School Improvement Plan: For the 2018-19 school year, we have three major improvement strategies in place. They are as follows:
- Focus on instructional techniques: Students and teachers actively discuss learning targets and make plans to address the content and process necessary to achieve competency. Teachers intentionally plan lessons and units to include opportunities for re-teaching and reassessment, especially for complex concepts that typically challenge students. Students and teachers reflect on learning progress as well as their learning processes, and display flexibility in adjusting learning experiences to meet student needs. Teachers regularly observe and reflect together on student learning and engage in on-going cycle of planning, instruction, assessment, and analysis to improve teaching and learning.
- Ensure interventions and supports: There is a shared understanding in the school that for the majority of students, interventions are most successful when integrated in core classroom learning. Teachers plan for re-teaching opportunities in their instruction. For smaller percentages of students, small group and individual intervention support is scheduled into the school day. Students are flexibly included and released from intervention, based on learning progress. Data is used to match students’ academic and social/emotional/behavior needs to interventions and supports. The school schedules acceleration/enrichment opportunities into the school day, and all students have access to deeper learning options.
- Utilize descriptive feedback: Teachers and students utilize descriptive feedback practices to focus on learning and growth. Students are experienced in self- and peer-assessment and can describe expected learning goals, their current achievement, and the steps they can take to move closer to expectations.
The staff is working diligently to address each of these key areas. As we visit classrooms, we see students who are creative and engaged in critical thinking! YAHOOO!
Academic Benchmarks: The middle of the school year is an important time for educators to determine students’ academic levels, so that we can make decisions about how we can support our learners for the remainder of the school year. In the upcoming weeks, students will engage in the i-Ready mathematics and reading diagnostic. Additionally, grade levels will participate in a writing benchmark.
Warm Clothing: As we move to the winter months, please remember we spend each morning as well as daily recesses outside. Please dress your child accordingly. We also have a great deal of lost and found items including winter coats, hats, and gloves. Please remind your children to gather their items and use them during our recesses.
Thank you for allowing us to work with your children at Florida Mesa. The staff is dedicated to the academic, social, and emotional success of each student, and we appreciate your critical role in our school community. During this busy, and often, stressful time of the year, remember to take the time to relax with your loved ones and celebrate the wonderful accomplishments of your children.
Warmly,
Vanessa Giddings, Principal
Shannon Morris, Assistant Principal