Board Update - June 2020 Los Gatos HS School Goals for Improvement - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation

LGHS & SHS School Plans for Student Achievement (SPSAs)

Board Update - June 2020

Los Gatos HS School Goals for Improvement

• 1. Continue to develop and align core curriculum and assessments

so that students have equitable access to high-quality instruction across the school.

• 2. Improve healthy balance in students’ lives by increasing and

deepening implementation of cultural and diversity awareness, social-emotional learning, and wellness strategies.

• 3. Track and monitor data to drive instructional interventions to

support students’ achievement of schoolwide learner outcomes.

Los Gatos HS Achievements in 2019-20

Achievement Highlights:

• The English department identified student skill gaps, based on reviewing 2019 CAASPP and CAASPP Interim Assessment

data, and targeted their work to build students’ essay writing skills, specifically in the areas of writing stronger introductions as well as building research and media literacy skills at each grade level.

• The English department also collaborated to identify essential standards for each grade level and developed common

assessment tools in course-alike groups, including a rubric at the sophomore level for the speech and debate unit.

• The Math department developed and used common final exams in their courses which were then reviewed by

course-alike instructors to inform pedagogical practices.

• The Science department implemented an Earth Space Science Assessment reflecting NGSS standards across all core

science courses as well as a “Claims, Evidence, Reasoning” rubric across all science courses.

• The Social Studies department gave a common “document-based question” writing assessment across each grade level

using a common rubric and collected that data. Working with district ToSAs, they created a form to input data that allowed them to see which skills are in need of being addressed to inform instructional practice.

Los Gatos HS Achievements in 2019-20

Achievement Highlights (continued):

• The World Language department has collaborated extensively in course-alike teams, following the Professional Learning

Community model’s “four essential questions” and with the end goal/learning objective in mind.

• The Physical Education department received training from Lifeworx Fitness to improve their instruction of the

functional movements that they assess in freshman Health-Fitness classes as well as upper-level PE classes. Health-Fitness teachers also updated Health assessments they administer to ensure continued alignment across all freshman Health-Fitness classes.

• The Electives department is proud of its growing use of Adobe suite tools so that LGHS students develop relevant skills

for industry and career use, and this year acquired approval of Adobe Suite access for all staff and students to be able to create high-quality, technology-based projects.

• The Special Education department developed and successfully implemented a plan to address D/F grades proactively

every six weeks. As a result, they decreased the number of D/F grades by increasing student support and providing appropriate student interventions, i.e., more appropriate settings for serving student needs.

• The Special Education department has also developed and shared best practices for Study Skills lessons that are focused
• n Executive Functioning skills and Social-Emotional Learning.

Los Gatos HS Achievements in 2019-20

Achievement Highlights (continued):

• The LEAD pathway teachers (“Learn, Explore, Act, and Design”) developed and implemented a shared, interdisciplinary

project for each grade level.

• LEAD teachers visited Central Coast High School (a New Tech high school in San Luis Obispo County) to develop an

“Instructional Rounds” professional practice to help our grade-level collaborative teaching teams better evaluate student projects, student learning experiences, and student growth. The LEAD department earned a grant from the New Tech Network to fund staff from both schools to visit and collaborate with each other; an outcome is that both schools focused on the skill of “Agency” as a lens through which to examine and improve student growth.

• The Guidance department created specific learning objectives for presentations and grade-level learning activities;

they checked for learning attainment at the end of activities, throughout the school year.

• The Guidance department attended the National Student Leadership Conference, where they acquired tools and a

process for tracking and evaluating Guidance programming.

• The Guidance department created a senior survey as a launch point for alumni student data tracking, a goal that is part
• f our six-year WASC Action Plan.

Los Gatos HS Achievements in 2019-20

Achievement Highlights (continued):

• During the time of remote learning, our staff has shared best practices for conducting both synchronous and

asynchronous instruction and has learned how to use and integrate various technology into instruction: Canvas tools, Google Suite, Zoom, PearDeck, FlipGrid, EdPuzzle, etc. This growth was greatly supported by our ToSAs.

• Link Crew collaborated with the PE department pre-COVID to provide monthly small-group mentoring for 9th grade

Health-Fitness students to promote student well-being and greater relational connections within the student body.

• Team BELONG expanded and enhanced our Celebrating Diversity Week events and Tutorial Talks for deeper impact.
• We sent a second team of students and staff to Camp Everytown in February 2020 for diversity and inclusion training

that will lead to enhanced diversity and inclusion culture-building events in the school for 2020-21.

• We provided education to students, staff, and parents regarding impacts of social media to promote student safety and

well-being. We held two evening parent events, one each semester, devoted to social media awareness.

• With the generous support from NMF and the LGHS Home and School Club, LGHS has dramatically improved our

cafeteria operations and quality of food service so that healthy, hand-made food is provided to students daily.

Los Gatos HS Action Items for Next Year (2020-21)

Action Items to Target for Next Year:

• Departments will continue to utilize subject area/course leads as we continue our work and progress in using the

Professional Learning Community model throughout the school.

• Using the district’s new Graduate Profile as a guidepost, departments will continue their work with identifying and

articulating essential standards for each core course, creating common assessments for those courses, and reviewing student data from these assessments to inform instruction.

• Departments and the school will continue to collect and review assessment data to develop instructional interventions

and supports for those students who need it, as well as more challenging content for those who have reached mastery.

• The Guidance department will examine National Clearinghouse alumni data and will survey LGHS alumni regarding their

view of how well LGHS prepared them for post-high school study and career pursuits.

• We will continue to emphasize student mental wellness as well as anti-bullying efforts in our Social-Emotional Learning

work next year as a school. School Site Council, LGHS Leadership, El Gato, and Home and School Club all contributed to identifying these areas of need based on analysis of California Health Kids Survey data from 2019.

Los Gatos HS Primary Sources of Data

• WASC Midcycle Progress Report - Fall 2019
• CAASPP and CAASPP Interim Assessment Results - 2019
• LGHS Progress Report Data - every six weeks 2019-20
• LGHS Department-specific Assessment Data - 2019-20
• Project Cornerstone Data – 2006-2016
• California Healthy Kids Survey Data - Spring 2019
• CASSY Data - 2019-2020

Los Gatos HS Stakeholder Groups

• Staff/Departments
• Curriculum Council
• School Site Council
• Home and School Club
• NMF
• CASA
• Student Leadership
• El Gato Staff
• Team BELONG
• Peer Education

Saratoga HS School 2019-20 Goals for Improvement

• 1. Provide ongoing support in attaining high academic

achievement through a variety of best instructional practices

• 2. Focus on relevant and engaging learning that promotes

healthy academic perspectives for students.

• 3. All stakeholders will work together to support students in

developing resiliency skills when managing stress

Achievements related to Goal #1:

• 1. Provide ongoing support in attaining high academic achievement

through a variety of best instructional practices

English:

• Full implementation of the NoRedInk online grammar program for freshmen and sophomores (this was a

life saver during remote learning);

• All teachers in the department refined and expanded their use of Canvas as well as the use of G-Suite in

Math:

• Extensive collaboration in course alike teams
• Formative assessments: Kahoots! Quizzes & other exit tickets. Thumbs up/down/sideways informal

check for understanding and other classroom strategies.

• Use of Canvas and our new iPads & document cameras

Achievements related to Goal #1:

• 1. Provide ongoing support in attaining high academic achievement

through a variety of best instructional practices

Physical Education/Health:

• Worked to align fitness standards among all beginner and intermediate PE classes (in progress)
• Align all formative assessments for beginner and intermediate PE classes (in progress)
• Align class lessons among all PE classes (periods 1-6) (in progress)

Science:

• Began alignment of curriculum to NGSS
• Administered Earth Sciences assessment test to determine status against NGSS standards

Special Education:

• Significantly expanded use of Canvas and Zoom for remote-learning to include a variety of ways to

present content and receive student work samples ( a well-balanced platform to exchange information and communication between teachers, staff as well as parents.)

Achievements related to Goal #1:

• 1. Provide ongoing support in attaining high academic achievement

through a variety of best instructional practices

STEM:

• Purchased micro:bits for classroom(s) with the SVCTE grant. Micro:bits are microcontrollers that can

be block or line programmed. The department developed curriculum based upon student use of Micro: bits for the Intro to CS class.

• The STEM department has partnered with TEALS. Microsoft Philanthropies TEALS (Technology

Education and Literacy in Schools) helps high schools throughout the US and British Columbia, Canada build and grow sustainable computer science programs. They will be implementing the TEALS partnership in two of his APCS classes.

Achievements related to Goal #1:

• 1. Provide ongoing support in attaining high academic achievement

through a variety of best instructional practices

STEM continued:

• STEM developed and implementing curriculum for student use of the CNC mills. This entails student

learning about the CAD/CAM workflow, Fusion 360 software, G-Code, Path-Pilot, and the CNC mill.

• The VEX Corporation updated all of their motors/sensors, their controller and the programming
• software. The department has purchased one complete new set of equipment and will be

rewriting an entire semester worth of curriculum for POE. Social Studies:

• Attended workshops/conferences for newly revised AP curriculum in US History and

Government and Politics with a stronger emphasis on writing

Achievements related to Goal #1:

• 1. Provide ongoing support in attaining high academic achievement

through a variety of best instructional practices

Social Studies (continued):

• Collaborated on incorporating new textbooks in US History and World History and associated print and
• nline materials in both individual and grade-level groups

Visual/Performing Arts:

• Engaging students in meaningful artistic/musical projects both before and during Distance Learning (i.e.

Gratitude Playing Assignment; Zoom Plays; art presentations)

• Expanded use of technology, i.e. Video/Audio editing and recording software, to allow students to still

collaborate with others World Languages:

• Learned more about Canvas/Zoom/Google Meet than we ever thought possible.
• Maintained high participation levels in spite of, well, you know.

Achievements related to Goal #1:

• 1. Provide ongoing support in attaining high academic achievement

through a variety of best instructional practices

MAP:

• Remote Teaching catapulted us into thinking about both tech and formative assessment in new ways.
• With the support of the district tech team, we were able to provide MAP students with the Adobe

Creative Cloud (ex: With the assistance of GoogleDocs, Zoom, and Discord, MAP 10 students collaborated on the first MAP “Be the Change” documentaries done completely remotely.

• MAP teachers used breakout rooms in the video conferencing platforms for discussion and guided

activities for informal checking for understanding. Other teachers used Flipgrid and Padlet as a formative assessment tool. Some of these best practices will (one day!) return to the classroom with the teachers and students.

Achievements related to Goal #1:

• 1. Provide ongoing support in attaining high academic achievement

through a variety of best instructional practices

Administration:

• Attended the Solution Tree Professional Learning Community (PLC) workshop this summer. This started

the process of transition to a PLC school.

• Visited classrooms frequently, using Repertoire as a method for sharing “I Like/I Wonder” timely

feedback

• Continued visiting online classrooms regularly throughout the SIP.
• Helped facilitate the pivot to remote learning
• Introduced and implemented Teachmore for Tutorial accountability and increasing Academically

Relevant and/or Socially Emotionally Appropriate Offerings

Achievements related to Goal #1:

• 1. Provide ongoing support in attaining high academic achievement

through a variety of best instructional practices

Guidance:

• Used technology for past and present students to request transcripts. This is one of the ways students

can request transcripts and will continue post school closure.

• Continued use of Naviance to help students identify ideal post-secondary options
• Used technology to allow current students to apply for a Work Permit. The system for Work Permits was

designed for staff working from home. This system might not continue after we are back on campus.

Achievements related to Goal #2:

• 2. Focus on relevant and engaging learning that promotes healthy

academic perspectives for students.

English:

• Teams revisit essential learning outcomes each year and make refinements such as adding or dropping

works or assignments.

• The annual Writing Assessment also allows for these discussions. Because of COVID-19, we were able to

do only the fall assessment this year. Math:

• Used a lot of activities found on Teachers Pay Teachers (TpT), which incorporate group work and

collaboration during class.

• Continuously revise our vertical alignment.
• Our work on essential outcomes was cut short due to the pandemic.

Achievements related to Goal #2:

• 2. Focus on relevant and engaging learning that promotes healthy

academic perspectives for students.

Physical Education/Health:

• Worked to align fitness standards among all beginner and intermediate PE classes
• SHS physical education classes continue to provide students with the tools necessary to maintain a

physically healthy lifestyle outside of school. The absolute importance of this was demonstrated with this semester’s school closure and our students’ ability to keep themselves healthy. Science:

• Integrated information about the importance of disease transmission (including COVID-19), immune

response, mental health biochemicals, sleep & physical health in the human physiology unit in Biology.

Achievements related to Goal #2:

• 2. Focus on relevant and engaging learning that promotes healthy

academic perspectives for students.

Social Studies:

• Worked together in grade-levels to evaluate and scaffold CHOICES curriculum that offers relevant and

scholarly critical thinking curriculum that challenges all students.

• Concerted effort was put into searching for ELD and Special Education resources that World History and

US History teachers could incorporate as there is an increased in demand. Music Program

• Duet Assignment: students created a repository of duets that could be shared with SUSD district

musicians in which 5th-8th graders can play duets online with high school students

• Virtual Choir: students collaborating on creating a virtual choir performance to be shared with the

community

Achievements related to Goal #2:

• 2. Focus on relevant and engaging learning that promotes healthy

academic perspectives for students.

Music Program (continued)

• Winter Guard/Percussion had opportunities to design their own shows and understand the process in

how an idea comes into fruition

• Final playing projects provided various options that addressed different learning styles, different
• interests. Options included: solo playing project, small ensemble playing projects, composing and

arranging, digital music (i.e. electronics, DJing, multimedia etc.), and becoming an instrument recruiter Administration

• Started all Dept Meetings with SEL question that helped group focus on one another. Ended most

meetings during COVID with humor of Memes.

• Started all All-Staff meetings with a review of various ways to communicate common phrases, including

American Sign Language.

Achievements related to Goal #2:

• 2. Focus on relevant and engaging learning that promotes healthy

academic perspectives for students.

Administration (continued)

• Promoted the “Just Learn It” theme throughout the ‘19-’20 school year that focuses on student

resilience and student grit.

• Hosted student forums to review California Healthy Kids Survey results and discuss real and perceived

academic perspectives and expectations. Guidance

• Participated in weekly admin, guidance, Cassy meetings to ensure the students who needed SEL support

received it.

• Continuously updated the Guidance FAQ page that appeared in the Friday Newsletter and on the SHS
• website. This doc was instrumental in helping students get immediate answers during the SIP

Achievements related to Goal #2:

• 2. Focus on relevant and engaging learning that promotes healthy

academic perspectives for students.

Student Activities

• Hosted a successful Homecoming Week that provides opportunities for students to excel in areas
• utside of academic core classes and teaches lifelong lessons of teamwork, collaboration, and

encouragement of peers.

• Hosted Speak Up For Change Week that addresses mental health issues through peer to peer and

student-mentor models.

• Hosted Trunk or Treat that reached out to the community at large.
• During Shelter in Place, ASB, Commission, and Class Office Leaders maintained a positive social media

presence (birthday shout outs, Local Eats, trivia nights, etc.)

Achievements related to Goal #2:

• 2. Focus on relevant and engaging learning that promotes healthy

academic perspectives for students.

Wellness/Social Emotional Learning

• Reassigned a School Resource Aide to serve as the Wellness Coordinator to support CASSY Therapists

and to greet students who visit the Wellness Center for a variety of needs.

• Created safe space for deep listening and empathy so students can share with each other what is

normally not discussed.

• Started a Wellness Group that met weekly for the last 6 weeks of school. Topics included inner critic,

self compassion, self esteem, social comparison, and gratitude. Created content and uploaded to CANVAS for any interested student to access.

• In fall the SEL team supported the Sources of Strength training and Healthy Activities for finals; In spring,

SEL team offered monthly CONNECT4US information to staff to support SEL in the classroom and researched programs (Haert, ImSparked, Atlas, Projec tWayfinder) to recommend a more systemic approach to SEL education.

Achievements related to Goal #3:

• 3. All stakeholders will work together to support students in developing

resiliency skills when managing stress

English:

• Department members seek to bring these discussions to their classes and respond to students’ needs;

most of these efforts are informal and in class. We’ve found these connections vastly harder to maintain during online learning and finding methods to create better connections online is a primary focus for us heading into the fall. Physical Education/Health:

• Created and implemented the Falcon Fit challenge. This was a student centered activity that gave

students the opportunity to test and retest their physical capabilities. Students who reached their goals were awarded with a one of a kind t-shirt.

Achievements related to Goal #3:

• 3. All stakeholders will work together to support students in developing

resiliency skills when managing stress

Math:

• We attend all school assemblies with our classes and participate in the SWL addressing these issues.

Science:

• Integrated information about the importance of disease transmission (including COVID-19), immune

response, mental health biochemicals, sleep & physical health in the human physiology unit in Biology.

• Participate in school activities such as Speak Up For Change and dress up at Halloween as a department.

Social Science:

• Upper level classes, especially Government and Politics teachers, do weekly “check-ins” with students

and either answer questions or seek clarification from administration.

• Participate in school activities such as Talent Contest, are judges for rallies, and advise various clubs.

Achievements related to Goal #3:

• 3. All stakeholders will work together to support students in

developing resiliency skills when managing stress

Music Program:

• A lot of focus on maintaining/building a sense of community and collaboration through musical means

○ Gratitude Assignment: students recorded live performances to express gratitude to family members and teachers that have helped them along the way; to also bring joy during a very strange time ○ Duet Assignment: students created a repository of duets that could be shared with SUSD district musicians in which 5th-8th graders can play duets online with high school students ○ Year-End celebrations for all Band, Choir, and Orchestras

Achievements related to Goal #3:

• 3. All stakeholders will work together to support students in developing

resiliency skills when managing stress

Administration:

• Made multiple videos addressing cyberbullying and other common problems.
• Created School Wide Lessons (SWL) for all teachers to host during a designated time of Tutorial.
• Promoted the “Just Learn It” theme throughout the 2019-20 school year that focuses on resilience and

student grit. Students received gift cards if nominated by a staff member.

• Participated in weekly admin, guidance, Cassy meetings to ensure the students who needed SEL support

received it.

• Scheduled Parent Teas with our community to discuss pertinent issues in our students’ lives
• Hosted California Healthy Kids Survey World Cafe with SEL team to review the data from 2018-19 with all

stakeholders.

Achievements related to Goal #3:

• 3. All stakeholders will work together to support students in developing

resiliency skills when managing stress

Guidance:

• Participated in weekly admin, guidance, Cassy meetings to ensure the students who needed SEL support

received it.

• Continuously updated the Guidance FAQ page that appeared in the Friday Newsletter and on the SHS
• website. This doc was instrumental in helping students get immediate answers during the SIP

Student Activities

• Leadership Hosted several club meetings in which students addressed gender empowerment, political

dialogue, and peer tutoring

• Speak Up for Change Assembly focused on peer and staff experiences in managing stress.
• Link Crew training addressed correct behavior of students at SHS

Saratoga HS Achievements

Student’s Feedback Highlights:

• A majority of SHS students feel included and connected
• Many students enjoy learning new skills and learning new content
• Canvas is an effective communication tool and is effective in providing academic

information

• Around 75% of students feel that their workload is somewhat manageable
• Students like that teachers give them options to demonstrate their understanding of a

topic/concept

• Students feel that mental health support services are available on campus
• Students who need academic help are able to get help in the tutoring center

Saratoga HS Achievements

Parent’s Feedback Highlights

• High academic achievement by a significant number of students
• Many “star” teachers across all areas of the curriculum
• Staff as a whole are passionate about teaching
• Culture of continuous instructional improvement
• Increasing use of technology that supports learning
• Very supportive and engaged Guidance Department
• Large percentage of students involved in a variety of extracurricular activities
• Deployment of student wellness programs such as Breaking Down The Walls and Speak Up For

Change

• Availability of CASSY mental health professionals on campus
• Students feel safe on campus
• Large number of involved parents who attend performances/games and volunteer for

school-connected organizations

Saratoga HS Achievements

Teacher’s Highlights

• Extra-curricular activities: sports, ASB clubs, robotics, speech and debate
• Co-curricular activities: Music, Drama, Media Arts, Junior Achievement, Project Lead the

Way

• Passionately invested teachers driving the professional development plan
• Developing and offering multiple options for demonstrating mastery of concepts and skills
• Active in researching and developing best practices in curriculum and instruction
• An Emphasis on Education and Support of the Whole Child
• Access to mental health and academic support services--CASSY/Wellness

Center/ASSIST/SOAR

Saratoga HS Primary Sources of Data

• WASC Self Study 2019-2020
• WASC Parent, Student & Teacher Surveys 2019-2020
• CAASPP Results - 2014-2019
• Project Cornerstone Survey Data – 2016
• CHKS Data - Spring 2018-2019
• CASSY Data- 2018-2019

Action Items for Next Year (2020-21)

Action Items

• Build understanding of needs for balance and perspective in course selection within our

stakeholder groups

• Encourage and value growth mindset
• Teach to promote Student Citizenship and Academic Integrity
• Promote opportunities to discuss and evaluate wellness resources and practice self-care for all our

school stakeholders

• Demonstrate a variety of perspectives and pathways to post-secondary success
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• Transparency in Decision Making
• Dedicate collaborative time for staff to communicate, coordinate, and develop

curriculum and instruction that provides purposeful learning experiences for all students

• Enhance and evaluate the effectiveness of tutorial as a tool for personalized learning
• Use technology to support best pedagogical practices

Saratoga HS School 2020-21 Goals for Improvement

• 1. To increase student well-being and agency in learning.
• 2. Broaden and bridge communication amongst school

community stakeholders

• 3. Fine tune pedagogical practices to prepare students to become

adaptable citizen learners equipped for the demands of a rapidly changing world

Saratoga HS School Comparison of Goals for Improvement

2019-20 SPSA Goals 2020-21 SPSA Goals

• 1. Provide ongoing support in attaining high

academic achievement through a variety of best instructional practices

• 1. To increase student well-being and agency

in learning.

• 2. Focus on relevant and engaging learning

that promotes healthy academic perspectives for students.

• 2. Broaden and bridge communication

amongst school community stakeholders

• 3. All stakeholders will work together to

support students in developing resiliency skills when managing stress

• 3. Fine tune pedagogical practices to prepare

students to become adaptable citizen learners equipped for the demands of a rapidly changing world

Saratoga HS Stakeholder Groups

• WASC Focus Groups
• Staff/Departments
• Leadership Team
• School Site Council
• SEL Team
• Classified Support Staff
• PTSO/Foundation
• Parent Booster Groups
• Parent Teas participants
• Student Leadership