2014-2015 Smithfield ElementarySchool Improvement Plan Report

School Improvement Plan

2014-2015

2013-2014through 2014-2015

School Improvement Plans remain in effect for two years, but a School Leadership Team may amend as often as necessary or appropriate.

Draft Due: September 26, 2014 / Final Copy Due: October 24, 2014
Smithfield Elementary Contact Information
School: / Smithfield Elementary / Courier Number: / 534
Address: / 3200 Smithfield Church Road / Phone Number: / 980-343-6550
Charlotte, NC 28210 / Fax Number: / 980-343-6555
Learning Community / South / School Website: /
Principal: / Allison P. Harris
Learning Community Superintendent: / Dennis Queen
Smithfield Elementary School Improvement Team Membership
From GS §115C-105.27: “The principal of each school, representatives of the assistant principals, instructional personnel, instructional support personnel, and teacher assistants assigned to the school building, and parents of children enrolled in the school shall constitute a school improvement team to develop a school improvement plan to improve student performance. Representatives of the assistant principals, instructional personnel, instructional support personnel, and teacher assistants shall be elected by their respective groups by secret ballot....Parents serving on school improvement teams shall reflect the racial and socioeconomic composition of the students enrolled in that school and shall not be members of the building-level staff.”
Committee Position / Name / Email Address / Date Elected
Principal / Allison Harris /
Assistant Principal Representative / Jill Trotter /
Teacher Representative / Caroline Dalton / / 9/15/14
Teacher Representative / Emily Reynolds / / 9/15/14
Inst. Support Representative / Barbara Skriloff / / 9/15/14
Inst. Support Representative / Allison Gansel / / 9/15/14
Inst. Support Representative / Heather Khoe / / 9/15/14
Inst. Support Representative / Michele O’Connell / / 9/15/14
Parent Representative / Priscilla Rhodes / / 9/23/14
Parent Representative / PT Harbin / / 9/23/14
Parent Representative / Chris Klapheke / / 9/23/14
Parent Representative / Nicole Higginbotham / / 9/23/14
Parent Representative / Jason Moore / / 9/23/14
Parent Representative / Jaime Graham / / 9/23/14
Parent Representative / Danielle Hutchinson / / 9/23/14
Parent Representative / John Woodman / / 9/23/14
Parent Representative / Jay McBride / / 9/23/14
Parent Representative / Allie Lemons / / 9/23/14
Parent Representative / Sarah McDevitt / / 9/23/14

Vision Statement

District: CMS provides all students the best education available anywhere, preparing every child to lead a rich and productive life.

School: Our vision is for every child to be productive members of society and responsible lifelong learners, who never stop asking questions.

Mission Statement

District:The mission of CMS is to maximize academic achievement by every student in every school.

School: Our mission is to do whatever it takes for all kids to ensure they experience success, safety, fun and enjoyment, freedom and independence, valued purpose, and love and belonging.

Smithfield ElementaryShared Beliefs

2014-2015 Smithfield ElementarySchool Improvement Plan Report

At Smithfield Elementary School, we believe that children learn best when:

  • They are recognized as the leaders of tomorrow.
  • Their teachers help them to become aware of their innate talents and encourage them to act with humanity.
  • Their teachers are committed to promoting creativity and individuality.
  • They are immersed in an environment where teachers, parents, and community members are committed to doing whatever it takes to ensure that each child learns.
  • They know their teacher is glad they are here, every day!
  • The learning environment optimizes the learners’ natural intrinsic motivation to learn.
  • Their teacher believes in the unlimited potential of every student in the school and works to find the instructional approach that will best foster the individual learning needs of every student.

Smithfield Elementary SMART Goals

  • Provide a duty-free lunch period for every teacher on a daily basis, to the extent that the safety and proper supervision of students may allow.
  • Provide duty-free instructional planning time for every teacher under G.S. 115C-105.27 and -301.1, with the goal of proving an average of at least five hours of planning time per week, to the maximum extent that the safety and proper supervision of students may allow during regular student contact hours.
  • Provide a positive school climate, under CMS regulation JICK-R, by promoting a safe learning environment free of bullying,harassing behaviors.
  • Meet or exceed the determined Annual Measurable Objective targets for the following subgroups on the 2014-2015 NC End of Grade Test in Reading: 63% Total (All Students), 40.4% Black, 43.0% Hispanic, 80.0% White, 42.9% Economically Disadvantaged,96.0%Academically or Intellectually Gifted
  • Meet or exceed the determined Annual Measurable Objective targets for the following subgroups on the 2014-2015 NC End of Grade Test in Math: 64% Total (All Students), 37.8% Black, 50.0% Hispanic, 80.0% White, 44.0 % Economically Disadvantaged, 95.0%Academically or Intellectually Gifted

Smithfield ElementaryAssessment Data Snapshot

Smithfield Elementary School
Reading / ALL / AMIN / ASIA / BLCK / HISP / MULT / WHTE / EDS / LEP / SWD / AIG
Participation Denominator / 290 / 0 / 9 / 55 / 75 / 9 / 140 / 143 / 20 / 21 / 65
Participation Percent / 100 / 0 / 0 / 100 / 99 / 0 / 100 / 99 / 0 / 0 / 100
Participation Status / Met / ~ / Insuf. / Met / Met / Insuf. / Met / Met / Insuf. / Insuf. / Met
Proficiency Denominator / 268 / 0 / 9 / 49 / 65 / 8 / 135 / 131 / 16 / 18 / 64
Proficiency Percent / 57.1 / 0 / 0 / 30.6 / 38.5 / 0 / 77.8 / 35.9 / 0 / 0 / 95.3
Goal Percent / 49.5 / 0 / 65.4 / 33.0 / 35.9 / 51.1 / 60.9 / 35.8 / 18.5 / 21.6 / 91.6
Proficiency Status / Met / ~ / Insuf. / Met/CI / Met / Insuf. / Met / Met / Insuf. / Insuf. / Met
Math / ALL / AMIN / ASIA / BLCK / HISP / MULT / WHTE / EDS / LEP / SWD / AIG
Participation Denominator / 290 / 0 / 9 / 55 / 75 / 9 / 140 / 143 / 20 / 21 / 65
Participation Percent / 99 / 0 / 0 / 98 / 99 / 0 / 100 / 99 / 0 / 0 / 100
Participation Status / Met / ~ / Insuf. / Met / Met / Insuf. / Met / Met / Insuf. / Insuf. / Met
Proficiency Denominator / 267 / 0 / 9 / 48 / 65 / 8 / 135 / 130 / 16 / 18 / 64
Proficiency Percent / 58.1 / 0 / 0 / 25.0 / 44.6 / 0 / 76.3 / 41.5 / 0 / 0 / 93.8
Goal Percent / 48.1 / 0 / 74.1 / 30.0 / 39.4 / 47.8 / 58.4 / 34.9 / 25.7 / 21.2 / 92.5
Proficiency Status / Met / ~ / Insuf. / Met/CI / Met / Insuf. / Met / Met / Insuf. / Insuf. / Met
Science / ALL / AMIN / ASIA / BLCK / HISP / MULT / WHTE / EDS / LEP / SWD / AIG
Participation Denominator / 92 / 0 / 3 / 13 / 25 / 5 / 45 / 43 / 6 / 7 / 20
Participation Percent / 100 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 100 / 100 / 0 / 0 / 0
Participation Status / Met / ~ / Insuf. / Insuf. / Insuf. / Insuf. / Met / Met / Insuf. / Insuf. / Insuf.
Proficiency Denominator / 86 / 0 / 3 / 10 / 22 / 5 / 45 / 41 / 5 / 6 / 19
Proficiency Percent / 64.0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 0 / 82.2 / 46.3 / 0 / 0 / 0
Goal Percent / 57.0 / 0 / 73.5 / 39.3 / 45.6 / 58.7 / 68.2 / 43.8 / 24.8 / 28.5 / 93.7
Proficiency Status / Met / ~ / Insuf. / Insuf. / Insuf. / Insuf. / Met / Met / Insuf. / Insuf. / Insuf.

Smithfield Elementary SchoolProfile

Smithfield Elementary is a pre-kindergarten through fifth grade school located in the South Charlotte area, within 10 miles of downtown Charlotte, North Carolina. It is primarily a neighborhood school. Smithfield has a highly diverse population, with 19% African American, 50% White, and 26% Hispanic students. The remaining 5% is comprised of Asian/Pacific Islander, and Multi-Racial students. Our 667 students are served by 2 pre-k, 6 kindergarten, 5 first grade, 6 second grade, 5 third grade, 4 fourth grade, and 4 fifth grade teachers. Children who qualify for Exceptional Children’s services are afforded the full continuum of services, provided by our 3 Resource teachers, 1 Exceptional Children’s assistant, 1 Speech Pathologist, 1 School Counselor, and 1 School Psychologist. Our full-time Talent Development Catalyst is engaged in the planning for and implementation of critical thinking strategies across all grade levels, kindergarten through 5th grade. Our English Language Learners are supported by 1 fulltime and 1 part-time, English as a Second Language Teachers.

Students are supported by 8 Instructional Assistants. The Instructional Assistants facilitate the Intensive Reading Model, small group math instruction, and the science lab. Our special area staff includes full-time art, music, media,technology, and physical education teachers. A Sensory-Motor Lab is visited by all kindergarten through fifth grade students bi-weekly. Additional support school-wide is provided by an assistant principal, 3 Multi-Classroom Teachers, , a Behavior Management Technician, our 3 day school nurse, the ASEP coordinator and staff, and cafeteria staff. Our custodial staff and secretarial staff play a vital role in the overall management of the school. Our Parent Teacher Association is actively involved in ensuring that our children and staff members have the resources needed to be successful. Our School Leadership Team is comprised of dedicated members including parents and staff members. The School Leadership Team serves to develop and maintain our School Improvement Plan, to encourage, support, and create opportunities for involvement from parents and the community, and to coordinate the activities associated with the design and implementation of the School Improvement Plan.

Continuing to embrace the ideals of the Professional Learning Community and incorporating Thinking Maps, Balanced Literacy, Sensory Integration, and PEAK strategies into our daily instruction are our 2014-2015 school focuses. We embrace “Our Kids are Worth Whatever It Takes” as our school-wide theme. Our fifth grade and fourth grade classrooms are participating in the cognitive education program, Feuerstein’s Instrumental Enrichment, which is a classroom curriculum designed to enhance the cognitive functions necessary for academic learning and achievement.

Collaborative grade-level planning has an instructional focus and includes participation from our EC teachers, TD Catalyst, and the Multi-Classroom Leaders. Technology integration continues to be a focus at Smithfield. Currently we have a total of 25 SMART Boards in classrooms, as well as over 250iPads. Three computers can be found in each of our classrooms: pre-kindergarten through 5th grade. Each of the initiatives set forth for this school year is designed to affect instruction and therefore impact the overall academic success of our students.

Strategic Plan 2018: For a Better Tomorrow

Goal 1: Maximize academic achievement in a personalized 21st-century learning environment for every child to graduate college- and career-ready
Four focus areas:
  1. College- and career-readiness
  2. Academic growth/high academic achievement
  3. Access to rigor
  4. Closing achievement gaps
/ Goal 2: Recruit, develop, retain and reward a premier workforce
Five focus areas:
  1. Proactive recruitment
  2. Individualized professional development
  3. Retention/quality appraisals
  4. Multiple career pathways
  5. Leadership development

Goal 3: Cultivate partnerships with families, businesses,
faith-based groups and community organizations to provide a sustainable system of support and care for each child
Three focus areas:
  1. Family engagement
  2. Communication and outreach
  3. Partnership development
/ Goal 4: Promote a system-wide culture of safety, high engagement, cultural competency and customer service
Five focus areas:
  1. Physical safety
  2. Social and emotional health
  3. High engagement
  4. Cultural competency
  5. Customer service

Goal 5: Optimize district performance and accountability by
strengthening data use, processes and systems
Four focus areas:
  1. Effective and efficient processes and systems
  2. Strategic use of district resources
  3. Data integrity and use
  4. School performance improvement
/ Goal 6: Inspire and nurture learning, creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship through technology and strategic school redesign
Four focus areas:
  1. Learning everywhere, all the time
  2. Innovation and entrepreneurship
  3. Strategic school redesign
  4. Innovative new schools

SMART Goal (1):
Duty Free Lunch for Teachers / Provide a duty-free lunch period for every teacher on a daily basis.
Strategic Plan Goal: / Goal 2: Recruit, develop, and retain a premier workforce.
Strategic Plan Focus Area: / Teacher Retention
Navigator Pathway: / Enter Kindergarten ready / Advanced Reading in K-2 / At/Above Grade Level in Reading/Writing Grade 3 / At/Above Grade Level in Reading/Writing Grade 7
At/Above Grade Level in Math Grades 3-5 / Successful completion of Math I in grade 9 / Take and pass at least 1 AP/IB/Post-Secondary class & exam / Score 1550 on SAT or 22 on ACT
Data Used: / Statutory Reference 115C-105.27(b) (6)
Strategies (determined by what data)
  • Task
  • Task
  • Task (PD)
/ Point Person
(title/name) / Evidence of Success
(Student Impact) / Funding
(estimated cost / source) / Personnel Involved / Timeline
(Start—End)
  • Interim Dates

1. Lunch monitors (3) are present throughout all Pre-K through 5th grade lunches daily, to monitor and support students. / Principal- A. Harris
Secretary- S. Stone
Lunch Monitors- / Submission of applicant names; hiring of monitors; attendance of monitors / CMS / CMS /
  • September
  • November
  • January
  • March
  • June

1.Parent volunteers will sign up weekly to provide lunch coverage for classroom teachers (Quiet Lunch) / Principal- A. Harris
PTA Volunteer Coordinator /
  • Teacher retention rates
Academic Achievement (Reading 3D, MAP, EOG) / N/A / Classroom Teachers /
  • September
  • November
  • January
  • March
  • June

2.Master Schedule: The schedule for lunches has been arranged to manage the number of students in the cafeteria at any given time. Additionally, the schedule has been organized to utilize TA supervision during students’ lunch while still providing a designated lunch time for assistants. / Principal- A. Harris
Admin- Trotter
MCL- Gansel, Khoe, O’Connell
Cafeteria Mgr- A. McMicken /
  • Discipline Referrals
/ N/A / Admin
Classroom Teachers
Instructional Assistants /
  • September
  • November
  • January
  • March
  • June

SMART Goal(2):
Duty Free Instructional Planning Time / Provide duty-free instructional planning time for every teacher under G.S. 115C-105.27 and -301.1, with the goal of proving an average of at least five hours of planning time per week, to the maximum extent that the safety and proper supervision of students may allow during regular student contact hours.
Strategic Plan Goal: / Goal 1: Maximize academic achievement in a personalized 21st century learning environment for every child to graduate career and college ready.
Strategic Plan Focus Area: /
  1. Academic growth/high academic achievement

Navigator Pathway: / Enter Kindergarten ready / Advanced Reading in K-2 / At/Above Grade Level in Reading/Writing Grade 3 / At/Above Grade Level in Reading/Writing Grade 7
At/Above Grade Level in Math Grades 3-5 / Successful completion of Math I in grade 9 / Take and pass at least 1 AP/IB/Post-Secondary class & exam / Score 1550 on SAT or 22 on ACT
Data Used: / Statutory Reference 115C-105.27(b) (7)
Strategies (determined by what data)
  • Task
/ Point Person
(title/name) / Evidence of Success
(Student Impact) / Funding
(estimated cost/source) / Personnel Involved / Timeline
(Start—End)
Interim Dates
  1. Master Schedule:
  • Create a Master Schedule allowing duty-free instructional planning for every teacher for 90 minutes once a week and 45 minutes daily.
  • Implement 45 minute planning time three times a week for Special Area teacher, in addition t 40 minute daily lunch/planning time.
/ Principal (Harris)
Admin (Trotter)
MCL (Gansel, Khoe, O’Connell) / Master Schedule
Classroom Observations / N/A / Classroom Teachers
EC, TD, ESL Teachers
Teacher Assistants, Special Area Teachers
MCLs
Admin /
  • September
  • November
  • January
  • March
  • June

2.Whole Day Planning Days:
  • Each grade level team will participate in a “Whole-Day Planning” every six weeks. Teams will meet to analyze data, plan assessments, and to discuss students of concern.
/ Principal (Harris)
Admin (Trotter)
MCL (Gansel, Khoe, O’Connell) / Master Schedule
Classroom Observations / N/A / Classroom Teachers
EC, TD, ESL Teachers
Teacher Assistants, Special Area Teachers
MCLs
Admin /
  • September
  • November
  • January
  • March
  • Jun

3. Establish other means of communication:
  • The Dolphin Chatter- weekly staff newsletter
  • Sending emails instead of conducting meetings when appropriate
/ Principal (Harris)
Admin (Trotter)
MCL (Gansel, Khoe, O’Connell) / Copies of the weekly staff newsletters / N/A / Admin /
  • September
  • November
  • January
  • March
  • June

SMART Goal(3):
Anti-Bullying / Character Education / Provide a positive school climate, under CMS regulation JICK-R, by promoting a safe learning environment free of bullying and harassing behaviors.
Strategic Plan Goal: / Goal 4: Promote a system-wide culture of safety, high engagement, customer service, and cultural competence.
Strategic Plan Focus Area: / Physical Safety, Social and Emotional Health, High Engagement
Navigator Pathway: / Enter Kindergarten ready / Advanced Reading in K-2 / At/Above Grade Level in Reading/Writing Grade 3 / At/Above Grade Level in Reading/Writing Grade 7
At/Above Grade Level in Math Grades 3-5 / Successful completion of Math I in grade 9 / Take and pass at least 1 AP/IB/Post-Secondary class & exam / Score 1550 on SAT or 22 on ACT
Data Used: / Statutory Reference: 115C-105.27 (b) (2) School Safety Audits; Teacher/Parent/Student Surveys; Suspension Rates
Strategies (determined by what data)
  • Task
/ Point Person
(title/name) / Evidence of Success
(Student Impact) / Funding
(estimated cost / source) / Personnel Involved / Timeline
(Start—End)
  • Interim Dates

1. Bully Liaison / Bully-prevention
  • School leadership training: School leadership is aware of CMS district-wide plan
  • School Staff training:
  • School leadership, including the counselor, will provide information to all teachers and support staff, regarding the district-wide and schoolprogram (Anti-Bully lessons, Individual peer mediation groups,
Character Lessons) and reporting processes / Principal (Harris)
Admin (Trotter)
BMT (Coffey)
Counselor (Nielsen) / School Staff will have an understanding of Smithfield’s bullying prevention efforts, reporting processes, and supports. / N/A / Admin
Counselor
Classroom Teachers
Support Staff / (Sept.-June)
  • September
  • November
  • January
  • March
  • June

2. Character Education
  • “Caught with Character” cards
  • Dancing with Character every Friday
  • Character videos shared monthly
  • Character lessons by class parent
  • Guidance conferences
/ Principal (Harris)
Admin (Trotter)
BMT (Coffey)
Counselor (Nielsen) / Classroom Observations
Bulletin board of students who were “Caught with Character”
Announcement of quarterly classroom “Character Coin” winners / PTA / All Staff
PTA / (Sept.-June)
  • September
  • November
  • January
  • March
June
Strategies (determined by what data)
Task / Point Person
(title/name) / Evidence of Success
(Student Impact) / Funding
(estimated cost / source) / Personnel Involved / Timeline
(Start—End)
  • Interim Dates

3. Healthy Active Child 30 min.
  • Implement moderate to rigorous 30 minute structured physical activity daily in all classroom schedules
  • Implement required “Brain Breaks” within each classroom every 20 minutes.
  • Implement 45 minutes per week with the certified PE teacher and with the Sensory-Motor Teacher
  • PE and Sensory teachers will support classroom teachers by providing guidance on activities and strategies to incorporate with their classes.
  • Promote the school-wide “Fruit and Veggie Challenge” for all classes
  • Integrate Sensory best practices into classrooms through support from expert teachers
  • Promote the “Active Dolphins After Hours” challenge for all students
/ Principal (Harris)