Granby Schools Program Design and Playground Construction Cost Estimates
Granby Public Schools are planning a new preschool playground at GJSHS, with cost estimates between $250,000 and $300,000. Additionally, feedback sessions have been conducted with parents, the community, and staff regarding the Grade 6 Program, focusing on aspects like the academy design, academic opportunities, and desired changes. The school committee is exploring ways to enhance the current program offerings for a better educational experience.
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Granby Public Schools Granby Public Schools East Meadow Facilities Capacity
Preschool Playground Expense Preschool Playground Expense School committee requested additional information regarding the cost estimate for the potential preschool playground construction at GJSHS The estimated cost of building a playground for preschool students is between $250,000 and $300,000 and was provided by Jones Whitsett This is an estimate for the proposed playground based on the cost of building the playground at East Meadow designed to meet preschool outside play regulations and support the function of two preschool classrooms The Department of Early Education and Care (2016) requires 75 sq ft of space per child outside. This means a playground of roughly 2,100 sq ft is required Exterior Blacktop - $100,000 Playground Surface - $25,000 Site Equipment - $30,000 Playground - $110,000 Fence - $32,000
Grade 6 Program Design Grade 6 Program Design Parent, Community, Staff Feedback Grade 6 Academy/Grade 6-8 Middle School GJSHS Space, Transitions, Bathrooms, Shared Spaces Instruction Schedule Extra-curricular/Co-curricular Opportunities and Athletics Impact Staffing Year One/Year Two Curriculum Special Education Student Life
Parent, Community, and Staff Feedback Parent, Community, and Staff Feedback Approximately 20 hours of focus group meetings Grade specific focus groups were conducted for parents in grades PK-2, 3-4, 5, and 6 Focus groups were held with each grade level team of teachers in grades 3 through 8 Superintendent Stanton also attended staff meetings at East Meadow and Granby Junior Senior High School
Parent, Community, and Staff Feedback Parent, Community, and Staff Feedback What parts of the current Grade 6 program should continue at the Grade 6 Academy? Recess Amount of and time in specials Push-in models of inclusion Same grading quarters Are there academic opportunities you would like to see in the Grade 6 Academy? STEM Hands-on Learning Woodworking, Foreign Language Move away from leveling students Work toward differentiation in the classroom
Parent, Community, and Staff Feedback Parent, Community, and Staff Feedback Are there specials/exploratory opportunities you would like to see in the Grade 6 Academy? Performing Arts Chorus and Instrumental Music for All Students Robotics Life Skills Home Economics Journalism Crochet/Knitting Childcare Plumbing/Electrical/HVAC Ensure Students Do Not Receive Less Time in Specials
Parent, Community, and Staff Feedback Parent, Community, and Staff Feedback Are there extra-curricular opportunities you would like to see in the Grade 6 Academy? Create activities that are low stress and fun Backyard games/corn hole tournament/open gym/rocket club Agreeable to fee-based structure GAA recommended not creating athletic activities that conflict with GAA offered sports Are there social-emotional learning opportunities you would like to see in the Grade 6 Academy? Help students develop coping skills Develop students ability to handle social media, internet, and television Help students develop skills to deal with anxiety and depression
Parent, Community, and Staff Feedback Parent, Community, and Staff Feedback Recommendations for 6th grade transition? Parents reported being happy with the current transition process from EM to GJSHS Extra time over the summer for student and parent visits Additional open houses More information on How to for things like lockers, getting to guidance, Have a planned lunch day with upper classmen Miscellaneous Bus ridership Sharing bathrooms Recess Field trips Sports SEL supports Exposure
Parent, Community, and Staff Feedback Parent, Community, and Staff Feedback Staff Feedback Summary Majority of staff reported that grade 6 students are ready for the transition to GJSHS Students would benefit from co-curricular and extra-curricular activities Students have outgrown the elementary model and are looking for appropriate ways to connect with socially with their peers Creating a 6-8 middle school will help teachers collaborate on supporting students in these very important years Concern about the negative impact on large class sizes on student learning, staff effectiveness and school culture and climate
Grade 6 Academy vs. Grade 6 Academy vs. Grade 6 Grade 6- -8 Middle School 8 Middle School The vision for the sixth grade, is to provide robust academic, social emotional and co-curricular programming to support sixth grade students in their transition from East Meadow Elementary School (EM) to Granby Junior Senior High School (GJSHS). Grade 6 would be part of the 6-8 middle school program The leadership team designed the grade 6 program to meet the unique needs of grade 6 students and to support their transition and inclusion in the grade 6-8 middle school program in GJSHS The grade 6 program is designed to meet the unique needs of grade 6 students and to support their transition and inclusion in the grade 6-8 middle school program in GJSHS GJSHS would become a 6-12 school for accountability purposes with DESE
GJSHS Space GJSHS Space Sixth grade would be housed in the Superintendent s hallway Students in grades 7-12 would primarily be located in second floor with the exception of the Digital Literacy and Computer Science Room and Media Center Grade 7-12 students would be expected to access the Media Center via the stairwell adjacent to the Superintendent s office
Transitions Transitions Transitions for Grade 6 would be staggered from the 7-12 GJSHS schedule with the exception of transitions to integrated middle school specials and math Transitions for Grade 6 would mainly occur between the content classrooms and maker space classroom Teachers are expected to monitor and supervise hallways during transition periods
Bathrooms Bathrooms Bathrooms in the Superintendent hallway would be re-designated to grade 6 student bathrooms Grade 6 students would have access to middle school bathrooms grade 7 and 8 students currently use Bathrooms by the cafeteria would most likely only be needed when grade 6 students are in the cafeteria for break or lunch All students can access the private bathroom in the nurse s office
Shared Spaces Shared Spaces Grade 6 students will spend the majority of their day in academic classrooms in the Superintendent hallway Teachers will be expected to escort students to specials and lunch periods Grade 6 students may interact with upper classmen in the student support suite, main office, or nurse s office. Teachers can use a variety of strategies to ensure students are comfortable when traveling to these areas
Instruction Instruction Creating a 6-8 middle school program at GJSHS allows for several instructional opportunities that support the unique developmental needs of grade six students Establish a vertically aligned curriculum Implement Project Lead the Way and STEM courses in Science of Technology, Design and Modeling, Automation and Robotics over the next three years Focus on development of foundational reading and math skills and the application of these skills in problem solving contexts Use extended instructional blocks in tandem with project-based collaborative problem solving and makerspaces blocks, students will have extended time to explore content through deeper learning experiences Partnership with Mount Holyoke to develop STEM education and maker space opportunities Shift to to Deeper Learning: moving students from having a passive role in their education to being active, self-directed learners
Instruction Instruction Focus on integrated social emotional content with academic content through real world learning experiences Redesign of units of instruction based on Understanding by Design and Webb s Depth of Knowledge to include strategic and extended thinking Extended blocks allow students to dig deeper into learning and focus on understanding rather than compliance Extended learning blocks allow for greater opportunities for differentiation, individualization of task, performance assessments which are a critical component of the new Massachusetts Frameworks
Proposed Schedule Proposed Schedule MATH 7:30-9:10 Teachers to accommodate break MATH ELA 9:10-11:00 Teachers to accommodate break ELA LUNCH Recess 11:00-11:45 Science/Social Studies 11:45-1:09 PBL in Content/Social Emotional Learning PLTW/PE/Performing and Visual Arts/Language 1:09-1:58
Co Co- -curricular Opportunities curricular Opportunities Designed to encourage student engagement in activities that develop individual and group skills in a fun and supportive environment for students in grades 6-8 Designed to provide students with the opportunity to develop and demonstrate leadership, collaboration, conflict resolution, problem solving, communication, and organizational skills These skills are critical in the students social emotional learning development. A survey was sent to students to gauge interest Offered in 10-12 week trimesters during days where late bus transportation is available
Co Co- -curricular Opportunities curricular Opportunities
Athletics Athletics Grade 6 students may have the potential to try out for MIAA athletic programs Like students in grades 7 and 8, participation is planned for with parental consultation Grade 6 students would not be eligible for varsity level sports The athletic department is sensitive to the needs of the Granby Athletic Association and will continue to collaborate to provide the most positive athletic experience possible for our student athletes
Staffing Impact Staffing Impact Year One Three teaching positions would move from EM to GJSHS GJSHS teachers who currently teach grade 7-8 integrated electives would be able to teach integrated 6-8 specials Year Two Potentially an additional Grade 6 teacher to accommodate third class with a budget impact Retirements may allow for potentially repurposing current positions to reduce budget impact
Curriculum Impact Curriculum Impact Year One 12,800.00 Teacher workgroups to: Write grade 6 curriculum Design maker space support classrooms and lessons Explore problem based learning approaches that combine content specific instruction with maker space/project based learning design Resources for maker space classroom Year Two 55,000.00 Potentially an additional Grade 6 teacher to accommodate third class with a budget impact Retirements may allow for potentially repurposing current positions to reduce budget impact
Special Education Special Education Related services based upon individual student need Speech-language and audiology services Interpreting services Psychological services Occupational and physical therapy Recreation, including therapeutic recreation Early identification and evaluation of disabilities in children Counseling services, including rehabilitation counseling Orientation and mobility Medical services (but only for diagnostic or evaluation purposes, not for ongoing treatment) School health and/or school nurse services Social work services Parent counseling and training offered through SEPAC
Student Life Student Life Student Advisory Student Council Social Opportunities Activities Dances Extra curricular/Co-curricular Junior High Student Council Book Club & Beyond Helping Out People Everywhere (H.O.P.E Club) Yearbook Strategic Gaming Play Drama Field Trips Recess Morning Snack Integrated Specials Classes Supportive Transition
After School Tutoring & Extra After School Tutoring & Extra Help Hours/Advisory Help Hours/Advisory Extra help When a student is having difficulty in a class or falls behind due to absence, he/she should always seek extra help. The student should meet with the teacher to arrange for a mutually convenient time for the help, which might be before or after school. Teachers will decide and post their extra-help schedule in their respective classrooms and/or posted on the Plus Portals. Tutoring Granby Jr/Sr High School offers tutoring two days per week from 2:00-3:00 p.m. A late bus is provided at no cost to the student. Students from the National Honor Society are also available to tutor students on the scheduled tutoring days or can be arranged as needed. Advisory GJSHS has an advisory program in which all students participate. Our advisory program pairs an adult advisor with a group of students to provide academic and social-emotional mentorship and support, establishes relationships among their peers while engaging in specially designed activities.
Maintaining Pre Maintaining Pre- -k Through Grade 6 k Through Grade 6 Configuration Configuration Making no changes to the grade configuration at EM will result in the current grade 4 class in three classrooms transitioning into two grade 5 classrooms Kindergarten through grade 4 all currently have three classrooms/grade level so this problem will exist for the foreseeable future This means grade 4 students receiving instruction this year in three classrooms in classroom sizes of 19/class will receive instruction in two classrooms next year in classroom sizes of 28 and 29/class School committee and community share a long standing value of ensuring small class sizes High quality, individualized instruction Teachers feel highly effective even with increasing social emotional and academic needs students have Development of effective relationships with students
Thank You! Thank You! We appreciate the community and school committee s engagement in the process of understanding and finding a solution to the East Meadow enrollment/capacity issue Over the course of school tours, our first focus groups, our second focus groups, school council meetings, faculty meetings, teacher grade level meetings, student meetings and student surveys, we have learned much about the value the community places in the education of our children As we have said in the beginning, increased enrollment is a good problem to have, although not an easy one to solve To everyone who has participated in our conversations, who has taken time out of their busy days to engage in a focus group, send an email, or come to a school committee meeting, thank you! Thank you for your commitment to the children, families, and community of Granby.
