Vision for the Michael J.

Perkins Elementary School

The Michael J. Perkins Elementary School is the Home of Outstanding World Learners & Leaders.
Every member of the MJP Family is a valued Lifelong Learner. Within our classrooms, students and
staff engage and learn in emotionally and physically safe spaces where respect and integrity are
evident. Our MJP Scholars are affirmed as Thinkers, Problem Solvers, and Community Partners
who take responsibility for their own learning; engage independently and collaboratively; and
learn to persevere appropriately as challenges arise.
At the Michael J. Perkins School, our Teachers and Staff Members serve as models and
facilitators who guide All MJP Scholars to greatest potential as 21st Century Global Citizens
(College & Career Ready). Additionally, MJP Teachers actively and intentionally collaborate and
cultivate rigorous lessons and activities enriched in culturally and linguistically sustaining
practices.
Our MJP Parents and Community Partners & Staff are active and invested allies that serve the
best interests of all MJP Scholars!
We, as the Michael J. Perkins Family, are Strong, Bold, and Built to Master Challenges!

InstructionalCoreVisionfortheMJP1617

MJP Instructional Priorities 2016-17 SY

Instructional Priority
Teacher Actions/Student Outcomes

We will create and deliver tasks that improve

student evidence-based responses & writing
(in all content areas & specialties).
We will aggressively monitor student
performance in all content areas using teacher
and student exemplars for Every Student,
Every Day to provide them with timely
feedback to achieve excellence.
We will effectively facilitate teaching and
learning using curriculum tools (Expeditionary
Learning, Focus on K2, Focus on First,
EngageNY, Sadlier, Fundations) with fidelity.

We will cultivate common language and

practices in SEL/PBIS among the MJP
professional learning community to heighten
student and peer culture.

Why are we doing it?

57% of our students did not score
above a 2.0 on their EOY Open
Response.
45% of our students are not reading on
or above grade level.
68% of our students did not achieve
Proficient/Advanced status on the 15-16
MCAS Science Assessment.
52% of our K2 and 44% of our Grade 1
students did not achieve
Proficient/Advanced status on 15-16 EOY
Math Assessment.
About 40% of our Grade 2 students did
not score above the median average on
ANET.
70% of our Grade 4 & 5 students
experienced a decline in performance
on PARCC ELA
87% of our Grade 4 & 5 students
experienced a decline in performance
on PARCC Math
31% of our staff believe the MJP is NOT
a good place to teach and learn.
69% of our staff believe there are
inconsistencies in expectations and
consequences for student behavior.
62% of our staff believe interactions
between students and adults at the MJP
are respectful.

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MJP Instructional Priorities 2016-17 SY

Instructional Priority
Principal Actions/Teacher Outcomes

The Principal & Instructional

Leadership Team will support
teachers by

providing more timely

observational feedback with
scheduled follow-up
meetings to debrief lessons.
model and share best
practices for teaching
community.
follow up within 24-48 hours
of debrief meetings to
provide timely feedback on
next steps.
providing professional
development experiences
that explicitly demonstrate
what effective teaching
practice of rigorous content
looks like.

Why are we doing it?

46% of staff did not have an

opportunity to discuss feedback
about their teaching with their
evaluator.
62% of staff indicated they had
an opportunity to receive support
to implement changes suggested
in observational feedback.
54% of staff indicated their
evaluator followed up consistently
to see how successfully they were
implementing feedback.
54% of staff indicated that
professional development
opportunities included
demonstrations (live or video) of
what effective teaching of
rigorous content looks like in
practice.

InstructionalCoreVisionfortheMJP1617

Vision for Effective Teaching & Learning @ MJP

Instructional Look Fors
In Every Learning Space, Every Day, at the Michael J. Perkins Elementary School, Observers will
note:
Teacher-facilitated discourse in which appropriate higher-order questioning, student-to-student interaction,
and real-world application are routine and well-structured (I-A-4 Well-Structured Lessons).
Student discussions reveal higher order thinking references to previously taught content to their teacher
and peers as part of everyday learning (I-A-1 Subject Matter Knowledge, I-A-4 Well-Structured Lessons).
Students consistently receive on-the-spot assessment feedback that is explicit, actionable, and pushes
their thinking in all content based learning. Additionally, teachers can be visibly seen every day using
teaching exemplars and real-time data outcomes to aggressively progress monitor student performance
(I-B-1 Variety of Assessment Methods, I-B-2 Adjustments to Practice, II-A-1 Quality of Effort & Work).
Student learning targets posted, referenced, and unpacked in classroom discourse throughout the lesson to
support all learners in achieving success (II-A-1 Quality of Effort & Work, II-A-2 Student Engagement).
Classroom communities in which students are actively engaged in clear and coherent routines and practices
that heighten teaching and learning (II-A-1 Quality of Effort & Work, II-A-2 Student Engagement).
All Scholars display high levels of engagement; are affirmed for contribution and high effort; and receive
appropriately designed scaffolds of support (without reducing the rigor) to meet their learning needs (II-A-2
Student Engagement, II-A-3 Meeting Diverse Needs).
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Academic Levers

Cultural Levers

Assessment: Individual student learning

targets are used to monitor how our students
are progressing towards the bar.

Student Culture: MJP Scholars are visibly

excited and ready to learn in a safe academic
space where learning will be challenging and
engaging for EVERY STUDENT, EVERY DAY!

Curriculum: MJP Teachers create and

facilitate rich and rigorous lessons and
activities using real world culturally
responsive and relevant materials founded for
broadening 21st century learners.

Staff Culture: MJP Teachers create an environment

Student Support: We leverage the best

wisdom, research, and resources to educate,
elevate, and empower our students to their
greatest potential.

Family Engagement: MJP Parents promote and

affirm our school wide core values through
their actions and words.

where collaboration, coaching peer observation are

the norm, as the support a learning community with
positive accolades and a focused purpose as
evidenced by behaviors in words and deeds. (Darlenes
two cents)

InstructionalCoreVisionfortheMJP1617