Schools Proctor Field & Track Renovation Annual Town Meeting approved the construction funds for a new all- weather track, a new turf field, new sports lighting system, a new con- cession stand (with bathrooms!), and a sports practice wall. Con- struction was finished just in time for the annual Thanksgiving football game with Wayland. REPORT OF THE WESTON PUBLIC SCHOOLS Dr. Midge Connolly with the Weston Wildcat The School Committee is pleased to present this annual reporrt to the residents of Weston. The following information is included: Vision Statement Metco Program Administrative Leadership Changes High School Academic Achievement Enrollment and Class Size Policy WEEFC Budget Retirements Curriculum and Other Initiatives Vision Statement The School Committee hires and evaluates the Superintendent, sets the budget, and establishes policcy. In furtherance of these objb ectives, the School Committee uses the vision statement as a guide in decision making. The vision statement was approved in July 1996 and continues to provide a framework in educating and shaping lifelong learners. The Weston Public Schools’ Vision Statement provides: The Weston Public Schools are committed to excellennce in learning for further education and work, for civic responsibility, and for the love of learning. The Weston Public Schools will achieve excellence in learning through collaboration among community, parents, administration, faculty, and students. Recognnizing that learning is a lifelong process, all partners in the school community will use imagination, reflection, invention, rational inquiry and judgment to anticipate the demands of the future and to support the learning of others. 140 The curriculum will include both subject-based and interdisciplinary instruction for grades K-12. A Weston education will provide students with a broad knowledge base, integrrating the arts, technology, communications, and core academic areas. Graduates will be able to write and speak effectively and will develop the problem solving and critical thinkking skills necessary to participate productively in a constantly changing, culturally diverse and complex world. The learning environment in Weston will stimulate and support all students in their intellectual, social, and personal growth to prepare them to become good citizens and to enable them to achieve whatever personal or career goals they pursue. Students will be encouraged to take risks and assume responsibilities; they will respect themselves and others, and be committed to serving the wider community with honesty and integrity. Administrative Leadership Changes The Weston Public Schools expperienced channges in leadership duringn the 2016-2017 academic year. After Dr. Robert Tremblay accepted the position of Superintendent of the Framingham Publiic Schools, Dr. Marguerite (Midge) Connolly, formerly Weston’s Director of Student Services, was appointed Interim Superintendent of Schools effective April 1, 2017. Prior to joining Weston, Dr. Connolly held leadership positions throughout the PK-12 continuum in general and special education. Dr. Connolly worked for six years in Newton, Massachusetts, servinng as an elementary Principal, and a High School Vice Princippal and Principal. She previously worked in the Boston Public Schools, the Stoughton Public Schools, and the Watertown Public Schools. Dr. Connolly holds a doctorate in Curriculum and Instruction from Boston College; a Master of Education in Planning and Public Policy from Harvard University; a Master of Education in Severe Special Education from Boston College; and a Bachelor of Arts in Elementary and Moderate Special Needs from Boston College. On July 1, 2017, Pam Bator shifted into the role of Assistant Superintendent of District Advancement, a new part-time position within the administrative team. Ms. Baator brings her experience as a Weston educator and administrator to support the district's long-range goals. Dr. Abbie Lareau joined the Weston Public Schools on August 1, 2017 as the Assistant Superintendent of Teachhing and Learning. Prior to joining Weston, she was the Director of School Improvement and Professional Learning for the Stamford Public Schools in Connecticut (2016-2017) and the Director of Curriculum and Assessment for the Nantucket Public Schools (2013-2016). She has also been an educational consultant with Educational Connection. Dr. Lareau received her Bachelor of Arts from Proovidence College and her Master of Education and doctorate in education from The University of Massachusetts, Amherst. In addition to the changn e in the Superintendent’s and Assistant Superintendents’ positioons, Weston Public Schools welcomed Ms. Jennifer Truslow as the Director of Student Services, having served as Assistant Director of Student Services. Ms. Anne Zernicke, who had been the Assistant Principal of Students Services in Wakefield, joined the Weston Public Schools as the Assistant Director of Student Services. Mr. Joseph Russo joined the Weston Public Schools as Interim Field School Principal. Prior to coming to Weston, he served in the role of interim Principal in Foxboroughh and in Dedham and was the Assistant Superintendent for Elementary Schools and Principaal of the Horace Mann Elementary School in 141 Newton. Mr. Philip Oates joined the Middle School administrative team as Assistant Principal. He previously served as an Interim Principal and a mathematics tteacher in Watertown. Enrollment and Class Size Policy After manyn years of high and steady enrollment, the Weston Public Schools is experiencing a decline in student enrollment. This drop had been anticipated based on census data and national trends. Enrollment History and Projection System Wide (FY'07 - FY'19) 2400 51 53 54 53 50 55 52 48 2250 17 13 15 18 20 18 25 45 41 2100 28 33 42 28 28 47 45 722 711 1950 710 712 26 748 28 782 755 774 S 1800 704 727 705 1650 693 T 1500 U 1350 545 583 586 618 576 556 559 1200 533 567 525 D 514 1050 484 E 900 508 700 750 N 600 1090 993 991 981 974 1058 450 1052 935 1002 892 887 T 880 300 818 S 150 0 SCHOOL YEAR Elem K-5 Middle 6-8 High 9-12 142 The chart below reflects the number of Weston children enrolled outside of the Weston Public Schools. 3000 2250 1500 750 0 1/1/071/1/081/1/091/1/101/1/111/1/121/1/131/1/141/1/151/1/161/1/17 1/1/0 1/1/0 1/1/0 1/1/1 1/1/1 1/1/1 1/1/1 1/1/1 1/1/1 1/1/1 1/1/1 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Out of State Private / Parochial 16 16 23 21 25 20 22 29 18 22 28 In State Private / Parochial 448 438 535 524 534 537 548 546 522 516 512 Home Schooled 000015795129 Out of District Public 10753138845825 Collaboratives 34328452377 Vocational 33210334437 Weston Public Schools 2141 2165 2151 2132 2109 2094 2115 2066 2001 1933 1897 Class Size Policy In 2005, the School Committee approved the Class Size Policy for Kindergarten through Grade 5. Specifically, the policy dictates the range per classroom for Kindergarten and Grade 1 at 17–21 students, Grade 2 and 3 at 18-22 students, and Grade 4 and 5 at 20-24 students. Every effort is made to section classes in accordance with this policy. At times, because of late registrations or children moving out of the district, a class size can go outside the parameters of the approved policy. Additionally, staffing patterns are affected by mandated staffing in Special Education and English Language Learners; or by a change in the program of studies at the Middle School and High School. Oversubscribed or undersubscribed courses are only allowed to run with review and approval of the Superintendent and School Committee. Average Number of Pupils per Classroom - Grades K-5 Grade Range Target 09-10 10-11 11-12 12-13 13-14 14-15 15-16 16-17 (Min- Max) K 17-21 19 17.1 19.7 17.1 19.3 17.7 17.4 18.1 18.1 1 17-21 19 20.9 18.8 17.9 19.5 19.1 18.0 17.3 19.0 2 18-22 20 19.9 20.0 19.4 18.9 20.5 19.4 18.7 19.1 3 18-22 20 21.1 20.0 20.8 20.1 19.4 19.9 19.4 18.9 4 20-24 22 20.6 22.0 20.6 20.8 20.9 20.3 19.5 23.8 5 20-24 22 20.4 20.6 22.9 21.5 21.3 21.8 20.0 19.6 At the Middle and High schools, the range, median and mean for the classes by department are calculated each year. The guidelines for Middle and High schools are 21-27 students per classroom with a target of 24. At the High School, the minimum class size is 12 unless prior approval by the Superintendent and School Committee is obtained. The following tables provide a three-year range of data. 143 Average Number of Pupils per Classroom - Grades 6-8 Middle 14-15 14-15 14-15 15-16 15-16 15-16 16-17 16-17 16-17 School Rangn e Median Mean Range Median Mean Range Median Mean English 15 to 25 21 20.90 15 to 24 21 20.80 14 to 24 19 19.90 Social Studies 15 to 26 23 21.80 16 to 24 21 20.80 14 to 24 21 20.50 Mathematics 15 to 29 20 20.10 10 to 24 20 19.10 12 to 24 18.5 19.20 World Lang. 12 to 24 19 17.90 13 to 23 19 18.30 13 to 24 19 18.20 Science 15 to 25 23 21.60 16 to 24 21 20.90 14 to 25 21 20.50 Average Number of Pupils per Classroom - Grades 9-12 High 14-15 14-15 14-15 15-16 15-16 15-16 16-17 16-17 16-17 School Rangn e Median Mean Range Median Mean Range Median Mean English 11 to 24 19 18.80 11 to 24 18 18.40 10 to 24 19 18.80 Social Studies 10 to 24 17 16.90 11 to 24 19 19.20 13 to 24 18.5 19.10 Mathematics 8 to 25 17.5 18.00 12 to 25 19 18.00 9 to 25 19 19.10 World Lang.