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

2. 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

3. Meet our Staff!

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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 )
Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence
GPS Strategic Plan
The Greenwich Public Schools (GPS) 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

11. Julian Curtiss School - A World of Excellence
GPS Strategic Plan
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

12. 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

13. 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

14. Vision of the graduate is

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

16. 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

17. 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

18. 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.

19. “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

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