JUNE 5, 2017 PRESENTATION

ON
ACRSD RECONFIGURATION FOR
2017-2018

Leadership, shared responsibility with professional collaboration will ensure the future success of the
ACRSD.
Children are the PRIORITY. Change is the REALITY. Collaboration is the
STRATEGY.
2017-2018 BUILDING ADMINISTRATION
HOOSAC VALLEY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL:
Peter Bachli, Principal & Patricia Misiuk, Dean of Students

HOOSAC VALLEY MIDDLE SCHOOL

Michelle Colvin, Principal & Christopher Sposato, Vice Principal

HOOSAC VALLEY HIGH SCHOOL

Jeremiah Ames, Principal & Colleen Byrd, Dean of Students
 GOALS

To build a strong understanding and knowledge of the

organization and instruction of highly effective schools.
To have a deep understanding of quality, rigorous instruction.
To encourage a strong sense of urgency to improve the student
learning outcomes of our school.
To reflect, adjust and create strong building teams that will
rise to the challenge, sharing expertise and creating dynamic
learning environments.
 STRUCTURE
The educational environment must be focused on student success with clear
understanding of curriculum, and interventions with high engagement activities.

Education is the priority

Consistent Daily Routines
Regular Supervision
Continuous Communication
Accountability Every Day
Pride in Work
 Elementary Faculty
Pre-K: Laura Crane & Kelly Riechers
Kindergarten: Kristy Bachli, Heather Emerson, Toni Marquis, Robin
Poirot, & Mara Woolley
First Grade: Mia Allessio, Kelly Ryan, Katie Chenail, April Mazzeo, &
Melissa Rusek
Second Grade: Christine Kirchner, Bethany Ricci, Liz Alibozek, Kim
Trimarchi & Laurie Cantarella
Third Grade: Beth Bourdon, Dawn Bombardier, Dawn Prokopowicz,
Ann Prudhomme, & Danielle Taylor
 Elementary special subject,
support services, and health
Art: Wendy Lamberton
Music: Jonathan Rowe
PE: Dan Wehle & .5 Kathy Hill
Literacy Coach: Elaine Hunter
Technology: Geoff Kondel
SAC: Jennifer Renzi
Student Support Center: Sue Burzimati
Library: Laurie Gavazzi
OT/PT: Sue Harnick, Deb Silveria & Lora McGrath
Title I: Deb Langner
Math Interventionist: Lynne Robinson
Substantially Separate: Travis Poirot
Speech/Language: Diane Arduini & Bri Bresett
Autism Program: TBD
SPED Department: Melissa Marchetti, Nicole Crane, Dawn Daniels & Christine
Harrington Nurse: Kari Ann DelSoldato
 LEARNING
We will establish teacher ownership by intentionally shifting
teacher mindset and making school a place for high achievement.

Continued BSRI strategies in ELA

Constructive teacher-specific feedback from leadership.
Careful analysis to utilize student data to improve instructional strategies.
Consistent progress monitoring, data collection to ensure student growth.
Highly engaging, aligned, and rigorous lesson plans.
Ensure a safe learning environment for all students.
 ACRSD Approved Curriculum, Interventions
and Practices
Pre-K: GOLD Assessment, OWLS (including math), Telian, Handwriting
without Tears
Kindergarten: Reading Street for ELA, Early Reading Inventory, Enhanced
Core Reading Instruction, Telian, Handwriting without Tears, GOLD
Assessment, DIBELS benchmark, weekly progress monitoring, LEXIA, Visions
MATH
Grades 1-3: Reading Street for ELA, Reading Street Common Core Assessments
(CCR Grades 3-5), Telian (Grade 1), Enhanced Core Reading Instruction,
DIBELS benchmark testing & weekly progress monitoring, LEXIA, ANSWER
Routine, 6+1 Traits, Framing Your Thoughts, Reciprocal Teaching, Handwriting
without Tears, Visions MATH
Interventions: Project Read aligned with Reading Street, Enhanced Core
Reading Instruction, MY Sidewalks, Telian, ERI,
 COLLABORATION
The new collaborative teaming structures will focus on improving instruction
with interventionist support, guidance and coaching.

Establish Collegial, Respectful and Trusting Environment

Listen to Each Other
Ask Questions
Negotiate
Model Expectations that support student learning.
 HOOSAC VALLEY MIDDLE
SCHOOL

Teaching Middle School is an

adventure, not a job.
Angela K. Bennett
 SUPPORT
Provide leadership and coaching through discussion, data analysis,
targeted professional development, modeling and observations.

Inclusive model for student services within the regular classroom.

Consistent classroom management techniques implemented.
Implementation of only district approved interventions.
Alignment of special education and regular education skills/
concepts for consistency across all grade levels.
Daily BSRI coaching, modeling and support in all classrooms.
 Hoosac Valley Middle School
Grades 4-7

Answers to our most Frequently Asked Questions:

What are the school hours for students? 8:15-2:45
Will middle school students be bused with high school students? No.
Will there be recess in the middle school? Yes. There is daily recess for students in grades
4-6. Recess will be every other day for grade 7.
Are there any study halls or core labs in the middle school? No.
Will middle school students eat lunch with high school students? No. There are 2 middle
school lunches; one for grades 4 & 5 and one for grades 6 & 7.
Are the classes self-contained or departmentalized? Core classes at the middle school will be
departmentalized. At grades 4 & 5, students will be assigned to either a 3 teacher team or a 2
teacher team. At grades 6 & 7 students will rotate among a 4 teacher team.
Who are the teachers assigned to the middle school?
 Starting Line Up at Hoosac
Valley Middle School
Grade 4 Team:
3 Teacher Team: Amy Anderson (Science & Social Studies), Ashley
DePaoli (Mathematics) & Jennifer Kline (ELA).
2 Teacher Team: Eric Brown (Mathematics and Science) & Alison
Collins (ELA and Social Studies)
Grade 5 Team:
3 Teacher Team: Stephanie McCarthy (Mathematics), Bridget ONeil-
Hopkins (ELA), & Kale Skrocki (Science & Social Studies)
2 Teacher Team: Justin Luciani (Mathematics & Science), & Jennifer
Taylor (ELA & Social Studies)
 Grade Level Staffing
Continued
Grade 6 Team:
4 Teacher Team: Rebecca Koczela (ELA), Kathryn Little (Science),
Amanda Wright (Mathematics), & Mark Ziaja (Social Studies)
Grade 7 Team:
4 Teacher Team: Natasha Andenmatten (Science), Wendy Bennett
(Social Studies), Dawn Klein (ELA), & Melissa Shea (Mathematics)
 Special Subjects and
Support Services
Special Subjects/Exploratory Teachers:
Art Terri Cooper
Physical Education- Jason Sniezek & Kathy Hill
Music TBD
Technology Education and STEAM Curriculum Rick Noel and Tom Corrigan

Special Education Department

ELA & Math Support/Liaisons: Joann Kingsbury, Elizabeth Namislo, Rebecca
Cohen and TBD
Autism Program: Destiny Hicks
Substantially Separate Program: TBD
Interventionists and SPED Coordinator Positions: TBD
 Related Services, Health, &
Support Staff
Positions that support both teachers and staff across grades 4-7:
Literacy Coach Dawn Bishop
Student Support Center Shelley Cozzaglio
Occupational & Physical Therapy: Sue Harnick & Lora McGrath
Speech/Language: Diane Arduini & Bri Bresett
ELL Teacher: Josh Kellogg
Nurse: Phil Grover
School Adjustment Counselors: Nicole Seyerlein & TBD
 A Day in the Life of a Student
at HVMS:
Homeroom period to start the day with grab & go free breakfast
Students will follow at Day 1 & Day 2 schedule.
Daily instruction in core classes - departmentalized
Exploratory classes including Art, Music, PE, Technology, Engineering
Opportunities for Band and Chorus
New initiatives including Project Lead the Way
Expansion of the BSRI model in the content areas of Math, Science &
Social Studies
 Achieve Block
Each grade will have an Achieve Block on either Day 1 or Day 2 of
their schedule.
During the Achieve Block students will be with their Core Subject
teachers working on hands-on, project-based activities that align with MA
State Standards.
Some teams have been brainstorming ideas for this block already and have
shared their ideas:
* Science: Save our Ecosystems Engineering Design Process
~ Solar Designs
~ Building a Greenhouse
~ Develop a clean water filtration system
 Hoosac Valley High School
Grades 8-12, projected enrollment is 404 students
AP classes include Human Geography, Calculus, Probability & Statistics,
Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, English Language, English Literature,
U.S. History
Adding a Biomedical Science Course through Project Lead the Way
Coding High School will be starting in Grade 8, offered to all students
Schedule remains a seven, 47 minute class period model
 Electives FOR 2017-2018
Creative Writing AP US History Timber Framing Keyboarding Advanced Studio Art

AP Language AP Psychology Introduction to Tech, Business Applications 20th Century Writing

Robotics and Engineering Skills
AP English Literature AP Biology Film and Media
Advanced Tech, Robotics Health
Choreography AP Chemistry and Engineering Intro to Tech, Robotics
and Engineering Computing Ideas
History Through Film Forensic Science AP Calculus
Advanced Tech, Robotics 8th grade Art
Current Events Public Service Careers AP Statistics and Engineering
Strategies for Success
Introduction to Law Organic Chemistry H Digital Photo Band
MCAS ELA & Math
Womens Studies Human Anatomy and Computer Programming Chorus
Physiology H (MCLA) 8th grade Music
Psychology Exploring Art
Nutrition Advanced Computer
Programming Paint & Draw
AP World History
Wildlife Management
Yearbook Ceramics
AP Human Geography
Healthcare Pathways
 Busing & Schedules
High School hours are unchanged: 7:30-2:00
Late bus running to both Adams and Cheshire every day
Two HS lunches: 10:12-10:40 and 11:02-11:30
Breakfast available to all students every morning in cafeteria from 7-7:30
8th grade faculty will be relocated to the HS side of the building
Faculty teaching assignments largely unchanged
 Building Separation
MS & HS students will have minimal interaction. The building was
designed to accommodate two schools operating simultaneously.
Separate bell schedules and public address systems
Separate radio channels for administration walkie-talkies
Separate main office and reception areas
Separate bussing tiers and lunch times
 Outreach to Date
All students in grades 3-5 from both CES and CTP visited HVMHS by
grade level
Vice Principal, Chris Sposato, and Student Adjustment Counselor,
Shannon Clark, visited all students in grades 3-5 at both CES and CTP
at their respective schools to talk with students and answer questions
Graduate walk the class of 2017 marched at both elementary schools
in their caps and gowns at both CES and CTP. Seniors were greeted
with thunderous applause and accolades from our youngest students
Open House for Hoosac Valley Middle School on Thursday, June 15th
at 5:30 PM in the auditorium at HVMHS.
 SPECIAL SERVICES
District reorganization provides us the opportunity to update our Special Services
programs to incorporate more research-based inclusion programming and classroom
supports for students across the district.

As part of the governments Making Money Matters initiative, Level 3 districts need to
internally plan and implement changes that will improve scores and increase inclusion.
Adams-Cheshire has been a Level 3 district with minimal growth of at-risk populations.
By reconfiguring buildings and reassignment of staff, regular education classrooms will
be provided more consistent support and professional development to meet the needs of
this population.

Special education staff will also be given improved scheduling opportunities to carry out
compliance duties and support inclusion.
 SPECIAL SERVICES
8-12+Inclusion Lisa Folino/Seth Jenkins/Jamie LaMour

Ability to create a pullout MCAS prep/study skills class as a specialized sped delivery in all
tested areas as well as executive functioning .

Providing one/two dedicated paraprofessionals per grade level for classroom support-this would
require scheduling that allowed intensive or CP students to move as a group so that the
paraprofessional would be available.

Paraprofessionals would follow their group and be in the classrooms for 4-5 core periods and in
special services settings for the other periods to assist academic support with the same group of
students.

Special education teachers would be able to focus on remediating ELA/Math and Biology skills
needed to pass MCAS as well as monitor students better in classrooms with the
paraprofessional's availability/feedback daily.
 SPECIAL SERVICES
PreK-7- Inclusion
One liaison per grade level
The new model will strive to provide individualized intervention based on student need. IEPs will be
written for a more inclusive model targeted on specific behavioral/academic skills and goals that will
improve performance in the general education setting.
Regular education scheduling will be designed to facilitate push-in/pull out services as appropriate from
both special education staff and interventionists.
Tier 2 Intervention groups will be based on data and regularly re-evaluated by interventionists and
coaches to determine group composition during SOU meetings, BBT meetings, and/or data meetings.
RTI will be documented

Special education teachers will be consultants for teachers in all subjects areas through scheduled
observation of at-risk or special needs students, BBT and classroom consultation, coplanning time/
modifications of materials and (if appropriate) coteaching/modeling
Special education teachers will use designated times for evaluations of students, special education
compliance paperwork, and data collection.
 Other updates:

Northern Berkshire Collaborative for 45 day evaluations

Coordinator for upper grades TBA

Interventionists in 4-12 TBA

Substantially separate Exceptional Program and ASD/Life Skills Program expansion:

EP and ASD/Life Skills programs expansion

Speech departments merged

Speech departments merged

Professional Development Polly Bath/behavior, Trauma, Paraprofessional effective

use, Transition Planning, Assistive Technology