SCHOOL COMMITTEE: Superintendent presents update on District Strategy for Improvement

School Committee approves school-based student trips, accepts donations, announces attendance map revisions in lengthy meeting

By Steve Freker

Malden Superintendent of Schools Timothy Sippel Ed.L.D. updated the Malden School Committee on the continuing District Strategy for Improvement at the April meeting held in the City Council Chamber at Malden City Hall. This month’s update focused on student learning goals as well as a description of supports — both already in-place and planned — districtwide and in the respective individual schools.

As part of the presentation, the School Committee was able to view an informative, in-school video prepared by the Math Team at the Ferryway K-8 School. Ferryway Principal Matthew Stahl Ed.D. was on hand to introduce his staff members.

Dr. Sippel explained that the student learning goal piece of the District Strategy for Improvement, particularly in literacy, math and science achievement, involved the following:

—school-based cycles of observation, calibration, data analysis and action planning using professional development and lesson study, and

—the implementation of formative teacher coaching by every school leadership team, including the principal, house/assistant principals and teacher leaders/ coaches

Dr. Sippel then outlined the Monthly Instructional Leadership Cycle, which accompanies that model, then outlined the districtwide and school supports to promote progress. Districtwide supports include professional development days (three per year), “Professional Development Blocks” within the regular school day, data reviews, faculty meetings, non-evaluative observations and coaching cycles. The Ferryway presentation illustrated many of these points in action at the K-8 school.

School Committee approves trips, accepts donations

In other business at the meeting, the School Committee approved an overnight trip to Washington, D.C. by students from the Forestdale School, after a brief presentation by Forestdale K-8 Principal Adam Weldai.

—The members also approved a trip to Canobie Lake Park just over the border in New Hampshire for some students from various Malden Public Schools K-8 schools.

—The School Committee accepted a $500 check donation from Northern Bank to help promote financial literacy, in connection with its recent presentation and literacy fair hosted at Malden High School.

—Supt. Sippel noted he has submitted a waiver request to the state Department of Secondary and Elementary Education (DESE) to allow one less day of school for Salemwood K-8 students in June, so their last day would be the same as the other four K-8s, despite Salemwood being closed one extra day due to a power outage during the winter months.

—Ward 3 member Jennifer Spadafora reported that a state agency will be including the city of Malden and the School Department in a financial review sometime this year, possibly in the fall, after a formal request by the Malden City Council.

—The School Committee approved a Program of Studies for Malden High School after a request from Ward 8 member Sharyn Rose-Zeiberg, whose subcommittee reviewed the proposal.

—The School Committee approved an Attendance Map revision, which will allow students who originally were directed to Beebe K-8 School to now be students at the Forestdale K-8 School, since the Forestdale has more seats available than the Beebe School at this time.