Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 PROGRESS UPDATE Welcome!

1. Chart the Course Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 PROGRESS UPDATE Welcome!

2. Chart the Course Student Services Dr. Lois Robinson

3. Goal: Student Services Student Assistance Program Communication Consultation and Coordination of Services Developmental Services Diagnostic, Intervention and Referral Services Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Student Services

4. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Activities Planned for 2009-10Diagnostic, Intervention and Referral Services • Counselors will facilitate the identification of students to consider for gifted programming and the gifted building evaluation process. • Convene an Advisory Council at Eagleville Elementary School and Methacton High School.

5. Making Progress • Worked in tandem with the gifted support specialist who facilitates the actual student services. • Parents, students, teachers, administrators, counselors & community representatives attended the Advisory Council.

6. Work in 2010-11 • Continue to evaluate the identification/screening of gifted students with the continued collaboration of the counselors and the gifted support specialist/case managers. • Expand the Advisory Council to include all Methacton elementary school counseling programs, Skyview and Arcola schools.

7. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Activities Planned for 2009-10Student Assistance Program • Student Assistance Program will continue to focus on identifying behavior which adversely affects learning. • Arcola SAP will sponsor guest speakers in the 8th grade health classes from Renfrew and the Laurel House. • MHS SAP will improve communications with staff and students about the orientation of this state mandated program.

8. Making Progress • Trained Arcola and Methacton High School in the SAP process. • Investigate software program for on-line reporting of services.

9. Work in 2010-11 • Arcola SAP will continue to network with community agencies for guest speaker presentations. • Arcola MHS SAP members will attend training for online reporting and will train their peers in this area.

10. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Activities Planned for 2009-10Communication • Work to provide professional development opportunities to all personnel working with gifted students. • GIEP training for all staff. • Teaching gifted students in the regular education classroom.

11. Making Progress • All four elementary gifted specialists attended and presented at the PAGE Conference.

12. Work in 2010-11 • Work with gifted coordinators to establish articulation of gifted curriculum 5-12.

13. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Activities Planned for 2009-10Consultation and Coordination of Services • The current elementary guidance curriculum is aligned to the ASCA Standards and is being implemented in grades K-5. • Arcola counselors will run activities for the ESL students as well as an organizational skills and strategies workshop for students in grades 6-8. • MHS counselors will present classroom lessons for seniors regarding the college application process, for juniors about post secondary planning and career cruising lessons for 9th and 10th graders.

14. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Activities Planned for 2009-10Consultation and Coordination of Services • Create career awareness through developmental guidance lessons, school-wide career activities, career portfolios and the high school career center. • Career lessons are being delivered to K-5 students in all elementary schools by the school counselor. • Arcola-6th grade use of the career game. • MHS-introduction of career cruising to all 9th and 10th graders in classroom settings.

15. Making Progress • Aligned current curriculum and newly developed curriculum to ASCA standards. • Staff referred students for group counseling activities. • Groups were run for high school students in the areas of career development and post secondary planning. • Career portfolios of student work are maintained by the counselors and will be transferred to Skyview Upper Elementary School for the students.

16. Work in 2010-11 • Continue the guidance curriculum in grades K-4 with modifications made over the summer. • Arcola will add the study skills group for next year, which will incorporate the organizational skills and strategies group. • Develop a culminating career guidance lesson for the 4th grade utilizing the career portfolio.

17. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Activities Planned for 2009-10Developmental Services • Detailed descriptions of Methacton’s inclusive practices and least restrictive environment guidelines. • Provide a continuum of placement options. • Paraprofessional training and staff development initiatives. • Provide 20 hours of paraprofessional trainings for all instructional assistants and PCAs. • Guidelines for classroom configurations. • Re-configuration of the district schools and programs to include K-4, 5-6, 7-8 and 9-12.

18. Making Progress • Programs were available to support the specific needs of our student population. • Implemented co-taught classes/inclusive practices at all levels based on the individual needs of students. • Building teams provided trainings to IA on utilizing data to make instructional decisions. • Planning meetings are ongoing with our special education supervisors, principals, and teachers.

19. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Work in 2010-11 • Continue to provide a continuum of placement options and programs to support the diverse needs of our students with disabilities. • Expand co-taught classes in the middle school and high school, and provide more opportunities for elementary students to participate in the least restrictive environment with support. • Continue to provide 20 hours of paraprofessional training aligned to the CEC competencies for paraprofessionals. • Explore re-configuration of Autistic and Life-Skill support classes at the high school level to better meet the learning needs of our students. • Configuration of classes will be based on student academic capabilities.

20. Chart the Course Professional Education Ms. Jenifer Brucker

21. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Professional Education Report • Goals • Diversity • Organizational Development • Professional Development

22. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Activities Planned for 2009-10 • Hold monthly meetings for the Diversity Oversight Committee. • Attend Minority Job Recruitment Fairs. • Attend the Delaware Valley Minority Student Achievement Consortium (DVMSAC) Workshops. • Improved administration knowledge base of assessments. • Train department coordinators in curriculum writing. • Understand and use SAS to support curriculum writing. • Use in-service time to train teachers with best practices. • Send staff to workshops and conferences on department/subject area related activities. • Review current Induction program and research other programs for best practices and support for new teachers.

23. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Making Progress • Attended 100% of DVMSAC Workshops with various teachers, administrators, community members, and school counselors. • Elementary school counselors provided an in-service day session for elementary teachers based on information from DVMSAC workshops • Hosted North Penn School District’s Presentation for Community Engagement. • Attended DVMSAC and MCIU Minority Recruitment Fairs. • Attended PVAAS Workshop at MCIU to enhance data tools. • Increased the use of universal assessments with the 4Sight, DIBELS, and STAR assessments. • Increased use and evaluation of Performance Tracker data. • Presented best practices training with PAWLP, differentiated instruction, Reading Apprenticeship, and GIEP Writing. • Increase use and knowledge of Schoolwires for individual teacher websites. • Title II Funds supported the attendance to various conferences approved by administrators.

24. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Work in 2010-11 • Invite community leaders to share social and cultural dynamics of community members with staff in small groups. • Commit the DOC to at least two community engagement activities. • Attend Minority Job Recruitment Fairs. • Continue our membership and involvement with DVMSAC. • Continue to strengthen teachers’ use of data through regularly scheduled data meetings and administrative support and modeling of data use. • Work with Pupil Services to have building-based presentations for Special Education Laws. • Continue to train staff in curriculum writing. • Rewrite curriculum during the summer months as approved by Dr. Martin. • Continue to reinforce training from prior year and aim for more in-depth knowledge of training and instructional use. • Train new staff in best practices to enhance student achievement. • Discuss building, department, and subject-area needs with building administration and provide resources to continue knowledge and practice.

25. Chart the Course Operations Mr. Denis McCall

26. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Goal Areas • Food Service Dept Budget • Develop an annual budget with measureable benchmarks • Transportation Dept • Establish a model to efficiently transport students and maximize state reimbursements • Facilities Energy Usage • Create a system to monitor and control energy consumption • Financial Three-Year Plan • Maintain the Three-Year Fiscal & Capital Plans

27. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Activities Planned for 2009-10 • Review Current Food Services Accounting Practices • Increase driver training, review routing, reduce parts inventory, develop bus replacement plan • Develop district policy on environmental control and establish benchmarks to increase operational efficiency • Update the Three Year Plan to include more data

28. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Making Progress • Redesigned accounting procedures to facilitate building level analysis • Increased driver training sessions, reduced fuel consumption by 5,270 gallons and instituted JIT parts delivery system • Developed district energy management policy and signed EPA Energy Star contract • Created a new budget book that outlines all funds and more detailed information

29. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Work in 2010-11 • Perform monthly profit and loss analysis at the building level to improve bottom line • Expand driver training, review all routes, share services with other districts and develop student safety program • Implement and monitor energy policy and analyze benchmark data for inefficiencies • Expand budget document to include more detailed information

30. Educational Technology Mr. Frank Kremm Chart the Course

31. Technology Goals: TI - TECHNOLOGY INSTRUCTION 1.) To provide and enhance development and application of life-long learning skills, including collaboration, problem solving, effective communication, creative thinking, and resourcefulness while maintaining ethical standards in an increasingly diverse digital global environment to create astute, digital citizens. 2.) District students, teachers, administrators, and staff will responsibly use appropriate technology to communicate, solve problems, and access, manage, integrate, evaluate, and create information to improve learning in all subject areas and transfer skills to acquire lifelong knowledge and proficiency. 3.) The District will provide current technology, training, and resources to promote technology integration for advanced academic achievement. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course

32. Technology Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course • Goals: • TN - TECHNOLOGY NON-INSTRUCTION • 1.) Maintain and develop technology and integration services, which support and improve the effectiveness of the district's mission for all stakeholders. • 2.) Research, enhance, acquire, and implement technology solutions to support current and emergent needs of the district. • 3.) Instruct students, staff and administrators on proper use; maintain standards and best practices, as well monitor and track system usage, integrity and reliability.

33. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Strategies • Types of strategies employed: • Literacy • Productivity • Instructional • Equipment • Facilities • Security • Target groups for strategies • Students • Special needs • Professional/support staff • Administrative/support staff • Community • Continuity of programs/systems

34. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Technology • Goal - Technology Instruction: • Many strategies declared in the district Technology Plan, as a portion of the Strategic Plan, include references to ‘providing access’, ‘instruction’, ‘communication’, ‘best practices’ ‘integration’ , ‘transfer of skills’, etc. Representative of these strategies are: • Use appropriate technology to communicate, solve problems and access, manage, integrate, evaluate and create information to improve learning in all subject areas and transfer skills to acquire lifelong knowledge and proficiency. • Provide current technology, training and resources to promote technology integration for advanced academic achievement. • Provide and enhance development and application of life-long learning skills, including collaboration, problem solving, effective communication, creative thinking, and resourcefulness while maintaining ethical standards in an increasingly diverse digital global environment to create astute, digital citizens.

35. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Technology • Activities Planned for 2009-2010 • Successful training of each teacher and administrator on having a basic web presence that includes contact and course information (Schoolwires Web application) • Successful training of each staff member to be functionally literate in MS Office software, within the needs of their position. • Provide training for all staff members to attain understanding and ability to navigate through student rosters and interpret information provided within Performance Tracker • Successful training of all teachers/staff in the opening and viewing of Elluminate webcasts • Provide and encourage the use of videoconferencing to support and enhance curriculum • Provide training for selected staff members on use of Read 180 software • Provide access and instruction, model and hands-on experience in various network/web based applications and media. • Ongoing training and support on a wealth of existing district applications and equipment • Establish a Tech Advisory Group (TAG) to improve the communications process regarding technology integration and methodologies

36. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Technology • Goal - Technology Non-Instruction: • The primary focus of strategies and activities for the 2009-2010 school year address the infrastructure used to support the ongoing network needs of the district. Representative Strategies from the Technology Plan being addressed include: • Maintain and develop technology and integration services, which support and improve the effectiveness of the district’s mission for all stakeholders • Research, enhance, acquire and implement technology solutions to support current and emergent needs of the district. • Instruct students, staff and administrators on proper use; maintain standards and best practices, as well as monitor and track system usage, integrity and reliability.

37. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Technology • Activities Planned for 2009-2010 • Some our planned activities, like that for many district functions, have obviously been impacted by the current budget situation. As a result, some equipment, applications and capabilities have been deferred to future times in the hope that funding will become available. • Replace District-Critical key components in the network infrastructure to maintain system operability • Acquire tools (hardware or software) to assist in optimization of network • Work with Facilities Coordinator to improve environmental and security conditions for network spaces throughout the district • Develop programs/procedures to ensure that all desktop computers and notebooks located within the district regularly receive all appropriate system and application updates

38. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Technology • Activities Achieved during 2009-2010 • Several district switches, including the new core switch for the Arcola MDF have been acquired and installed • A number of district level network file servers that were past the end of serviceable life have been replaced, including our mail server, the server that supports the district anti-virus applications, etc. • The district firewall appliances were replaced and a new device that helps monitor and limit bandwidth utilization by packet type (called a ‘packet shaper’) had been acquired and installed • Tech Services has been involved with the installation and configuration of the High School Video Surveillance system and has begun collaborative work on a similar system for the Arcola/Skyview campus.

39. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Technology • (Continued) • As work is being done in various network related spaces about the district, particularly Arcola, Skyview and the High School, we have worked with the Facilities Manager to address environmental conditions and security of those spaces. Concerns such as temperature/humidity control, emergency/backup power connections, cleanliness and limiting access are gradually being addressed • Tech Services is in the process of implementing several standard routines that will both ensure that all computers (desktop and notebook) will regularly receive necessary updates to systems and applications (notebook carts have long been an issue needing to be addressed) • Tech Services is creating a series of energy conservation and cost saving measures regarding computer shutdown schedules, reduction of print resource waste, etc. which will be publicized to the district before the end of this school year.

40. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Technology • Activities Anticipated for 2010-2011 • Unfortunately, money will continue to be a problem for our department. Nevertheless, we do hope to be able to acquire money for the next step supporting district critical network equipment. These items are requested in the 2010-2011 budget, and will include: • two core switches (Farina and High School), • additional network file servers that are at the end of service life, • a relatively small number of notebook computers to replace the very oldest model in use in the district. • hand-held radios and a repeater (signal booster) for use on the Arcola/Skyview campus • Tech Services will continue to provide targeted support at Arcola/Skyview, as the new facility comes on line, to address any unanticipated connectivity/communication issues and problems with instructional technology. • We will continue to address conditions regarding security and reliability of district network resources, both from digital attack or failure and from physical condition and environment for equipment.

41. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Technology • (Continued) • Tech Services will continue to assist in the implantation and configuration of the Arcola/Skyview Video Surveillance System. • We will continue to work with both the District Technology Integrators and the building ISSS to adequately train them on the ‘physical plant’ aspects of district technology, so that they may pass appropriate knowledge and best practices on to teachers, students and support staff • As Technology Coordinator, I plan on working with the Coordinator of Staff Development to insure that the technology staff members are included in appropriate training opportunities

42. Chart the Course Academic Standards and Assessments Mrs. Janeen Marzewski Dr. Jane Martin

43. Goals: Organizational Development Safe and Healthy Environment Diversity Student Achievement Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Academic Standards and Assessment

44. Chart the Course Organizational Development Ms. Janeen Marzewski

45. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Activities Planned for 2009-10 • School/Community Database • Developed partnerships in our own community for the purpose of • enhancing our students’ educational experiences. • Polices/Procedures • Created an effective process to regularly review district policies, legislative and other mandates and develop procedures to implement and communicate those vital pieces of information. • Education Foundation for the Methacton Community • Created an organization to develop a partnership with area businesses and alumni to encourage financial support for ongoing district initiatives.

46. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Making Progress • School/Community Database • Created a Google Excel Spreadsheet on the MSD Intranet for staff members to add their community resources to share with the education community • Policies and Procedures • Review legal updates monthly. • WIKI discussions for policies under review with administration. • Post proposed policies on the web site for public review. • Committees meet and discuss implementation of approved policies: Safety , Wellness, etc

47. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Making Progress • Education Foundation for the Methacton Community • Members: Mrs. Cindy Boegly, Mrs. Michelle Brown, Mr. Mark Constable Mrs. LuAnne Garvey, Mrs. Judy Harris, Dr. Winifred Hayes, Mrs. Janice Herman, Mr. Denis McCall, Mrs. Jane Mansuy, Mrs. Janeen Marzewski, Mrs. Joyce Petrauskas, Ms. Karen Pflug-felder, Mrs. Carole Staats, Ms. Crysta Zurad, Mr. Robert Zurad, Dr. Timothy Quinn • Established and Approved By-Laws, December 1, 2009 • Community Relations/Publicity Committee • Distributed EFMC bookmarks, lollipops and brochures to Methacton School District staff members in September. • Created a Web page for the Foundation • Members distributed brochures at Back to School Nights • Members presented at the Home & School District Council • Members presented at Methacton Education Association • Alumni Committee • Invited alumni to a special Homecoming event, Echoes of Methacton in October • Alumni directory created and distributed in December • Fund Development • Fundraising strategies and business partnerships. • Fund Disbursement • Purchase computers for students in need through a partnership with TeamChildren in December. • Funding may support equipment, support and/or personnel.

48. Work in 2010-11 School/Community Database Continue to add community resources to share with the education community Policies and Procedures Continue to review legal updates monthly. Continue to provide WIKI discussions for policies under review with administration. Continue to post proposed policies on the web site for public review. Continue to create committees meet and discuss implementation of approved policies Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course

49. Work in 2010-11 Education Foundation for the Methacton Community Establish the Foundation as a 501c3 organization Develop community and business partnerships for financial support Provide activities for fund development Disbursement of fund for educational initiatives Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course

50. Methacton School District Strategic Plan 2008-2014 Chart the Course Activities Planned for 2009-10 • Leadership • Internal candidates from the professional staff and administrative staff were encouraged to apply for, and interview for, several vacated administrative positions. • Professional staff were encouraged to attend workshops and conferences and to become experts in curricular areas and to share that knowledge with their peers.