Message from Director of Education

The Eastern School District is committed to providing safe and caring learning environments for its students. This goal is supported by a strong team of education professionals who challenge and develop each student to achieve their full potential.

 

The district’s focus on student achievement is evident in the Eastern School Board’s ongoing strategic planning process, as well as in the goals and objectives set out by individual schools in their school development plans. The Board’s focus on strategic planning will continue into the next school year as it engages with the public on its future goals and directions.

 

This school report for the 2006/07 school year highlights the activities of your school over the past year in achieving its stated goals. It provides an opportunity to review the challenges, successes and opportunities for your school in providing educational opportunities for students. It also highlights how success can be achieved when teachers, parents and community members work together in a supportive and collaborative manner. I encourage you to review this school report and contemplate how you can contribute to your school’s success, and to increased educational opportunity for all students.

 

Dr. Darin T. King

CEO/Director of Education

 

 

Message From Administration

The 2006-2007 school year proved to be another successful year at Baltimore School.  We had many outstanding events this past year, including our grade 7 class winning the title of Provincial Champions for the Euler Mathematical National Contest, and Adam Kavanagh, a level 3 student, being awarded the Loran Scholarship.

 

In regards to our school growth and development, we have completed the first year of our new School Development Plan. The school community has been very supportive of our efforts thus far and there is an understanding that the process is a very important one for our school and that will ultimately affect the performance of children in the classroom.

 

The administration of Baltimore School would like to thank all stakeholders, parents, staff and community members, for their continued support as we continue to provide a safe and caring environment that allows students to learn to the best of their ability in the quest to life-long learning. It is through your interest and never ending generosity that we are able to provide the extra programs that are available to our students. The endless hours of volunteering, and tremendous parental support are allowing us to build on our strengths and plan solutions for our future.  Thank you to all who have provided the leadership and guidance that was necessary to make this process both productive and operational, and we look forward to the fruit of our effort.

 

Sincerely,

Darrell Budgell, Principal                       Rosemary Hartery-Brophy, Assistant Principal

Message From School Council

On behalf of the Baltimore School Council, I would like to congratulate the staff and students on another successful year. There were many accomplishments, for both academics and sports, in the year 2006-2007. The school involvement of the staff and students is highly recognized by parents and the community and is greatly appreciated. We wish you all the best for the new school year.

Best Regards,

Natalie Davidson

Chairperson

Baltimore School Council

Year 2006 - 2007

 

 

Overview of School

 

Our Mission Statement

The mission of Baltimore School is to develop and foster a positive, creative and challenging learning environment; where all students have the opportunity to develop their potential as thinking, caring, confident, life-long learners. We dedicate ourselves to doing this by promoting academic excellence, respectful behavior and creating the best possible student-centered classroom learning that will collaboratively use students, teachers, parents, and community members to achieve these goals.

 

Our Belief Statements

At Baltimore School we believe that:

 

­     teaching/learning is a life-long process for all stakeholders (students, teachers, and parents) whereby all teaching/learning is student-focused, considering the individual needs and learning styles of each student.

­     a safe and caring environment must be evident in all classes and throughout the school; all stakeholders must contribute to school spirit and community pride.

­     establishing open communication and positive relationships foster an environment conducive to learning and for promoting respect.

­     teachers are knowledgeable in the courses they teach and will work with colleagues and improve professionally in order to adapt to changing needs and demands in the classroom.

­     student achievement and learning are enhanced when students are prepared for school, are motivated and are taught using a variety of strategies.

­     all stakeholders make use of available resources to offer a strong academic program enhanced with extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.

 

Our School Community

Baltimore School is part of the Eastern School District. Our school offers Kindergarten to Level 3 and currently has an enrolment of 334 students encompassing the communities from Brigus South to Cappahayden. This year the school had a total of 25.5 teaching units which include administration, one guidance counselor, a physical education teacher, one French teacher, one music teacher, a technology teacher, one challenging needs and 2.75 special needs teachers. Our support staff included two student assistants with a combined total of 8.5 hours per day, a maintenance-custodian, a custodian, two cleaners and a secretary. In addition to school-based staff, we have access to district office staff including a speech pathologist, educational psychologist, and program specialists.

 

Programs Provided

Baltimore School offers the prescribed curriculum as set out by the Department of Education of Newfoundland and Labrador. We strive to make course offerings to students at all academic levels so that they can achieve successes in their individual program. In all core subject areas we have continued to offer a general, academic and advanced stream. We continue to prepare our students for the high standards that will be demanded of them once they leave school and enter an increasingly competitive job market in an information driven economy.

 

Our school offers the entire provincially prescribed curriculum from Kindergarten to Grade 9.  At the High School level, 45 courses are offered including Math 3205, Math 3207, Physics 3204, French 2200, French 3200 and French 3201 through CDLI.

 

Student Support Services

Student Support Services at Baltimore School consists of 3.5 Special Education teaching units and 1.0 Guidance Counselor allocation. Special Education teachers are responsible for providing Pathways supports to students requiring assistance as determined by comprehensive assessments and ISSP’s(Individual Support Services Plan). Special Education teachers mainly work with students who have identified Exceptionalities by providing them with Alternate Courses to address their needs. In addition Special Education teachers provide such supports as (oral testing, scribing, etc.) to Pathway students as requested by the Regular Classroom teacher(s).  All programming provided to students requiring pathways supports is monitored and kept current via the ISSP (Individual Support Services Plan) process as outlined by the Department of Education. Guidance counseling services include such services as individual and group counseling, comprehensive assessment, post-secondary school counseling, ISSP and pathways consultation, Tutoring for Tuition Facilitation, interagency involvement and Senior High course selection.

 

School Enrolment

 

District 4 – Eastern

#447 – Baltimore School, Ferryland                  Classifcation: Rural Community/Avalon Region **

Grades: K – 12                                                                                                      School FTE PTR: 12.8

Number of Grades: 13                                                                                          District FTE PTR: 14.1                                                                        

FTE Teachers: ***25.5                                                                                       Provincial FTE PTE: 13.1

 

Enrolment by Age and Gender

 

Age

Gender                   5      6      7      8      9      10    11    12    13    14    15    16    17    18    19    20>                  Total

Male                       10    10    9      13    11    8      15    13    15    16    17    13    17    5      0      1                      173

Female                    6      11    9      11    10    7      12    13    13    21    8      26    13    1      0      0                      161

                                16    21    18    24    21    15    27    26    28    37    25    39    30    6      0      1                      334

 

 

Grade

Gender                   1      2      3      4      5      6      7      8      9      10    11    12    4^th                    Total

Male                       10    10    9      13    11    8      15    13    15    18    15    16    19    1              173

Female                    6      11    9      11    10    7      12    13    13    22    8      27    12    0              161

                                16    21    18    24    21    15    27    26    28    37    25    39    30    1              334

 

 

Enrolment by Grade

447

Enrollment

 

 

Key Highlights/Special Projects undertaken at School

 

Sports Day	Academic Awards Night	Intramurals
SADD	Chess Club	Spirit Days
Basketball Tournaments	Hockey Tournaments	Cross Country
Track and Field	Recycling	Peer Tutoring
Band	Tutoring for Tuition	Student Leadership
Concert/Recitals	Stitch Club	Tap Dancing
Clan Day	Homework Haven	Softball Tournament
Public Speaking	Breakfast Program	Writing Contests
Math Competitions	Computer Club	CAP site
Peer Mediation	Star Student of the Week	Science Fair
Heritage Fair	Forum for Young Canadians	Robotics

 

Partnerships

 

Baltimore School is very fortunate to have the support of the various communities it serves.  The following is a list of partnerships which have developed over the years and remain strong in our school:

- Fire Safety: Fire Department                          - D.A.R.E: R.C.M.P                

- CAP Website                                                - Kids Eat Smart Foundation   

- School Milk Foundation                                 - Public Health

- Cadets/Royal Newfoundland Legion              - Irish Loop Development

- Memorial University of Newfoundland            - Celtic Business Development

 

 

School Growth and Development

All schools in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador are expected to devise a School Development Plan.  School development is a school level planning process, designed to guide and focus a school towards the achievement of its mission - enhanced student learning.

 

While a plan is developed within the context of both the provincial and district strategic education plans, it reflects the uniqueness of the local school environment. Through a collaborative process, the school community analyses school data - including standardized test results - and based on that analysis, sets goals, and creates and implements action plans to address those goals.

 

Baltimore School undertook this process in the 2006-2007 school year.  This current upcoming year will be the second in our 3 year development plan.  The 3 year plan is outlined below.

 

3 Year School Development Plan (2006 – 2009)

 

Goal 1: Increase student enrollment in academic programs and performance at the higher levels of standardized testing.

 

Year	Objectives	Objectives
2006-07	To educate the school community on the expectations in assessment.	To promote high achievement through motivation of students.
2007-08	Provide students with curriculum that challenges them individually (at their own level).	To continue to promote high achievement through motivation.
2008-09	60 % of our high school students enrolled in academic and honors programs.	30% of student population at the 4 & 5 assessment levels for all CRT'S.

 

Goal 2: To create an environment where there is greater collaboration and cooperation at the “Divisional and Subject Levels”.

 

Year	Objectives	Objectives
2006-07	Staff will work together to enhance the teaching and learning environment.	Staff will work together to reorganize resources and space.
2007-08	The school community will be given increased opportunities to participate in school activities.	Staff will collaborate at divisional and subject level.
2008-09	Teachers will learn new collaborative strategies to use when making decisions and significant changes within the school.	Staff will use new collaborative strategies to work together to ensure consistent assessment and evaluation.

 

Goal 3: Foster the affective component of student learning by creating more diverse learning opportunities for students both inside and outside the classroom setting.

 

Year	Objectives	Objectives
2006-07	Promote an active and healthy lifestyle among staff and students.	Increase students’ access to more diverse learning experiences both inside and outside of the classroom.
2007-08	Staff and community will work together in a variety of ways to enhance the teaching and learning environment.	Increase our students' sense of belonging.
2008-09	Students will respect, accept and appreciate differences in each other.	Staff members will work together in a variety of groupings to enhance the teaching and learning environment.

 

School Development Plan 2006-2007 (1^st year of 3 year plan)

 

Goal 1  Increase student enrollment in academic programs and performance at the higher levels of standardized testing.
Objective 1.1 To educate the school community on the expectations in assessment.			Objective 1.2 To promote high achievement through motivation of students.
Indicators of Success:			Indicators of Success:
Strategies: 1.1.1   Teachers will develop their understanding of rubrics. 1.1.2    Parents will develop an understanding of rubrics and evaluation methods. 1.1.3 Students will use and understand rubrics to improve responses to various text forms. 1.1.4   Teachers will use technology as a means to provide information to parents and students. 1.1.5 Rubric Posters (Government Posters) to be placed on the walls of all from K-9 classrooms and website. 1.1.6 Rubric posters for High School Courses.			Strategies: 1.2.1   To develop an enrichment program for high achieving students (K – Grade 9) 1.2.2 Continue to offer monetary awards for high achievement. 1.2.3 Participate in math competitions (Grades 4 – 7). 1.2.4 Encourage participation in writing and poetry contests. 1.2.5 Speak-Off and dramatic reading (K – Grade 6).
Support Plan
Financial	Professional Development	Communication			Time Allocation
1.1.4    Programs (i.e. A network copy of web-design = front-page or netscape composer)   1.2.3 Provide monies for math competitions	1.1.1     Bev Fitzpatrick or delegate to do an in-service on grading rubrics   1.1.4 Provide in-service for web-design for teachers	1.1.2   To develop a parent package  containing examples of rubrics and exemplars from previous CRT's   1.1.3 To give a copy of marking rubrics to students at the beginning of the unit or assignment or review in class before starting the assignment
Comments:
A) Posters were provided for every class in 2005-2006 school year, these can easily be posted on classroom walls.     B) The government would need to develop posters of rubrics for the high school program.     C) Need to have software in order to design web-sites for homework/assignments/rubrics.

 

Goal 2 To create an environment where there is greater collaboration and cooperation at the divisional and subject levels.
Objective 2.1: Staff will work together to enhance the  teaching and learning environment			Objective 2.2: Staff will work together to reorganize resources and space.
Indicators of Success: Focus group discussions                                       Anonymous surveys			Indicators of Success: Surveys, questionnaires                                       Reflection time
Strategies: 2.1.1       Create opportunities for department and subject area collaboration. 2.1.2 Provide teacher PD on collaboration.			Strategies: 2.2.1 Find and organize space specific to subject  areas. 2.2.2 Create departmental catalogues of resources and make lists available to all staff. 2.2.3 Use departmental meetings to organize resources. (i.e. Time)
Support Plan
Financial	Professional Development	Communication		Time Allocation
2.1.1 $2000 for remodeling, 2.1.2 organizing storage [shelves, cabinets, etc.] updating resources-$1000 per dept.	2.1.1 Collaboration workshop	2.1.1 Discussion using first class Memos  More efficient use of First Class		2.1.1 Use One PD day spread out over 5 sessions.

 

Goal 3 Foster the affective component of student learning by creating more diverse learning opportunities for students both inside and outside the classroom setting.
Objective 3.1:   Promote an active and healthy lifestyle among staff and students.			Objective 3.2 Increase students access to more diverse learning experiences both inside and outside of the classroom.
Indicators of Success:  Quality of life survey each year for students, teachers and parents. Assignment on promoting healthy eating.			Indicators of Success: Record of field trips, presenters; questions on survey and overall student achievement.
Strategies: 3.1.1   To model a healthy lifestyle for students, teachers will undergo a fitness appraisal on a regular basis. 3.1.2 To foster an appreciation of the outdoors and an active lifestyle, we will adopt a piece of the East Coast Trail. 3.1.3 To promote healthy eating, we will introduce a Healthy Snack day. 3.1.4 We will utilize Nutrition Education programs and presenters in our school.			Strategies: 3.2.1   Encourage the Board to subsidize transportation and substitute days for field trips. 3.2.2   Encourage integration of resources (people from the community, experts in related fields, celebrities, etc.) to share their expertise/knowledge in curriculum related activities. 3.2.3 Establish a mentoring program where older students will mentor younger students. 3.2.4 To promote participation/enrollment in Skilled Trades, Art, Music, non-athletic extra curricular activities.
Support Plan
Financial	Professional Development	Communication		Time Allocation
3.1.2 Minimal 3.1.3 $100/month 3.1.4 Transportation costs for presenters.  Gifts 3.2.2 May need transportation covered.  Possible fees. 3.2.3 May need educational materials i.e. Manipulatives	3.2.2 Depending on identified need 3.2.3 Students may need some training in dealing with smaller kids and the problem areas.	3.1.1 – 3.1.4 Notification to teachers through staff memos and website, Newsletter, T.V’s 3.2.1 Administration give presentation to Council and develop strategies. 3.2.2 Possible phone calls, letters, etc. to appropriate people.		3.1.1 Time after school: Do this instead of staff meeting. 3.1.2   One afternoon in October and 1 in May. 3.1.3 One period per month. 3.1.4 Once a month during healthy snack day. 3.2.2 / 3.2.3 As needed

 

 

Operational Issues for 2006-07

·        Organization of Supplies/Resources/Procedures/Manuals, etc.  (Consistency from year to year)

·        Acknowledgment of school volunteers (through certificates, special day, newsletter, etc.)

·        Teacher directed professional development time.

·        More access to specialized resources.

·        Food Choices at the Canteen.

·        Cleanliness of School.

·        Maintaining programs in the face of declining enrollments.

·        We need to establish a second computer lab with up to date current software (i.e. animation design, up to date versions of word processors, math software, etc.)

·        We need to “sell” the new elementary math program to parents (ie., provide information about the program in a letter to parents, provide tips on how parents can help their children, during meet the teacher night give a presentation on the math program, refer parents to the outcomes on the Department of Education website).

 

Report on School Development Plan for Previous Year (2006-07)

 

Goal 1 Increase student enrollment in academic programs and performance at the higher levels of standardized testing.
Objective 1.1 To educate the school community on the expectations in assessment.	Objective 1.2 To promote high achievement through motivation of students.
Evaluation 1.1 This objective was achieved to a great extent; rubrics and exemplars were sent home to parents, rubric posters were displayed in classrooms and posted on our school website, teachers were in-serviced on rubrics, and all assigned tests and assignments were posted on our website.  Curriculum Night was used to ensure parent understanding of assessment and expectations.	Evaluation 1.2 The objective was a focus of our Academic Committee; to create an atmosphere where doing ones best at all times was the accepted norm.  Monetary rewards were offered for high achievement in all courses and grades from grade 4 – Level III, an enrichment program was instituted for grades 4-6, and students were enrolled in several math, poetry and writing competitions.
Recommendations 1.1 More use of technology by staff to ensure information on assessment is presented to parents.	Recommendations1.2 Expand the Enrichment Program from grade 4-6 to incorporate grades 7, 8 and 9.
Commendations 1.1 A reconnection has been made with parents in regards to expectations of assessment.	Commendations 1.2 By acknowledging and promoting the striving for excellence, our percentage of students at the 4 and 5 levels has increased.  The school also participated in Math competitions, winning Provincial honors in the Grade 7 Eular competition.
Goal 2 To create an environment where there is greater collaboration and cooperation at the divisional and subject levels.
Objective 2.1 Staff will work together to enhance the  teaching and learning environment	Objective 2.2 Staff will work together to reorganize resources and space.
Evaluation: 2.1 PD day was allotted for grade and subject level collaboration	Evaluation: 2.2 Space was created and organized for teacher prep room and the organization of teacher resources.
Recommendations 2.1 Provide more time for teachers to collaborate during staff meetings and divisional meetings.	Recommendations 2.2 More efficient use of First Class in the sharing of ideas and best practices.  Department catalogue of resources needs to be completed and shared with all staff.
Commendations 2.1 Much was accomplished with the designation and organization of prep rooms for the Pri/Elem and Jr./Sr. High grades.	Commendations 2.2 There was a great deal accomplished in the area of teacher isolation and providing more peer support for teachers.
Goal 3 Foster the affective component of student learning by creating more diverse learning opportunities for students both inside and outside the classroom setting.
Objective 3.1 Promote an active and healthy lifestyle among staff and students.	Objective 3.2 Increase students access to more diverse learning experiences both inside and outside of the classroom.
Evaluation 3.1 Our cafeteria fully embraced the new healthy eating guidelines one year ahead of schedule; a monthly healthy snack was initiated where all students were provided with healthy snacks free of cost; and nutrition programs and presenters became a part of our school	Evaluation 3.2 Mentoring and peer mediation groups were organized and made operational; Art classes were added to the Sr. High timetable; new afterschool activities such as Tap Dancing, Stitch Club, Lego Robotics and Underwater Robotics were offered to students.
Recommendations 3.1 Adopt a portion of the East Coast Trail to maintain.	Recommendations 3.2 Create a Directory of Community resources that can be accessed by the staff.
Commendations 3.1 The behavior of the entire school reflects the change in attitude towards healthy eating and healthy living.	Commendations 3.2 We became a pilot school for the new Trades and Fabrication program and as a result our students designed and built a gazebo and storage shed among others items.

 

 

Operational Issues Report

 

The identified operational issues for the 2006-2007 school year at Baltimore School ranged from improving the food choices at our cafeteria, to ‘selling’ the new Math program to parents.  Great strides were taken to ensure all the operational issues were achieved. 

 

During the past year, the following was achieved:

·        Two supply/prep rooms (1 each for K-6 and Jr./Sr. High) were created and stocked with relevant materials and necessities.

·        Our school volunteers were recognized and acknowledged throughout the year in school newsletters and also during our year end volunteer appreciation lunch.

·        A better and more nutritious menu was provided by our cafeteria workers.

·        The cleanliness of our school is rated top-notch with an entire interior paint job being completed.

·        A second computer lab was established to allow far greater computer access to the primary and elementary grades.

·        Efforts were made to ‘sell’ the Math program to parents by providing them with information through our newsletters and curriculum night.

·        The school was able to maintain the same number of Senior High course offerings as the prior year, despite a decrease in our overall student enrolment numbers.

·        A fitness room was constructed with a full range of cardiovascular and fitness equipment made available.

·        A student lounge was created for student use, including a TV, table tennis and foozball games.