Francis Wyman Elementary School
Annual Report 2013
Francis Wyman Elementary
School has continued on its journey of providing high quality instruction to
assure student growth and achievement in a culture that CARES for all students.
The Common Core Standards in English Language Arts and Mathematics consist of
rigorous expectations that require a strong curriculum and highly effective
teachers. There has been a great deal of work done by teachers and administrators
across the elementary schools to understand the standards and align our
curriculum to meet those standards. A new mathematics program, EnVisionMATH, was adopted to address our
curriculum needs in grades kindergarten through five. EnVisionMATH aligns to the Common Core Standards and is designed to
meet the needs of all students. The writing program Explorations in Non- Fiction Writing was adopted for grades
kindergarten through grade two this year with the hopes of possibly expanding it
to grades three through five for next year. Non-Fiction reading and writing is
a key component of the ELA Common Core Standards and this program will increase
and improve instruction in these areas.
Francis Wyman Elementary
School has developed an effective Multi-Tier System of Supports (MTSS)
instructional structure that meets the needs of all students in the areas of
English Language Arts (ELA) and Mathematics. Our universal screening assessment
tools include DIBELS, Symphony Math
and I-Ready Reading and Mathematics.
These assessments provide us with important information as to our students’
skill levels so that students can receive targeted instruction. We continue to group across the grade
for reading in grades one through five and for mathematics in grades four and
five. Kindergarten students
are grouped for targeted reading instruction during the Intervention/Extension
block. Again this year a team of teachers visited FWS to observe and discuss
our RtI program. The teachers from Falmouth, Massachusetts spent the day
visiting classrooms, reviewing our procedures, and talking to our teachers and
left excited to implement RtI in their school.
This year teachers are being
evaluated by a new state-mandated evaluation system. Teachers and
administrators are learning how to implement the new system. The new system
requires self-reflection, goal -setting, frequent unannounced observations by
evaluators, and the collection of evidence to demonstrate meeting the goals and
standards. Through this process, teachers and administrators engage in frequent
dialogue around effective instruction and student growth. All teachers and administrators
are focusing on student engagement as one of the top priorities this year.
The outcome of the 1:1 iPad
pilot last year in grade one was most successful as teachers and students found
that the device supported increased student engagement. With the opportunities
for individualized learning as well as the capacity to develop creative
projects, the decision was to move forward with a 1:1 iPad initiative. This
year all students in grades one, four and five have a class set of iPads
available to them in their classrooms. The plan is to complete the
implementation next year with grades two and three. The teachers are finding it
exciting to be able to plan and implement lessons that include interesting and
authentic applications for using the iPads. Students are most comfortable
learning the various aspects of using the apps and iPads. By carefully
determining the appropriate use of the iPads along with more traditional
instructional methods, the teachers are finding that the iPads enhance
instruction and increase student engagement.
Our School-wide Positive
Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) program is showing great promise in
its effectiveness to promoting positive behavior throughout the school. This
program is the foundation of our MTSS in the area of behavior and our CARES
motto is the basis for all our goals. The CARES acronym stands for compassion,
accomplishment, respect, enthusiasm, and self- reliance. Behavioral
expectations have been identified for school-wide areas such as the cafeteria,
hallways, bus dismissal, the auditorium, etc. Students receive CARES coupons for demonstrating the
expected behaviors in an effort to highlight positive behaviors. Classroom
teachers have developed classroom behavioral expectations which are supported by
classroom reward systems and grade level systems. These systems utilize the
CARES coupons thus providing a consistent school-wide effort. The rewards for CARES coupons vary but
focus primarily on giving students public recognition and time spent participating
in choice activities. Students enjoy earning individual rewards, whole class
rewards, grade level rewards, and school- wide rewards.
The Accelerated Reader (AR)
program has continues to grow in student participation this year. This
web-based program is designed to support independent reading for all levels of
readers. Students read books of their choice and then take quizzes to determine
basic comprehension of the books. The program helps students identify their
“just right” level of books based on the success rate of their quizzes. The AR
provides thousands of quizzes for a variety of books which allows students a
wide array of book choices. Students receive certificates to document their
success. Each week, the names of students who have successfully completed
quizzes are announced to the school and the students receive CARES coupons for
their accomplishment. Students work toward meeting a school-wide goal set by
the principal so as to encourage independent reading at school and at home in
an effort to develop life-long readers. In February the students met the goal
of reading over 2,000 books and by June they had read 4,200 books. This was a
great accomplishment and was celebrated school-wide!
Collaboration among teachers
is a key factor in providing the most effective instruction to our students.
The grade level teams work closely with the mindset that all teachers are
responsible for the progress of all the students in the grade. They share ideas
and develop curriculum so that students receive consistently high quality
instruction. Our students benefit from the collaboration of our very talented
teachers. The new teacher evaluation system emphasizes collaboration among
teachers and our teachers are ready to meet those expectations.
The PTO has worked tirelessly
to support the school through fundraising activities and family events. Books,
materials, field trips and enrichment activities are some of the benefits that
the PTO provides through its volunteers and fundraising. The students enjoyed the
special assembly by the a cappella group “Ball in the House” with their wide
range of musical renditions all without instruments. Students also had the
opportunity to enjoy the incredible story telling of “Odds Bodkin”. The
Carnival is the highlight event of the year thanks to the enormous effort of
the PTO. Although fundraising events vary from year to year, the PTO remains a
constant and steady support to FWS.
There were a few teacher
retirements this year. Special educator, Mrs. Stephanie Hackbath, and ELL
teacher, Mrs. Nancy Todd retired and both had worked at FWS for many years. They
were highly dedicated to their students and to the school. Mrs. Betty Morrison,
Title I Math Instructional Assistant also retired. Betty worked at multiple
schools in Burlington over the course of many years. Mrs. Kelli Stromski was
hired as a special educator. Kelli worked as a special education assistant at
FWS for the past two years. Mrs. Bonnie Leary took over as the ELL teacher.
Bonnie had worked at FWS as an ELL Tutor for the past four years. Mr. Ben
Schersten was hired as our Technology Specialist and has been a tremendous
support to our teachers in the implementation of the 1:1 iPad initiative. Ben
comes to us from Arlington where he was a third grade teacher with a 1:1 iPad
classroom. His experience as a classroom teacher along with his technology
expertise has been an asset to the school.
Francis
Wyman School was the proud recipient of the Educational Alliance Math and
Science Grant from ExxonMobil Corporation. This $500 donation will be used to
support our math and science instruction. Thank you to the ExxonMobil station
on Bedford Street for nominating Francis Wyman and supporting our students. The Ratner Companies, Hair Cuttery, recognized FWS as
a school that CARES. We were one of five schools in Massachusetts honored. The
Burlington Hair Cuttery presented us with a series of pencil drawings by the
renowned artist, Paul Ratner, the brother of the CEO and Founder of the Ratner
Companies, Dennis Ratner. The twenty-six pencils drawings of each letter of the
alphabet are just beautiful!
Francis Wyman School is
fortunate to have an active and supportive school community of students,
teachers, staff, parents and area business partnerships that make our school
successful and one that strives not only for high achievement but also one that
CARES.
Respectfully Submitted,
Susan P. Astone
Principal
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