Turnaround Year 0 Board of Education Presentation June 4, 2015 1 - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

Turnaround Year 0 Board of Education Presentation June 4, 2015 1

2015-16 Turnaround Year 0 Recommendations Recommended schools for Turnaround through the Tiered Supports Framework process: • Valverde • Harrington • Schmitt • Goldrick • Community Engagement began this spring to build the vision of the school with families and staff. • Staff recommends the Board approve Redesign status on June 18, 2015.

Community Engagement in Year 0 Turnaround Schools • Educate school communities about the turnaround and design process and key district decision-points • Engage community members and key stakeholders about key school design components and elements and solicit their feedback around what the want • Empower school community members to be active and strong partners to design and turnaround process

Community Engagement: Turnaround Year 0 Timeline April May June July August September October November Small group and community meetings Community Design Committee meetings School Vision Development Our goal is to build a purposeful process that fosters transformative relationships between Relationship Capacity the school community and the new Building Building turnaround leadership to develop a collective vision that is both ambitious and feasible.

Jessica Ridgway – Year 0 Principal Dan Villescas – Interim Principal

Background of the Year 0 Principal Jessica Ridgway (Year 0) • DPS Alum and Denver Community native • Began teaching in Arizona • Founding AP – STRIVE Prep - Sunnyside Choice Trust • Principal Intern – Oakland Elementary Partnership

Background of the Interim Principal Dan Villescas (Interim) • Proud father of 3 DPS students • Experienced principal • Committed to community • Over 20 years in education

Parent + Community Rigorous Academics Cultural + Enrichment Activities Engaged, Challenged, Supported Students Emerging Vision

Next steps and planning Initial Thinking for SY 15-16 • Build strong school culture focused on achievement • Build capacity around planning from and implementation of grade level standards • Strengthen family and school partnerships • Student and school safety Initial Thinking for 5-Year Turnaround Plan • Rigorous academics that integrate technology and project based learning • Robust community partnerships that support students and families • School culture and values that prepare students for success as a global citizen • Leadership that spans all levels of the school

Community Engagement

Karin Johnson – Year 0 Principal Charmaine Keeton – Interim Principal

Background of the Year 0 Principal Karin Johnson (Year 0) • Principal; Polaris @ Ebert Elementary, Denver Public Schools 2008 – 2015 recipient John Irwin Schools of Excellence Awards • Teacher for 9 years in Oregon, Los Angeles and Denver schools. • Actor/Teacher Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Ashland Oregon • Proud mother of 2 DPS students

Background of the Interim Principal Charmaine Keeton (Interim) • BS from Norfolk State University • MA from Nova Southeastern University • Type D From Denver University • Worked in DPS since Jan 1981. • A Sped teacher 10 years • Title One teacher 5 years • Math Coach 8 years & Area Math Specialist 2 years • Principal 8 years: • 7 years at Hallett Fundamental Academy • Retired June 12th

Here is the emerging vision for the future of our school A distinguished school • Listen We are committed to collaboratively and thoughtfully creating a program that fosters intellectual curiosity and creativity. • Respond by fostering collaboration of students, parents and teachers to assure innovative, culturally rich learning environment where students, parents and faculty are supported and celebrated. • Build stakeholders’ vision in tandem with academic excellence, we are committed to designing a distinguished school that offers rigorous curricula that nurtures curiosity, skill development, knowledge, the joy of life-long learning and knowledge necessary for college or career.

Next steps and planning Initial Thinking for SY 15-16 • Increase family and community engagement • Increase safety and well-being of students • Increase rigorous curricula and effective instructional delivery • Cultivate culture that prioritizes teaching, learning and putting students’ academic and social -emotional needs first Initial Thinking for 5-Year Turnaround Plan • Significantly improve technology access and curricula • Significantly increase grant funds and community supports • Provide professional development to support teachers and team in order to impact student achievement and school satisfaction

Community Engagement

Jesse Tang – Year 0 Principal Cindy Miller – Interim Principal

Background of the Year 0 Principal Jesse Tang (Year Zero) • Began teaching in 2004 in Chicago’s Southside • Assistant Principal at two ECE-8 th Grade Elementary Schools • Founding Principal of Central Queens Academy • Attended a School Leadership program at Harvard Graduate School of Education • Passion for serving urban communities, immigrant families, and future first generation college graduates

Background of the Interim Principal Cindy Miller (Interim) • Began teaching in 1995 with DPS • Served as Asst. Principal for 11 years • Served as Principal for 4 years • Excited about coming to Schmitt to make a difference with Schmitt students, staff, and families

Here is the emerging vision for the future of our school • Re-engage families and cultivate strong relationships across staff, students, families, and community • Dramatically increase student achievement through strong ELA instruction, teacher support, and innovative programming/curricula

Next steps and planning Initial Thinking for SY 15-16 • Strengthen teaching coaching and support • Establish a strong school culture and family engagement approach • Identify and research innovative programs nationwide to determine best fit for Schmitt Initial Thinking for 5-Year Turnaround Plan • Build and develop a strong distributive leadership structure within Instructional Leadership Team and Teacher-Leader roles • Intensive focus on bilingual literacy for ELA students through improved instruction, resources, assessment systems

Community Engagement Events • Meet and Greets • Advocacy Group Meetings • Community Meetings Key Themes: • Desire for consistent communication • Re-engage families • Strengthen school culture and hallmark events

Drew Schutz – Principal

Background of the Principal DPS Alum • 2 nd and 5 th Grade ELA-S/ELA-E teacher at McMeen Elementary • Assistant Principal and Principal Resident at Sabin World School • Experience with TNLI programming, effective intervention systems, transdisciplinary learning, blended/personalized learning. • I am thrilled to have the opportunity to be at Valverde because it is a school with a strong history and a passionate community. Valverde has been through many years of declining performance. I am excited by the chance to be a part of a new chapter for the school, and bring its students the strong learning environment they deserve.

Here is the emerging vision for the future of our school • Engaging/Personalized Instruction • Culture of Pride and High Expectations • Strong Community Partnerships • Effective Social-Emotional and Academic Supports

Next steps and planning Initial Thinking for SY 15-16 • Focus on a positive culture and climate for students and adults. Environmental upgrades to support culture and engagement. • Focus on raising the instructional bar via a strong coaching/feedback cycle, ANet partnership, and a deeper understanding of CCSS. • Continue community outreach efforts. • Recruitment and retention of high quality staff (School Development Team) Initial Thinking for 5-Year Turnaround Plan • Continued focus on culture (Pride and High Expectations) • Personalized learning systems • Exploration of new program focus- STEM? • Strong community partnerships (PTLT, Arrow, Parallon, DSISD)

Community Engagement Events • Community “Meet and Greets” • Vision meeting with Community • Parent-Teacher Leadership Team

Appendix

Turnaround Year 0 Engagement Events: April-May School Date Topic Attendance Goldrick 4/16 Community Turnaround Presentation AM – 15 PM - 20 5/6 Community Design Committee Meeting 10 5/21 Whole School Five Factors Visioning 12 5/27 Community Design Committee Meeting 7 Harrington 5/18 Meet and Greet 20 5/22 Student Voice Visioning TBD Schmitt 4/6 Meet and Greets 7 5/4 Meet and Greets 11 5/5 Community Design Committee Meeting 25 5/21 Whole School Five Factors Visioning 21 5/28 Community Design Committee Meeting 4 4/13 Parent Teacher Leadership Team 15 Valverde 4/15 Parent Teacher Leadership Team 15 4/20 Principal Visioning 10 5/1 Turnaround Community Update 50 Denver Public Schools Confidential – For Deliberative Purpose