Palos School District 118
School Improvement Goals
2014-2015
Goal 1: To Maximize the Educational Potential of Every Student to be a
Successful Life-Long Learner
East
South
West
Increase student achievement as
demonstrated on local, state,
and/or national assessments:
Emphasis on:
 Increase reading
comprehension with nonfiction and informational
text using level 3 DOK
questioning
 Using complex text to
increase rigor and
comprehension skills;
higher level questioning to
apply in the “real world”
context
 Implementing math fluency
practice both inside and
outside of school day; using
software programs and
timing exercises
 Early numeracy,
numeration, patterns, word
problems, estimation
 Implementation of
mathematical practices in
daily instruction
 Implementation of
“accountable talk” in every
classroom to promote
student initiated learning
More effective collection and use
of data to drive instructional
decisions:
 Utilize weekly team
meetings to discuss data
(both formative and
summative) in order to
collaborate and group
Increase student achievement
as demonstrated on local,
state, and/or national
assessments
 Continue benchmark and
achievement testing per
district assessment
schedule
 Continue frequent &
ongoing review of
individual student progress
by school-level data team
 Continue utilizing data to
make informed decisions
regarding student needs
and instructional focuses
Provide timely interventions
for struggling learners by
implementing Response to
Intervention procedures
 Restructured the reading
resource program to
provide more direct
instruction and additional
computer based
intervention support
during the school day.
 Continue to provide
morning interventions
during connections
 Continued use of
computer based
intervention programs: I
Ready Reading and Math
program.
 Continue to incorporate
resources within the
classroom environment:
Increase student achievement as
demonstrated on local, state,
and/or national assessments:
Emphasis on:
 Reading Comprehension
(Informational Text), Fluency,
Phonics and Phonemic
Awareness, & Reading
Extended Response
 Increase staff development
opportunities for teaching
informational text, close
reading, and text/media
comparisons using Common
Core Strategies
 Continue to implement the
McGraw-Hill Wonders
Reading Program to align
instruction with the Common
Core State Standards
 Math Number Sense,
Computation, Measurement
& Math Extended Response
 Align EDM curriculum to
Common Core Standards
 Continue to promote math
fluency inside and outside of
the school setting
 Provide opportunities for staff
development on Accountable
Talk , Depth of Knowledge
Strands, Mathematical
Practices, and Common Core
Strategies (best practices)
 Target extended response
and share PARCC examples
More effective collection and
use of data to drive instructional
Palos School District 118
School Improvement Goals
2014-2015
students more effectively
for individualized
instruction. Use MAP data
and the Learning
Continuum for specific
student goals.
Provide timely interventions for all
learners by implementing
Response to Intervention
procedures :
 Continue Reading and Math
intervention programs
before and during school
day to target student needs
based on data that is
aligned with more rigorous
CCSS
 Continue to implement
support through tiered RtI
services and interventions
Provide opportunities for
accelerated learners through
ability grouping and
differentiation:
 Differentiation within math
classes to meet all students’
needs based on student
data
 Continue to enrich student
learning through reading
and math enrichment
groups for 1st and 2nd grade
Increase student engagement
through technology tools and
digital curriculum:
 Continue to utilize
technology integration with
content using program
Stratelogica.
 Continue Digital Citizenship
education for grades 4 and
IXL and Read Naturally
Continue to offer Check-in,
Check-out, and Check and
Connect programs at all
grade levels to meet the
needs of students
Provide opportunities for
accelerated learners through
ability grouping and
differentiation
 Continue additional
honors level in math for
7th and 8th graders
 Continue Individual
placement of students
into off-grade level
offerings
Increase student engagement
through technology tools and
digital curriculum
 Online, interactive
geography content
 SMART Boards, iPads,
student blogging, and
other new software
 Smart Music
 Essential Elements
Interactive
Better align writing instruction
K-8 through implementation of
the 6-Traits Writing Model
 Continue current
initiatives and work to
align writing curriculum to
the Common Core
Continue to provide a
balanced educational program
including P.E. and fine arts
 Continue Robert Crown
Drug Awareness Program
 Continue to introduce

decisions:
 Utilize team meetings to
discuss data for purposes of
grouping students effectively
for differentiated
instructional purposes. Use
MAP data and the Learning
Continuum for specific
student goals.
 Provide more time for teams
to meet to discuss data and
differentiation
Refine and develop
opportunities for accelerated
learners:
 Consider review of ALPS
selection process and testing
tools to align with Common
Core
 Provide above level materials
for students who meet
standards in reading, science,
and social studies
Provide timely interventions for
all learners through Response to
Intervention:
 Continue to utilize lessons
and strategies from Wonders
program for differentiated
instruction
 Continue to implement
support through tiered RtI
services and interventions
 Continue to utilize MAP data
gathered from testing
sessions to promote
differentiated instruction and
interventions
 Provide Math Interventions
opportunities through to
students who qualify
Palos School District 118
School Improvement Goals
2014-2015
5 through Common Sense
Media Program
Continue to provide a balanced
educational program including P.E.
and Fine Arts:
 Cross-curricular lessons and
assessments, including
Barndance, the Fine Arts
Festival and International
Peace Day activities
 Implementation of DOK
leveled questioning in Art
and Music
 Continue to meet state and
national goals, using revised
PE standards focusing on
health/wellness initiatives;
including Recess Run Club
fitness related units into
Increase student engagement
the curriculum
through technology tools and
digital curriculum
 Maximize the use of the
fitness center
 Continue to increase the
Support Teachers with
number of electronic devices
Professional Development for
in the classroom
Common Core Implementation
(opportunities for student
access to digital information)
 Focus on Informational
 Increase usage of Education
Text, Content Area
Vocabulary, Student led
City, Stratalogica, digital
Discovery, and critical
interventions (I Ready &
thinking Document and
Lexia), and student blogging
Text-based questions.
 Consider increased efforts to
 Incorporation of Webb’s
directly instruct tech
Depth of Knowledge
standards during lab time
Framework and
 Consider increased time using
Accountable Talk
the Typing Pal program for
 Providing teachers with
grades 2-5
targeted discussion topics
 Digital Citizenship education
to be used in instructional
component for students in
focus meetings.
grades 4 and 5 through the
 Align assessments to the
Common Sense Media
Common Core State
Program
Standards and NGSS
 Increase iPad knowledge of
staff and implementation of
apps for students
 Consider computer lab time
for EC/Pre students
Goal II: To Build a Connected Learning Community
Increase communication within
Increase communication
school:
within school:
 Continue to Implement
 Data retrieval and lesson
Instructional Vertical Sharing
plan sharing utilizing
meetings twice a month to
technology
provide opportunities for
 Utilize team/department
professional growth with
meeting times for
Wonders and CCSS
instructional focus and
 Supporting “teacher leaders”
Common Core
by allowing opportunities for
 District website with
continuous collaboration and
web-enabled calendars
feedback; The CCAT team
for assignment, and
Increase communication within
school:
 Implement orientation
opportunities for families
that come mid-year
 Continue to participate in
district-wide ELL Night
 Promote additional support
for ELL families by increasing
our resources including
interpreters for
formal/informal parent
Palos School District 118
School Improvement Goals
2014-2015
leadership model supporting
activity information
a PLC
 Continued committee
 ELL mentoring program for
collaboration focusing on
parents
academic and behavioral
interventions
 Continue communication
with support staff regarding
 Increased
students during specific
communication between
team meeting days to focus
administration and
on tiered supports both
teaching staff through
academically and
daily announcements
behaviorally
page and team emails
 Team meeting focus agendas
 Continuation of the
specific to school
South Leadership Team
improvement goals; points of
 Implementation of the
discussion will be
Common Core
communicated prior to
Ambassador Team and
weekly team meetings. Team
the utilization of their
notes about discussion
expertise in instructional
emailed to entire grade level
sharing meetings, school
and support staff to increase
improvement meetings,
communication
and faculty/department
Increase communication between
meetings.
home and school:
Increase communication
 Continue a quarterly school- between home and school:
wide newsletter
 Continue to promote the
 Continue to utilize emails to
use of Skyward home
communicate in a timely
access to view grades
fashion
including progress
reports
 Phone/Email blasts to inform
parents regarding
 Continue the utilization
emergency situations and
webpages, online
important events
newsletters and online
textbooks
 Consistent update of new
school and teacher websites,
 Benchmark assessment
including homework,
data sent home to
calendars, and
parents
announcements
 Student goal setting
 Continue benchmarking data
sessions at school
sent to parents in a timely
utilizing MAP data
fashion
 Online parent –teacher
 Support home to school
conference scheduling
meetings
 Continue to support teacher
websites with ongoing
training
 Support home to school
engagement with Common
Core Family Night
 Continue to utilize emails to
communicate with parents in
a timely fashion
 Continue to support Peace
Memorial Relationships (4th
grade) and investigate senior
volunteers
Expand the connected learning
community through projectbased/service learning
opportunities:
 Continue to foster student
leadership through service
learning opportunities
 Continue service learning
projects and making
connections to real world
learning
Continue to improve staff
communication, collaboration,
and efficiency through the use of
technology:
 Utilize iPads during staff
meetings and staff
development opportunities
Palos School District 118
School Improvement Goals
2014-2015
engagement with Common
Core Family Night
Continue articulation with
elementary schools and middle
school:
 5th grade orientations for
students/parents
 CCAT team articulation with
other schools regarding
district-wide CCSS goals
 5th and 6th grade math
articulation meeting
Support local/community
resources
 Support local families in
need (School-Wide Pajama
Drive, Food drives, Pennies
for Puppies, School Supply
drive)
Partnership with local
authorities regarding
internet safety
Continue articulation with
high schools/ elementary
schools:
 Continue incoming 6th
grade South visitation
day
 Detailed student data
sharing with East and
West
 Continue administrative
and department chair
sharing with area high
schools
 Continue collaboration
meeting between 5th and
6th grade staff to assist in
the middle school
transition for our
students
Goal III: To Provide a Safe, Orderly, and Caring Learning Environment
Continue emphasis on school
security and safety:
 Safety Assemblies
 Online training, for staff,
regarding safety of students
 Implement Illinois Food
Allergy Emergency Plan
 Continue utilizing all staff to
ensure sufficient
supervision and orderly and
efficient exit
 ID check for all visitors to
building
 Implement evacuation,
lockdown and tornado
drills
 Implement drills during
unstructured times using
Continue emphasis on school
security and safety:
 Continue to utilize
handheld
communication system
within the building
 Continue to implement
adult supervision before
and after school
 Implementation of “plain
speak” crisis
management plan.
 Annual Internet Safety
Program
 Periodic evacuation drills
 Intercom practice drills
with all staff members
 Concussion training
Continue emphasis on building
security and safety:
 Continue to monitor visitor
sign-in procedures using
driver’s license scanning
 Continue drills for safety
codes/fire & disaster
according to district-wide
schedule
 Emphasis with drills during
unstructured times
 Continue utilizing the bus and
school building security
cameras
Continue to expand character
education, PBIS, and student
extra-curricular activities:
 Continue to implement the
Palos School District 118
School Improvement Goals
2014-2015
red, yellow, green cards
Continue and expand character
education, PBS, and student
connection programs:
 Monthly Outstanding
Character awards
 Refine PBS program and
incentives, including more
individual (frequent)
rewards and increasing
student participation
 School-wide leadership
award for student exhibiting
respect, honesty and
responsibility
 Quarterly school-wide
incentives
 PBS kickoff assembly to
explain expectations
 Pinwheels for Peace
 Social Worker examining
discipline data and creating
lessons to address areas of
concern; using booster
activities
Promote “Think Globally/Act
Locally” and responsible
citizenship through a variety of
wellness, environmental and
philanthropic efforts:
 Student Wellness Council
initiatives
 Student Council fundraising
 Paper recycling drive
 Establish a staff wellness
program and incentives
 Implement staff recognition
opportunities
provided to all coaches
and PE teachers
Continue and expand
character education, PBIS
and student connection
programs:
 Monthly Character
Education awards and
quarterly recognition
 Continue to increase
bullying awareness,
education, and
prevention through
assemblies
 Continue and refine
current PBIS program
and incentives
 Social Worker
presentations in
Connections
 Incorporation of the
Common Sense Media
curriculum in an effort to
educate students
regarding safe practices
with technology
Promote “Think Globally/Act
Locally” and responsible
citizenship through a variety
of wellness, environmental
and philanthropic efforts:
 IMPACT club raises
awareness of living a
healthy lifestyle
 Student council,
environmental club,
IMPACT, Club Action and
math department raise
money for worthy
charities
 Cell phone, electronics,
PBIS Program
 Expand the bucket filling
program
 Evaluate all Levels of
Intervention to support
positive student behaviors
 Continue to promote and
monitor student participation
in clubs and activities
 Improve opportunities for
students to participate in
during recess, update recess
equipment, and promote
positive behaviors
 Create school job
opportunities to be used as
interventions for
social/emotional
development
Continue to provide direct
instruction in personal safety
practices for all students:
 PFA safety programming –
Emphasis on Anti-Bully and
Internet Safety Programs
 Bus and personal safety
Expand opportunities for student
recognition/leadership:
 Continue leadership
opportunities for Student
Council and Wellness
Committee
 Recognize and promote acts
of kindness during
announcement and
assemblies
Promote “Think Globally/Act
Locally” through a variety of
wellness and environmental
activities:
• Student Wellness Council
activities
Palos School District 118
School Improvement Goals
2014-2015


lunch, and paper
recycling programs
Establish a staff wellness
program and incentives
Implement staff
recognition
opportunities
• Student Council Philanthropic
activities
• Continue school-wide Earth
Day Activities and paper
recycling program
• Establish a staff wellness
program and incentives
• Implement staff recognition
opportunities
Goal IV: To Manage and Plan for Financial Integrity
Continue to utilize funds for
student learning and school
improvement goals:
 Continue to maximize
instructional time through
the varied scheduling of
school assemblies and
activities on half days
 Support various rewards
programs (box tops, Target
card, soup labels)
 Maximize professional
development funds by
directly supporting school
improvement goals as
related to CCSS
 Purchasing more IPads with
PFA fundraising money
Save money through conservation:
 Increased use of electronic
means of communication;
i.e. shared documents for
staff agendas and meeting
notes
 Continual monitoring of
laminating and binding
requests
 Monitor light/Smart
Board/Elmo/computer
usage
Support PFA and Foundation
Continue to utilize funds for
student learning and school
improvement goals:
 Increase student
participation in
extracurricular activities
through promotion of
the many programs
 Offer morning bus routes
for Zero Hour supports
 Provide after school
activity buses to provide
students access to more
resources and
opportunities for
involvement.
 Maximizing instructional
time through the
efficient scheduling of
school assemblies
 Financially support
professional
development
opportunities that relate
to school improvement
goals
 Improved technology,
broadband, Wi-Fi, etc.
Save money through
conservation:
 Increase online
Continue to utilize funds based
upon student learning and school
improvement goals:
• Analyze instructional materials
at each grade level to
determine budgetary needs
• Maximize professional
development funds by directly
supporting school
improvement goals
 Look for creative ways to bring
instructional technology into
the classrooms (ie: grants,
donations, etc.)
Save money through
conservation:
• Expand recycling program to
include plastic products
• Increase use of electronic
communication
Publicize consumer funding
incentive programs (box tops,
soup labels, Target, etc.)
Support PFA/MPA/Foundation
fundraising efforts
 Promotion of the Cardinal
Chase and Recess Run Club
 Promotion of Oberweis
fundraiser
Maintain a balanced school
budget
Palos School District 118
School Improvement Goals
2014-2015
fundraising efforts
 More grade level
participation in PFA event in
March and Cardinal Chase
in October
 Encourage ELL night PFA
parent and participation
Maintain a balanced school budget

Streamlining grade level
field trips to target learning
standards and become
more cost effective
information
Continue school wide
recycling program
 Reduce paper
consumption through
digital progress reports,
online newsletters,
online resources, and
teacher iPads
 Tracking student
participation and
utilization of afterschool
buses
Support PFA and Foundation
fundraising efforts
Cardinal Chase
Laps for Literature
PFA Eat and Earns
Shamrock N Roll
Harvest Fest
Maintain a balanced school
budget
