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Date: 3/15/2023
EAST LONGMEADOW — Administrative leadership from all six of East Longmeadow’s schools were present for the mid-cycle data review at the School Committee’s March 13 meeting. The overall theme of the presentation was a commitment to “looking at the whole child,” as Superintendent Gordon Smith described it.
East Longmeadow Public Schools (ELPS) has set several end-of-year benchmarks for itself, including at least 90 percent of students responding favorably to questions about their own well-being, 80 percent or more students reporting their classroom is supportive and engaging and at least 95 percent of staff reporting that they feel supported. The district is also aiming for at least 80 percent of staff to report effective use of collaborative time and a decline of chronic absenteeism to under 3 percent.
At this point in the year, 88 percent of students in grades 3-5, and 92 percent of students in grade 6-12, report feeling supported and having positive relationships. Ninety percent of students in grades 3-5 feel they are part of their school community and 81 percent of students in grades 6-12 feel the same. The number of staff reporting that they are between somewhat and extremely enthusiastic about coming to work is at 89.5 percent, while just over 94 percent of staff feel they somewhat or completely belong at their schools.
On the other hand, between 31 percent and 42 percent of students say they still struggle with challenging feelings and 51 percent of staff members say stress at work has impacted their professional lives.
The district has continued offering professional development on universal design and “removing barriers” to all students, Smith said. ELPS is also continuing its rollout of “standards-aligned, social-emotional learning-integrated” curricula in the form of Wit and Wisdom, Illustrative Math, Reveal, Adios and History Alive! Director of Curriculum, Instruction and Assessment Heather Brown said this year is focused on students and teachers getting used to the curriculum.
At the elementary level, the Second Step social-emotional curriculum is used daily, as are morning meetings and community circles to check in with students’ well-being. The number of students receiving services from River Valley Counseling has almost doubled since the beginning of the year and students are also engaging with school-based counselors. The three elementary schools have taken steps to promote fun and community engagement among the students through after-school clubs, field trips, community drives, concerts and spirit days.
Birchland Park Middle School principal Timothy Allen reported that the school has partnered with academic leadership association for mentorship of 12 sixth grade students. Panorama surveys and intervention plans are used by teachers and the school has posted “Need-to-Talk?” QR codes in the hallways so students can seek out help privately. There are 36 students at Birchland Park that use River Valley Counseling with another eight students on the waiting list. There are also school wide lessons on self-regulation for students and teachers have undergone professional development focused on trauma and its impact on teaching and learning. Allen said there is a “continual focus on relationships” as it is the “number one most important thing to make middle school more enjoyable.”
At East Longmeadow High School, teachers are encouraged to share concerns with the administration about students who may not otherwise be flagged as needing help. Trends in PSAT scores are used to help guide students academically and 16 of the 18 students who retook the MCAS tests passed. Forty-three students at the high school level are receiving help from River Valley Counseling.
“The partnership [with River Vally Counseling] has been extremely valuable to us” Smith said, noting that schools do not have to rely on parents navigating how to find services for their students in need.
Smith reported that the district is also working with the Center for Leadership and Educational Equity to institute “instructional rounds,” three-hour professional development observation and discussion sessions that he said had been useful.
At this point in the year, Smith said the district needs to decide “are there [changes] going forward that we should be looking at in the spring?”
Energy Reduction Plan
East Longmeadow Director of Planning and Community Development Bailey Mitchell presented the energy reduction plan created by the town and the Pioneer Valley Planning Commission to the School Committee.
The Energy Reduction Plan is one of the five criteria needed to be named a Green Community, a designation from the state that makes grant funding available to municipalities who have taken steps to become more ecologically friendly. Both the Town Council and the School Committee must accept the plan for East Longmeadow to be considered a Green Community.
The energy conservation measures suggested in the plan are the results of a town-owned building energy audit. Mitchell emphasized that the measures are recommendations and accepting the plan does not obligate the town to act on them. By accepting the plan, however, the town is committing to reducing its energy usage by 20 percent from current levels within the next five years.
Mitchell explained that the grant funding from the green communities can pay for many of the projects needed to reach the 20 percent reduction goal, while other funding can be worked into the capital plan. If East Longmeadow does not reach its 20 percent benchmark within the five years, the town will not have to refund any grants, Mitchell assured.
School Committee member Elizabeth Marsian-Boucher told Mitchell that she was “very concerned about the high school.” She asked whether new regulations would be applied to the high school project that would result in a cost increase. Mitchell explained that the stretch energy code, already adopted by the town, was the only portion of the Green Community requirements that would add regulations.
The School Committee unanimously approved the plan.
ELHS building project
Smith announced a presentation on the East Longmeadow High School building project at ELHS on March 16 at 6 p.m. with architects and members of the building committee present to answer questions. A tour of the existing building will be available at 5:30 p.m.