January 2011

. . . t o e n a b l e a l l s t u d e n t s t o s u c c e e d i n a c h a n g i n g w o r l d

BOYERTOWN AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT 2010-2011 ANNUAL REPORT

A Message from the Superintendent Greetings: We are very focused on delivering the school district’s mission “to enable all students to succeed in a changing world.” Increased student achievement has occurred due to careful planning and implementation of key initiatives. Continued success will continue with the careful implementation of the Strategic Plan, High Performing Schools Practices, Building Action Plans, and ensuring the delivery of core classroom practices in every classroom. Student proficiency is expected in all subjects so that we graduate the most knowledgeable students. Pervasive professional collaboration and professional development is needed to ensure effective and personalized learning experiences. Collaboration is needed to foster professional development and to find ways to improve instruction. Additionally, professional collaboration through Professional Learning Communities helps to ensure that each student’s performance is being monitored, and learning needs addressed and personalized. Systematic interventions need to be increased to address the individual learning needs of students. School climate is important to ensure that students are ready to learn. It is important that each child be known and appreciated. Students need to learn skills to deal with adversity. Resiliency training and the No Place for Hate initiative increases students’ overall success. It is important that we address the “whole child.” Warm and nurturing environments are needed to optimize learning. The Boyertown community includes an ethic of hard work. Additionally, the community is highly supportive and caring of its school district. The District has enjoyed some of the highest achievement scores in Berks County, and is currently on average, or above average, in comparison with Montgomery County schools. It is important that the District be operated in a fiscally responsible manner. In times of fiscal pressures, this has proven to be very helpful. For instance, our debt service is low and we have a healthy fund balance. Fiscal responsibility has made it necessary that the District be focused on students and the curriculum. This in turn has helped increase students’ achievement in core subject areas such as reading and mathematics. Please feel free to contact our administrative offices at 610.369.7402 if you have any questions. Sincerely, Dion E. Betts, Ed.D. Superintendent

The Boyertown Area School District’s Instructional Program is divided into Elementary Education: grades K-6 at seven sites; Junior High School: grades 7-9 at two sites; Senior High School: grades 10-12 at one site. Responsibility for administration and instructional leadership of the individual schools in the District is entrusted to the following building principals: Boyertown Elementary Mr. Greg M. Miller Colebrookdale Elementary Mr. Michael R. Stoudt Earl Elementary Dr. Craig K. Zerr Gilbertsville Elementary Mrs. Melissa L. Woodard New Hanover-Upper Frederick Mrs. Kelly B. Mason Pine Forge Elementary Mrs. Laura A. Heineck Washington Elementary Mr. Christopher J. Iacobelli Junior High East Mr. Andrew C. Ruppert Junior High West Mr. Gregory S. Galtere Senior High Mr. Brett A. Cooper Our instructional program includes the following subjects: Art Military Science Business Education Music Communications Science (Reading and Language Arts) Social Studies Computer Applications Technology Education Family/Consumer Science Telecommunications Library Wellness/Fitness Mathematics World Languages All curriculums indicate what the District expects students to know and to demonstrate as skills. Curriculums have been adopted based on the State Academic Standards. Curriculum information and our graduation requirements are available in a variety of locations and formats. This information is part of our District’s strategic plan document. The strategic plan, required by Pennsylvania, provides our District with a “roadmap” for the next six years. This plan, developed by committees of parents, teachers, administrators, community members and students is designed to focus the District on student achievement goals. Strategic Plan Goals: 1. MATH, READING, SCIENCE, WRITING: All

students (100%) will be proficient in Mathematics, Reading, Science and Writing as measured by the annual state-wide PSSA assessments by 2012.

2. READING: All students (100%) will read on grade level by the end of third grade as measured by guided reading levels and DIBELS assessments.

3. SYSTEMATIC INTERVENTIONS: The reading, writing, math and science achievement of all students will be documented, analyzed and monitored in order to address individual needs with research-based, academic interventions

As we continue to implement our strategic plan and focus our efforts on our District mission, “enabling all students to succeed in a changing world,” by ensuring their academic proficiency, some of our current curricular initiatives include: • Implementing end-of-course assessment (also known

as finals) for courses in grades 7-12 • Implementing a social studies curriculum for grades

4-6 that includes reading, writing, research and technology

• Incorporating a golf curriculum into our elementary physical education program that also includes aspects of building good manners and character in students

• Developing four new grade 12 English literature seminars that utilize a variety of literature to focus on a specific topic

• Providing all grade 10 Biology students with a mini-notebook laptop to utilize free textbook resources as well as other online resources to support their learning

• Furthering our summer reading initiative to include requirements for grade 10 English

• Implementing software tools like “Noodle” to digitize the research process for students

• Including a variety of technology in our art and music curriculums such as SMART music (To view SMART music, please see the following website: http://www.smartmusic.com.)

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Instructional Services

Staffing Information The Boyertown Area School District employs more than 1007 staff members including administrators, faculty and support personnel. Support personnel includes cafeteria, custodial and maintenance staff, security personnel, secretaries, technicians, staff nurses, teacher aides, monitors, accountants, therapists, and various program supervisors. Administrative and professional staff members hold necessary state certifications and the following indicates their level of education. Bachelors 42 Bachelors Plus graduate credits 66 Masters 285 Masters Plus 45 graduate credits 169 Doctorate 8

The mission of the Boyertown Area School District Information Services Department is to implement technology that advances student achievement and promotes 21st Century skills in our students, faculty and staff. In order to fulfill this mission, the Boyertown Area School District submitted the State mandated Technology Plan in September 2009 after receiving Board approval. The plan is a reporting mechanism used by the State to determine the uses of technology within the District, which allows them to track the changing technology trends in education. It is used by the district as a blueprint for future technology implementation. In 2010, in accordance with the approved Technology Plan, the District focused on projects to meet the following objectives. Specific projects that were completed are listed under each objective.

Enhance the learning environment with technology • Leased 436 new computers to replace older equipment in the classrooms and computer labs • Installed video projectors and interactive white boards in 58 classrooms • Leased 22 workstations to support advanced CAD and design courses at the Senior High School • Purchased 7 new mini-notebook computer carts

Provide strong Internet access and network security controls • Implemented access to the PAIUNet, which offers high-speed access to educational video • Provided managed Internet service to all school buildings • Updated the core network infrastructure at the Senior High School to support the growing number of computers

Improve District communications with parents and the community • Maintained the District website and added links to teacher websites • Continued to provide Blackboard Connect services, the District’s emergency notification system

Build a stable and supportable Information Technology environment • Implemented centralized network printing in three elementary buildings to provide higher quality printing at a

lower cost • Implemented a new computer management and imaging solution • Increased the District’s data storage system to provide larger data storage capability to faculty and students

Develop an efficient IT support organization • Continued to provide online training resources to District personnel to develop their technical skills

Provide current technology resources to District personnel • Continue to provide every teacher in the District with a laptop computer

In 2011 the District will continue to implement technologies to further the objectives above. Initiatives that are being considered for 2011 are:

• Assess current hardware and software to determine needs that relate to advancing student achievement • Enhance network printing and scanning capabilities for teachers and students • Examine and upgrade current information systems • Improve network security to prevent disruption and intrusion • Implement classroom collaboration tools and student e-mail • Increase student access to computing in the classrooms • Increase video projector and whiteboard technology used to promote student engagement in the learning process • Implement a video distribution system to allow teachers, staff and students to create and deliver video content to

any District classroom

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District Technology Program

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Scholastic Assessment Tests (SAT 1)

District Program of Assessment The Boyertown Area School District has in place a standardized assessment system with a broad range of assessment instruments – grades 3 through 11. This system is meant to be an addition to classroom and building assessments that are in place as part of the District’s curriculums. The District uses standardized tests primarily to provide parents, teachers and administrators with information to help diagnose skill and learning deficiencies for individual students. In addition, information from standardized test results, grouped by school, grade and subject, are provided to the administration and staff, the school board and to the public as a means of accountability and to focus discussion regarding additions and revisions to the instructional program.

Each year the state provides districts with the percentage of students who have scored proficient or higher on the math and/or reading state assessments (PSSAs). This information is provided to districts with grades 3, 4 and 5 combined; grades 6, 7 and 8 combined and grade 11. The following chart summarizes the results for BASD.

READING (% Proficient or Higher)

Grades 2007 2008 2009 2010

3 – 5 80.9 82.6 82.0 81.6

6 & 8 80.2 82.7 81.8 84.7

11 78.0 76.5 76.4 76.1

The Scholastic Assessment Test measures a student’s critical reading, math, and writing skills related to academic performance in college. It is intended to supplement the secondary school record and other information about the student to predict readiness for college level work.

Boyertown Area Senior High School Average Scholastic Assessment Test Scores

Critical Reading Math Writing

2009-2010 Boyertown 496 512 487 State 492 501 480 2008-2009 Boyertown 505 511 492 State 493 501 483 2007-2008 Boyertown 501 511 485 State 494 501 483

MATH

(% Proficient or Higher) Grades 2007 2008 2009 2010

3 – 5 85.3 90.9 90.1 90.9

6 & 8 82.4 86.0 88.9 91.3

11 64.9 65.7 62.0 65.8

Revenue 2009-2010 Local $56,569,431 State 25,693,435 Federal 2,783,304 Other Financing Sources 82,594 Total $85,128,764

Expenditures 2009-2010 Regular Education $35,797,781 Special Education 11,533,358 Vocational Education 1,640,706 Other Educational Programs 419,239 Adult Education 15,242 Pupil Services 2,322,835 Other Instructional Services 4,257,298 Administration 5,231,593 Pupil Health Services 778,021 Business Services 944,406 Building/Grounds Services 6,628,964 Transportation Services 5,519,898 Central Services 1,154,339 Other Supportive Services 91,410 Student Activities 1,068,955 Debt and Property Services 6,949,678 Other Financing 1,000,000

Total $85,353,723

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Financial Information

2009-2010 Revenues

32%

66%

2%

Local

State

Federal andother fundingsources

Act 1 Update

amounts for property tax reductions for senior citizens, and provides for installment payments of school taxes. The Act also provides for the distribution of gambling revenues received by the State to reduce real estate taxes. Once a specified minimum dollar threshold has been accumulated, each school district will receive a prorated distribution of the gambling revenue for the express purpose of reducing real estate property taxes to qualified homesteads/farmsteads.

If the gambling fund reaches the minimum threshold, a distribution to school districts to offset property taxes will be announced by April 15, 2011. To be eligible for a tax reduction in July, residents must submit an application and be recognized as a homestead/farmstead qualified property. Residents have until March 1, 2011 to submit their homestead/farmstead application to each respective County’s Assessment Office to qualify for any tax reduction in July.

Act 1 of 2006 – Property Tax Relief Act Act 1 was enacted in June 2006 for the purpose of reduc-ing real estate property taxes levied by school districts. The Act increases the threshold of income and the rebate

Diversity Committee A diversity committee was formed in the District in the spring of 2005 and that committee developed the following mission and vision statements.

Mission Statement

The Diversity Steering Committee will provide the Boyertown Area School District the necessary guidance, recommendations, and assistance to help create an academically enriching, equitable, safe and welcoming environment for all members of the Boyertown Area School District.

Vision Statement

The Diversity Steering Committee envisions the Boyertown Area School District to be a place:

• where all benefit from an academically enriching education that prepares them for a changing world and is enhanced by a diversity of ideas, thoughts and perspectives;

• where all are interdependent – unified by mutual respect and acceptance, and driven by the purpose of equal opportunity for all;

• where all are able to freely express their concerns and feel safe, validated and appreciated;

• where all accept, learn, and appreciate all of the unique qualities of individuals.

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• Collaborative study groups • Book studies • Virtual conferences and online learning Effective teachers never stop learning and the Boyertown Area School District is committed to providing meaningful professional development designed to support the high achievement of ALL students.

Learning rests at the heart of what we do every day as an educational community to help every child develop the best that is in them. To do so requires the development of a District-wide strategic plan with specific learning goals for our students. As a learning organization, we must ensure that our teachers receive high quality professional development; thus, the strategic plan includes two parts that specifically address this area, the Professional Education Plan and the Teacher Induction Plan. Both of these are also integral to the District’s success in achieving the goal of becoming a high-performing school district. The Boyertown Area School District will implement and monitor the following goals: Professional Education Goals: • Develop a data informed culture throughout the

District. • Embed technology in curriculum, instruction and

assessment. • Provide differentiated staff development options for all

professional staff. Teacher Induction Goals:

• Expand and refine the multi-year BASD New Teacher Academy.

• Continue to implement and refine a mentor training program designed to support inductees.

The Professional Education Council (PEC) comprised of professional staff and administrators is responsible for assisting in the monitoring of these goals and the action steps designed to support their achievement. PEC members meet monthly to provide input into the staff development programs and also serve as liaisons in their respective schools, communicating the work of the council with their peers. Their purpose is to ensure that all staff have opportunities to learn and grow. Ensuring that every child is working toward his/her potential requires the collective efforts of everyone in the organization. To that end we continue to expand our professional learning opportunities to all staff members in the District. Our teachers, administrators, secretaries, Para-professionals, maintenance, custodial and food service staff all participate in professional learning. In achieving our goal of differentiating staff development, we offer various models of professional learning: • Workshops and conferences, both on and off site • Multi-day academies and institutes • Credit courses through partnerships with various

universities and colleges • Instructional coaching

Professional Development

New Administrative Staff

Mrs. Kelly Mason was chosen in August 2010 to be the Principal of New Hanover Upper Frederick Elementary School following Mrs . S tephanie Wi lson’s retirement. Mrs. Mason had successful elementary teacher and principal experience before

starting in the Boyertown Area school District. Mrs. Melissa Woodard, formerly Principal of Pine Forge Elementary, moved to Gilbertsville Elementary in January 2011 to become the school’s new Principal, following Dr. Ron Christman’s retirement. Mrs. Woodard had served the District as Principal of Pine Forge Elementary 2005.

Mrs. Laura Heineck was chosen to serve as the new Principal for Pine Forge Elementary School. Mrs. Heineck has served the District as an Elementary Literacy Coach and Reading Specialist. She began her career with

Boyertown in August 2005 as an elementary teacher. Mr. Stephen Katch was hired to fill the position of Assistant to the Super in tendent for Human Resources in October 2010. Prior to jo in ing the Boyer town Administrative Team, Mr. Katch was employed by a Fortune 100 company as a Manager in Human Resources for the past six years. He received a Masters of Business Administration and a Masters of Health Administration from the University of Pittsburgh.

The Boyertown Area School District is fortunate to receive a variety of grants to support the academic, social, behavioral and emotional needs of our students. The grants awarded to the district for the 2010-11 school year are as follows:

Berks County District Attorneys Anti-Drug Fund of

Berks County Community Foundation - Student Assistance Program - $14,000

BASD will use these funds to provide services for students in need from community agencies with expertise in areas of counseling, drug/alcohol addiction, and mental health services.

Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge - $9,977 BASD will use these funds to provide a “Get

Outdoors” education course for students at Boyertown Senior High.

Highmark Healthy High 5 School Challenge - $10,000 BASD will use these funds to improve the fitness

center at Junior High West.

PA-PACT (formerly called Accountability Block Grant) $626,729

This grant funds three different initiatives. The majority of the funds are available to support the first grade Literacy First program. This program targets class size reduction in order to provide all students with more intensive, individualized support. We also use these funds to provide two literacy coaches for our K-6 teachers. The literacy coaches help our classroom teachers provide research-based, effective instruction to all students. Finally, a small portion of these funds provides inquiry-based science kits for our elementary science curriculum.

Pennsylvania Department of Education Dual Enrollment Grant - $6,596

This funding allows students to engage in rigorous, college-level content and earn both high school and college credit.

Pottstown Area Health & Wellness Foundation - $55,000

These grant funds are used to strengthen Boyertown Area School District’s ability to measure the connection between our students’ academic performance and overall health.

Grant Awards for 2010-2011 Title I - $473,060 Title I services are offered at Boyertown, Earl, Pine

Forge and Colebrookdale Elementary Schools. These schools receive Title I federal funds because they have the highest percentages of low income identified students, based on the percentage of the student population that receives free or reduced lunch. Each designated school sets a goal for academic student progress to be measured through regularly administered assessments. Students are successful when they fall within the advanced or proficient range of achievement based on these assessments.

Title II - $180,083 This portion of the federal programs grant provides

funding for class size reduction. Originally conceived as a means to reduce class size in the primary grades, this grant funds class size reduction initiatives, otherwise known as bubble classes, in all elementary grade levels.

Youth Day Fund Grant - $1,000 BASD will use these funds to maintain the Career

Cruising site license for students at Boyertown Senior High. Career Cruising provides tools for students in grades 7-12 to explore career opportunities and guide their career profile.

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Current Enrollment 2010-2011 Enrollment

School Level Building Enrollment Elementary (K-6) Boyertown Elementary 670 Colebrookdale Elementary 356 Earl Elementary 301 Gilbertsville Elementary 737 New Hanover Upper Frederick 724 Pine Forge Elementary 295 Washington Elementary 659 Total Elementary 3742 Secondary (7-12) Junior High East (7-9) 853 Junior High West (7-9) 799 Senior High (10-12) 1691 Total Secondary 3742

Total Enrollment 7085 K-12 students transported to non-public schools 603

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Mr. Scott D. Major began serving as Supervisor for the District’s Information Technology Services Department in February of 2011. Mr. Major has over 15 years of Information Technology experience at the College and School District level. He was most recently employed by Lancaster County Career and Technology Center as Director of Technology.

Information Technology Manager

BASD Anti-Bullying Task Force

In an effort to confront and reduce bullying, the Boyertown Area School District has created an Anti-Bullying Task Force. The task force is comprised of community members, business leaders, legislators, school board members, district staff, the PA Department of Education, the Anti-Defamation League, parents, and higher education. This diverse group of individuals has committed to developing an action plan that the district will begin to implement upon completion. The task force has created subcommittees to address the specific concerns and issues associated with four specific stakeholder groups that include: students, parents, school district staff, and community. Each subcommittee will develop an action plan that will then be combined into one to ensure that the issues associated with each stakeholder group will be addressed. The Anti-Bullying Task Force aims to complete the action plan by the end of February. For more information, please contact Dr. Dion Betts, Superintendent.

RtI in the Boyertown Area School The Boyertown Area School District is committed to ensuring that ALL students learn and achieve at high levels. Response to Intervention (RtI) is a process the district has started to implement to achieve that goal. RtI, supported by the US and State Departments of Education as a way to meet the academic needs of all students, provides a pyramid of interventions in an effort to immediately respond to our students when they are not meeting with success and/or making progress. Our three year implementation plan directs that by September of 2011, all seven elementary schools will be implementing RtI in grades K-6. Although not all elementary schools have reached full implementation, we have experienced much success, with some grade levels achieving at 100% proficiency on the PSSA in math and reading. Essential for RtI to be effective, teachers must collaborate. This collaboration involves teachers coming together to examine student learning data, determine who is and who is not meeting academic proficiency, and then decide which interventions would best address the learning gaps of students. Responding to our students promptly is critical and thus, our teachers meet each month to monitor students’ progress and make instructional decisions based upon the needs of students. At the secondary level, we have put several different types of supports in place for students who are not meeting with proficiency. For example, both junior highs and the high school provide structured time during the day for students who need additional help to complete homework, projects, and other out of class assignments. Both junior highs and the high school are continuing to refine tutoring sessions also held during the school day for students who need additional academic support in specific subject areas. We know that not all students learn the same way or at the same pace. As a result, we will continue to increase and improve upon the interventions in place “to enable all [BASD] students to succeed in a changing world.”

Education Center 911 Montgomery Avenue Boyertown, PA 19512

Phone: 610-367-6031 Fax: 610-369-7620 www.boyertownasd.org