Appendix a (Page 1 of 4)

Appendix A (Page 1 of 4) Excerpted from the WCSD District Plan on Shared Decision Making

AN SLT IMPROVEMENT PROJECT

KINRY ROAD ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

OCTOBER 30, 2007 Revised: December 17, 2007

Project Title: “KEEP KINRY READING” –

Project Summary:

1. Student outcome or district goal(s) the plan hopes to influence:

This plan hopes to influence District Goal # 1: Academic Performance (3) “There will be consistent and measurable improvement in ELA…”

2. Detailed descriptive narrative of the Improvement Project, including a time line and names of persons responsible for implementing each phase and activity in the project.

Research suggests that the more children engage in reading, the more successful they are in school. Based on established research, all classrooms at Kinry Road Elementary have recently established a formal D.E.A.R. time. D.E.A.R. stands for Drop Everything And Read. Each classroom teacher has established a specific time everyday when the only activity allowed is to independently read and enjoy a good book. Students choose their own book and read for casual enjoyment during this free- reading period.

Sometimes students request books that the teacher does not have available in their classroom library. Teachers would like to provide more opportunities for students to read new and engaging books. There are many new pieces of juvenile literature that are exciting and appealing.

Teachers will have the option to encourage reading by participating in many other programs. For example: 1. “Reading Day”- the entire 5th and 6th grades get comfortable with a good book, then share their love of books. 2. NEA’s “Reading Across America” - March 3, 2008 3. Library of Congress’ “Letters About Literature” – a national reading and writing promotional program. 4. Arrange a special “buddy-read” at lunchtime.

Appendix A (Page 2 of 4)

3. Term of Project: Beginning Date: 12/1/07

December – approve list of books to be purchased teachers submit requests January – books are introduced into classrooms March – teachers engage in other reading programs that promote reading May – check reading logs and other documents that indicate book use, send out surveys and collect evaluation information.

Ending Date: 5/15/08

4. Assessment Date: 6/1/08

5. Method(s) of assessing success of the project:

1. Surveys and other anecdotal information from teachers, parents, guidance, and administration. (See attached samples).

2. Samples of student writing, including, “Letters About Literature,” book logs and journals. Appendix A (Page 3 of 4)

6. Names and signatures of SLT members with representative role title. (parent, teacher, administrator, other)

SLT MEMBER MEMBER REPRESENTATIVE NAME SIGNATURE ROLE (Please Print) John Farrell Administrator Elizabeth Daley Teacher – SLT Chair Bill Nitz Teacher Adeline Anderson Teacher Joyce Wacht Teacher Colleen Orth Teacher Deborah Scarano Parent and PTA Chair Gale Gemmell Parent

7. NOTE: If any waiver of contractual obligation is being requested this form must continue to circulate to those responsible for granting a waiver and signatures must be obtained before the project is implemented.

Contractual provision(s) which you wish to have waived and for what period of time:

Signatures of appropriate individuals below indicate a waiver is approved for the period(s) indicated.

______for the ______(organization) Title: ______

______for the ______(organization) Title: ______Appendix A (Page 4 of 4) Additional note: If a variance from Commissioner’s Regulation is being requested, such variance must be approved using the form required by the New York State Department of Education (Appendix C). A request for a variance must be approved BEFORE a project is implemented.

8. If the project has impact on another building(s), consultation and consensus must be reached with the other building(s). The signature(s) of the chairperson(s) of the Building SLT’s in the impacted building(s) below indicate that consultation and consensus between the building(s) has occurred.

______, Building Team Chairperson at ______

9. If resources or funds are being requested to implement this project, the project must be approved BEFORE implementation. This completed form should be forwarded to the Superintendent’s (or designee’s) office FOR PRIOR REVIEW by the District Steering Committee’s Review Panel which may recommend the project (as written or amended) to the Superintendent of Schools for final approval. The superintendent’s signature below indicates approval has been granted. If granted, normal requisitioning and purchasing procedures for accessing funds should be followed.

Resources or funds being requested: $1,140 (the balance of Kinry’s SLT funds) to be used for the purchase of the “Keep Kinry Reading” books.

Date by which resources and funds are required: 12/1/07

10. Superintendent’s Approval:

______Superintendent of Schools Date