SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

COLUMBIA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

IMPLEMENTATION SCHOOL YEAR 2003-2004

Jeff Nelson-Principal

Jill Palmquist-Assistant Principal

Brooks Clergy-Counselor

2901 54 th Avenue East

Tacoma , WA 98424

253.517.1600

COLUMBIA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

A World Class Learning Center

Fife , Washington

V I S I O N

Columbia Junior High School is a school in which students are engaged in quality work invented by teachers, designed to maximize students' fullest academic, emotional, physical, and social potential.

B E L I E F S

In order to realize this vision, we believe

• Teachers are collaborative leaders of instruction and inventors of engaging work that meets the needs of all students and all learning styles.

• All students have the opportunity to learn more when given authentic, engaging work, adequate time, proper tools, and assistance.

• Columbia Junior High School will be safe, clean, and orderly to allow for a productive learning environment.

• Students and staff will consistently treat each other with respect.

DATA COLLECTION

For the 2003-2004 School Improvement Plan

The following are the components of our comprehensive needs assessment:

•  2002-2003 Standard Bearer Assessment Report

•  Standard 7-Staff Development-Ongoing Support

•  Standard 8-Fostering Innovation/Flexibility

•  Standard 9-Technology

•  2003 Test results

•  Faculty and Administration Input

•  Parental Input

•  Site Based Council input and feedback

•  Federal Mandates

•  Class of 2008 Graduation Requirements

Needs identified through achievement data:

• Work with our students of diverse ethnic backgrounds to improve their levels of performance on the WASL

• Work with all students to raise achievement levels in math, writing, and reading
• Work with our 8 th grade students to improve scores on the science WASL
• Class of 2008 Graduation Requirements

Needs identified through Faculty and Administration/Site Based Council

• Establish the tradition and culture of welcome, safety, and respect in our new building

• Treat students and staff fairly and with consistency
• Maintain and care for our new facility
• Establish high expectations for behavior and academics
• Provide a 'bridge' from SLMS to FHS

Needs identified from parental input

• Establish a grade configuration which is focused on grouping students according to a variety of age appropriate factors

• Establish a program at Columbia Junior High School which addresses the specific needs of junior high age students, and allows them opportunities for growth as they progress toward high school
• Utilize the technology at Columbia Junior High School to enrich the learning experience across all curricular areas
• Create a parent support system that bridges the needs of students from SLMS to FHS
• Assure the safety and welfare of our students in our new school
• Make parents and 8 th grade students fully aware of the new graduation requirements, including the Certificate of Mastery (COM)

Evaluation of Impact on Student Achievement

FOR THE 2003-2004 SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT PLAN

•  Adequate Progress for the 2003-2004 School Improvement Plan will be achieved when the THREE stated goals have been met.

COLUMBIA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENT

VISION STATEMENT 2003-04

Throughout the school district there is a clear focus on students and on the quality of the work provided to students - work that students find interesting, challenging, and satisfying and that results in their learning what is expected by schools, parents, and the community.

GOALS AND ACTION PLAN

Specific School Goal #1

Establish the traditions, expectations, and culture of Columbia Junior High School

Action Plan (Based on Research-Identify):

•  Establish the Cougar Code

•  Attendance Policy

•  Student/faculty dress code

•  Include input from a variety of stakeholders

•  Parents-Grade Configuration

•  Parents-Community-Athletics Alignment

•  Students-School Colors, School Mascot

•  Parents-Students-Community-School Name

•  Teachers-Attendance Policy

•  Students-Parents-Dress Code

•  Visit other junior high schools to gain input as to successful programs which will help create a positive atmosphere and environment in our school

•  Continue to increase the opportunities for students and parents to have positive interaction with school

•  Encourage staff to continue to be involved with students beyond the school day

•  Utilize all means available to communicate between school, home, and the community (web, newsletter, phone dialout, etc.)

•  Implement monthly/quarterly, positive, age-appropriate activities for our students

•  Implement a robust series of evening activities for parents/teachers

•  Back to School Night

•  Arena Conferences

Goal Assessment (Impact on Student Achievement)

•  Through a survey, students, parents, staff will report the culture, traditions, and expectations of CJH been established and are routine in implementation and understanding.

Specific School Goal #2

Continue to increase the student achievement levels on the 10 th grade

WASL and the 8 th Grade Science WASL

Action Plan (Based on Research-Identify):

•  Class of 2008 Information.

•  Provide materials for parents of 8 th grade students

•  Provide an informational evening for parents of 8 th grade students

•  Implement our new science curriculum, focus on the 8 th grade WASL

•  Provide opportunities for staff to receive training on teaching diverse populations

•  Provide staff opportunities to prepare to meet state/national standards

•  Utilize Department Chairs in leading department WOW Academies to create exemplar lessons which focus on areas of deficit

•  Provide time each month for a department to Work on the Work

•  Implement our laptop carts as a significant means of incorporating technology into lessons

•  Utilize the Ed Performance testing series to help place students appropriately

•  Continue to utilize the GradeChecker system as a means of communicating with parents

•  Have information available for staff regarding the results of WASL and ITED

•  Have Dr. Harruff work with teacher leaders to help understand the WASL and areas of deficit

Goal Assessment (Impact on Student Achievement)

•  Students will show continued improvement on WASL and ITED, demonstrated on the 10 th grade WASL.

•  8 th grade Science WASL scores will increase by at least 10 percent.

•  Departments will create at least one Exemplar lesson to be posted on the server.

Specific School Goal #3

Provide our students with a safe and civil school environment.

Action Plan (Based on Research-Identify):

•  Establish routine emergency drills (fire, lockdown, lahar, earthquake, etc.)

•  Railroad safety training for students and staff

•  Safe and Civil Schools Grant

•  Parent Coordinator using grant funds

•  Bullying/harassment procedures

•  Student agenda

•  Work with Columbia Booster Club to create emergency supplies containers for each classroom

•  Establish relationships with outside agencies who provide support for students

•  Prism Project

•  Community in Schools

•  Horizon

•  Create an opportunity to have a School Resource Officer at CJH

•  Implement the Child Study Team proposed by counselor and psychologist

Goal Assessment (Impact on Student Achievement)

•  Establish a baseline of referral data for future use.

•  Realize a decrease in referrals compared to previous year at SLMS.

T H E C O U G A R C O D E

 AT COLUMBIA JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL

• Everyone will be welcome, respected, and safe.
•  Everyone will be treated fairly and with consistency.
•  We believe in high expectations for behavior and academics.
• Each staff member will dress and conduct him/herself as a professional educator.
• Each student will dress and conduct her/himself as a young adult learner.
• We are Columbia 's first caretakers and it is our responsibility to pass it along to the next generation of students and staff. We will take excellent care of our new school.