Willis E. Thorpe
Elementary School
School Improvement Plan
2014/2015
Submitted on behalf of the School Council by:
Rita Ward
August 1, 2014
2014 – 2015 - School Council Members
Administrator:
Rita Ward – Principal
Teachers:
Kristen D’Entremont
Lorraine Errico
Parents:
Gina Burke
Rebecca Somes
Community Member:
TBD
Willis E. Thorpe Elementary School
2014-2015
School Improvement Plan
The 2014-2015 goals for Thorpe were developed to align with the district’s five year
Strategic Plan (2013-2018), with a focus on Universal Design for Learning, Utilization
of multiple communication tools, and Implementation of Phase II for the Learning
Commons. The specific groups involved were as follows:

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School Council
Parent Advisory Council
Faculty
Library Expansion Committee
The above groups met during professional learning time and during after school
meetings to identify the following priorities for 2014-2015. The first goal is shared
among the four other elementary schools as part of the district-wide initiative to
develop an understanding of Universal Design for Learning, Kindergarten through
grade five.
Goal #1
To develop an understanding of the second principle of UDL: action and expression. To
apply those principles to the design and implementation of lessons.
Goal #2
To utilize multiple communication tools to cultivate parent and community
understanding of the district’s goals and practices.
Goal #3
To implement Phase II of the transformation of the school’s library into a 21 st century
Learning Commons.
Willis E. Thorpe Elementary - School Improvement Plan 2014-15
GOAL #1: To develop an understanding of the second principle of UDL: action and expression. To apply those principles to the design and implementation of lessons.
Success Measure: Evidence of action and expression via classroom instruction and student work.
Implementation
Time
Who
Strategies
To access Universal Design for Learning
September –
All faculty
Website at cast.org for overview and online December 2014
Principal
learning modules.
K-12 Curriculum Director
Elementary Curriculum
Director
To provide professional learning time for
September thru June
All faculty
collaboration with curriculum directors. To
2015
Principal
provide professional learning time for
K-12 Curriculum Director
development of lessons which incorporate
Elementary Curriculum
the principles of action and expression.
Director
To collect and analyze student work that
incorporates the principles of action and
expression.
November thru June
2015
All faculty
Principal
K-12 Curriculum Director
Elementary Curriculum
Director
Resources
Current Status
 Cast .org
 UDL Publications
Faculty reviewed material from
cast.org and learning modules for
Universal Design for Learning
principle: representation.
 Professional Readings
 Cast.org
 On-line modules UDL
Learning Guidelines
 Common Core Standards
Provided students with various
options to increase level of
comprehension.
 Student Work
 Data Driven Dialogue
GOAL #2: To utilize multiple communication tools to cultivate parent and community understanding and support of the district’s goals and practices.
Success Measure: Parent responses to the various district-wide surveys specifically related to knowledge of curriculum and other school related events and activities.
Implementation
Time
Who
Resources
Current Status
Strategies
Schedule opportunities to demonstrate the
September – June 2015
Principal
 Open Houses
school’s updated website
All Faculty
 Parent Meetings
PAC
Create a Community Bulletin Board in the
Main Lobby of the school containing up to
date school events and activities
September – June 2015
Principal
All Faculty
 Classroom Notices
 School/District/PAC
Calendar
Communicate through a variety of means
and forums to enhance the home school
partnership
September – June 2015
Principal
All Faculty
K-12 Curriculum
Director
Elementary Curriculum
Director

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
Monthly Newsletters
Items of Interest
EPAC Updates
Monthly Calendar
Math and Literacy Family
Nights
 Informal and formal
meetings
 Updated phone system
GOAL #3: To implement Phase II of the transformation of the school’s library into a 21 st century Learning Commons.
Success Measure: School-wide utilization of the space for students to conduct research, share learning, and improve communication and literacy skills.
Implementation
Time
Who
Resources
Current Status
Strategies
Review architectural study to determine
Fall of 2014
DPW Building
Removal of permanent
 Updated architectural
optimum location of the Learning Commons
Supervisor
shelving in the existing library
plans
in the school building.
Business Manager
Technology Director
Principal
Develop schedule to increase grade level
Fall of 2014
Principal
 Library Schedule
usage of current space
Assistant Principal
 Grade Level Schedules
Provide teachers with 21st century
technology tools to support teaching and
learning to meet the needs of all students
Fall of 2014
Principal
Director of
Technology
Learning Commons
Committee
Business Manager
 Money collected
through various
fundraising efforts
IPad/EReader Cart – 10 IPads
and 10EReaders
Mobile Bookshelves
Installation of a Smart Board and
Projector