Newton Public
Schools
The
Newton Public Schools are committed to meeting the learning needs of all students by ensuring that the K-12
curriculum offers a coherent course of study yet remains flexible enough to
allow for differentiation according to children’s needs; by recognizing the
diversity that exists within the school population; and by respecting teachers’
judgment in making sound instructional decisions for the students they meet
every day. The school system’s core value
of respect for human differences
should permeate all of our work (see attached mission statement). With the cooperation of all members of the
school community, the system seeks to hold true to its values while it sets out
to accomplish the goals specific to 2003/2004 as outlined below.
1. Student
Performance and Wellness—We support an academically
challenging standards-based learning environment and strive to implement the
basic tenets of No Child Left Behind. Curriculum revision is an ongoing process in
our school system, with adjustments and improvements being implemented in
content areas every year. Our standards-based curriculum depends upon
agreements among teachers about the sequencing and coherence of subject matter;
at the same time we advocate the ideal of individual,
professional decision-making by classroom teachers. We strive to raise the academic achievement
of all students while focusing on narrowing the achievement gap for students of
color and students in lower socio-economic groups.
To achieve
this goal we will:
Short-term:
• complete the
review of high school graduation requirements to allow for School Committee
approval;
• pilot new standards-based student progress reports in
elementary schools;
• implement
changes associated with new regulations for English Language Learners (ELL);
and
• develop a
generic model for program evaluations.
On-going:
• continue the
review/revision process in health and physical education, world languages,
social studies and math;
• support principals and school councils in reaching the goals articulated in their local School Improvement Plans;
• extend the implementation of a citywide
approach to improving student literacy, including the deployment of literacy
specialists and aides in the elementary schools;
• explore and
introduce the concept of smaller learning communities to the high schools;
• continue
technology planning, with an emphasis on using technology as a tool for
improved teaching and learning;
• continue to
identify and put into effect throughout the school system classroom practices
and individual interventions that are culturally responsive and promote student achievement;
• establish a
consolidated Physical Education, Health and Wellness Department to help
students make individual choices that will facilitate attainment of a higher
level of health and fitness;
• introduce
support systems for students requiring extra attention in
mathematics; and
• communicate
MCAS results and use the data to inform curriculum revision and instructional
practice.
2. Planning and
Operations Performance—All indicators suggest the school system will be challenged
once again to develop a forward-looking program within what will surely be
tight fiscal parameters. A number of
factors will go into the decision-making process, including public deliberation
about what is most precious in our schools and therefore must be
preserved. We will also review current
practice to determine if there are more cost-efficient ways to deliver
comparable services in the coming years.
In addition, a safe and comfortable school environment is a key factor
in helping staff and students do their best work. Human and financial resources must be directed
toward ensuring the support systems are in place. Collaboration between school personnel and
City agencies will be essential as we build a culture of shared responsibility
and develop procedures to improve the upkeep of the schools.
To achieve
this goal we will:
Short-term:
• develop
plans for renovating
• develop
School Committee budget guidelines early enough in the year to maximize time
for budget development;
• review the
user fee structure developed by the School Committee, with particular attention
on the effectiveness of the new transportation fee;
• assess the
physical plant needs for the school system and develop a capital improvement
plan for FY05-FY09;
• evaluate the
administrative reorganization as implemented in FY04; and
• analyze and
develop alternative service delivery methods for the food service program.
On-going:
• work with City officials to implement ongoing construction
at
• explore
options and create policies for keeping all school buildings safe and secure;
• consider
options for long-range facilities planning, especially at the elementary school
level;
• work with
City officials to improve the delivery of building maintenance services, field
maintenance, recycling, use of crossing guards, and other related matters; and
• focus on
long-range forecasting and financial planning so that the School Committee can
adopt with confidence a budget that will be sustainable in the years to come.
3. Staff
Development and Performance—The key to student
success is the high quality of our faculty and staff. This school system seeks to set high
standards for the adults as well as the children, and to that end we provide a
strong professional development program.
Each year the professional development program is tailored to address
systemwide and school-based programs.
The system also has a responsibility to help individuals develop as
professionals in their careers; therefore, we will take steps to provide
leadership opportunities for aspiring professionals.
To achieve
this goal we will:
On-going:
• provide professional
development related to standards-based instruction;
• provide
ongoing professional development for principals and other administrators and
staff on using data for instructional decision-making;
• support the
system’s commitment to full inclusion of special education students through
increased training for teachers and support staff;
• actively recruit and mentor new members of the staff; and
• provide
leadership training for staff members who aspire to take on new levels of
responsibility.
4. Public Engagement and Communication—With many constituent
groups across the City, it is incumbent upon the school system to engage in
effective two-way communication. We seek
not only to improve the ways in which we inform citizens what we are doing in
schools but also to find meaningful and useful ways to incorporate their views
into school-related decision-making.
To achieve
this goal we will:
On-going:
• create outreach mechanisms to provide the public with important information about the Newton Public Schools, including but not limited to newsletters and school calendars;
• engage the
public through public forums, school improvement surveys, and other tools;
• work with community members to establish a technology endowment for the schools; and
• continue
development of the School Department’s web site.
Approved
by School Committee:
The
Newton Public Schools will provide a climate that actively promotes social
justice where children perform at the highest levels. To that end, the Newton Public Schools will
work:
§
to provide—and be self-reflective
about—authentic, effective, challenging and creative instruction that is
responsive to different learning styles and improves student achievement. Respect for human differences places the
learner at the center of the teaching and learning and fashions instruction
that builds upon the learner’s unique strengths and addresses his/her needs;
§
to encourage the broadest understanding and acceptance of
human differences (including differences in socio-economic class, gender, race,
ethnicity, culture, language, learning styles, special needs, physical
appearance, disabilities, sexual orientation, etc.) while affirming fundamental
similarities of the human community;
§
to recognize our role in fostering high expectations and
maximum challenge for all students and our responsibility for
consistently examining our practice and our expectations for students with
differences of race, gender, socio-economic class, language, learning styles;
§
to continue to work through
Empowering Multicultural Initiative (EMI) to make