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Mid-Year Goals Review

Ongoing Goals for 2016-2017

• Investigate secondary textbook needs with on-line digital content. Continue to investigate paid

and free on-line resources to support best instructional practices. Ongoing; working with 6-12 ELA teachers and Biology teachers for implementation in 17-18.

• Investigate and research curricular options and pathways for the least able students in grades 6 – 12. Focus for 2016-2017 is Middle School Math through Algebra 1 and to support the Student Services Department with RTII in the Middle Schools. Ongoing with Student Services – review planned for February.

• Continue work with Career, Education & Work (CEW) courses and phase out the applied level courses at the high school. Ongoing.

• Continue to develop STEMM integration to K – 12 curriculums to develop awareness of STEMM

career options and provide inquiry based learning for all students. Focus for 16-17 is Full Day Kindergarten STEMM integration and Middle School I & E period. Ongoing.

• Support the Student Services and Technology departments to continue college and career readiness education. Focus for 16-17 is to sync Career Cruising and E-school. Ongoing.

• Continue to support K-12 math teachers with the implementation of new resources and

instructional shifts and curricular changes that are necessary due to the transition from PA Standards to PA Core Standards. Ongoing with a focus on Algebra 1 at HS.

• Continue to develop and build partnerships with local pre-school providers to better prepare

students for Parkland Full Day Kindergarten. Ongoing, but made great progress.

CURRICULUM & INSTRUCTION

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• Continue using the Kindergarten Entry Inventory (KEI) with all Kindergarten teachers to collect and analyze data on incoming Kindergarten students to assist in providing targeted instruction that supports student needs. Complete, but will administer each year.

• Continue work with the Early Literacy Committee to develop a plan to work towards the goal of all students reading proficiently by the end of grade 3. Ongoing.

• Extend and enhance our collaborative approach to data analysis and improvement of instruction in

order to positively impact individual student achievement. Focus for 2016-2017 is to support MS RTII and to work with elementary schools to increase math interventions and enrichment opportunities. Ongoing.

• Continue to recruit students from competing cyber programs to join the Parkland Cyber Learning Program. Ongoing.

New Goals for 2016-2017 • Support and work with the Parkland Ready 21 committee and all teachers on best instructional

practices that support student centric practices. Ongoing.

• Implement Wonders Reading Program in Kindergarten – 2nd grade classrooms. Support teachers with the instructional shifts and curricular changes. COMPLETED.

• Implement Full Day Kindergarten (FDK) and support FDK teachers through the first year of implementation. COMPLETED (Continued support through this year).

• Analyze elementary Intervention & Enrichment periods for K – 2 students with a focus on reading proficiency by grade 3. Ongoing, part of Early Lit Committee work.

• Support elementary teachers with the implementation of ST Math software. COMPLETED 3rd – 5th, ongoing for primary teachers.

• Collaborate with 6-12 ELA teachers to review and analyze district curriculum and resources to

ensure alignment with the PA core standards and the instructional shifts required. Ongoing.

• Support PSD’s Library Media Specialists in transitioning libraries into 21st century learning hubs. Ongoing.

• Collaborate with Business Education and Information Technology Teachers to review and analyze district curriculum and make revisions to support 21st Century skills. Ongoing.

• Investigate opportunities to expand our Computer Science opportunities. COMPLETE – new

pathway for PLTW included in POS for 17-18.

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• Collaborate with secondary Health and PE teachers to review and analyze district curriculum and resources. Ongoing.

• Improve communication with cyber students, parents, staff and administration for the betterment of PSD’s Cyber Program. Ongoing.

• Investigate other cyber options, including a transition plan to staff our cyber program with PSD teachers. Ongoing – in process; will make decision in Feb.

• Analyze PSD’s summer school curriculum, resources and procedures to ensure we are assisting our students who did not meet with success during the school year and preparing them for success the following school year. Ongoing.

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Ongoing Goals for 2016-2017 • Use data to identify historically underperforming groups to ensure all education stakeholders

accept responsibility and hold themselves and each other responsible for every learner having full access to quality education, qualified teachers, challenging curriculum, full opportunity to learn, and appropriate, sufficient support for learning so they can achieve at excellent levels in academic and other student outcomes. Ongoing.

New Goals for 2016-2017 • Inform and educate District Administrators on the changes to the School Performance Profile and

Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA). Ongoing.

• Create an alternative plan for Title 1 to continue supporting district students should funding for Title 1 not be available. Ongoing.

• Create translated documents for parents who are not English Language speakers and make

accessible to staff members. Initial documents are COMPLETE, but will be an ongoing activity.

ASSESSMENT & DATA ANALYSIS

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Ongoing Goals for 2016-2017 – All Ongoing. • Address the variety of needs that arise within the district as a result of the diverse student

population and our global community.

• Work with principals to establish instructional leadership practices.

• Continue to support our existing Teacher Induction Program.

• Provide support to all principals on an ongoing basis regarding collection, analyzing, and application of student assessment data in order to measure effective learning and also intervene when measurable learning is not taking place.

• Provide ongoing support to teachers and staff regarding English Language Proficiency standards and also working with and instructing our English Language Learners.

• Utilize Professional Development tools in order to provide a quality professional development program which will meet the needs of all staff using an online professional development approach. Professional Development will focus on College and Career Readiness, Teacher Effectiveness and a new tool for evaluations, Common Standards, Differentiating Instruction, RTII and analyzing student data to improve instruction.

New Goals for 2016-2017 – All Ongoing.

• Identify teachers who use the best practices identified on the Parkland Ready 21 continuum.

Work with these superstars to develop academies where other teachers can learn from them. • Develop and implement professional development opportunities that align to the Parkland Ready

21 continuum and move teachers from using teacher centric practices to student centric practices.

• Focus High School Professional Development on the use of Schoology Learning Management System and digital content.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

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New Goals for 2016-2017

• Work with the principals and administrators of the Curriculum & Instruction and Student Services departments to establish the Parkland Ready 21 Committee. The committee will be dedicated to moving staff towards creating more student-centric, personalized learning environments enhanced by technology. As part of this initiative, all Parkland teachers will complete a self-assessment at the beginning of the year, and the committee will also develop an assessment tool for administrative walk throughs. Ongoing. The committee is working on crafting a Board report for presentation in May.

• Work with the principals and Curriculum & Instruction department to expand the makerspace pilot (that originated at Fogelsville Elementary last year) to all Parkland media centers, with funding and support provided by the Parkland Educational Foundation. Ongoing. With help from the Foundation, the items have been ordered and installed in each elementary media center. During the second semester we will add items to the middle school and high school media centers.

• In alignment with ESSA, work in collaboration with the Curriculum & Instruction department to establish a K-12 Computer Science curriculum framework that includes the expansion of the Hour of Code program, middle school programming lessons, and the addition of a new AP course, Introduction to Computer Science Principles, slated for the 2017-2018 school year. Under the leadership of Jason Henry in the Curriculum & Instruction department, new courses were established for the 2017-2018 school year as presented at the November Board meeting. The week of December 6 all buildings hosted events to celebrate the Hour of Code, and hundreds of Parkland students participated in this event to promote computer science.

• Enhance the systems integration of our key data systems to connect our district SIS, LMS, and other heavily used learning technologies through our partnership with SunGard and in conjunction with the Curriculum & Instruction and Student Services departments with the goal of having a Single Sign-On (SSO) for most student and staff applications for the start of the 2017-2018 school year. Ongoing. In the fall we did launch a software portal called Clever that provides a single point of sign-on for many district applications. The goal is to have all district applications accessible through this platform by the start of the 2017-2018 school year.

• Evaluate options to improve the district’s data warehousing services with a centralized data dashboard to increase instructional staff’s ability to make data-driven decisions. (Focus: visual, mobile friendly, positive user experience). Ongoing. We have reviewed several systems and are in the process of evaluation as part of the Parkland Ready 21 initiative.

• Develop focused professional development strategies that model the use of badging, competency-based education, and student-centered learning. Ongoing. We established several professional development tracks to allow teachers to develop a deeper level of competency and mastery in certain key areas aligned with current district initiatives.

TECHNOLOGY

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• Improve district network performance by replacing district edge switching and replacing the district firewalls. Continue the upgrade of the district’s smart classrooms by expanding the project to an additional four elementary schools next year. Ongoing. We recently received confirmation that our eRate submission was approved for $462,853.32 which will allow us to move forward with this project in the spring of 2017.

• Establish a baseline of student technology competencies by implementing a 21st Century Skills Assessment (inclusive of technology, information, digital literacy skills) in 5th and 8th grades. Ongoing. We contracted with Learning.com for a 21st Century Skills assessment aligned with the International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) standards for students, with the goal of implementing this assessment during the 2nd semester.

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Ongoing Goals for 2016-2017 • Continue to help support data teams and data analysis of student progress.

Ongoing. Meetings with RtII teachers quarterly to review and improve process.

• Increase number of elementary school teams trained in the Student Support Program. We have five buildings trained and will have the remaining three schools trained in October. All elementary schools have been trained. Continuing to research outside support services for families and students at the elementary level. Dr. Troutman and the Children’s Round Table are assisting.

• Continue to build relationships with parents, students and staff members. Ongoing. New Goals for 2016-2017

• Elementary: o Work on Wonders Intervention Component. Ongoing.

o Explore Math intervention/enrichment time. Cetronia Elementary is piloting STAR Math at

the fourth grade level. They are also utilizing Go Math Interventions. All elementary schools are utilizing ST Math which is a prescriptive computer based math program to assist student needs and also provide enrichment.

o Student Assistance Program (SAP). All buildings are trained. Paperwork at all levels has been unified. Research is being done to find services for the elementary population and their families via Dr. Troutman and the Children’s Round Table.

o Mindfulness training. Completed training of all KG teachers. Held an Immersion Session with Encore Teachers. Will begin Training of 1st grade teachers in April.

o Build Your Armor. Four elementary schools participated in the fall; Fogelsville, Cetronia, Ironton, Parkway Manor. We hope to have the other four schools participate in the spring.

o SPARK for grade 3. Counselors are continuing to provide this instruction at the elementary levels.

• Middle School o Intervention / Enrichment time. Full implementation of Period X has been established.

o Data / Middle School Data and Instruction Specialist Terri Plattner and Diane Nolfe have

done an excellent job along with their core teams in establishing a data approach to Period X and progress monitoring in their schools.

o STAR Math. Star Math has been implemented at the MS level for LS progress monitoring. Next year it will be utilized for all students at the middle school level to assist with Period X groupings and data collection.

STUDENT SERVICES

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o Student Assistance Program (SAP) vs. Student Support Team (SST). Completed. All PSD SAP programs will be referenced as SAP not SST. Consistent paperwork will also be utilized at all levels.

o Attendance issues. Special thanks to Liz Duld who generates monthly attendance reports to buildings to assist with tracking attendance issues. Teams at each building analyze the data and follow district guidelines that student services revamped this year.

• High School o STAR Math / STAR Reading. LS now has a progress monitoring tool for math and

reading that they are utilizing for students to monitor progress and identify needs.

o AIMS web writing. LS Teachers are utilizing this tool to progress monitor writing.

o Study Skills course review. Ongoing.

o Student Assistance Program (SAP) vs. Student Support Team (SST). Completed. All PSD SAP programs will be referenced as SAP not SST. Consistent paperwork will also be utilized at all levels.

o Online scheduling—step one. Ongoing.

o Narcon training. Completed with all nurses and health room assistants as well as Jason Henry and John Pfeiffer for Troxell.

o Attendance issues. Special thanks to Liz Duld who generates monthly attendance reports to buildings to assist with tracking attendance issues. Teams at each building analyze the data and follow district guidelines that student services revamped this year.

• District o Special Education Improvement Plan. Completed and commended by PDE for completion.

o Valley Sports League for employees. In the fall, through Sheri Deeb’s coordination, we

offered yoga (17 participants) and small group training (5 participants).

o Update the procedural manual. Ongoing.

o Risk Assessment vs. Risk Screening. Completed paperwork updates.

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Ongoing Goals for 2016-2017 All Ongoing. • Continue to pursue energy efficiency by working to convert all of our parking lot light fixtures to

LED fixtures and investigate energy saving opportunities throughout the district.

• Continue to explore initiatives to more effectively clean/maintain our facilities by expanding the use of new maintenance software in an effort to be more proactive and efficient in maintenance of facilities.

• Continue to provide the cleanest environments by working with staff and students to create ownership and pride in schools and campuses.

• Continue to provide safe passage for students, staff and community.

• Continue to improve staff development for bus garage mechanics and maintenance mechanics to keep them current on the latest technologies.

• Investigate technologies and/or transportation computer management systems designed to increase departmental efficiency with state reporting, scheduling, and student demographics.

• Continue to improve our parts inventory so that we stock only what is needed and buy only what is necessary. Continue to update our tools so our mechanics can do their jobs both safely and efficiently.

New Goals for 2016-2017 • Utilize the District-Wide Feasibility Study to develop a long term Capital Project List that can be

used to plan for the future facility improvements for the School District. The District-Wide Feasibility Study was thoroughly reviewed by the School Services Department. The study included a variety of capital improvements for each building. These improvements were prioritized and a District-Wide Capital Project List was developed. This document will keep us focused on the future needs of our facilities.

• Provide a list of necessary Capital Projects to the Superintendent of Schools to be completed during the 2017-18 fiscal year. In preparation for attaining the 2017 General Obligation Bond, several capital projects from the District-Wide Capital Projects List were reviewed with the Superintendent and Core Team. The projects were prioritized and seven (7) projects were selected to be completed during the summer of 2017. We are currently working on the design and specifications for these projects.

SCHOOL SERVICES

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• Work with the construction manager to manage all major and minor capital projects. In October 2016 the contract for Alvin H. Butz was approved by the School Board for Construction Management Services for the 2017 District-Wide Capital Improvement Projects. The School Services Department has been actively working with the Butz team on the design and details of construction for the 2017 capital projects. The plans for the projects were reviewed with the Superintendent and Assistant Superintendents in January 2017. The specifications are being finalized for bidding in February 2017.

• Play an active role in the preparation of the design and development of the new elementary school. The School Services Department worked closely with Mr. Steve Miller, the Human Resources Department and the Superintendent’s Office in preparing the Request for Qualifications packet in the search for an architectural firm for the new elementary school. The Director of School Services was on the interview team for the seven (7) architects that were selected to be interviewed from the submission of their Qualifications Packet. The School Services Department also contributed to the preparation of the Request for Proposal packet and the interviews of the three (3) finalists in the architect search. School Services will be a major contributor in the design and construction of the new elementary school.

• Update the School Services webpage on the Parkland School District website with current information. Information is still being gathered to update the School Services webpage. This goal will be completed by the end of the school year.

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Ongoing Goals for 2016-2017

• Continue to develop guidelines regarding the recordkeeping of Student Activity Funds (School Accounts). Completed.

• Continue to update staff regarding the advantages of SunGard’s Employee Access Center. Ongoing.

• Utilize SunGard’s Employee Access Center to replace the printing and distribution of paper direct deposit paystubs. Completed, electronic paystubs became effective 1/13/17.

• Continue to comply with requirements regarding the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Ongoing

• Continue to maintain a five-year financial plan. Ongoing.

• Continue the implementation of the electronic document storage and retrieval system by utilizing Harvest Technology software. Completed.

New Goals for 2016-2017

• Continue to work collaboratively with Human Resources to enhance processes that are shared between the two departments in order to provide exceptional customer service to our employees. Ongoing.

• Update and monitor internal controls aligned with Business Office procedures. Ongoing.

• Increase professional development for Business Office employees. Ongoing.

• Implement a Procurement Card (P-Card) process limited to predefined expenditures within specific departments. Ongoing. In conjunction with the upgraded LST software, implement an online filing and payment process to improve the efficiency regarding the collection of the Local Services Tax (LST). Completed.

FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT

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Ongoing Goals for 2016-2017

• Completed compliance with PDE initiatives with regard to employee/volunteer clearances.

Completed but this is continually ongoing as well.

• Continue to evaluate and enhance practices and processes for recruiting, hiring, and retaining high quality staff within the district. Ongoing.

• Continue to provide support to principals on an ongoing basis regarding staffing/hiring. Ongoing.

• Ensure that all volunteer and employee clearances are current and up-to-date. Ongoing.

• Continue to provide professional development sessions and training for clerical staff. Currently working with HR staff to address areas of need.

• Continue to support our mentoring program and work with C & I on training sessions for mentors. Completed and ongoing.

• Continue to work collaboratively with the Business Office to enhance processes that are shared

among departments to provide good customer services to internal staff/external candidates. Ongoing. Both offices are working closely together on areas such as FMLA, Worker’s Comp., Hiring related paperwork, and many other HR/Business Office tasks.

New Goals for 2016-2017 • Continue to utilize existing applicant tracking (Pentamation, PAREAP). Investigate additional

technologies/software/scanning that will streamline and improve efficiencies of HR processes. Ongoing and also currently researching enhancements to current software that will provide additional functions and efficiencies.

• Continue to comply with requirements regarding clearances for employees and volunteers.

Ongoing. • Complete an internal audit of the CARR (Child Abuse Recognition & Report Training).

Just started and will complete in the next few months. • Conduct a clerical training workshop for building administrative assistants that relates to HR topics.

Currently working with HR staff to address areas of need. Will hold workshop in 2017. • Participate in the Guest Teacher Program hosted by the CLIU and continue to seek creative ways

to recruit substitutes. Completed in fall and added Guest Teachers. Ongoing - we just signed up for the spring program as well.

• Provide ongoing professional development to HR staff to enhance cross

training and expand knowledge in all areas of HR. Ongoing. Members in HR are cross training on each other’s job functions to maximize knowledge base as well as service to internal and external customers.

HUMAN RESOURCES

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SAFETY DEPARTMENT GOALS 2015-2016 Ongoing Goals for 2016-2017

• Continue to offer safety related professional development opportunities for staff members. School resource officers participated in A.L.I.C.E. Training. School administrators had the opportunity to participate in various county/state offered NIMS courses. Training was conducted for district Nurses relative to Parent Reunification and local EMS. On-going.

• Conduct one district level Emergency Management Committee Meetings and one township specific meeting for each of the local law enforcement agencies serving the Parkland School District. Completed. It was conducted as part of the annual walk-throughs conducted by the school district and law enforcement/first responders.

• Participate in the county-wide Emergency Preparedness Meetings hosted by the C.L.I.U. Completed. The department has also participated in South Whitehall Emergency management Committee meetings as well as meetings offered by the I.U. and L.C.T.I.

• New Goals for 2016-2017

• Continue to identify resources and practices necessary to conduct a system-wide Parent Reunification Procedure via departmental/school based meetings. Resources are in the process of being ordered to complete this goal. Incident Release Cards, which are utilized as part of the Parent Reunification Procedure, have been sent to the printing company for production.

• Investigate the resources to conduct a live school based Parent Reunification Drill. Ongoing.

• Investigate various comprehensive district-wide Emergency Management Planning technologies. Emergency Management Planning Technologies called Navigate Prepared have been investigated and quotes have been obtained for review pending the approval of the 2017/18 budget.