Julian Curtiss Magnet School of World Languages Open House October 13, 2016 Mrs. Trish McGuire, Principal Mrs. Brenda Brush, Assistant Principal 1

Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence Agenda Welcome Introduction of Julian Curtiss Staff Who are we at JC A Look at the Year Ahead School Improvement Plan Teachers College Partnership Strategic Plan and Personalized Learning Family and Community Engagement Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence 2

Meet our Staff!

Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence Who are we as a School? We have been described as “the little United Nations School of Greenwich” in the New York Times Our student body and staff represent nearly 60 different countries and 30 different languages! We celebrate our diversity as a strength! Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence 4

Julian Curtiss School Mission Statement Our Commitment to Learning The Julian Curtiss School works in partnership with our children, their families and the community to provide a quality education that has high expectations for student success and excellence. The diversity of our children is recognized as a source of strength and a reflection of our world. Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence 5

A Few Quick Facts about Julian Curtiss... Three hundred thirty-one students 18 Sections 4 sections of 1st grade 2 sections of 4th grade 3 sections K, 2, 3 and 5th grades Average class size in grades K-1 is 16 students Average class size in grades 2-5 is 20 students per class (ranges from 18-22) Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence

A Few Quick Facts about Julian Curtiss... 19% magnet - NL, HA, CC, GL, Pkwy, ISD 14% ESL 11% SPED 8% ALP 32% Free/Reduced Lunch Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence

JC School Improvement Plan Focus on Math Greater consistency and fidelity in instructional practices Consistent and collaborative teaching Teacher development through collaboration and coaching Dedicated faculty meetings to sharing our mathematical practices Mirror what we have done with reading and writing workshop Get teachers at a grade level on the same page The shifts in practice in Math with the implementation of the Connecticut Core State Standards have required our teachers to spend time learning, implementing and reflecting on new instructional strategies and practices. Our Spring 2016 math performance tasks, Smarter Balanced Assessment results, teacher observations, formative and unit assessments have indicated a need to focus in the area of math. Verticle alignment We are in the second year of a multi-year plan for Writing Our work with TC has provided us with a deeper understanding of both the Connecticut Core and the writing process. We are marrying this work with the professional development being delivered in the area of digital learning. We are already integrating Digital and Media Literacy into our school improvement goals. We are in the process of digging deeper into the results of our baseline SBA scores and making plans to strengthen those areas that will help our students most. Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence

Teachers College Reading and Writing Project 10 in-house professional development days implemented in our lab classrooms with our own students 40 tickets to various workshops at Teachers College for our staff 5 Principal Professional Days with Principals from the tri-state area Access to a wealth of online professional resources Dedicated faculty meetings for sharing our literacy work We are fortunate to have planned this partnership well in advance this school year and have already completed three of those ten days with just 14 days of school completed. Staff developers divide their time between: • Leading demonstration teaching within classrooms; • Coaching teachers, providing feedback and next-step goals; • Helping teachers use and learn from systems of assessment (including performance assessments); • Preparing teachers to teach units of study in writing and how to align it with our reading; Helping teachers support students with particular needs. Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence

Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence GPS Strategic Plan 2015-2020 The Greenwich Public Schools (GPS) 2015-2020 Strategic Plan is designed to achieve the Mission, Vision and Strategic Goals for academic, personal and interpersonal growth by providing personalized learning opportunities for each student. Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence

Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence GPS Strategic Plan 2015-2020 Strategic Goals: To ensure each student achieves optimal growth within the core academic disciplines based on multiple variables To ensure each student develops the capacity to be responsible for his or her own physical and mental health To ensure each student demonstrates growth in personal development and civic responsibility Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence

Personalized Learning Personalized Learning is a teacher facilitated process that provides each student with meaningful choice, guided by a standards based curriculum, in what, where, how and at what pace and appropriate depth they learn, based on individual strengths, needs, motivations, interests, goals and cultural background. Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence

Personalized Learning Core Four Elements: Integrated Digital Content Targeted Instruction Data Driven Decisions Student Reflection and Ownership Classroom example for each component Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence

Vision of the graduate is

Personalized Learning at JC Staff Personalized Professional Learning Plans Continued work with Teachers College Instructional Data Teams Collaboration with Instructional Coaches Lesson Study

Personalized Learning at JC Students Workshop approach Small-group Instruction Digital Learning Environment Goal Setting and Self-Assessment Project Based Learning Innovation Space Workshop approach for reading, writing, and math

Family and Community Engagement Partnering With the Community Odyssey of the Mind Julian Curtiss Innovation Space Julian Curtiss before and after school academic interventions Kids in Crisis small group support for SEL in Grade 1 YMCA Achievement Gap After School Program Greenwich Summer School Program Horizons Summer Program at Brunswick Greenwich Academy Summer Program for Girls JC will connect students and families with expanded learning opportunities and/or community services in order to support achievement

Family and Community Engagement Julian Curtiss will research and consider an on site family resource center We will begin this year with offering 2 hours a week with a Parent Liaison here on site. This is being planned to begin the first week in November and the Day and time TBA. This will include Spanish speaking staff.

“We Build on the Skills We’ve Got…” JC’s Tribute to the Broadway Smash “Hamilton” JC AN AMAZING SCHOOL Lyrics and Video Production: John Ehlinger Grace Blomberg

www.greenwichschools.org/jcs 20