e21 Movement (2005-2006 School Year)

Presentation to the Board of Education, March 2006

Principal: Vic Ramos
Asst. Principals: Jim McCutcheon, Devon Davis, Mike Cuckovich, Randy Gish      
Office Manager: Sue Lindfeldt
SIF:  Ellen Clark

Overview

Rosemont High School is a newly built comprehensive high school located twenty minutes east of downtown Sacramento.  The school opened in portables in the Fall of 2003 with 340 Freshmen while the main campus was still under construction.  The school officially opened in September of 2004 to 540 Freshmen and 420 Sophomores.  School Year 2005/2006 is experiencing 1,500 Freshmen, Sophomores and Juniors.  Rosemont’s first graduating class will be the class of 2007.

SCHOOL YEAR 2004/2005 STATISTICS

AYP: Yes
API: 697
CST: Basic or Above:
9th ELA (78%) 10th ELA (60%)
Math (95%) Algebra (35%)
CAHSEE SCORES: Passed English (75%) Passed Math (68%)

The Reform Effort

Rosemont, being a new school, was designed with Small Learning Communities (SLC’s) in mind and embraces the high school reform effort. All students enter a Freshmen Academy in 9th grade and then choose an SLC before entering 10th grade. The school operates on a 4x4 Block Schedule and runs an Advisory Period four days a week. The staff at Rosemont is cohesive in their commitment to e21 and providing an academically challenging curriculum to students in a non-traditional way.
Each of the (6) Small Learning Communities are theme-based and prepare students for their future plans after graduation. The educational/career paths contained within each SLC train students for university or state college, junior college, specialized training, the military, or for beginning a trade. Entry level career certifications are possible as well as the opportunity to take junior college courses on campus.

The Freshmen Academy

All 9th grade students at Rosemont enter into a Freshmen Academy. This academy is divided into three houses where students have the opportunity to take freshmen core classes and one elective. As the year progresses, freshmen are exposed to highlights from the six small learning communities enabling them to make an informed decision about which SLC they enter in the 10th grade.

Small Learning Communities

Each of Rosemont’s (6) Small Learning Communities have an academic focus based on the California State Standards and offer several specialized electives for students to enrich their talent areas. Research, from districts who have adopted the SLC model, has shown that SLC’s foster academic progress and achievement while at the same time enabling students to feel a strong connection and relevance to their education, career pathway, and teachers. The (6) Small Learning Communities at Rosemont are as follows:

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING (BAM)

Students interested in business, accounting, sales, marketing, production, and corporate employment join BAM. This SLC exposes students to various businesses and creates internships and partnerships within the community. Students get the opportunity to manage and operate on-campus businesses while at the same time developing successful business skills.

CONSTRUCTION, AUTOMOTIVE, AND SKILLED TRADES (CAST)

Students in CAST enjoy a rigorous academic program with hands-on learning experiences in areas such as auto mechanics, construction engineering, general contracting, carpentry, electronics, masonry, cabinet construction and plumbing. Partnerships within the community lead to a variety of career opportunities.

CREATIVE AND PERFORMING ARTS (CAPA)

This SLC draws students with a talent or an interest in the visual and performing arts: music, dance, drama, and art. Students enjoy a well balanced schedule of challenging academics combined with art class electives. Career possibilities include interior design, photography, dance, sculpting or computer animation.

HEALTH AND SCIENCE (HandS)

The HandS Small Learning Community offers students two pathways for exploration in health and the sciences. As active learners and in cooperation with the community, students meet the challenge of making responsible and informed choices for post secondary success. Career possibilities include Wildlife Biologist, Veterinarian, Forensics Specialist, Paramedic, Hygienist, Nurse or Oceanographer.

SCHOOL OF PUBLIC SERVICE (SPS)

Students interested in becoming a fire fighter, teacher, lawyer, child care provider, police officer, soldier or legislator enter into the SPS Small Learning Community. Students in this SLC experience job shadows, helpful mentors, exciting field trips and wonderful guest speakers. The main goal of SPS is to help students master the skills necessary to become caring, knowledgeable, productive leaders of society.

TECHNOLOGY, ENGINEERING AND COMPUTERS (TEC House)

tudents interested in acquiring certification, skills and partnerships in technology, engineering and computers enter into the TEC House SLC. Career opportunities include software engineer, programmer, PC and network support technician, mechanical engineer, digital animator and civil engineer. Students exit this SLC with a solid academic foundation and with the skills necessary to enter into a college and/or career in the technical and engineering fields.

SLC STUDENT NUMBERS FOR THE 2005/2006 SCHOOL YEAR:

BAM = 108
CAPA = 175
CAST = 157
HandS = 177
SPS = 120
TEC House = 141
FRESHMEN = 556

School Design

• Facilities: Each SLC has secured a distinct location on campus with access to a 3,000 square foot common planning area or “flex lab”. This space enables small learning communities to arrange SLC-related activities for students during Advisory, lunchtime, or before and after school.
• SLC Purity: It is Rosemont’s goal to create pure SLC’s. To the extent possible with a growing school, Rosemont is achieving that target.
• SLC Teacher Leaders: Each SLC has a designated Teacher Leader. These leaders meet with their SLC members on a regular basis and with the SIF (School Improvement Facilitator) once a month.
• Youth Congress: A congress has been established and is facilitated by the Activities Director. The congress meets once a week.
• Student Advisory Council: Rosemont participates in SAC by sending members of its Youth Congress to the monthly meetings.
• Advisory: Rosemont has Advisory four days a week for twenty minutes each day. Career Exploration, SLC-related activities, ILP’s, Senior Project and one-on-one interaction occur during Advisory.
• Rosemont Advisory Committee (RAC): This committee is comprised solely of student representatives from each of the Advisories. The committee meets once monthly to give voice to students on Advisory-related topics.
• Common Planning Time: Rosemont’s staff meets once a week on Wednesdays for CPT from 8:00AM to 9:45AM. SLC Meetings, Department Meetings and Professional Development occur at this time.
• Administrative Team: The Administrative Team at Rosemont meets on a weekly basis to discuss how best to support small learning communities and the high school reform effort.

EXAMPLES OF (2004/2005) ACCOMPLISHMENTS

• Implemented Teacher Leader Preps Mid-Year: Funding was not made available until mid-year.
• Established a Freshmen Academy with (3) Teams: The Freshmen Academy has a Teacher Leader and focuses on the needs of freshmen. One of their main goals is to educate freshmen about the (6) SLC’s.
• Engaged in all-day SLC Planning Sessions (February/May): These sessions were held at the Sacramento County Office of Education (SCOE) and are incredibly powerful in terms of high school reform. Each SLC gets the opportunity to meet for a full day off campus in order to focus solely on SLC goals.
• Held the 2nd Annual Rosemont Retreat in August: This Retreat was equally as successful as the first one and is huge in terms of high school reform. The time spent at these Retreats represents two and a half days of communication, planning, and teambuilding amongst all staff members.
• Implemented a Rosemont Advisory Committee (RAC) comprised of student representatives from each Advisory: This committee gives voice to students regarding Advisory-related issues.
• Established a partnership with the Masonry Association: Rosemont currently has two Masonry classes within the CAST SLC. Students in these classes engage in rigorous academics as well as hands-on activities.
• Continued Advisory 4-days a week, 25 minutes per day: Through Advisory, students engage in career exploration, SLC-related activities, the ILP process, Senior Project and experience one-on-one interaction with their Advisor.
• Continued CPT every Wednesday from 8-9:45AM: Late-Start Wednesday allows teachers to meet in SLC’s, Departments, and to engage in professional development.
• Began Asset Development Training with Clay Roberts: Clay Roberts presented during CPT in April of 2005 and at the Rosemont Retreat in August 2005. The goal is to have Asset Development Training (3) times during the 2005/2006 school year to reinforce what was learned.
• Began first year with Pebble Creek Literacy Program: Four teachers were trained in the Pebble Creek Literacy Program involving approximately 80 freshmen. Struggling students learn high level skills using high interest material. Rosemont is now in year two, positively impacting 100 students and growing.
• Each SLC continued “Identity” activities involving guest speakers, SLC T-shirts,group photos, SLC-related contests, and more.
• Each SLC established elective courses unique to their SLC such as Virtual Enterprise within the BAM SLC and Masonry courses within the CAST SLC.
• Career Exploration and “GO” programs continued in Advisory: Advisory Teachers worked one-on-one with students as well as informing them about various career and life choices.
• Senior Project Booklets created specific to Rosemont: Senior Project will be a requirement for Rosemont’s first graduating class, the Class of 2007. The Rosemont Senior Project Handbook and Research Guide was created for juniors as well as a shorter version for incoming freshmen.

EXAMPLES OF FOCUS FOR SCHOOL YEAR 2005/2006

• Continue CPT every Wednesday morning
• Continue Career Exploration in Advisory
• Continue Pebble Creek in Freshmen Grades
• Provide Professional Development opportunities in the areas of Career Exploration, Senior Project, ILP Process and Asset Development
• Implement Senior Project Coordinator position
• Have Teacher Leader preps in place at start of school year
• Continue ILP Packets through Advisory
• Nurture existing partnerships and add other
• Station SLC’s together in various parts of the campus
• Continue RAC (Rosemont Advisory Committee)
• Implement an active Youth Congress
• Attend all-day SLC Planning Sessions in November and April
• Hold 3rd Annual Rosemont Retreat

CHALLENGES FOR UPCOMING SCHOOL YEAR (2005/2006)

Rosemont will not qualify for a Federal SLC Grant until all four grade levels are in place (two more years), therefore:

• There is a need for a Computer Technician Prep (1): A computer teacher cannot teach a full day and continue to meet the technological needs of a school the size of Rosemont, particularly with the future advent of on-line courses.
• There is a need for Teacher Leader Preps (7): Rosemont’s reform effort will take huge steps backwards if Teacher Leader Preps are not maintained.
• There is a need for a Senior Project Coordinator prep (1): Senior Project is an enormous undertaking, particularly Senior Boards. A Coordinator Prep is necessary for this piece to be implemented and facilitated correctly.
• There is a need to fund the SIF position: The SIF position is vital in terms of high school reform. This is the one individual on campus whose sole purpose is to keep alive the e21 movement.
• There is a need to fund the all-day SLC Planning Sessions held in November of 2005 and again in April of 2006. SLC’s are given two full days a year to plan and focus on SLC-related goals. The amount of work accomplished at these sessions is tremendous.
• There is a need to fund the Annual Rosemont Retreat: No other high school reform component is as powerful and provides the most “bang for your buck” as the Rosemont Retreat. Teachers and staff feel valued and respected as professionals and holding the event away from the site enables staff to meet and bond in an uninterrupted atmosphere.
• There is a need to fund the Pebble Creek Literacy Program: Pebble Creek teaches high level skills to struggling students using high interest material.
• There is a need to fund/support all e21 reform efforts: Support from the District Office is crucial to the success of e21.

Ellen Clark, School Improvement Facilitator, Rosemont High