even when my work is not my best.	82%	18%
ENV	The things I am learning in school are relevant (important) to me.	69%	31%
ENV	Our school offers guidance to students on how to mediate (settle) conflicts (e.g., arguments, fights) by themselves.	73%	27%
ENV	If I need help with my emotions (feelings), effective help is available at my school.	73%	27%
SAF	If I tell a teacher or other adult that someone is being bullied, the teacher/adult will do something to help.	90%	10%
SAF	Teachers don't let students pick on other students in class or in the hallways.	73%	27%
SAF	Students at school try to stop bullying when they see it happening.	36%	63%
SAF	Students have spread rumors or lies about me more than once on social media.	33%	67%
SAF	Teachers, students, and the principal work together to prevent (stop) bullying.	74%	26%
SAF	In my school, groups of students tease or pick on one student.	49%	51%
SAF	I have been called names or made fun of by other students more than once in school.	45%	55%
SAF	In my school, bigger students taunt or pick on smaller students.	36%	64%
SAF	Teachers support (help) students who come to class upset.	79%	22%
SAF	I feel comfortable reaching out to teachers/counselors for emotional support if I need it.	52%	48%
SAF	Students will help other students if they are upset, even if they are not close friends.	44%	56%
SAF	Because I worry about my grades, it is hard for me to enjoy school.	60%	40%
SAF	Students at school damage and/or steal other students' property.	48%	52%
SAF	I have seen students with weapons at our school.	24%	76%

E. Completed Action Steps from 2022-2023

The following action steps have been placed in this section, as they have been part of our School Improvement Plan for several years. They have been consistently implemented and are now part of our yearly school operations.

Strategies/Activities	Sources of Evidence	Team/Person Responsible	Goal #
Read a common novel across grade 6 reading classes at the beginning of the year in order to gauge student understanding and build community.	Schooled novel (online and hard copy)	Grade 6 reading teachers	1
Continue to practice with pulling main ideas and evidence out of texts during ELA and reading classes.	Lesson plans, assessments	ELA and reading teachers	1
Continue to use Wordly Wise vocabulary in reading classes to improve deficits in language acquisition and understanding word meaning in context.	Grade level Wordly Wise print and online workbooks; timelines and reading lists in AMS Reading GoogleDrive	Grade 6 and 7 reading and special education teachers	1
Improve student speaking skills by having students record 1 FlipGrid video per themed unit responding to structured prompts.	Student FlipGrid videos	EL teachers	1
Review winter MAP data and continue to make adjustments with curriculum and instruction.	Assessment Day #2 agenda and notes	ELA, EL, Math, Science teachers	1
Organize and hold trivia-style grade-level Wordly Wise competitions in order to solidify vocabulary knowledge.	Event photos, Kahoot reports, Excel Spreadsheet detailing student performance	Grade 6 and 7 reading teachers	1
Organize and host a Geography Bee for grade 6 students	Event promotion materials	Grade 6 social studies teachers	4
Create community building activities that relate to texts read and discussed in classes as well as shout outs, student recognition, community circles, etc. in order to increase student engagement.	Tie dye in grade 6, puzzle pieces in grade 8, additional lesson plans	All teachers	1, 2, 3, 4
Continue to use appropriate technology to enhance community learning and build confidence in a positive class climate	Google Suite, Desmos, various game platforms	Grade 6, 7, 8 math teachers	2
Examine and evaluate new, diverse literature for ELA and reading classes; propose titles to district curriculum coordinator.	Novel approval forms	ELA and reading teachers	1
Provide opportunities for small group remediation during AMP on Tuesdays and Thursdays	Class lists	All teachers	1, 2, 3
Increase student access to high-quality STEM and life sciences through implementation of the Pathways for Aspiring Life Scientists (PALS) curriculum in grades 6-8	Lesson plans, grant team meetings	Science teachers	3
Work with all grade 8 students to investigate, prepare, and present a STEM project, aligned to MA STE Frameworks, to the school community	Participation in the 2022 Stem Fair with all projects aligned to middle school state standards.	Science teachers	3
Incorporate real world phenomenon applications for all content areas to increase student engagement and understanding	Lesson plans introducing phenomena aligned with the essential question.	Science teachers	3
Incorporate real world applications for all content areas to increase student engagement and understanding	Lesson plans using Big Ideas, Desmos, Illustrative Math	Grade 6, 7, 8 math teachers	2
Incorporate and emphasize reading strategies related to main idea, cause and effect, vocabulary meaning through context. (Guiding Principle 5)	Lesson plans, reading selections, oral and written responses/ reflections	Social studies teachers	1
Use graphic organizers, time lines, graphs, charts and maps to assist students in acquiring content knowledge. (Guiding Principles 6-7)	Completed organizers, student-produced timelines, lesson plans, assessments	Social studies teachers	1
Apply rights and responsibilities of citizens (Massachusetts Grade 8 Content Standard 4) to issues through a trimester-long civic engagement project.	Completed civics projects that include action steps to solve the problem	Grade 8 social studies teachers	1
Incorporate the study of current events and news/media literacy into the classroom to develop students’ skills to examine and apply higher level thinking skills when exploring the significance of certain current events as they unfold. (Guiding Principle 8)	Digital subscriptions of Junior Scholastic, Up Front, and other online resources	Social studies teachers	1
Incorporate small group settings during instructional lessons based on formative assessments for that topic	NWEA MAP Class Reports, classroom formative assessments, lesson plans	Grade 6, 7, 8 math teachers	2
Reactivate prior knowledge by administering a spiral review daily warm up	Lesson plans using Big Ideas, Google Slide presentations	Grade 6, 7, 8 math teachers	2
Once a month, host a cumulative review game on content taught that year	Lesson plans, Google Slides presentations, Kahoot, Jigsaw	Grade 6, 7, 8 math teachers	2
Add 3 new hands-on activities per year in each grade which will be directly linked to standards that are relative weaknesses for students, based on MAP data	Lesson plans	Science teachers	3
Provide sentence starters and structure to model how to answer open response questions	Lesson plans, Google Slides, class notes	Grade 6, 7, 8 math teachers	2

Completed/discontinued action steps

Strategies/Activities	Sources of Evidence	Team/Person Responsible	Goal #
Support student literacy with consistent use of RazKids A-Z.	Student reading recordings on RAZ Kids site	EL teachers	1
Copy and distribute student resources of common writing mistakes on brightly colored cardstock for every student to keep in their ELA binder.	Resource to distribute to students	ELA teachers	1
Engage students with Lexia Power Up in order to build reading skills.	Student and teacher Lexia account data	Special education reading teachers, EL teachers	1
Create invite-only Number Sense Club for grade 6 students who are struggling with basic facts	FAttef Attendance for club; pre and post tests	Grade 6 math teacher	2
Incorporate cross-curriculum lessons with science teachers	Lesson plans	Grade 6, 7, 8 math teachers	2

F. Staffing: Support Services

1 Nurse

4 Special Education Teachers (Resource Room/Inclusion)

2 Special Education Teachers (Substantially Separate)

4 Guidance Counselors/Chairpersons

0 Literacy Specialist

3 ELL Teachers/ELL Tutors

0 Adaptive Physical Education Instructor

0.2 Speech and Language Instructor

0.4 School Psychologist

0 Occupational Therapist

0 Math Interventionist

1 Library/Media

G. School Council Members

A school council is a representative, school building-based committee composed of the principal, parents, teachers, community members and, at the secondary level, students, required to be established by each school pursuant to Massachusetts General Laws Chapter 71, Section 59C. https://www.doe.mass.edu/lawsregs/advisory/schoolcouncils/

Chair/Principal: Aliza A. Schneller /s/ Aliza A. Schneller

Co-Chair: Elizabeth Roy /s/ Elizabeth Roy

Teachers: Leah Markarian /s/ Leah Markarian

Parent: Emily Hames /s/ Emily Hames

Community

Representative: Damian Outar, /s/ Damian Outar

City of Quincy Community Liaison