5 th Grade Transition Committee Readout & Panel November 8, 2018
Agenda • School Board roles and responsibilities • Historical perspective • 5 th Grade Transition Committee: goal, process & recommendation • Next steps • Q&A
School Board Roles and Responsibilities* • Set and Establish School Board Policy • Establish the School District's Budget, and Provide Budget Oversight • Hire a Superintendent - (RSA 194-C) • Evaluate the Superintendent - (Ed 303; contract; local policy) • Conduct Hearings and Serve as an Adjudicative Body (Various statutes and rules) • Collective Bargaining - (RSA 273-A) • Communicate with the public – keep the public informed of Board actions • Strategic Planning – Long and Short-Term Goals, Plans and Objectives * State Statutes, NHDOE Rules; Source: New Hampshire School Board Association http://www.nhsba.org/index.asp
Rye School District’s Vision for Education Students leaving Rye schools are engaged learners able to exercise control over their education and have the work habits to be able to meet their own and others’ expectations for learning. They understand that effort and openness to learning are the most important factors in their success. They know how to persevere through challenging academic tasks. Rye students are curious learners and creative thinkers who have developed the knowledge and skills to reflect on and further their education and life experiences. Rye students have a deep understanding of the major concepts in all content areas and are able to apply that learning into new situations. Students are well prepared to enter the next level of their education because they have been meaningfully challenged and well-educated. They possess strong research and critical thinking skills allowing them to investigate and solve complex problems. They are able to communicate effectively using a variety of media, especially written and oral. Rye students use technology effectively to support and demonstrate their learning across all content areas. Rye students are confident, respectful of themselves and others, and contribute positively as citizens. They understand how to collaborate to maximize their own and the group’s learning. Rye students have the skills to get along with their peers and other members of the community. They are open-minded and have learned to understand others’ perspectives. Importantly, they are empathetic as demonstrated by their understanding of how their words and actions affect others .
Agenda • School Board roles and responsibilities • Historical perspective • 5 th Grade Transition Committee: goal, process & recommendation • Next steps • Q&A
The Stats • NH is second oldest state in nation; most rapidly aging state* • 130/161 of state’s school districts enrollment declined 2001- 2010** • 2000-2015 Rye population shifts*: Children -38% 18-44 -32% 45-64 +27% 65+ +70% Sources: *Peter Francese, demographer, 2017; **Applied Economic Research 2012
What used to be 60-80 students per grade a decade ago is now approx. 40-50 per grade In 1982, RSD Consolidation 450 Committee published “Report on Investigation of Feasibility of 400 Consolidation of RJH” 362 350 RES 300 276 Enrollment 234 250 Current: 253 255 200 RJH 150 132 132 100 Current: 127 50 0 1972 1974 1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002 2004 2006 2008 2010 2012 2014 2016 2018 2020 Source: Raw data provided by SAU50; projections calculated using a 3-year weighted average cohort survival method utilizing data as of 10/17/17; kindergarten figures from 1972-1994 were based on an average kindergarten progression ratio calculated using 1995-2017 data. These were used to standardize the data during years when Rye did not offer kindergarten.
Timeline of Structural Changes at RJH 2000’s 2012-2013 2016-2017 2019-2020 4 grade level 4 grade level 3 grade level teachers teachers teachers -Grades 6, 7, 8 -Grades 7, 8 -Grades 6, 7, 8 3 grade level Reductions in Teachers unified arts at RJH -Grade 6 Middle School Structure Committee, School Use Feasibility Committee, 5 th Grade Transition Committee
Article 3 of 2017 School District Ballot Establish a committee to “study the long-term enrollment projections and consider how to best use the current School District properties to best meet the educational needs of Rye students while striving for fiscally responsible proposals.”
School Use Feasibility Committee • Status quo • Expand RES for a Gr k-8 campus; transfer RJH to town • Gr K-6 at RES; Gr 7&8 and Town Hall offices at RJH • Tuition RJH students to Portsmouth Middle School • Tuition Greenland Middle School student to RJH • Gr Prek-4 at RES; Gr 5-8 at RJH
PreK-4 at RES; Grades 5-8 at RJH PROS CONS Adolescence defined as ages 10-15; can group 5/6 together Concerns for social/emotional development of 5 th graders and 7/8 together for developmental similarities Offers 5 th graders access to additional programming: band, STEAM, lifeskills Principal support Allows for long-term flexibility for enrollment changes Maintains community preschool at RES Potentially assists with Rye Recreation space needs
Local School District Structures Hampton Portsmouth K-2, 3-5, 6-8 K-5, 6-8 North Hampton Kittery K thru 8 K-3, 4-8 Greenland York K thru 8 K-4, 5-8 “They can change their shapes and sizes very easily”
Agenda • School Board roles and responsibilities • Historical perspective • 5 th Grade Transition Committee: goal, process & recommendation • Next steps • Q&A
5 th Grade Transition Committee - Goal To identify the most effective and sustainable teaching model for Rye students for the next five years . Caveats: -- Board changes, swings in population -- Private school deflections -- Pedagogy changes -- Will need to continue to re-evaluate and improve
5 th Grade Transition Committee - Process • Developed schedule for successful transition • Called 15 schools with similar configuration • Visited 3 grade 5-8 middle schools York Middle School, Oyster River Middle School, Berwick Academy • YMS separates 5 th graders from older students; other schools do not • All schools use some form of a two-team teaching model (Science/Math and SS/ELA) • Playground equipment was minimal • Larger class sizes/except Berwick • All schools offer variation of “Welcome to 5 th Grade Orientation Day”
5 th Grade Transition Committee – Process (cont.) • Evaluated various teaching models for RJH 5-8 middle school structure Working session with parents Online feedback system Examined 5-year population at RJH and recommended class guidelines • Weekly emails with updates to parent community
5 th Grade Transition Committee – Recommendation 3-person teaching team for Grade 5 PROS CONS Change from current 5 th grade self- Model stays consistent for Grades 5-8 contained model Smaller class size Organizational readiness for some students Focus on content areas Common planning time for teacher team; curriculum grouping for staff is easier Easily allows for whole-school initiatives because all grades operate under same model
Poised for growth • Retention from private school departures • School Board considering tuition-in program • Housing developments 40 approved units at Rye Airfield; 8 will be workforce housing 20 proposed units at Washington/Rte 1; % workforce housing 11 lots on South Road • Organic housing cycles With aging town population, real estate may become available
Agenda • School Board roles and responsibilities • Historical perspective • 5 th Grade Transition Committee: goal, process & recommendation • Next steps • Q&A
Next Steps – Transition Action Items • 11/28 RJH open house • FAQ document completed by open house How will you handle 4 th and 5 th grade clap-out? How much interaction will 5 th graders have with other grades? How will you handle social activities like dances? • Coffee talk with RES principal • Spring student shadow days/step-up day
Next Steps – Staffing and Budget • Preliminary FY 2020 School District Budget to be discussed at November 9 th meeting at Rye Town Hall • Administration presents the preliminary budget with review of personnel, programming, contracted services, transportation, building maintenance • Regular school board meeting to follow the budget work session. Superintendent will provide the recommendation of the Grade 5 Transition Committee to the Board for approval • Once the teaching model is approved, the staffing process begins
Next Steps – Staffing and Budget (cont.) • Article 7 – Transfers, Assignments & Reassignments “For the duration of this Agreement, a Teacher who desires a transfer for the ensuing year must file a written request with the Superintendent before May 1 st , if applicable, which shall include grade/subject area of transfer, reason for transfer, and documentation of qualifications for transfer.” “When awarding a position, a Teacher’s performance, seniority, and qualifications will be considered. The final decision pertaining to the transfer will be at the sole discretion of the Superintendent of Schools.”
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