1. JOHN A. HOLMES HIGH SCHOOL
School Improvement Plan
Board Presentation Jamie Gillespie, Principal

2. AREAS OF CONCERN
Improving student achievement Improving school spirit, morale, and communication Improving freshman transition

3. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT COMMITTEE
SIT is called the Leadership Team
Department Chairpersons, teachers, non-certified staff members, and parents comprise the Leadership Team (voted on and approved August 2009)
SIP Developed by the Leadership Team
and presented to all staff in August 2009
Staff made suggestions in SACS
committee meetings, then presented
them to Leadership Team
Final approval made by secret ballot
on August 25, 2009 (51 to 1 in favor)

4. STUDENT LEARNING GOALS
Our students will improve academic performance. (SLG1)
Our students will improve their reading comprehension as well as thinking and reasoning skills. (SLG2)
There will be an increase in numbers of students in each graduating class successfully engaged in college level experiences. (SLG 3)
We will reduce our dropout and failure rates. (SLG 4)

5. ORGANIZATONAL AND INSTRUCTIONAL GOALS
We will improve the communication between all stakeholders in the school. (OIG 1)
We will increase parental and community involvement. (OIG 2)
We will improve the health and safety of our students. (OIG 3)
We will reduce the number of students who skip class. (OIG 4)

6. Presenters
We will further explain each goal, project and initiative based on Staff Committees in the following order:
Curriculum and Instruction- Caren Williams
Climate- Samantha Christopher
Communication and Technology- Amy Asbell
Best Practices- Steve Karl

7. Curriculum and Instruction Committee Caren Williams
Projects
Expand the number of online college courses (SLG3)
Analyze and evaluate freshmen data (SLG 1, 4)

8. Curriculum and Instruction Committee
Initiatives
Expand the Credit Recovery System (SLG 1, 4)
Continue ACES Center (Academic Credential Evaluation Services) (SLG 1, 2, 3)
Utilize school wide writing initiatives,
including dept. plans, practice writing,
DOLP in Eng. 1 and 2, and writing
coaches(SLG 1, 2)
Continue Common Assessments (SLG 1, 2)
Utilize a corrective reading program (SLG 1, 2)

9. Climate Committee Samantha Christopher
Projects
We will hold orientation programs for freshmen and upper classmen. (OIG 1, 2)
We will investigate ways to increase school spirit among all stakeholders. (SLG 4, OIG 2, 4)
We will investigate ways to increase staff morale and cohesion. (OIG 1)

10. Climate Committee
Initiatives
All school clubs need to do a yearly service project (OIG 2)
Continue to use a web-based camera system (SLG 4, OIG 3, 4)

11. Communication and Technology Committee Amy Asbell
Projects
Involve more students in the daily activities of the school (OIG 1, 3)
We will incorporate more in-house, beginning-teacher, and mentor activities (OIG 1)
Increase the opportunity for parents to respond to the Safety and Community Building surveys (OIG 1, 2, 3)

12. Communication and Technology Committee
Initiatives
We will increase exposure in the Chowan Herald including a “Senior Highlight” student each week (OIG 1)
Continue the Life Coach program
(SLG 1, 4 and OIG 1, 2)
Share attendance information with the
Dept. of Social Services (SLG 4, OIG 1)
Continue to use AlertNow phone system
(SLG 4, OIG 1, 4)

13. Best Practices Committee Steve Karl
Projects
Provide staff development on the new teacher evaluation system, safety and
technology (SLG 1, 2, 3, 4)
Investigate alternative scheduling
options (SLG 1, 4)

14. Best Practices Committee
Initiatives
Utilize learning teams (SLG 1, 2 and OIG 1)
Continue Saturday school program (SLG 1, 4)