Superintendent’s Starting Line

2024-2025 School Year

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Building….

a world class school district

WORLD CLASS:

WHAT DOES THAT MEAN?

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WORLD CLASS MEANS WE…

• Are intentional in everything we do
• Align every decision and action to district goals
• Use of data to drive change
• Positively disrupt the culture in an innovative way
• Engage community members, as well as business and industry leaders
• Reach across the globe and connect with experts and other schools
• Are lifelong learners who are not afraid of change or failure

WHat enhancements are we making to support the development of a world class school district?

New roles IN mustang nation!

Tory Bilger, High School Dean of Students

Karen DeNunzio, Director of Teaching and Learning

Tanya Frederick, Middle School Associate Principal

John Guiseppe, Director of Athletics

Carissa Harley, Middle School Principal

Traci Huddleson, Associate Director of Student Activities

Dr. Ryan McFadden, Director of Technology and Innovation

Jeff Reichart, Director of Safe Schools and School Culture

Abraham Moore, Intermediate School Associate Principal

Maxwell Terrell, High School Associate Principal

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There are so many ways that our district is becoming world class…

• Three pre-k classrooms at Cumru �
• A growing English Language Learner program�
• A redesigned gifted support program�
• Continue to be named one of the Best Communities for Music Education

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• The opportunity for accelerated math at the middle school level

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• Our open campus concept at the high school - provides flexibility and opportunity for our juniors and seniors.

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• Our high school internship program - the best in the county and beyond!�
• Our commitment to experiential learning for our students through Total Experience Learning professional development now through Alvernia University.�
• And so much more in development…

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A focus on birth to age five in the governor mifflin community

PRE-K

COUNTS

Associate Director of

student Activities

pURPOSE

Providing leadership, oversight and passion for every student being actively involved in the Governor Mifflin school community and finding their purpose, passion and path.

• Expand middle school activities, athletics, and performing arts �
• Foster the vision for the performing arts department�
• Develops and implements a yearly leadership program for students in activities, including a leadership workshop for selected students, a year-long leadership program, regular meetings, and in-services for an activities leadership group.�
• Serves as the liaison between school and community for community student clubs, activities and athletics.�
• Understanding of community dynamics and finds solutions to obstacles for student participation.

Kutztown university

early educator program

hOW IT WORKS…

High school students who have a general interest in working with children and education studies, can attend classes on KU’s campus where they take two courses in the fall semester and two in the spring. The four courses count toward majors in

Education.

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Classes are scheduled for half a day, two or three days a week, and by the end of the academic year, 12 credits could be earned that is equivalent to one semester of college.

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Benefits of the program

• A completed, 12-credit college semester before high school graduation
• Courses scheduled on the same days to maximize time on campus
• Taught by Kutztown University faculty
• Confidence to enroll at a college or university
• Improve scholarship opportunities
• Success and retention once enrolled at a college
• Become familiar with the university community
• A reduced tuition rate and admission fee waiver
• Access to Rohrbach Library, art studio spaces, Planetarium, and STEAMWORKS -
• KU’s makerspace
• Jump start decisions regarding future career options

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Partnering with Kutztown University on micro-internships

for undergraduate students

What is a Micro Internship?

For many college students pursuing a career in education, their first time stepping foot in a classroom for hands-on, professional development opportunities may not be until they begin their student teaching experiences and observations their junior and senior years.

The micro-internship program will provide short, ungraded, and paid opportunities for college students in their first and second years to familiarize themselves with the school system and explore the career possibilities within it in a non-stressful environment. Micro-internships will be offered in three tiers to support beginning, intermediate, and advanced skill development and will span from two to nine weeks in length.

Developing future special educators

grant

Building interest in the field of education

Students enrolled in Kutztown Early Educator Program will work with 9th and 10th graders interested in the field of education with support from the following admin:

• Director of Elementary Special Education
• Director of Secondary Special Education
• Associate Director of Student Activities

The training will focus on:

• Why accessibility is important for all students, especially students with disabilities
• How to develop accessible extracurricular activities and events.

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Students will also review all current extracurricular activities to ensure that they are accessible to all students and provide feedback and solutions if they find those that are not fully accessible.

BENEFITS OF THE PROGRAM

• Provides both learning about and interacting with students with disabilities

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• Learn about a wide variety of disabilities in order to understand how an activity or event can be fully accessible to all students

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• Gain insight into what they know about the kind of disabilities our students are challenged with in our district and how they accommodate for these students in their work

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• Conduct research on disabilities and accommodations to gain a better knowledge base for their activity/event creation.

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• Develop an activity/event, he/she will invite all students, including students with disabilities, to participate once a month

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN HARCOURT (hmh)

ELA Pilot

grades k-8

WHY Change ELA Program Resources?

District and Building Data: Showed the need for more systematic, explicit instruction, specifically in Phonemic Awareness and Phonics

Teachers and Reading Specialists: Raised concerns about the need for a resource that aligns with the Science of Reading

After Reviewing Numerous Resources: HMH was chosen by a committee of K-8 teachers and reading specialists

HMH Aligns with the Pennsylvania Department of Education Structured Literacy (SL) Program Framework Guidelines, Competencies, and Standards

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researched-based literacy

What is Science of Reading? �A body of academic research that draws from fields like cognitive psychology, educational psychology, neuroscience, and linguistics in order to shed light on how humans learn to read. Reading science has shown that our brains are not wired to read and write—rather, building a reading brain requires explicit, systematic, and cumulative instruction.

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HMH has the key elements of research-based literacy:

• Phonemic awareness
• Phonics
• Fluency
• Vocabulary
• Comprehension
• Background Knowledge
• Language
• Writing

NORTHWEST EVALUATION ASSOCIATION (nWEA)

mEASURE OF ACADEMIC PROGRESS (map) Assessment

Grades k-11

Assessment Overview

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Assessment is the process of gathering evidence of student learning to guide educational decisions. The Governor Mifflin School District prioritizes personalized learning through a multifaceted balanced assessment system. Utilizing various assessment types, each with a clear purpose, we gather rich data to guide instruction, monitor progress, and tailor learning experiences for each student. Our comprehensive assessment system informs effective decision-making across all levels, from classrooms to schools/District and beyond.

KEY ASPECTS AND BENEFITS OF MAP

• MAP is a computer adaptive test created by NWEA that students take periodically during the school year.
• MAP Assessments measure student growth, providing actionable data for educators and empowers us to make data-informed decisions that accelerate student achievement.
• Instead of asking all students the same questions, it adjusts to each child’s performance—giving a more accurate measure of what they know.

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Key Uses of MAP Data:

• Analyze curriculum and instruction
• Guide instructional decisions
• Individualize learning and inform student grouping and placement
• Diagnose student needs for targeted instruction
• Provide feedback to students, parents, and schools
• Predict performance on state tests
• Monitor student progress over time
• Understand performance and progress of a grade level, school, or the entire district.

Aspects of Building….

a world class school district

INITIAL STEP:

MAP OUT THE LOOK, OPERATION, AND FEEL

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THIS IS MUSTANG NATION.

The Governor Mifflin

School District:

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Educating, Inspiring, and Empowering Every Student, Every Day.

Governor Mifflin School District:

Where every student is empowered to pursue their passion, purpose, and path.�

#yourpassionisourpurpose

What do school systems that achieve uncommon results have in common?

High Quality Instructional Systems

• High Standards for All Students
• Clear Pathways and Progressions for All Students
• A System of Many Supports �and Opportunities

High Quality Staff

• Talent Recruitment/ Retainment
• Development of Enthusiasm, Engagement and Expertise
• Role Models for our Students

High Performance Organization

• Design for Excellence
• Benchmarking Culture
• Continuous Improvement
• Culture and Ethos

Performance Enablers

• Allocation of Resources - Fiscal
• Healthy, safe, and supportive schools and facilities
• Technology as a tool for innovation, equity, efficiency, and effectiveness

Connections with the Community

• Parents and Families
• School District Community
• Higher Education / Workforce
• Global Community

School Ethos and Culture

• Sense of Belonging
• Pride in Accomplishments
• Energizing Atmosphere

OUR SHARED VALUES ARE W.I.S.E.:

World Class, Intentional, Supportive,

& ENGAGED

WORLD CLASS…

• In our belief that every student has the ability to learn. Embracing this potential will lead students to lifelong success.
• In our belief that parental support and engagement are crucial to nurturing student achievement.
• In our belief that students are more likely to flourish when teachers and students establish a mutually respectful relationship.
• In our belief that students learn best when they are prepared for the economic and social challenges of a global society.
• In our commitment that teachers and administrators will acknowledge and embrace the increasing global impact of technology.

INTENTIONAL…

• In hiring competent, caring and driven staff as they are critical to nurturing student achievement.
• In ensuring that students are learning in an environment where they are not afraid of failing and they are encouraged to take risks.
• In establishing a team to provide an appropriate education for all: Students, parents, teachers, counselors, administrators, coaches, and supportive staff.
• In developing within all students a clear understanding of the world beyond their immediate community.

SUPPORTIVE…

• In teaching our students to display honesty, integrity and respectful behavior through leadership and positive interactions with others.
• In providing a safe, engaging, and empowering learning environment that honors different learning and teaching styles and reflects full inclusion.
• In developing interpersonal skills and relationships that are critical to the learning process.
• In attaining a clear acceptance for all, but not limited to ethnic, racial, gender and sexual orientation.

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EnGAGED…

• In a rigorous curriculum for all students.
• In developing the competencies of problem solving, social/communication skills, technology and teamwork.
• In developing opportunities for all students to develop, express and demonstrate talents extending beyond the classroom.

STEP TWO:

Detailed Plans are Developed and

a Solid Foundation is Built

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Implementing the Comprehensive Plan

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3rd Grade ELA

By 2026, the Governor Mifflin School District will identify appropriate phonics resources for use in intervention that will improve primary phonics instruction to ensure that a minimum of 85% of students meet grade level proficiency on the 3rd grade ELA PSSA.

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7th Grade Math

By 2026, the Governor Mifflin School District will improve 7th grade iReady math scores by 15% each year through improved Tier I instructional focus on mathematical discourse and productive struggle which in turn will empower students to become better critical thinkers and problem solvers and assist in meeting the state mathematics interim and target goal of 63% proficiency.

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CLASSROOM TECHNOLOGY PROFESSIONAL LEARNING

By 2026, the Governor Mifflin School District will improve the use of technology as a transformational instructional tool and student engagement/empowerment in the classroom through the implementation of professional learning around the expectation of every teacher having their Google Level II certification and implementation monitored by administrative walkthrough, observations, and student/staff engagement surveys (Classroom Technology Professional Learning).

ALIGNMENT OF CAREER PATHWAYS, COURSES, AND THE PORTRAIT OF A GRADUATE

By 2026, the Governor Mifflin School District will align career pathways, course offerings, and the district’s portrait of a graduate to the Career Education and Work Standards to ensure consistency across grade levels which will lead to each high school student developing a personalized pathway which includes an internship, apprenticeship, and/or school to work experience.

COMING SOON:

Portrait of a board member

STEP THREE:

Putting the right structures in place

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The Right Structures are in Place

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• New District Wide Student Handbook - Positive School Culture Guide with a Universal Code of Conduct
• New NWEA MAP Assessment K-12
• New ELA Pilot of HMH K-8
• New Associate Director of Student Activities
• Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) Process K-12
• Ready Math/iReady
• UFLI Phonics Resource
• Amplify Science Resource
• Accelerated Math Opportunities at the Middle School
• Revision of district 339 Plan for K-12 Career Education and Work Standards

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STEP FOUR:

CULTURE BY DESIGN

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Interior: A Culture of belonging and excellence

• A Strong Culture is the Key to a World Class District
• Culture of Building Relationships
• Develop a Sense of Belonging
• Champion for All Students
• Expect Excellence While Providing Support
• Carry the Banner for Mustang Nation, Our Mission, Vision, and Shared Values

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Upcoming Events:

K-8 ELA, Ready Math and iReady Parent Information Nights

• Intermediate School: Tuesday, September 10, 2024
• Cumru Elementary: Wednesday, September 11, 2024
• Brecknock Elementary: Thursday, September, 12, 2024
• Mifflin Park Elementary: Thursday, September 19, 2024
• Middle School: Thursday, September 19, 2024

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Back to School Nights

• Middle School, Thursday, August 29, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
• High School, Thursday, August 29, 2024 - 6:00 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.

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High School College Fair

• Wednesday, September 25, 2024 - 5:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. - HS Cafe

“How will this improve the quality of student learning and their overall educational experience?”

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Every Decision We Make Comes Back To…

A PRESENTATION BY:

Jeff Reichart, Director of Safe Schools and School Culture

Governor Mifflin School District

PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (ddap.pa.gov)

CDC Presentation

Source: fda.gov

Source: fda.gov

Source: fda.gov

Source: fda.gov

Source: fda.gov

TEENS ARE MORE SUSCEPTIBLE TO NICOTINE ADDICTION THAN ADULTS BECAUSE THEIR BRAINS ARE STILL DEVELOPING.

Source: digitalmedia.hhs.gov

Source: digitalmedia.hhs.gov

Source: digitalmedia.hhs.gov

Source: digitalmedia.hhs.gov

Signs A Teen May Be Vaping

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1. Social Media Content About Vaping.
2. Increased Thirst (Vaping dries out mouth, throat and nose).
3. More Frequent Nosebleeds.
4. Increased Irritability, Especially During Breaks From School.
5. Night-time Cough that Doesn’t Go Away.
6. Blisters on Fingers and/or Mouth.
7. Strange USB or Electronic Parts in Pockets, Trash, Backpacks.
8. Unusual Fatigue (Nicotine disrupts sleep activity).
9. Bad Breath and/or Stained Teeth.
10. Friends (or Family) Who Vape.

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Source: greatbeginingspd.com

E-cigarette aerosol can contain substances that can be harmful or potentially harmful to the body. These include:

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• Nicotine, a highly addictive chemical that can harm adolescent brain development
• Cancer-causing chemicals
• Heavy metals such as nickel, tin, and lead
• Tiny particles that can be inhaled deep into the lungs
• Volatile organic compounds
• Flavorings such as diacetyl, a chemical linked to a serious lung disease. Some flavorings used in e-cigarettes may be safe to eat but not to inhale because the lungs process substances differently than the gut.

Source: cdc.gov

Source: digitalmedia.hhs.gov

Governor Mifflin School District

• Provides education on the dangers of vaping in health classes.
• Reviews tobacco/vaping policies and disciplinary matrix to deter the use of vaping.
• Refer students to Student Assistance Program (SAP) through Caron Foundation and COCA.
• Promote anti-vaping and hotline through posters and literature.
• Monitor vaping through environmental sensors in high school lavatories.
• Actively investigate the source of vaping products in school buildings.

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Awareness Posted Throughout Governor Mifflin School District

General Safety

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• School Police Officers.
• Work with local and state law enforcement, fire, DES, District Attorney.
• Required Safety Training
• Safe2Say
• Risk and Vulnerability Assessments
• Updated Visitor Management System (Verkada).
• Threat Assessment Teams.
• Safety Related Discussions in Classrooms.
• Berks County Intermediate Unit.
• Grants

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Thank you

for being committed to the

governor Mifflin school district!

You are a key part of building a world class school district for our students!