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R2A Response of MDC School Board to Nautilus Middle School 6-6-14Superintendent of Schools Alberto M. Carvalho June 6, 2014 The Honorable Mayor and Commissioners City of Miami Beach 1700 Convention Center Dr., 4th Floor Miami Beach, FL 33139 Dear Mayor and Commissioners : Mi ami-Dade County School Board Perla Tabares Hantman, Chair Or. Lawrence S. Feldman, Vice Chair Or. Dorothy Bendross-Mindinga/1 Susie V. Castillo Carlos L. Curbelo Dr. Wilbert "Tee " Holloway Dr. Martin Karp Or. Marta Perez Raquel A Regalado In follow-up to the City of Miami Beach (City) Commission Meeting held on May 21 , 2014, and a tour of Nautilus Middle School held on April 1, 2014, attached please find Miami-Dade County Public Schools (M-DCPS) Action Plan related to Nautilus Middle School. The action plan addresses issues brought forth by the City and community stakeholders during the post-school tour discussion, as well as the concerns identified by parents of "public school students " who participated in the focus groups prepared by Kerrs & Down, at the request of the City. The action plan addresses four key focus areas : Improve Academics; Increase Technology: Improve School Culture; and Improve Instructional Personnel Practices . For each proposed focus area , specific goals and measureable outcomes are outlined to address the issues identified in the report . In addition , as part of the District's collaboration with Florida International University (FlU), a new workgroup has been established to focus on issues specific to middle schools under an existing collaborative structure, Achieving Community Collaboration in Education and Student Success (ACCESS). ACCESS is an achievement-oriented partnership that enables FlU and M-DCPS to utilize our combined instructional , research, and creative talent to improve student achievement and enhance students' transition into higher education. The new middle school workgroup will identify and implement best practices associated with the developmental, academic and social and emotional needs of middle school students and will begin its work by reviewing Nautilus Middle School. The workgroup will identify strategies to revitalize the long-standing tradition of academic excellence at Nautilus. The workgroup will review school climate surveys and other stakeholders input, and work with the school's leadership team and teachers to develop a plan to address the following areas : • Engaged Learning -Ensuring that all students are active participants in the learning process . • Rigorous Meaningful Curriculum -Support the District transitions to the new Florida Standards . School Board Administration Building • 1450 N.E. 2nd Avenue • M iami, Florida 33132 305-995 -1000 • www.dadeschools .net • Professional Development -Development and implementation of a professional development plan to meet the needs identified by the ACCESS workgroup for administrators, faculty, and staff. The comprehensive review by this ACCESS workgroup, in concert with the attached school action plan and an internal school self-assessment review (a formal step in implementing the International Baccalaureate Middle Years Program) will focus professional expertise on strategies designed to improve public education for Nautilus Middle School students. The City will be updated on these efforts through its Quality Education Committee and will be provided cooperative options to strengthen school programming. If you have questions on the report or need additional information, please contact me at 305 995-2532 or Ms. lraida R. Mendez-Cartaya, Assistant Superintendent, Office of Intergovernmental Affairs, Grants Administration, and Community Engagement, at 305 995-1497. IRMC:ms L1104 Attachment cc: Ms. Valtena Brown Ms. lraida R. Mendez-Cartaya Ms. Vivian Santiesteban-Pardo Ms. Sally Alayon Mr. Rene Bellmas Mr. Jimmy Morales Dr. Leslie Rosenfeld Sincerely, Alberto M. Carvalho Superintendent of Schools Page 2 of 2 _:·Goal/Target: l~prov~ Academics .. ' 2013-2014 Action Steps Conducted District/Region Instructional Reviews and developed implementation plans based on identified areas of need Increased professional development opportunities for all teachers to enhance IB knowledge and practices Strategically used FCA T scores for structuring after school and Saturday tutoring Developed Professional Learning Communities (PLC's) to focus on implementing instructional routines and interventions for students Goal/Target: Increase Technology Built state of the art iPrep lab which includes multi-media, plasma screen TV s, laptops, SmartBoards and multi-sensory instructional technology Received monetary donations for technology upgrades and established a technology committee and an action plan based on needs assessment 2014-2015 Action Steps Implement the M-DCPS/FIU partnership initiative -Achieving Community, Collaboration in Education and Student Success (ACCESS) to revitalize the school's long standing academic success Continue to facilitate IB professional development and best best practice sharing opportunities Increase student participation in after school and Saturday tutoring programs through differentiated grouping Replace traditional departmental and grade-level meetings with lesson studies and Professional Learning Communities Expand state-of-the art technology in all classrooms with installation of 4 7 Promethean Boards. Purchase computers and laptop carts to enhance the existing computer labs. Measurable Outcomes Assessment data Documented results of IB reviews Schedules and corresponding student FCA T data Lesson study and PLC documentation and data Completion scheduled for opening ofschoolson 8118/14 Completion scheduled for opening of schools on 8118/14 Person (s) Responsible for Task School Site Administrators and Teachers, District and Region Curriculum Leaders and Florida International University Leaders and Professors School Site Administrators and IB Coordinator School Site Administrators School Site Administrators District/Facilities Office Principal, Computer Consultants 2013-2014 Action Steps Received monetary donations for technology upgrades Installed Wi-Fi modems, increased broadband width for Wi-Fil wireless use and installed access points throughout the building 2014-2015 Action Steps Identify additional funding to purchase additional technologies, if necessary Train faculty, staff and students on Wi-Fi!wireless policies and procedures and provide faculty with professional development on effective Wi-Fi /wireless usage in classroom Goal/Target: Improve School Culture Implemented ADL *Anti-Defamation League Cyber Ally Training, created the Anti-Bullying Club (ABC) and created banners to provide Community ofRespect Messages to promote awareness Student Surveys on bullying were conducted and classroom presentations/lessons on Bullying and Drugs were incorporated School Resource Officer and counselor presented Drug Awareness Lessons to students across all grade levels Creation of school-wide Positive Behavior Support (PBS) Point System Use of the Diversion Center to replace some traditional suspensions Deliver professional development to select faculty members on Positive Behavior Support (PBS) classroom management and problem solving strategies Schedule assemblies for students inviting guest speakers on adolescent concerns identified by survey Collaborate with School Police to present to faculty on Drug Awareness Lessons at selected meetings (PBS)-Point System will be used to promote participation in assemblies and activities Use of the Diversion Center to replace most traditional suspensions Measurable Outcomes Review of funding structures to purchase additional technologies after October FTE NMS Wi-Fi guidelines manual will be reviewed at opening of schools Completion of professional development cycle by January of 2015 Student assemblies schedule will be planned and conducted throughout school year Resource Officer presentations conducted School-wide assemblies and activities will conducted at opening of schools Diversion Center usage Person(s) Responsible for Task PTSA, City of Miami Beach and Business Owners ITS Support Team and School Site Administrators ADL Staff School Student Services Team School Police/Resource Officer School Site Administrators and Student Services Team School Site Administrators and Student Services Team 2013-2014 Action Steps Orientation meeting held with all substitute teachers to review expectations/procedures Incorporated enhanced best practices in customer service and motivational related initiatives Enhanced professional development and implementation of the Instructional Professional Evaluation Growth System (IPEGS) in regards to teacher performance Increased social activities and events for faculty to engage in collegial activities 2014-2015 Action Steps Provide an induction training to all substitutes and continue professional development cycle for substitute teacher/leaders Continue to provides teachers with opportunities to enhance their best practices through motivational and attitude related initiatives Professional Learning Communities will be developed to support selected faculty on best practices Create a faculty social activities calendar for the 2014-2015 school year Goal/Target: Increase Parental/Community Involvement and Awareness Increased PTSA involvement with administration and faculty, provided more space for PTSA to sell uniforms and increased their involvement and support with school sports and clubs Identified staff members to serve as Dade Partner Liaison and to serve as school's media liaison to promote positive happenings at the school Enhance dialogue with the City of Miami Beach and the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce Encourage PTSA president to communicate updates to faculty during monthly faculty meetings and support them with membership drive Increase the number of Dade Partners for the school and establish ambassador program to expand on the plan to market the school Collaborate with the City of Miami Beach and the Miami Beach Chamber of Commerce to disseminate information on school events, activities, and recognitions using newspaper, PSA's, etc. Measurable Outcome Induction training -professional learning cycle implemented Improved customer service results Participation logs Faculty social activities calendar will be shared at opening of school meeting Increased membership, PTSA participation at faculty meeting Business partnerships established, local newspaper articles, website, Connect Ed calls, school newsletters, brochures Strengthened partnerships Person (s) Responsible for Task Administration Department Chairpersons School Site Administrators, Faculty Administration and Faculty PTSA Members, Administrators Administrators, PTSA, School Site Liaison, Media Liaison School Administrators, City and Chamber Staff