SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN
2003-2004
School Climate
The Stoneham Middle School Community will work together in various forums to generate ideas in order to foster a positive school culture. Areas of focus will include accountability, respect, self-esteem, investment and pride.
Physical Plant
The Council continues to enthusiastically recommend construction of a new middle school on the existing site, as recommended in the 2002 Feasibility Study. The Council urges the Stoneham School Committee to develop a reasonable time-line for the completion of this project. Based on this time-line, the Council must continue to advocate for a safe and healthy building for students and staff.
The Council has identified several urgent capital needs that affect the health, safety, and morale of students and staff. These capital needs include:
� Repair/replace heating system items as outlined by the system craftsman
� Repair/replace the underground fuel storage tank
� Update student and faculty lavatories
� Restore locker replacement schedule
� Replace/repair auditorium seats, lighting, and stage
� Replace cafeteria kitchen items where needed
� Where needed, continue to replace existing classroom blinds with shades
� Replace rugs in library and faculty areas
� Paint the library
� Replace windows where needed
� Upgrade and maintain the grounds around the front of the building
� Replace furniture in teacher�s dining room and work areas
� Replace teacher�s chairs and desks where needed
� Replace missing ceiling tiles
� Install screens on classroom windows
� Replace central intercom system and individual room telecom system
Staffing Needs (as additional funding becomes available)
Guidance counselors play a critical role in the social, emotional, and academic well being of early adolescents. During the �02-�03 school year each guidance counselor had a case-load of 360 students! The Council strongly urges restoration of a third guidance counselor.
Due to the large increase in technological hardware over the past four years,
the Council recommends creation of a full-time media specialist position in order to service equipment and provide support for students and the teaching staff.
The Council recommends creation of a .5 assistant principal position in order to better meet the needs of students, parents and teachers.
Student Achievement
Formalize and implement a pre-referral team which will document strategies to assist students who are not achieving at grade level. This team will meet bi-monthly during Day 2 ABC periods. Team members will consist of specialists, administrators, academic teachers, the school nurse, and other invited staff members as needed.
Restore all extracurricular activities that were eliminated from the program.
Restore all intramural activities that were eliminated from the program.
Restore the Middle School summer school program.
Restore the Alternative Education program in order to meet the needs of problem students and improve the school�s educational and social environment.
School - Home Communications
Improvement of home-school communications is an on-going initiative. We will continue to work with the PTL in order to develop ways to improve home-school communication.
Staff Development
Professional development programs play an important role in training staff to develop, implement, and integrate strategies, which will help accomplish the goals of Stoneham Middle School and Stoneham Public Schools. During the coming year, with the help of the superintendent, assistant superintendent, and the Professional Development Committee, we will attempt to offer school-wide professional development opportunities in the following areas:
� Implementation of the pre-referral team format and process
� Charlie Applestein behavior modification workshop
� Other initiatives as identified in staff surveys compiled by the Professional Development Committee
Student Learning Time
Stoneham Middle School is scheduled for a minimum of 900 hours of instructional time for the 2003-2004 school year. That is, actual instructional time exclusive of passing time, lunchtime, homeroom, study periods, etc.