STONY BROOK SCHOOL
SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN 2010-2011
Pride Respect Integrity Dedication Excellence
STONY BROOK
School Advisory Council Members
School Administration
Peter Cohen – Principal
Steve Guditus – Assistant Principal
Parent Representatives
Mariclare O’Neal
Anil Purohit
Tony Santos
Denise Seyffert
Teacher Representatives
Tricia Craig
Kathleen Metcalf
Alison Peternell
Kathleen Robinson
Community Representative
Chris Stanvick
Mission Statement
The Stony Brook School is committed to providing an environment which fosters intellectual curiosity,
encourages academic excellence, and builds character within a collaborative, diverse community.
Massachusetts Education Reform Act (MERA) -- School Improvement Goals -- 2010 State of the School Report
1. The climate is conducive to high expectations and performance
Stony Brook students have consistently performed well on the annual MCAS exams. The 2010 results indicate that once
again Stony Brook is at the top of the state rankings in most categories including the following results: 6th in the state on
the 7th grade math exam, 11th in the state on the 7th grade ELA exam, 12th in the state on the 8th grade science exam, 24th
in the state on the 6th grade math exam, 29th in the state on the 6th grade ELA exam, 32 in the state on the 8th grade ELA
exam, and 34th in the state on the 8th grade math exam. These accomplishments are indicators of the dedication and
excellence of the Stony Brook teachers and students. At Stony Brook we are committed to providing the necessary
supports for all students to succeed. We continue to improve our transitional skills class for 6 th graders, a program that
assists students as they start their middle school experience. With a full time academic coach, we are able to provide
some additional support for students who struggle to succeed. We are continuing our efforts to look at the role of the
developmental reading program and move in the direction of a data driven placement model. We have a math coach to
assist students in all grades and intervene as needed throughout the year when students struggle to grasp concepts. With
the Instructional Support Team, it is our hope that we will address the needs of all students and provide appropriate
supports for success in a timely manner.
2. An assessment of student/teacher ratios
Our goal continues to be to maintain class sizes at or below 25 students. We are experiencing some classes in the core
academic subjects that are above the 25-student threshold. This is due to a dramatic increase in the number of students
who have qualified for advanced/accelerated math. We will look at these numbers from year to year. It appears that our
math programs at the elementary and middle school levels coupled with outstanding math educators have been successful
as we have large numbers of students qualifying for the accelerated math class.
3. Professional development plan to meet the school's goals
During the 2007-2008 school year, professional development was focused on creating effective teams. This is an
ongoing goal. During the 2008-2009 school year the focus was on collaboration. For the 2009-2010 school year we built
upon the work of the two previous years with a focus on collaboration, Understanding by Design, and Response to
Intervention. Collaboration continues to be at the heart of what we do at the middle school level. For the 2010-2011
school year we continue our work with the Understanding by Design curriculum development model. We have had
additional staff members trained in the Universal Design for Learning program. Together with our work developing a
Response to Intervention program, our work with UDL will assist us in reaching every child and ensuring that every child
can access the curriculum. We have also had additional staff members trained to be Critical Friends Group coaches. We
hope to expand the number of teachers participating in a CFG.
4. Enhancement of parental involvement
Stony Brook continues to work hard to improve communication between school and home. Our school web site at
http://sb.westfordk12.us is the primary source for information for students, parents, and the community. The web site
contains regularly updated team web sites and individual teacher web sites. We continue to post homework assignments
daily. We have a goal to significantly cut down on paper use at Stony Brook. We no longer distribute paper handouts
(notices) to students. Our web site and parent email distribution list allow us to communicate electronically. An ongoing
goal is to post some teacher handouts and worksheets online.
5. Health, safety, and discipline
Stony Brook continues to emphasize health, wellness, and safety more than ever. The cafeteria is serving healthier foods
as per the district nutrition committee guidelines. We have eliminated candy as a reward in classrooms as well as the
snack bar that sold salty and sugary snacks. The staff continues to be educated as we increase awareness about student
mental health issues. Through the nurses and counselors, Stony Brook uses SOS, a suicide prevention program, with our
seventh graders. Additionally, we are following the guidelines from the department of health in regard to steps we can
take to prevent the spread of H1N1. With the new anti-bullying legislation now in place, we continue to proactively
educate the community about bullying issues.
We have worked hard to put in place an effective school emergency plan and crisis response team. We have practiced a
lockdown scenario with the assistance of the Westford Police Department. We have since improved our plan based on
what we learned from the drill.
6. Welcoming school environment characterized by tolerance and respect
During the 2007-2008 school year we successfully reached our school improvement plan goal of restructuring the
advisor/advisee program into what is now known as PRIDE Time. Stony Brook now has over 50 student-designed,
painted murals around the school illustrating the theme “do the right thing” and our core values (P.R.I.D.E: pride, respect,
integrity, dedication, excellence). The mural project has helped establish the welcoming environment here at Stony
Brook, and also has led to students feeling a sense of ownership in their school. During the 2008-2009 school year we
shifted the focus of PRIDE Time to community service, were able to assist many organizations, as well as complete
service projects both for the greater Westford community and within the Stony Brook School. For 2009-2010 we have
accepted Rachel’s Challenge and are working on developing ways for students to continue a positive chain reaction of
kindness and compassion. In 2010-2011 we return to a mural painting activity. This year’s focus of the murals will be on
themes of kindness learned from Rachel’s Challenge, anti-bullying messages and messages about putting forth an extra
degree of effort (212).
7. Extracurricular activities and academic support
We continue to offer many after school clubs, music, and athletic opportunities for students. We have partnered with the
recreation department to offer an after school homework program for 6th graders. If successful, we will expand the
program to the other grade levels. One focus for this year is to effectively use our Team Time program for intervention
and extensions of the curriculum.
8. Means for meeting diverse learning needs
As always, differentiated instruction continues to be a focus at Stony Brook. Many teachers have completed coursework
in this initiative as well as in the required Skillful Teacher course. The school improvement plan goal of expanding the
use of technology was reached and is an ongoing effort. A diversity committee was formed during the 2009-2010 school
year. During the 2010-2011 school year, that committee will expand on its work with a goal of educating staff first and
then students. This is addressed in one of our improvement plan goals.
Massachusetts Education Reform Act School Improvement Goal:
Professional Development to meet the school’s goals
Westford Public Schools Vision and Core Values:
Pursuing excellence in a learning community
School Improvement Plan Goal:
Teachers will identify and acquire knowledge of basic concepts and main ideas of Understanding by Design and use them as a basis of curricula revision
Action(s) for Accomplishing Goal
Teachers will collaborate to develop and design lessons using the
UBD template and resources such as Integrating Differentiated
Instruction and Understanding by Design by Tomlinson and McTighe.
Funding or Resources Needed
Fiscal Year
0
FY 10/11 and beyond
Dedicate Professional development days for this initiative
Indicators of Accomplishment Qualitative and Quantitative
Data
For 2010-2011: Each grade level/subject area will design at least one
additional unit using UBD.
Additional Information
As part of a district wide initiative, UBD is
an ongoing process beyond this fiscal
year.
For 2011 and beyond additional units designed and implemented with
a timeline and goals established at a district level.
Massachusetts Education Reform Act School Improvement Goal:
Welcoming school environment characterized by tolerance and respect
Westford Public Schools Vision and Core Values:
Fostering connections with local and global communities
Person(s) Responsible
Teachers
Curriculum Coordinators
Administrators
School Improvement Plan Goal:
Celebrate and expand the awareness of the cultural heritage of the Stony Brook Community.
Action(s) for Accomplishing Goal
Utilize PRIDE time to create additional school murals centered
around themes learned from Rachel’s Challenge and anti-bullying
messages.
Funding or Resources Needed
Fiscal Year
FY2011 and beyond
Donation of time by parent volunteers
and supplies from local businesses.
Create of a Diversity Focus Group to explore ways of incorporating
diversity and ethnic awareness.
Develop International Day, Cultural Heritage Day, or similar event to
showcase cultures within the Stony Brook community and expand
student awareness of the global society.
Research ways to make connections with schools in other
countries.
Indicators of Accomplishment Qualitative and Quantitative
Data
Creation of event(s) that educate students about customs and
traditions of different ethnic groups and countries.
Additional Information
PRIDE Time will also be used to
implement our anti-bullying curriculum
per order of new legislation.
Person(s) Responsible
Teachers
Administration
Parents
Massachusetts Education Reform Act School Improvement Goal:
Professional Development Plan to meet the school’s goals
Westford Public Schools Vision and Core Values:
Pursuing excellence in a learning community
School Improvement Plan Goal:
Utilize collaborative practices and increase the time for collaboration in order to improve student achievement. Achieve consensus among
faculty in identifying problems of practice, areas of improvement, and the development of solutions.
Action(s) for Accomplishing Goal
Funding or Resources Needed
Fiscal Year




Provide professional development on utilization of
collaborative protocols and utilization of data to guide
continuous improvement.
Train teachers to become facilitators/coaches in Critical
Friends Group (CFG) protocols
Provide course credit through University of Westford for
CFG participation.
Expand beyond the 2 active CFGs in 2009-2010
Indicators of Accomplishment Qualitative and Quantitative
Data
Examined student work
Increased number of teachers trained to be facilitators
Provide stipend for CFG coach at
rate of $2000 for 3 credit University of
Westford course and $1300 for 2
credit University of Westford course
FY2011 and beyond
Summer training costs up to $1000
per person.
Additional Information
Work started on 11/4/08 PD Day.
Gene Thompson Grove and other
CFG coaches brought in to work with
SB & Blanchard faculties.
Increased number of teachers participating in CFG
Person(s) Responsible
Teachers
Administration (building and
central office)
Explore options for training on/off
site. Inquire about hosting training in
Westford to offset cost.
Massachusetts Education Reform Act School Improvement Goal:
The climate is conducive to high expectations and performance
Means for meeting diverse learning needs
Westford Public Schools Vision and Core Values:
Ensuring safety and well being
Promoting individual growth and development
School Improvement Plan Goal:
Develop a systematic response to intervention for “at risk” students prior to referral for special education testing
Action(s) for Accomplishing Goal
Research successful Response to Intervention (RTI) models.
Participation in district and site-based RTI committees
Conduct self-assessment of current intervention strategies to develop
an action plan for improvement.
Develop a clear, data-driven referral process for Developmental
Reading.
Train teachers in Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Funding or Resources Needed
Funding for UDL training
Fiscal Year
FY2011 and beyond
Expand how we use Team Time to address:
What do we do when students don’t learn?
What do we do when students do learn?
Indicators of Accomplishment Qualitative and Quantitative
Data

Regular meetings and results of Instruction Support Team
(IST) at Stony Brook

Number of students referred by school for special education
testing will decrease

Number of students referred to Developmental Reading
and/or Academic coach will increase.
Additional Information
During 2010-2011 we will put
considerable time into standardizing our
use of Team Time at each grade level.
Person(s) Responsible
Assistant Principal
Principal
General education Teachers
Special Education teachers
Massachusetts Education Reform Act School Improvement Goal:
An assessment of student/teacher ratios
Health, safety, and discipline
Westford Public Schools Vision and Core Values:
Pursuing excellence in a learning community
Ensuring safety and well-being
School Improvement Plan Goal:
Provide one guidance counselor per grade level.
Create additional opportunities for students to get physical activity during the school week.
Action(s) for Accomplishing Goal
Funding or Resources Needed
 Hire at least 1.0 FTE Physical Education teachers so that we
Increase in budget of at least 1.0 FTE for
have at least one male and one female teacher.
PE teacher(s)
 Create schedule to allow students to have physical education
twice per week.
Fiscal Year
FY2012
NOTE: Given the tough financial
picture for FY11, this goal is deferred
for one year.
Indicators of Accomplishment Qualitative and Quantitative Data
The schedule will indicate that each student has physical education
more frequently.
Additional Information
An additional physical education
teacher(s) would allow for use of locker
rooms enabling students to change for
PE.
Person(s) Responsible
Principal
PE Teachers