1. Improve family community
The objective is to increase student, staff, and family attendance and participation in school-wide events. Initiatives to address the issues identified with forming connections within the student body and community, based on the culture and climate surveys, stakeholders are encouraged to participate in extra activities, with a particular emphasis on our new families. This is an ongoing initiative to continue involving and connecting the community to CGCS.
2. Improve school-wide writing, fluency, and structure by exploring new curriculum options and professional development
The objective is to increase student writing through development of a grade-level research, inquiry-based paper, participation in more professional development training that targets improving writing and having a head writing coach to help students develop and strengthen writing skills across grades 3rd-8th for a continuum. Grade levels will develop a writing scope and sequence with emphasis on the five-paragraph essay. This is an ongoing initiative with an intended goal of measurable growth at the end of the year, as evidenced by research papers. This will be connected to the literacy initiative for PreK-3rd grade.
3. Training and support for dealing with students with learning disabilities
The objective is to increase strategies and knowledge to help at-risk students or students with special learning abilities. The initiative is to have teachers participate in professional development and continuing education to improve strategies for working with special abilities, understanding that our resources are limited, and acceptance is dependent on diagnoses. To continue with Title tutoring programs to support students in ELA and Math growth. The intended outcome is to ensure all students are making at least one year of progress.
4. Improve the extracurricular programs offered at Captain Gilmer to increase students’ participation.
The objective is to increase diversity within the art program by adding extra after-school programs, including fine arts and STEM. Student council and yearbook are included as a creative organization. The initiative can be measured by student participation and involvement. The intended goal is to encourage different strengths not just academically but also in the form of sports, STEM organizations, and the fine arts.
5. Connecting field trips to grade-level standards and curriculum
The objective is to increase purposefully planned students’ engagements (specifically targeting middle school) via field experiences that bring the learning experience to life. The initiative is to strengthen standards through real-world connections and experiences.