Annual Report -2011/2012

Now that we are at the halfway point of the 2011/2012 school year, it is time to reflect on past accomplishments and look forward to the many exciting challenges ahead, most notably a 20 million dollar renovation of our school building to begin this June! Belmonte is at an exciting crossroads: our educational program has strengthened considerably in the last two years as our achievement results indicate. We will continue to improve our programs as we also plan for the phased construction beginning this summer and continuing through the 2012/2013 school year. Teachers are taking advantage of our new schedule and more comprehensive program of studies to innovate and collaborate around effective learning and best instructional practices. 21st century technology, including interactive white boards, digital projection systems, video conferencing, internet media, interactive student responders, and other devices are being implemented across classrooms and the Learning Commons. Teachers eagerly seek creative ways to bring the world to the classroom in an effort to engage students and develop the critical skills and content knowledge necessary to excel. It is gratifying to stop for a second and see how far we have come over the last two years. Some of our collective accomplishments and goals for the future are listed below:

Goals and Highlights - 2011/2012:

1. Teachers collaborate with curriculum directors and administrators during team meetings to analyze student
    achievement data, set specific goals to address gaps in performance and support struggling students.
2. Administrators, curriculum directors, and teachers work together to refine student assessment by integrating
    benchmark assessments with Data Director, student data analysis software purchased by the district. This will
    enhance our ability to measure, track, and benchmark achievement for every student in real-time.
3. Faculty members collaborate to develop effective formative assessment practices continually monitoring student
    learning and informing teaching practice.
4. Academic teams and learning specialists meet weekly to address achievement for students with disabilities. Faculty
    members continue to integrate best practices with respect to differentiated instruction, appropriate classroom
    accommodations and modifications in an inclusion setting, and co-teaching strategies.
5. School opened in the fall with a new peer leadership program called Web. 50 of our 8th grade students were selected
    and trained as Web leaders; all 6th grade students were assigned to a web leader who functions as their student
    mentor for the year. Web leaders ran an orientation program for 6th graders in late August, and met with their
    mentees monthly to focus on topics specific to finding success in middle school.
6. We continue to integrate technology at a rapid rate. For 2011/2012,we deployed interactive digital classroom white-
    boards (smartboards) in five additional classrooms, added several ipad tablets for student use in special education
    classrooms, and expanded the use of previously acquired multi-media technology including a digital recording/editing
    studio, digital media server, and library/media center.
7. The Belmonte Learning Commons now has video-conferencing capabilities. We are exploring possibilities for virtual
    field trips to locations around the world, as well as utilizing the remote portal for professional development and sharing
    of best practice with educators from around the country (and possibly other countries). We are looking into many
    cost-effective opportunities to bring the world to Saugus and strengthen educational experiences for students and
    staff!
8. All student progress reports and end of trimester report cards are now accessed and published online via the X2
    parent/student portal. We continue to encourage all parents to use the X2 portal to keep track of their child's
    academic progress in real time. Teachers are also starting to use class pages to communicate and disseminate
    assignments.

We are progressing successfully with respect to our school improvement objectives. The instructional leadership team and school council is tackling the many challenges that 2012/2013 will bring. Most notably, we are readying for construction. Planning is in full swing and we will be breaking ground in late June, immediately following the last day of school. Next year, the 8th grade will be relocated to the high school to accommodate the construction phasing plan. 6th and 7th graders will remain at Belmonte and shift to different parts of the building as construction progresses. Construction will be complete August 2013, and in September, students and faculty will occupy a newly renovated and fully upgraded facility, ready to handle the demands of the 21st century learner. We have been planning diligently, taking every available measure to ensure we maintain the highest standards for student safety, strengthen the learning experience for all, and minimize the disruptions of a phased construction project with students spread across two campuses. Next year will present many challenges, but we will be ready to face them with the knowledge that a newly restored building awaits!

This is truly an exciting time to be a part of the Belmonte school community and we encourage you to stay informed, get involved, and support all of our school improvement efforts.

Warm Regards,

Geoff Bruno
Principal