Thomas O'Brien Academy of Science & Technology
Rachelle Salerno, Ed.D., Principal
Lincoln Park, Albany, NY 12202
(click here for directions)
Ph: (518) 462-7262
Fax: (518) 462-7152
e-mail: rsalerno@albany.k12.ny.us
School
Improvement Goals
Areas of
need have been identified from achievement results
reported for TOAST via State Assessment Results, the New
York State School Report Card, and the Comprehensive
District Education Plan, and have resulted in the goals
below.
Goal 1
Students meet or exceed the state's
fourth grade standards in English Language Arts (ELA)
and math.
Improve
test scores on the Grade 4 ELA exam for the total
school population from 85% at Levels 2 and above to
90%, and to improve the percentage of students
performing at Levels 3 and 4 from 45% to 50%.
Improve
the test scores on Grade 4 math exam for the total
school population from 84% at Levels 2 and above to
90%, and to improve the percentage of students
performing at Levels 3 and 4 from 45% to 50%.
Ongoing staff development activities. Develop
theme-based ELA and math activities. Continue with
90-minute Literacy Blocks in grades K-6. Ongoing
monitoring of the school-wide Remedial Plan.
Increased small group and individual instruction for
at-risk students. CCC computer lab remediation is
intensified at the primary grades. GIVE Mentor
Program expanded to Grades 1-3. Senior volunteers
(RSVP) program in the primary grades. Weekly test
practice and results shared with parents.
After-school writing program. Math enrichment on the
CCC in the classroom for Grades 2-4. New materials
to support instructional interventions in ELA and
math. The creation of a school-wide Writing
Articulation program with periodic checkpoints
throughout the year. Increased practice for timed
writing activities. Grade-level writing tasks with
grade-level reflection of strengths and weaknesses
in student writing.
Provide
regular and special needs students and their
teachers with the counseling and health office
support needed to enable to them to focus on
academic goals and meeting standards. Provide
adequate time for required individual and group
counseling for CSE-mandated students as well as
at-risk non-disabled students. Initiate a "Family
Systems" approach to counseling. Facilitate case
management. Provide ongoing support and assistance
to classroom teachers.
Goal 2
Implement an integrated science-based theme curriculum.
Enable
classroom and special area teachers to implement the
completed science-based thematic curriculum,
Mysteries of Science,
effectively utilizing the timelines for the various
themes of the curriculum project. The Magnet Theme
Facilitator will assist faculty with: facilitating
monthly grade-level theme meetings to provide
support for the implementation of the science and
technology theme curriculum. Provide ongoing
in-classroom support and modeling of "best
practices" in effective thematic curriculum
integration. Coordinate and provide staff develop
opportunities for the staff to support the magnet
theme. Develop new partnerships and follow through
with the existing Museum partnership, and other
various theme-related activities. Continue to revise
the magnet theme curriculum and keep it current.
Goal 3
Use current technology as an integral part of teaching
and learning.
Restore
TOAST to a state-of-the-art model technology by
replacing a majority of outdated classroom
computers. Develop a design plan to purchases needed
computer equipment in conjunction with the TOAST and
district technology committees, as well as
consultation with the AV Department and OST.
Participate on the Magnet Review Committee to
recommend a cycling or reallocation of existing
magnet resources to ensure that all magnet programs
are adequately supported in a timely fashion.
Explore additional grants to secure more magnet
money.
Goal 4
Increase parent involvement in our school and in their
children's education.
Increase
the number of school-wide and classroom activities
that would involve parents. Increased Parent
Involvement Committee created to design activities
and innovative ways to get parents more involved in
our school. PTA Outreach Committee established. Add
school-wide events such as Career Week, Special
Person Day, Faculty/Parent Volleyball Game, Grade
Level Author's Teas, Roman Banquet. A curriculum
component has been added to all PTA meetings.
Goal 5
Consistently implement the Valentine
philosophy on discipline.
Provide
a refresher course to all faculty staff and parents
on the Valentine Discipline Plan to ensure that it
is being implemented as initially designed. Faculty
and staff review training tapes originally
purchased. Hold Valentine Refresher Night for
parents. The Teaching for Success Committee will
review and revise the school's Valentine Discipline
Manual that was developed for faculty and staff. The
Teaching for Success Committee will provide turn key
training and assistance to teachers when needed
during the year to develop individual student
discipline lesson plans. Have new faculty/staff
members participate in the district's summer
Valentine training.
