School readiness report

...which is not online yet...
Facilities, HR, School safety, program modifications

Nearly all new windows in at Clark St., West Tatnuck, and Union Hill. Doing doorways, all interior work finishing in second shift
Goddard continues after school starts during second shift. Some will temporarily be boarded up and have fans and small operational windows. Doors and window interior work once all the windows are in
So don't panic; they're being fixed, and they're aiming for a finish by end of September
painting at Jacob Hiatt and Elm Park
Elm Park entry railing and security cameras (facilities funded)
WEMS classroom next to science labe, new floor, paint, lighting
HR work ongoing: still a few staffing positions we're working on
3 day new teacher orientation completed
Community Eligibility vote tonight! Nutrition is ready for it
Posting bus schedules TOMORROW! on the web and there will be a Connect-ed announcement

Safety: RFP is out for bid
ongoing meetings with CM, Mayor, Chief, WPS admin
school resource officer model and development and training
continuing officers in comprehensive high schools (and Tech)
meetings with principals
SRO: "nationally recognized model around training and citizenship"
currently support and share a portion of the costs of four liaison officers
City will shift resources to cover fifth officer (at Tech) and two additional
"relationship gap for" other schools (middle, 7-12)
training will include not only officers but principals and key district admin
"talking about the relationships and how we will begin to look at this"
"giving us a view into things we need to pay attention to"

Program enhancements:
New Citizens: grades 3-5 will go to Clark Street (so kids can socialize with peers and to relieve space crunch on New Ludlow)
Safety Center at Alternative School on Waverly now moving to Central Mass Academy at Harlowe (will also expand to include grade 6)
transition center at Woodward Day (kids lacking records)
Temporary Learning classroom grades 5-8 through Central Mass Academy (socially/emotionally disregulated students); also adds capacity for grades K-4 at other sites
Woodward Day now accepting grade six (long-term suspended students)

Mayor: "our schools are safe, our communities are safe places to live, to own a business"
"have some challenges, dealing with those challenges"
promised principals we'd get their input
"great model" having community resource officers in the schools
build that communication and relationship with the students
addressing community needs and issues
"they're interelated...not a school challenge...a community challenge"

Foley: "can't believe that the summer is over"
find dollars to do significant improvements to our schools
safety: acknowledge mayor's leadership in this
talked about safety: "sometimes productively on the floor, sometimes unproductively on the floor"
police presence in the schools not in a punative sense
make sure those officers are trained and really a part of the school community
thank CM, Chief, Deputy Sargent
really pleased to see it here; communication established and ongoing
youth violence facing every neighborhood throughout our entire community
looking at program enhancement for security
"really reflects a mayor who really gets things done"

O'Connell: potential to be very vital to the school
grateful for time
very important for us...to have right officers and best training
a sympathy for young people and the challenges that young people face
achieve well
principals be front and center in policy
vital to the administration and to us
challenge for us for the model as it evolves

Ramirez: was opposing police in schools, there were disruptions and fights in schools
then weapons, which is a different level
appreciate time and thought
other measures that we should be looking at
mediation techniques to address what we're seeing the community
"there are so many different ways that we can get what's going on in this community"

Monfredo: SRO model is an excellent one
all about prevention and building trust
public needs to know its been a collaborative effort on the part of the city and the school deparment

Biancheria: appreciate the report and update
physical improvements will make a difference
"windows are a large piece of how our buildings work"
matters to the neighbors, matters to the community
not quite clear on if dollars are being impacted by school lunch decision
"consider all of our meetings productive"
thrilled about this evening
leadership shown by mayor, CM, and police chief "want to congratulate more than you can possibly imagine"
would have appreciated more of a plan; how are we going to handle elementary schools?
"can only hope the first day of school and the rest of the days of schools are safe"
would like to have principals have more of a voice
glad they'll have training
Boone: coordination of meetings will be done by Rodrigues of SROs and principals
conversations with principals have been ongoing since June
always included in thinking
logistically we will addressing support through the floating officers, first
Boone: inference that the principals have not been part of this is concerning to me
principals have been part of this since June (and earlier)

Nelson Place funding approved by Council

Worcester City Council just approved the funding for the new Nelson Place School.
...and the funding for the accelerated repair projects (>Clark St., Goddard School of Science & Technology, Union Hill and West Tatnuck!)

Windows

In my earlier post on the City Council agenda, I missed this, which was caught by Nick Kotsopoulos:

City Manager Edward M. Augustus Jr. is asking the City Council to adopt an $11.5 million loan order for window replacement projects at four public school buildings: Clark Street, Goddard School of Science and Technology, Union Hill and West Tatnuck. 

These projects were already approved by MSBA; the city has to approve a loan order for the full cost, though the state will reimburse the city for 80% of the costs. All told, it should cost the city less than $2 million for these four projects.

And stay tuned: the Statement of Interest period for MSBA for 2015 opens Friday, so we should have another round coming!

Four new accelerated repair projects approved by MSBA this morning!

Good news from the MSBA Board meeting this morning!
Approved today are window projects for:

• Clark Street
• Goddard
• Union Hill
• West Tatnuck

(This is the approval of the actual money, meaning we can roll forward next summer.)

Clark Street, Union Hill, and West Tatnuck are about $2.5 million each and Godddard is about $5.5 million, so that's $9.6 million in reimbursements from the state (at Worcester's 80% reimbursement rate).

I should also note that this is Treasurer Steve Grossman's last meeting as chair of the MSBA Board. You'll be missed! 

Worcester School Committee meets Thursday, November 6

The Worcester School Committee has a regular meeting on Thursday, November 3 at 7 pm. You can find the agenda here.
After recognitions, we have the Superintendent's presentation of her summative evaluation. You can find the (massive) backup for that here. The School Committee will present their evaluation at the next meeting on Thursday, November 20.
We have the reports of both the Joint Committee and Finance and Operations. (In both cases, the notes start with that blog post and go forward.)
We have a response coming back on site councils.
We have a response on internships.
We have a response coming back on kindergartners on buses.
We have several congratulations being offered: students in the Columbus Day art contest; Rob Pezzella for his selection as "Changemaker for Children" from YOU, Inc; for a donation to Norrback Elementary.
We're sending the city's Byrne grant to Governance.
We have an item on the proposed changes to the teacher licensure system (on which I have posted at length). Note that right now, the proposal is to send this to the Governance subcommittee.
Miss Biancheria is asking about MCAS overrides.
She'd also like a report on coordination with the Department of Public Health on flu and Ebola.
There's a request for a report on CSX donations on Grafton Hill.
We have the quarterly special education collaborative report to consider.
There are several more proposals for congratulations--Burncoat Field Hockey; North High Health Science; South High--all connnected to Channel 5's broadcast here last week.
Administration is sending an elementary report card item to subcommittee (there's no backup; it's for updates as the pilot rolls forward).
We're being asked to approve a six year, $1.8 million contract with Houghton Mifflin for the "Go, Math!" program, being piloted this year.
We are being asked to approve two prior year payments:1,439.86 for an Instructional Assistant and $7,468.00 for an EAW Unit B administration.
We're being asked to accept a $900 donation from Agriculture in the Classroom to Worcester Tech's Biosphere.
Mr. O'Connell is sending part of the Council of Great City School's statement around standardized testing to Accountability. 
Mr. Monfredo would like to congratulate Woodland and Union Hill for receiving the Apple grant.
Miss Biancheria would like an update on dealing with arrests and youth violence.
And we're being asked to accept $13,000 from Millbury Savings Bank for Vernon Hill ($5000) and Quinsigamond School ($8000), as part of their five year commitment to those schools.

State of the Schools

Tweeting using #SOTSWPS
Boone: thanks to Worcester Educational Collaborative, School Committee, Mayor Petty, and City Manager Augustus (which is, the first time the City Manager has been in attendance).
"did experience some concern...that there was never a sequel to The Little Engine That Could"
citation of colleges graduates attend
variety of schools available within WPS
CPI goals per NCLB waiver (all for 2016-17)
AP participation in WPS: in 2008, 644 students taking at least one AP
in 2014, 1270 students taking at least one AP
percent of students receiving qualifying scores on exams
nearly doubling number of students earning a 5: maintaining scores
since 2007, South High has increased 137% in number of tests taken, while those earning 3 or above has increased by 110%
from 2007 69.8% graduate in four years; 2014 73.4% graduate in four years
8 schools Level 1; 12 schools Level 3; 22 schools Level 3; 2 Level 4 schools
45% of schools are Level 1 or 2
note that both Norrback and Union Hill are now Level 1 (and Union Hill exited Level 4 status last year)
of 7 high schools, 3 made targets on graduation rates, 2 for dropout rates
28 schools on or above target for student growth in ELA
24 schools on or above target for student growth in mathematics
Both Union Hill and Chandler Elementary both exiting Level 4 status (Chandler Elementary pending state approval of exit assurance plan)
"we don't have to wait for the state to come in to tell us"
West Tatnuck commended for high progress and for narrowing proficiency gaps
Worcester Arts Magnet: Gateway Cities Innovation Award
Burncoat High one of the Washington Post 100 most challenging high schools
GROWTH COUNTS : no longer on the list to get charters
innovation schools: "portfolio of educational options"
magnet schools, health pathways, vocational pathways, now innovation schools
new to WPS: increasing partnership with higher ed
PILOT HIGH SCHOOL ACADEMY FOR Advanced Learners at Doherty starting with at least 9th, possibly 10th grade, 250 students, rigorous admission standards, more to come in November SC meeting
report of the exam/IB here
seeking business support for a Business Fellow to link between K-12 and business
switching from quadrant managers to school portfolio manager and will request from School Committee for FY16 the addition of a manager for career exploration and readiness
(this is a reorganization of the Quadrant office and would add a position there)
Traditional Masai greeting: "And how are the children?"
what would it mean for us all if that were our greeting: close in Worcester to saying all our children are well

2014 MCAS results for Worcester : WPS press release

You can find the press release, with the school and district scores and Levels, online here.

And regarding Level 4's: here's a post from me from earlier this year on what that does and doesn't mean. 

UPDATE: I was going to do a separate post on how the bouncing among Level 1,2, and 3 doesn't mean much, either, but it's perfectly captured in this from the T&G article:

Lake View School in Worcester, for example, dropped from Level 1 to Level 2 this year. Ms. Boone explained that as a small school, shifts in scores of one or two students will have a larger impact than at a larger school. Gates Lane, which also went from Level 1 to Level 2, has a large special education population. Last year the school was able to meet targets for that subgroup; this year, they fell slightly below. 

Again, Level 1 just means you met your targets and 95% of the kids took the tests. Level 2 means you didn't hit all your targets, as above. And if a few more schools did better on their targets, it's not hard to fall into the bottom 20%, making you Level 3.
It's a chart, and people like charts. There isn't a whole lot behind the chart, though.

Four schools with new windows coming!

Just to give it a post of its own: Clark Street (built 1953), West Tatnuck (1961), Union Hill (1922 & 28), and Goddard (1900) are all getting new windows (all have their original windows now).
Planning this summer on these...once I get more of a timeline on this, I'll post it.

Accelerated repair programs on the MSBA agenda today

Not just Clark Street, West Tatnuck, Goddard, and Union Hill on the agenda today; there are schools from Auburn (the middle school and Bryn Mawr Elementary), Bellingham, Brockton, Dartmouth, Falmouth, Franklin County Regional Tech, Gardner (Sheffield Elementary), Gill-Montague Regional, Greenfield, Hampden-Wilbraham, Holyoke, Hudson, Leominster, Lynn, Medfield, Medway, Melrose, Middleton, Nashoba Regional (Florence Sawyer), North Attleboro, Northampton, Norwood, Orleans, Peabody, Quincy, Randolph, South Shore Regional, Southern Berkshire Regional, Springfield, Stoughton, Sudbury, Tri-County Regional Vocational, Tyngsborough, Wayland, and Wellesley...
...being invited to the Accelerated Repair Program.
Bourne, Ipswich, and Millis are being invited to eligibility for major renovation/rebuild.
Billerica and Braintree are being invited to Feasiblity for major renovation/rebuild.
more to come...


Executive Director's report: 37 project visits since March
accelerated repair: 60 schools in 39 school districts visited to evaluate for recommendations since March
3 groundbreakings, one ribbon cutting, one topping off
33 project visits coming up this summer
security: local decision making; not a school problem, a community problem
SOI period has closed: 227 applications for the core program

removals from eligiblity: Shrewsbury for Beal Early Childhood Center; town has concluded that they are unable to proceed for funding reasons
two being removed from accelerated repair: from Central Berkshire and from Dighton-Rehoboth

Three invitations to eligibility: Bourne, Ipswitch, Millis, all for elementary schools
these are from the 2013 SOI process

Two invitations to feasibility: Billerica, for Billerica Memorial High School; Braintree, for East Middle School


51 projects being invited to accelerated repairs
cruising through cities and towns now...comments from communities and schools
several communities glad to see 50 year old boilers go (I'm not going to bring up Worcester East Middle here)

Superintendent Boone points out that the average age of Worcester Public Schools is 75 years (and that's with one that's brand new!)
AND THEY'RE THROUGH!

Worcester projects before MSBA tomorrow!

We've received excellent news from Superintendent Boone earlier today:

We learned late yesterday that the four Statements of Interest submitted to the MSBA’s Accelerated Repair Program will be recommended for funding by the MSBA Board.  The four schools are: Clark Street, West Tatnuck, Goddard and Union Hill.  The MSBA Board Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 4, 2014 at 10:00 am at its office in Boston.  This is exciting news and brings to 13 the total number of projects funded from the Accelerated Repair Program.

I'll be there and blogging!

Wraparound zone

You can find the backup here.
Boone: address the services that are needed for wraparound
when children and families need support outside of the school setting

Finance and Operations: Signage

schools that need additional signage so you can find your way in
addressed as budget funding permits
still needing signage: Wawecus, Canterbury, Grafton Street, Union Hill, Elm Park, Goddard

Statements of interest for MSBA

Foley: have had some significant work done these past few years
Allen runs through list of past two years of projects
"in conversation with MSBA, they invited us to change our submission on Worcester East Middle to now reflect...robust accelerated repair"
asked to remain in accelerated repair for just the boiler (as we think it will not last another year)
understand that it will be invited for full mechanical systems over a multi-year process
"significantly changes scope of work and investment"
does not require level of education spec planning (as Nelson Place does)
good news/bad news: much more work, but much longer
does free up money for over this summer, as only doing boiler this year
working with the city for dollars that are now being freed up; work that is not reimbursable by MSBA
some of those can happen this summer now instead
recommending that we submit three high schools for repair/replacement
new accelerated repair recommendations: Clark Street, Goddard, Union Hill, West Tatnuck, all for windows
"this is time sensitive" have to be approved by SC and Council
told that master plan needed to move forward
priority 1 based on needs assessment is South High, and remains so
Motions separately to submit three high schools for renovation/repair, and elementary schools for windows

Finance and Operations meets Wednesday at 5!

The Standing Committee on Finance and Operations meets this Wednesday, January 22 at 5 pm. You can find the agenda here.
And welcome, Ms.Ramirez for her first meeting!

• We're getting a report back from Administration (on a motion I filed) on fixing the pesky problem of knowing what door to go in. 
• We have the Blue Ribbon Technology report up for consideration. You'll remember that we've funded the first round of computer rentals, so we'll be getting a progress report. With the needs we also have with the upcoming PARCC assessment coming in, there's some cross referencing we need to do here as well. And possibly capital funding.
• We're sending both the FY14 budget and the FY14 capital budget to our joint committee with City Council.
• WPS participated in the drafting of the 2013 Open Space and Recreation Plan, a document that the City is required to submit every seven years.
• We have the usual quarterly budget report, with an update on all accounts. It looks to me that the big things here--beyond underfunding workers' comp, which you'll remember we discussed at our last meeting and are taking up again at this one--are special education costs and a few categories of overtime. 
• We're getting an overview on the review of playgrounds that has happened. Schools do have the specifics for their own playgrounds; do keep in mind that this is a citywide view. I've already gotten some questions: if your school has a brand new playground, chances are that what you need is a sign and possibly better groundcover. 
• Mr. O'Connell had a query on adding assistant principals. 
• It's MSBA Statement of Interest time! The rebuild/renovate proposals remain the same: South at number one, with Burncoat and Doherty to follow. Proposed accelerated repairs for this year--all on windows--are Clark Street, Goddard, Union Hill, and West Tatnuck. Those have to pass out of F&O, through School Committee, then through City Council, and (in the case of the accelerated repairs) all by the first week of February.
• Miss Biancheria inquired about WRTA bus passes. 
• I've got some concerns about our snowblowers and lawnmowers. You have to read between the lines, but that's a worried Facilities department. 
• And Mr. O'Connell referred the school nutrition account here, so we should get to have some conversation about school lunch!

It's a long one, but it all starts at 5 on Wednesday! Fourth floor of the Durkin Administration Building (or live on Channel 11). 

Exit plan for Union Hill; Renewal plan for Chandler Elementary

Boone: Union Hill need to assure continuing progress
Chandler Elementary: review turnaround plan, so close that we need only renew plan

Worcester School Committee meets on Thursday

This time for sure!
We've got the entirety of the agenda from the meeting that was scheduled for November 7, with a few new items. You can find the agenda here. 
The report of the superintendent this week is on getting Union Hill out of Level 4 status and continuing with Chandler Elementary in Level 4 status. You might recall that the funding for those plans is now gone. We have three annexes on that; you can find the links on the agenda.
We have both Accountability and TLSS subcommittees reporting back.
Staffing changes are still coming through.
Mr. O'Connell is asking for some clarity on the mailing of BMI letters.
As mentioned by the T&G today, we have several donations to accept or honor, including two for field trips!
We have our quarterly report coming back from the Central Mass Regional Collaborative.
We have a prior year payment of $490 to pass.
We have two items from Ms. Colorio regarding the new PARCC test: one regarding adaptations for special education students; the other pointing out (as did the MASC amendment) that this is an unfunded mandate and asking that this be rectified.
And finally, thanks to those who got the students at South High involved in Memphis. 

To cheer your Thursday...

...go look at the photos by Steven King of the Union Hill second graders visiting the Worcester Senior Center for a lesson on Johnny Appleseed and apple pie!

News on our first two Level 4 schools

Good news! I have just received the following from Dr. Rodrigues:

Superintendent Melinda J. Boone proudly announces the accomplishments of two Level 4 schools in the district.  Today, the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) released the new accountability determination for the 34 schools designated as Level 4 schools in 2010. Selected schools exited the Level 4 status to Level 3, 2 or 1, some remained on Level 4, and others became under consideration for Level 5 status.    Through a three-prong exit determination process, Commissioner Chester determined that Union Hill Elementary School has exited the Level 4 status to a Level 3 status. The dedicated and consistent efforts of Principal Marie Morse and her staff, parents and community partners have created conditions for student engagement and academic growth at Union Hill. The school’s focused Turnaround Plan produced significant gains in student performance over a three year period, earning them a new Level 3 status. Chandler Elementary School’s Turnaround Plan also produced notable gains in student performance but the school will remain on Level 4 status a little longer.According to DESE, 3 types of schools remain on level 4 status:1. Schools that have come close to their performance targets but need a little more time;2. Schools that are further from their targets and more dramatic improvement is needed;3. Schools that have struggled, but are now partnering with a turnaround operator.Chandler Elementary was identified as type 1, meaning that they have created strong structures to support student achievement but need a little more time to meet their turnaround goals. The DESE will continue to monitor the progress at Union Hill Elementary School and Chandler Elementary School. For Union Hill Elementary School, the district must submit an “Exit Assurance Application” providing assurances that the school and district will continue to strengthen the Conditions for School Effectiveness and District Systems of Support.Chandler Elementary School will revise its Turnaround Plan to reflect the actions that will accelerate student growth during 2013-2014 school year. According to the DESE, the school’s current level of performance indicates readiness for an expedited process to meet turnaround targets.  

Worcester School Committee meeting tonight!

Sorry for the late agenda review here...
The Worcester School Committee meets tonight at 7 pm at City Hall. You can find the agenda here.
In addition to the substantive issues coming out of subcommittee regarding the policy manual, we are also:

• recognizing the Boston Globe Scholastic Art and Writing award winners
• getting a short presentation on the Superintendent's Student Advisory Council
• voting (one assumes) to open negotiations with the EAW (for tutors, assistants, IAs, and parent liaisons) and with the MNA (for nurses)
• getting (in addition to Governance) reports out from Accountability and from Finance and Operations.  
• hearing back from Columbus Park on naming their auditorium
• setting dates for a number of recognitions
• accepting a donation from St. John's church for iPads at Union Hill 
• accepting a grant from Johnson & Johnson 
• sending the (now annual) school lunch increase off to F&O
• asking for a report on summer programs
• asking for a report on pedestrian issues (crosswalks, signage) around schools
• considering awarding diplomas to veterans whose military service interrupted their completion of school
• requesting training for our principals for the new regs on suspension
• And (love this one) asking that the City Manager put back the star in front of City Hall where Isaiah Thomas read the Declaration of Independence! (before it was read in Boston...just saying!)

7 pm, City Hall!

School Committee meets tonight at 7

The Worcester School Committee meets at 7 pm tonight. You can find the agenda here.

• We have the staff of the Fanning Building coming in to be recognized for the Thanksgiving that they have every year for their students. 
• We're being asked to open negotiations with our secretaries.
• We've got an item coming over from the City Council on the South High pool (which last I checked, was actually still in the City Council Parks and Rec subcommittee, awaiting an administrative answer. Checking that again.)
• Finance and Operations is reporting out (but not TLSS, which was cancelled due to weather).
• Teacher appointments coming through.
• We have reports back from administration on class sizes at Union Hill; on community gardens; and on principal contracts and work days.
• We're changing the reimbursement per mile (as required).
• We've got several requests going into Administration, including a request for a report on the incidents last week near North High.
• And we vote for a new vice chair, as the School Committee traditionally has single year terms for vice chair.

7 pm (and no exec beforehand, so probably about on time!)