School Improvement : A Thematic Approach Varina High School Leadership Team Henrico, VA

Who are we? 1600 students – grades 9-12 150 staff 60% black; 40% white 50% free and reduced lunch Regained full accreditation in September 2015 & will maintain for 16-17 94% OTGR

EVERYTHING is based in the School Improvement Plan Our Approach EVERYTHING is based in the School Improvement Plan

Step 1: What needs to be improved? Immersion report – staff and student feedback Three questions (sent electronically and offered face-to-face meetings) Three things that are great. Two things that need to be tweaked. One thing that MUST change Connection to district initiatives Data SOLs, OTGR, etc. Stakeholder survey data Historical standardized test data on all students

Step 2: Organizing the Plan around a Theme We Read (reading across the curriculum) We Inspire (school spirit and morale) We Achieve (Core+ E/PF; SAT; Advanced/AP courses) Together (community outreach) No Excuses (behavior; now PBIS)

Step 3: Setting Goals for the Plan Each part of the plan is a PLC with a teacher & admin leader. PLC should have student member and parent member when possible Every teacher belongs to PLC Core department leaders serve as Core PLC leaders to fulfill actual School- Improvement requirements for Accredited with Warning Status Each PLC leader works with team to diagnose root cause and to set a SMART goal and build an action plan Core plans are reflected in department meetings and individual plans

Step 4: Monitoring & Adjusting Monthly meetings by PLC leaders Part of the monthly faculty meeting (reports and PD) Quarterly written reports (Google Doc) School leaders review – end of year Constant reminders to the faculty Letting them ask “WHY”

The Plan in Action We Read – Reading Specialist DEAR time Staff development Reading Specialist (16-17) School-Wide Book (16-17) Little Free Library SAT reading passages We Inspire – SCA Sponsor Josten’s Renaissnace Teacher Reward Program – Devil Dollars Academic Pep Rallies

The Plan in Action We Achieve – 2 APs & Intern Common planning (certain areas) Advanced/AP focus Economics/Personal Finance (5th core) Staff Development by content Master Schedule decisions At-Risk Meetings Benchmark/Data meetings Above and Beyond Class time (directed study) Self Reflection in observation process Together – Associate Principal Community outreach Student Advisory Support Staff

The Plan in Action No Excuses – AP and BLISS Teacher PBIS Discipline Support Team School-Wide PD: Give ‘Em Five Other Places to Consider Staff shirts/Activities – Different focus each year Year 0 – Positive Year 1 – Math and CSIP areas Year 2 – PBIS Year 3 - Reading Budget decisions/Resource Requests Teacher Work Week