- Teams of teachers and administrators have met frequently, cooperatively and colleagially to create an Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) plan that complies with New York State Education law (a more detailed description is to follow).
- Teams of teachers, administrators and Board of Education members have attended a myriad of highly effective conferences and workshops that contribute to their professional development and improving our school.
- Grade level teams of teachers have met with administrators and our curriculum coordinator to align classroom instruction to the new Common Core Curriculum in English Language Arts (ELA) and Math.
- Our 4-H students and FFA students returned from a great week at the fair with numerous awards and accolades including several Grand Champions, Senior Champions and Junior Champions!
- Phase II of the “Investing In Our Kids’ Future” Capital Project is approaching completion with our newly expanded Middle and High School cafeteria, renovated classrooms, computer labs, hallways, district parking lot/parent drop off (Carter Street in Cattaraugus), Franklin Street entrance with sidewalk and electronic message sign, outdoor basketball court and the Little Valley playground.
- Phase III has been launched and is in full swing featuring energy saving renovations to the primary building (new lights, windows and roof) as well as fresh paint and new flooring, upgrades to our security system, new T-Wolf Stadium (artificial infill turf field for football, soccer and physical education, Olympic standard all weather track and concession stand with restrooms), new baseball, softball and modified soccer fields, new Primary playground (thanks to the funding provided by the PTA Playground Committee and Turner Construction) and underground water detention (gone is the unsightly mosquito attracting pond!).
Now for the details on APPR. New York State (NYS) Education Law §3012-c requires
APPRs of classroom teachers and their principals that conforms to the Regulations of
NYS and the Board of Regents. For teachers, it is aligned to the new Teaching Standards
and for principals, the Educational Leadership Policy Standards. Beginning this year,
grades 4-8 teachers of ELA and Math and their principals will be assigned a composite
score (up to 100) which will be used for their summative (year end) evaluation. 40% of
the score will come from observations, 20% from evidence based portfolios and other
measures, 20% student achievement on district selected assessments and 20% on student
growth on state assessments. Next year the law and our plan will apply to all teachers and
principals.
Sincerely,
Jon W. Peterson
