Dear Parents and Guardians,
Two significant events occurred last week: The passing of our volunteer librarian, Bunny Walton and the completion of our WCEA/WASC accreditation visit.
Bunny Walton was a volunteer at St. John School for 51 years beginning in 1956 when the school first opened. Bunny wore many volunteer hats over the many years she spent at the school. She was a room parent, president of the PTG, and a school board member. She also served hot dog lunches to students once a week to raise money for library books. Bunny worked two days a week as our librarian, cataloging and ordering books and reading to the younger children. She was a wonderful person whose love of children and books brought a sense of peace to the school. Having Bunny Walton as part of our St. John community was a blessing to us all. She truly epitomized the St. John charism of Christian stewardship. Thank you, Bunny for giving so much to the children of St. John. We will miss you very much. May you rest in peace.
The WCEA/WASC accreditation visit was very positive and affirming. The committee was very impressed with the outstanding organizational, curricular, and support programs of the school. The committee commended the pastor, administration, faculty, staff, parents, and student body for working together to make the school a loving, caring and supportive learning environment where all students will succeed. “Please be assured that we are most impressed by the commitment of your entire school community to the educational and personal welfare of each student at St. John the Baptist School. We are appreciative of the work and cooperative spirit that made the self-evaluation meaningful. It is evident from the self-study, the interviews, the classroom visits, and all of the evidence gathered that your entire school community was seriously involved in the Process for School Improvement.”
I have included a summarized version of The Report of the Visiting Committee in this week’s Tuesday packet. It is an excellent report with nothing but praises for St. John School. We offer a wide variety of programs that center on student learning. We have an excellent staff of teachers, teacher aides, resource teachers, and support teachers that further support student learning. Other major strengths noted by the visiting committee were Strong Catholic identity, continuous development and monitoring of action plans that drive school improvement, collaboration of faculty and staff, school board, and PTG to creating a nurturing educational environment that ensures success of all students, variety of methodologies used to meet the needs of all learners and strong parent involvement.
The visiting committee continually stressed to us that we have an excellent school with much to offer students to support their learning and development of social consciousness. The committee couldn’t believe how many support programs we are able to offer at such a reasonable cost. Their only recommendation for us was to tell our parents to go out and tell everyone what a wonderful school we have. You are our best advertisement. So I urge you to tell anyone you know with children to come and visit our school. Once they come in the door and see for themselves, we should have no problems with enrollment.
Thank you for all your support and involvement in the school. We are very blessed to have such wonderful teachers, staff members, children, and parents at our school.
God Bless,
Dina Trombettas, Principal
The Report of the Visiting WCEA/WASC Committee found the Following:
PREFACE
We the visiting committee, wish to commend you the pastor, administration, faculty, staff, parents, and student body of St. John the Baptist School for working together to make the school a loving, caring and supportive learning environment where all students will succeed. Please be assured that weare most impressed by the commitment of your entire school community to the educational and personal welfare of each student at St. John the Baptist School.
We congratulate you on the steps you have taken to implement the critical areas in your Action Plan from the previous evaluation. Through your dedication you have created an educational program firmly centered in Catholic traditions and values for the benefit of your students.
We are appreciative of the work and cooperative spirit that made the self-evaluation meaningful. It is evident from the self-study, the interviews, the classroom visits, and all of the evidence gathered that your entire school community was seriously involved in the Process for School Improvement.
ORGANIZATION FOR STUDENT LEARNING
St. John the Baptist School has established a clear statement of philosophy and mission that reflects its Catholic identity and its commitment to educating Christians who actively contribute to the community.
The school implements a curriculum that provides students with a wide range of academic subjects and the means of mastering the basic skills of all subjects. This is demonstrated through standardized assessments, teacher-generated work, and published works. In addition, extra curricular activities and support programs enhance the curriculum by fostering physical fitness, social cooperation, student government, service learning projects and multi-cultural activities. The faculty facilitates academic learning and are catechists who model Gospel values and Catholic beliefs.
Governance:
The principal works closely with the faculty, staff, school board, and PTG board to improve the quality of the school program, and actively seeks input from the faculty and staff.
The hiring of qualified teachers and support staff, the continuous and consistent assessment of curricular programs and the development of action plans for school improvement maintain the quality of education. The school provides financial support for professional development to improve instruction.
School Leadership:
The focus of the school leadership is the integration of the Student Learning Expectations into the life of the school. The Student Learning Expectations are continuously assessed and measured through the Rubric for Student Learning Expectations. Ensuring shared accountability, the faculty and the administration meet to discuss student achievement of the Student Learning Expectations and develop action plans to address areas of growth. The assessment of these Expectations are discussed with students, presented to the school board and PTG, and published in the weekly memo and parish bulletin.
School Environment:
St. John the Baptist School is committed to creating a safe learning environment that fosters Christian values and academic achievement. Social acceptance and tolerance of each other is stressed through conflict resolution, classroom discussions, and religious instruction, Cultural diversity is celebrated within the school through classroom instruction, conflict resolution, and the mission and pride committee of the school board.
St. John the Baptist School has a very well organized before and after school program. Extended care provides homework time, arts, and crafts, cooking music and drama for the students. The extended care staff is very loving and devoted to the children, providing them with a wide variety of enrichment activities that support and nurture their confidence and growth.
Student Council is made up of elected commissioners and class representatives who take an active role in school leadership. Student council is responsible for many fun, community-building activities which bring all students together.
St. John the Baptist has a clearly developed code of conduct based on cooperation and mutual respect. The school’s handbook clearly defines the student code of conduct and supports a safe and orderly environment that is conducive to respect and learning. All staff and parents work together to motivate students to achieve their best. All this makes for a healthy, happy environment that promotes a positive school climate.
Reporting Student Progress:
St. John the Baptist School administration, faculty, and staff regularly review and report student progress in meeting the Student Learning Expectations in a variety of ways. The Student Learning Expectations are visible in every classroom.
The school board effectively guides the work of the school. The school board is involved with making improvements in the areas of finance, plant and safety, mission and pride/public relations, and technology. The school board has contributed to the development of a “Disaster Plan” “Five year Capital Improvement Plan”, “A Proper Use of the Gymnasium Policy”, updated by-laws, reconfiguration of the technology lab, and other school improvements.
St. John the Baptist School effectively implements ongoing and collaborative efforts for the school Improvement Plan. Maintaining high standards in all school areas is developed with input form all stakeholders.
Curriculum and Instruction:
St. John the Baptist School plans, implements, and assesses their curriculum with the school’s philosophy and Student Learning Expectations. The curriculum is designed to create Academic Achievers, Christian Leaders, and Responsible Citizens. The faculty gathers regularly to discuss ways to meet these guidelines. Faculty collaboration, discussions and mentoring occur both formally and informally. They attend workshops and in-services to improve knowledge and skills.
The school focused on math and science for the last three years. To enhance the faculty’s knowledge and expertise they have been part of the Bay Area Math Project and the Bay Area Science Project. Expanded honors math program was introduced in the seventh grade two years ago to strengthen the school’s eighth grade Algebra program. FOSS science kits were purchased for each grade level. Improved and challenging hands on activities create involvement and excitement for science at all grade levels.
The administration and staff have created rubrics for the Student Learning Expectations. Although still in the formation stage, these rubrics help the faculty and administration monitor student progress in each specific area of the Student Learning Expectations.
St. John the Baptist students learn a variety of ways to communicate information, ideas, goals, and feelings. Students are asked to verbally explain heir answers in every subject area. The students of St. John the Baptist School are also expected to be conceptual thinkers and problem solvers. Teachers use a variety of techniques and strategies to involve students in these processes. An emphasis is placed on students becoming life long learners with skills and concepts they can use and develop throughout their lives.
Catholic identity is evident throughout the school and curriculum. The school has begun to strengthen the service-learning component of the religion curriculum.
The students of St. John the Baptist School take leadership roles proclaiming the word of God, singing in the choir, acting as altar servers, leading prayer services, and designing prayer services. All students are expected to be Christian Leaders.
St. John the Baptist students are expected to reach for their highest potential in attaining academic excellence. The school’s improvement in the Bay Area Science Fair, Diocesan Writers Fair, Serra Club essay contest, and other contests encourages students to take pride in their work and strive for excellence. Rubrics for projects give clear standards for excellence.
The school has created a safe learning environment in which students feel safe to learn and to offer their own wisdom to their students and to their teachers who act as facilitators in the learning process.
Teachers create strategies and assessment tools directed at helping students achieve their best. Teachers provide clear instruction and make use of study sheets and rubrics to help guide students into achieving their best work.
Assessment data is the basis for: measurement of each student progress toward the grade level subject area expectations, regular evaluation and improvement of curriculum and instruction, and allocation of materials.
St. John the Baptist School uses assessment as a measurement to provide a challenging academic program.
The administration collaborates with the faculty to use assessment as a learning tool to improve student learning. For example, the ITBS scores reflected an area for growth in math problem solving and critical thinking. St. John the Baptist School faculty determined that professional development was needed for improvement in these areas. Bay Area Math Project was contracted to work with teachers with on site professional development for two years. The College Preparatory math program was implemented in grades six, seven and eight. Thirteen eighth graders tested directly into geometry in their freshman year of high school.
Parent/Community Involvement:
Parent participation is a major strength at St. John the Baptist School. Through their involvement, school improvement is ongoing and successful. Fostering community, improving grounds and building, supporting student athletic programs and ensuring the future stability of St. John the Baptist School are highlights of parent involvement.
Resource Planning:
The latest audit, completed in September 2007, indicated that the school is financially sound and complies with solid financial procedures sponsored by the Diocese.
KEY AREAS OF STRENGTH
- Strong Catholic identity and integration of Catholic faith throughout the curriculum and the life of the school
- Strong integration of Student Learning Expectations into the curriculum and life of the school
- Pastor, principal, faculty, staff, school board, and PTG committed to creating an atmosphere that reflects the learning expectations and Gospel values with consistent focus on the needs of the student
- Continuous development and monitoring of action plans that flow from the mission statement, philosophy, and Student Learning Expectations and drive school improvement
- Active parent involvement
- Variety of methodologies used to meet the needs of all learners
- Financially sound with substantial reserves and good financial practices in place
- A first-rate after school program that provides a safe, nurturing environment for children, excellent technology support from the tech coordinator, and effective resource teaches who support teachers and students
SCHOOL WIDE CRITICAL AREAS FOR FOLLOW UP
- Complete Technology In-Depth study and revise five-year technology plan to reflect the new technology standards of the Diocese of Oakland
- Create an action plan to transform the faculty into a Learning Community using Learning Community strategies as part of professional development and faculty collaboration
- Create a more formal student-evaluation of progress toward attainment of the Student Learning Expectations
- Fully integrate service learning into the curriculum
- Develop strategic plan to increase visibility of St. John the Baptist School, better promote the strengths of the school, further strengthen alumni connections, and increase enrollment
The visiting team believes that St. John the Baptist School community will successfully complete the action plan addressed because of a dedicated pastor, principal, faculty, staff, and parents, a strong financial base and a faith-filled Catholic identity.
