P177Q
The Robin Sue Ward School
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Culture
Attitudes, knowledge, behaviors and beliefs that characterize the school environment and are shared by its stakeholders.
Alignment to Chancellor's Pillars for Success
Reimagining the Students Experience:
177Q continues to be aligned in the District and Chancellor's vision. 177Q has a fully functioning apartment at the Main Site that supports sustainable post-secondary success. 177Q also has invested in PAES labs to build functional skills. We have rebranded the school community with posters and signs to really celebrate students. 177Q is committed to using standardized curricula in the elementary levels to push and challenge students to be their best.
Scaling and Sustaining what works:
Fundations, SMILE, structured teaching, EFLs, revamped enrichment classes and our in-house/out of school worksites is what makes 177Q a Scaling and Sustaining place to learn. We continue to enhance these structures through ongoing coaching from our school and District coaches. We create modern opportunities for work sites such as farming, technology and entrepreneurship.
Prioritizing Wellness and the Impact on Students:
To continue the path in our Fall baseline, we continue to have staff trained in TCIS and behavioral techniques to help students. We have hired an additional Dean/SEL teacher to promote PBIS and SEL in classrooms. Our athletics and student centered clubs/events are what bring positivity and vision/mission into student lives. Our teachers monitor progress in classrooms and celebrate this with monthly student of the month assemblies that are aligned to attendance and SEL.
Partnership with Parents:
Parent engagement remains a priority focus area at 177Q. We continue to expand our parent community partnerships. Our newest and recent parent partners include the Common Threads Program, Adapt Community Network, and Marquis Studios.
Reimagining the School Experience
The District believes that new industry specific opportunities for career exploration is the best way to reimagine the school experience. At 177Q we are aligned to this vision of creating worksites and expanding worksites that will meet the needs of society. Such worksites include working with City Council offices, tech repair, DJing, supply delivering, etc.
Scaling and Sustaining what works
The District believes that the continuation of Lexia will support this pillar. 177Q is a 99% alternate assessment school with a focus on literacy this school year for K-5 students. Our use of standards based Fundations and SMILE use similar literacy strategies and enhance the instruction of students.
Prioritizing Wellness and the Impact on Students
District is involved in the Healed Centered School Initiative. 177Q also is one of the schools in this pilot program that is supported by our CEC and PTA. 177Q also believes that mindfulness, SEL, CHAMPS, dance, the arts and Special Olympics promotes this alignment and focus.
Partnership with Parents
Programs that D75 is promoting to align to this pillar is Journey to Independence and STEM for all. 177Q is a partner with STEM for girls. 177Q also believes in this pillar and District aligned by creating a parent empowerment room that will give the resources parents needs to become school-home partners with the school and students.
Alignment to NYCDOE and District 75 Priorities
177Q continues to align ourselves to the literacy vision of the district, to build upon the skills of our students and faculty, support professional growth around our literacy vision, share resources and track the continuous analysis of data in order to ensure an effective action plan. Students’ preferred methods of communication (PMC) are used to gain access to the standards based curriculum.
The Panther Plan aligned the vision and mission of 177Q to NYC DOE and District 75 Priorities. All members of 177Q are familiar with the priorities outlined in this document and incorporate their core values into their daily practices. Students are familiar with these priorities as well, most notably through the personal connections they make to our WE DO CARE statement.
Though the needs of our school have evolved after the pandemic, the vision and mission statements of our school continue to be relevant and meaningful to our school, are aligned to the District 75 priorities, and are evident throughout all that we do.
The instructional goals outlined in the CEP are vision/mission/core value and budgetarily aligned to ensure student success. CEP goals are routinely monitored by the SLT and data team members
Vision & Mission Realignment Team
The Vision and Mission Team assessed 177’s current vision and mission statements and incorporated feedback/data from student, staff and family surveys to rewrite the statement.
The Vision and Mission statement is a living document and ideology, organically living and communicated in every classroom. This statement is displayed throughout the school and is evidenced through instructional practices and behavioral strategies.
P177’s vision is prominently displayed outside the Main Office in a huge banner where all who enter the school are familiarized with 177’s Vision and Mission.
A team of staff, parents, students and leaders were formed to evaluate the current Vision and Mission statements to align it with the needs of students and future of the school.
The team meets routinely in different sub-committees to assess, evaluate, research, recruit, re-word and promote the Vision and Mission.
The teams met with the entire faculty, surveyed the entire student body and scheduled meetings with families to hear the needs of all stakeholders.
The purpose of this process is to determine the validity of all statements and to plan for the successes of the students and school community.
School
Leadership
Team
In February 2023, P177’s SLT voted unanimously to reinstate in-person meetings for the remainder of the school year.
Recent SLT presentations have included:
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Curriculum Updates
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CEP Mid-Year Data Review
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Purchasing
The SLT meets on a monthly basis to share information and discuss relevant issues to our school community. Various school leaders and stakeholders have presented to the SLT. Topics have included:
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Assess Vision and Mission
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Create school wide goals, instructional focus, Core Values
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Curriculum and Instruction: CEP goals and progress monitoring, school-wide curriculum, lead teacher role, programming
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Safety of students
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Special programs: PBIS
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School construction and Reso-A projects
Our Student Council president and vice president are active participants who often advocate for student interests.
The SLT is provided with regular updates on school-wide progress towards our CEP Goals. Team members are encouraged to ask questions, provide feedback, and make decisions regarding school improvement.
Core
Value
of
177Q
While updating 177’s Mission Statement, the school community redefined its core value of ‘Welcome’ to include the nurturing of students, families and staff to provide a warm and safe environment. Through this updated definition, the 177 community has further defined its Core Value to meet the ever-changing needs of our school.
The Core Value of 177Q is “Welcome.” This core value was voted on by the students, families, and staff. The 177Q community strives by this Core Value throughout the school year by supporting students' social-emotional needs. The Core Value is important for the growth of 177Q and the overall vision of making sure students gain the skills they need for academic and personal success.
Upon completion of the Vision & Mission Realignment Team’s work, the 177Q Community will vote on the core value to re-assess its relevance and impact.
177Q
Literacy
Vision
Eight classroom teachers at the elementary and middle school level have received formal training from the NYCDOE in Fundations. A speech therapist, and ENL teacher have also completed this training in an effort to support students during push in sessions.
Middle of Year data from the SANDI indicate that 87-100% of students have demonstrated mastery in Tier 1. 85% of students in the 12:1:1 grades 3-5 class have demonstrated mastery in Tier 2 and Tier 3. The students in the grade 6-7 12:1:1 class have 87% mastery in Tier 2 and 62% mastery in Tier 3. The students in the grade 6-8 12:1:1 class have 100% mastery in Tier 2 and 86% mastery in Tier 3. Progress within the Literacy Plan is communicated with staff during Grade Conferences and other staff meetings.
177Q focuses each day on creating and promoting student independence. Through literacy skills 177Q will give students daily opportunities to enhance their thinking through their preferred mode of communication and preferred mode of learning.
By aligning our Mission Statement to the D75/DOE Literacy Vision we can achieved an aligned plan of practice for our students
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Opportunities: Providing our students with the skills and tools needed to access a variety of opportunities to help them to become the best individual they can be.
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Communication: Teaching students to communicate more effectively in their relationships and to understand that communication is equal parts listening and speaking.
Sustainability
A focus on continuance and meaning beyond the present moment, contextualizing today’s successes and improvements as the legacy of the future
Shared Communication
To All
Stakeholders
Shared communication to all stakeholders continues to be a priority at 177Q. In addition to the practices described during the Fall PPO which have continued throughout the school year, P177 has increased the visual presence of its Vision and Mission statement through school branding. Input from stakeholders are welcomed, as evidenced through town hall-style meetings, weekly professional learning emails, staff update emails, and through feedback forms and surveys.
The 177Q community continues to showcase its vision and mission through school-wide events and programs.
Through elected official influnence grants and programs, as well as through the dedication of our librarian and administration, 177Q students and staff have access to culturally responsive and relevant resources, opportunities for worksite training, and a new comfortable and safe space to learn.
177Q’s Parent Coordinator has set up Twitter and Instagram accounts for 177Q as a tool to further share information to our families and staff. Social Media posts include information about upcoming programs and photographs from school-wide events and special programs. In addition to social media, 177Q uses LinkTree as a platform by which to link all their social media, websites, virtual offices, and presentations onto one interface. This allows for increased accessibility for families and staff. Additionally, the LinkTree QR code is used on school materials such as event programs and guest passes to further increase access to school information.
The 177Q school community celebrates Panther Pride and embodies our mission of We Do Care each and every moment of the day. The 177Q school vision and mission are purposely shared and communicated with stakeholders starting with the initial introduction of hiring, parent/student orientation and to all current school members at the beginning opening meetings and first parent meeting in the fall. The vision and mission are visually and verbally shared with students in their classes. 177Q Student Council reiterates this practice in all meetings and in their community service practices.
Technology systems and 177Q School Website serves are a tool to spread our school vision. We pride ourselves on communicating to stakeholders by using internet based systems as much as possible. Through parent, staff and student immersion, delivery of technology to all families and consistent trainings for our families and staff, we live in our Mission Statement by Empowering our school community and Welcoming them to a digital age.
Instructional Leadership Team
(ILT)
P177’s ILT has been working on promoting student independence and self-advocacy. One priority action identified by the team was promoting student independence across all settings. A home-school-community survey was designed to learn more about our students’ daily living and community skills. Using the information from this survey, and in collaboration with the CCR Team, resources and programs are identified and designed for school and home use.
The instructional leadership team also supports instructional programs in various ways including:
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The creation of thematic activity boards
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designing curated libraries with texts at a variety of access points
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Review of instructional programs and curriculum
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Drop-in peer support sessions and professional development
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Collaboration with the curriculum and CCR teams.
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Supporting P177’s Literacy Plan
In the Fall of 2022, the Instructional Leadership Team, composed of diverse stakeholders from across our school community, engaged in a collaborative discussion about instructional priorities for students in alignment with the Chancellor’s Pillars and District 75 Priorities.Team members reviewed several proposed priorities and, after identifying a common theme, prioritized student independence and self-advocacy as the ILT focus.
ILT committees will be working on the design and implementation of school-wide structures to focus on the meaningful facilitation of student communication and independence through pre-vocational and job skills programs and in student participation in leisure activities. The team’s work will also include rubric design, data analysis, and student assessments to support and assess their work.
Professional Learning Communities
Common planning teams are currently implementing their inquiry interventions. Teams have conducted baseline and mid-point assessments and are working on reviewing their data. Upon completion of their inquiry work, teams will present their findings during P177’s daily professional learning time. All team presentations will be added to the resource section of P177’s Professional Learning Calendar for school-wide reference and use.
In the fall of 2022, each common planning team identified an area of focus that was relevant to their students (e.g. literacy instruction, independence within the worksite setting). Teams meet regularly to collaborate and explore their respective focus. Guiding questions are used to support teams in their work. This focus is aligned to the team’s inquiry exploration.
Cohort meetings with teacher teams allow the vision and mission to take place in real time. Teacher teams analyze student work to help develop better practices that in turn promote each component of the mission. We also strive to make teachers lifelong learners in this process that also aligns to our Core Value and Mission Statements.
Common Planning Time allows for teachers to prepare instruction for functional reading and math skills along with life skills preparation. Common Planning time also allows for teachers to align the Unique curriculum to student IEP goals, review SANDI and FAST scores, and participate in inquiry work that is relevant to their students.
Student Council
Principal Duffy meets with Student Council once per month to go over issues, concerns and student improvements to their school life and instruction. The student advisor supports the students in seeking out whole school student feedback. Student council reps are also on many leadership meetings such as PBIS, Events, SLT and worksite development. Their voice is used to improve school culture and instruction.
AAA School Safety & Student Independence Survey
AAA School Safety Patrol members are school-sponsored student volunteers. Patrollers direct students, not traffic. As school-age leaders in safety, patrol members teach other students about safety on a peer-to-peer basis. This partnership was lead by a teacher in response to the student council advocating to have more independence in the building. The AAA school safety program was presented to the Student Council. 9 students are interested in joining the program. The participating students will take on leadership roles and foster safety amongst their peers.
177Q Student Council prides itself on advocating for all students. Members of the team are on SLT and District leadership that meets with the Superintendent. We believe that students should all have a voice and that voice should be meaningful in developing successful practices. A student centered school is the goal of the Student Council and to live by the Panther way.
The Student Council routinely holds community events with outside agencies and parent partners. They are a part of all festive and monthly events.
177Q Student Council prides itself on advocating for all students. Members of the team are on SLT and District leadership that meets with the Superintendent. We believe that students should all have a voice and that voice should be meaningful in developing successful practices. A student centered school is the goal of the Student Council and to live by the Panther way.
The Student Council routinely holds community events with outside agencies and parent partners. They are a part of all festive and monthly events.
During the Fall 2022 Semester Student Council members organized a tee shirt sale for Breast Cancer awareness, and also spearheaded a walk to bring attention to this issue. Currently, everyone at the School is waiting excitedly for the results of our Student Council Leaders election results. During this process, which took place during the week of regular elections, every student has had the opportunity to have a vote, and have their voices heard. This fall the Student Council has expanded its outreach to our Martin Van Buren 177@435 Site. Council faculty Advisers have regular monthly communications with our corresponding Staff adviser for that site, and work collaboratively in brainstorming and evaluating how best to include our students currently enrolled there.
PBIS
177Q continues to have a robust PBIS and behavioral system. The PBIS/SEL Team and members of the Equity Team engage in weekly collaborative planning to ensure all students have access to our Tier 1 Universal Support Systems. For the Spring 2023 term, 177Q Student Panther Leaders have increased opportunities to receive recognition for their academic and behavioral progress. The Student of the Month Assemblies celebrate students’ success and are held across all sites. Individual students are recognized for exhibiting the 5 school-wide expected behaviors (C.A.R.E.S) and class teams are recognized for having the highest monthly attendance. Additionally, we recently partnered with “No Place for Hate.” and “Best Buddies.” Both programs give students the opportunity to take ownership of their school behavioral culture and to spread the positive SEL around the school. No Place for Hate Student Ambassadors lead assemblies and learning activities on diversity and equity. We continue to use Re-Think lessons within the currila and Mind Up through a UFT initiative. Students have multiple pathways to learn and explore PBIS. One positive outcome of the partnership with Mindup is: The Students’ Mindfulness Club. The club meets weekly and is facilitated by one Occupational Therapist and Teacher of Health Education. The purpose of the Students’ Mindfulness Club is to teach students self-management skills through the use of Mindfulness practices. Student Mindfulness leaders move from practicing Mindfulness to facilitating Mindfulness among their peers and throughout our school community. P177Q is aligned with the PBIS/SEL District team. PBIS members collaborate regularly with District PBIS/SEL coaches and plan PBIS BIte Size Professional Development Workshops. Our PBIS program is across all sites and develops student leaders and accountability. The members of the PBIS SEl & Equity Teams partnered with No Place for Hate and Mindup and hosted school-wide events for students and staff in honor of Social Emotional Learning Day 2023.
Our PBIS Committee and teams are truely what 177Q embodies. Social Emotional learning, Mindfulness, Professional learning and token economy are ways in which the PBIS team leads our school. All decisions are based on the Mission and Vision. The PBIS team also has a sub vision that helps students understand their objectives. PBIS teams are at every site and have routine meetings with each other and larger groups to be on the same cohesive wavelength. PBIS happens in action across all grade levels and ratios. Students are excited for weekly clubs, rewards, mindfulness and learning about their social growth. Students are excited for weekly clubs, rewards, mindfulness and learning about their social growth. There are six essential components to the PBIS framework at 177Q. These components include clear behavioral expectations; Rethink video modules; Mindfulness; Leaders’ Center exchange system, virtual clubs and parents’ SEL supports.
This year we recently have partnered with the DOE/UFT Mind-up Initiative to promote successful SEL in all classrooms.
The PBIS Portal is the newest platform to meet the needs of all stakeholders. Other schools, parents and students across all sites have access to the resources to successfully be better mentally fit.
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The Leaders’ Center Reinforcement Center continues to increase item selection based on student and staff input.
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PBIS Virtual Clubs continues to be a Friday ritual and now includes video clips of recent school wide themes and events.
Cabinet Teams:
Administrative, Extended & AP
Accountability is key to achieving the vision for student learning. Each cabinet member meets with their supervising administrator to review duties, responsibilities, and their CEP-aligned goals. All levels of 177Q are accountable for student growth and achievement.
During AP Cabinet, the team reviews various data (e.g. Advance, SANDI) to identify school-wide trends and needs. Using the information from these reviews, the team designs grade conference agendas and presentations that are aligned to school improvement measures. Recent work during AP cabinet include peer-facilitated grade conferences focused on literacy instruction and instructional rounds which focused on Danielson Component 3d, a priority area identified through the review of Advance data.
Admin Cabinet meets bi-monthly while AP Cabinet and Extended Cabinet meet monthly to cultivate a culture around the Vision and Mission. The cabinet teams work as a cohesive group to address student outcomes, staff professional learning and the overall school improvement.
These meetings give stakeholders an opportunity to discuss issues in one virtual or in-person forum to learn and work with each other. The O in our mission is Opportunities We believe that all school members, including those in the cabinet should be given the Opportunity to have their voice heard to improve school outcomes.
