1 of 121

Curriculum Night

February 3, 2022

2 of 121

3 of 121

Dr. Laurie Hunter, Superintendent

Kristen Herbert, Dir. Teaching & Learning

Michael Mastrullo, Principal

Brian Miller, Asst. Principal

Katie Stahl, Asst. Principal

Frances Wooff, Special Ed Administration

Heidi Harris, METCO Director

Department Chairs

9th-Grade Academy Leaders

4 of 121

Presentation Available online

www.concordcarlisle.org/course-selection/

5 of 121

Your Student’s Path?

6 of 121

Transition

7 of 121

8 of 121

Ninth grade is an extremely challenging year for most American high school students for a variety of developmental, social, and academic reasons.

9 of 121

For some students it can be.....

cc: Vince Alongi - https://www.flickr.com/photos/90963248@N00

10 of 121

Stressful

11 of 121

Overwhelming

cc: CollegeDegrees360 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/83633410@N07

12 of 121

13 of 121

High school years are formative for kids, and 9th-grade is critical to success

14 of 121

Many high school students have difficulty in their ninth grade year as they leave their smaller, highly structured elementary or middle schools and enter large, comprehensive high schools.

15 of 121

According to research, [9th-grade] is considered the year in which both academic and behavioral problems manifest themselves in ways that can ultimately affect high school success and thus, a transition plan and support is critical for freshman students (Dedmond, Brown, & LaFauci, 2006)

16 of 121

Support

17 of 121

Well-Adjusted & Well-Prepared

Academically
Socially
Emotionally
Physically

18 of 121

Article cited research from the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine

Students in high-achieving schools are now named an ‘at-risk’ group

19 of 121

A 2018 report on adolescent wellness, released by the

Robert Wood Johnson Foundation noted the following as the most critical“high-risk” environments:

Students exposed to poverty
Students exposed to trauma, discrimination/ racism,
Students exposed to high pressure to achieve (usually found in relatively affluent communities)

Geisz and Nakashian, 2018

20 of 121

Create a program to ensure success

for 9th-grade students

cc: Joanna Kosinska - https://unsplash.com/@joannakosinska?utm_source=haikudeck&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=api-credit

21 of 121

The majority of our students will move on from CCHS and go to college

22 of 121

We want students to get into the best college for them.

We share that goal!

23 of 121

There is no magic formula!

24 of 121

Enjoy High School

25 of 121

Katie Stahl

26 of 121

The ninth-grade academy will foster a smooth transition to Concord Carlisle High School by creating a supportive first-year experience that inspires students and promotes intellectual curiosity, personal growth, and academic achievement. Central to our mission is cultivating an inclusive and compassionate educational community that builds a foundation for a healthy and fulfilling experience at CCHS and beyond.

“

27 of 121

28 of 121

Smaller Learning Communities

28

29 of 121

[Ninth-graders] are more likely to succeed academically, emotionally, and developmentally when they feel connected to their peers and their school.

-Blum 2005

29

“

30 of 121

Team approach to supporting students

31 of 121

A team approach creates a small, unified cluster of teachers and students, allowing [ninth-graders] to develop the close relationships necessary for increased motivation and healthy development critical for transitional success.

--Hetzgog, 2006

31

“

32 of 121

Social Emotional Learning (SEL)

The process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.

33 of 121

Academy-Wide

Common Practices

Skills & Attributes

33

34 of 121

Enhanced Coordination Between Subjects

35 of 121

Coordinated Field Trips

36 of 121

Coordinated Community Service

37 of 121

Coordinated Assessments

38 of 121

Interdisciplinary learning

38

39 of 121

40 of 121

Meetings to discuss students and share best practices

41 of 121

42 of 121

The 9th-Grade Academy will feature smaller learning communities that will employ a team approach to ensure all students are known and supported during their transition to CCHS.

43 of 121

The goal is to create an emotionally healthy, socially inclusive, and academically supportive first-year experience for our 9th-grade students.

44 of 121

We want you to transition to 10th-grade with more skills, more resiliency, better coping mechanisms, and move on better prepared to succeed in high school and beyond.

45 of 121

Academy Structure

46 of 121

Teams

47 of 121

Our services

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Guidance

Willow

Leader: Pavlik

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Guidance

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Guidance

English

Math

Science

Social Studies

Guidance

Maple

Leader: Kemeza

Oak

Leader: Ruggiero

Elm

Leader: Kendall

48 of 121

Off Team:

World Language

Electives

H&F

48

49 of 121

Will Kemeza

Maple Team Leader

English Department

50 of 121

Brian Miller

51 of 121

Typical 9th-Grade Schedule

52 of 121

Developing a 9th-Grade Schedule

English (college prep or honors)
Health and Fitness (2x/week)
Mathematics (Alg 1, Blended Alg/Geo, Enr. Geometry, Hon. Geometry)
Science (Intro. Planet Earth or Honors Planet Earth)
Social Studies (World Cultures)
World Language

Chinese, French, Latin, Spanish (college prep or honors)

Elective(s) (2x and 4x per week)

Fine arts, performing arts, computer science, robotics

53 of 121

2x Per Week Electives

Explorations in Robotics (554E)
Explorations in Photo (713E)
Explorations in Film History & Appreciation (753E)
Combined Chorus (861)
Jazz Band B (830)
Explorations in Marketing, Entrepreneurship & Applied Technology (618E)

54 of 121

Online Resources

http://www.concordcarlisle.org/course-selection/

55 of 121

Course Selection Page

http://www.concordcarlisle.org/course-selection/

56 of 121

YOG 2026 Course Worksheet

57 of 121

Student Supports

58 of 121

Alison Nowicki, Department Chair

anowicki@concordcarlisle.rog

59 of 121

Guidance & Counseling Department

Each team assigned two counselors

Close connections with the teaching team
Academic & Social/emotional counseling
Group seminars & individual meetings

School Adjustment Counselors

60 of 121

Programs offered by Special Education at CCHS

9th grade Academic Support (Academic Support program that emcompasses executive functioning coupled with literacy based instruction through the use of academic class content)

Language Based Learning-(instructional model designed solely for students with dyslexia and or language based learning disabilities.

Bridge (Programming for students with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Social Communication difficulties)

61 of 121

Programs offered by Special Education at CCHS (Continued)

Harbor

Therapeutic learning program that provides social-emotional and academic support for students who are receiving Special Education services

ALT-PRO

Alternative program for students with social and emotional needs

Pathways

Individualized educational, social and vocational program
Can include small group instruction in ELA, Math, Life Skills and Vocational Development

62 of 121

Additional Special Education Services

Math Tutorial

Additional math support for students who have a math goal in their IEP and were identified as requiring extra help

Literacy Strategies

Skills-based class that focuses on increasing and strengthening decoding skills, as well as comprehension, writing, grammar and vocabulary skill-building

Other services provided / related services

Speech and Language pathologist (SLP)
Occupational Therapist (OT)
Physical Therapist (PT)
Transition Specialist

63 of 121

The role of the case manager in Special Education at CCHS

The case manager acts as an advocate and liaison for his/her students while ensuring IEP goals, accommodations and modifications are being followed / implemented.
Case managers foster and develop collaborative relationships with teachers, families and other appropriate staff members

64 of 121

Special Education

8th grade to CCHS transition

Transition process/meetings begin in January and may occur through the end of the year if necessary
Representative from CCHS Special Education department may attend meeting to discuss current services, appropriate high school services, student needs and family concerns/questions
IEP will be drafted to family with high school services embedded
Within the first week of the school year, assigned case managers will reach out to families for introductions and to address any additional concerns/questions

65 of 121

CCHS Special Education Contact information

Frances Wooff - Special Education Administrator

Email: fwooff@concordcarlisle.org

Erin Pineau - Special Education Department Liaison

Email: epineau@concordcarlisle.org

Roberta Nicoletta - Special Education Administrative Assistant

Email: rnicoletta@concordcarlisle.org

66 of 121

Please note that we will be hosting Special Education coffee hours for all families of incoming 9th grade Special Education students on the following dates:

March 1, 10-11 AM

&

March 7th, 6:00-7:00 PM

67 of 121

The Metropolitan Council for Educational Opportunity (METCO) was established in 1965 as a state funded voluntary desegregation program . It was also an initiative of the state Racial Imbalance Act .

There are thirty-three METCO school districts in the greater Boston and Springfield areas. All of the district programs work in partnership with METCO Inc./HQ to place students.

The original objectives of the program were two-fold; To expand educational opportunities for Boston residents and to dismantle racial isolation by promoting integration through public education in suburban communities

68 of 121

Program Vision

The vision of the CPS and CCRSD METCO Program is to be an ecosystem of support for students, and their families.

We Envision METCO Students:

Achieving their full academic potential through placements in challenging classes (such as honors level and advanced placement classes).

Building strong interpersonal relationships with administrators, faculty, staff and the community at large.
Being proactive in taking advantage of student engagement and leadership opportunities (clubs, sports and extracurriculars).
Evolving into confident life-long learners successfully pursuing post-secondary education.

69 of 121

Department Presentations

70 of 121

English Department

Chairperson: Kate Fleming

kfleming@concordcarlisle.org

71 of 121

9th Grade Program: Discovery of the Self

Skills:

Written expression
Critical thinking
Literary analysis

Writing:

Students will write essays with an analytical, interpretive, or persuasive thesis using textual support for the claims and inferences in their essays

Assessments:

Essays
Projects
Presentations
Performance

72 of 121

What are we reading?

Poetry: Selected poems from The Seagull Reader resulting in a Poetry Project

�Drama: Romeo and Juliet, The Oedipus Trilogy, A Raisin in the Sun

�Fiction: Persepolis, American Born Chinese, Dr, Jekyll & Mr. Hyde, Of Mice and Men, Kindred, The Hate U Give

�Nonfiction: Into Thin Air, selected articles connected to works of fiction

73 of 121

Leveling

Honors 9th Grade English: This class assumes that students are independent learners who can work with limited teacher support. Students can make inferences, draw connections, and comprehend texts with sophisticated themes and vocabulary at a fairly fast pace.

9th Grade English: This class offers greater teacher support for students whose writing skills—including mechanics, grammar, and sentence/paragraph structure—are still developing.

74 of 121

Fine Art and Applied Technology�Joseph Pickman; jpickman@concordcarlisle.org

Digital Arts, Animation, 3D Graphics, Game Design

`

75 of 121