Jack Abrams STEM SDM Committee Sets Goals
November 14, 2023
The Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School Shared Decision Making Committee adopted three school based team goals for the 2023/24 school year.
Jack Abrams School is led by Principal Donna Moro. Teacher Heather A. Barfuss is the school based team member who signed the team goals forms.
An action plan accompanies each of the three goals. The separate plans lay out how the school intends to accomplish each goal.
Goal No. 1.
Increase parent engagement through expanded communication pathways and offer opportunities for students and families to share cultural backgrounds and make connections.
Action Plan
1. Cultural immersion gallery walk: Students will explore different countries/cultures from around the world. Each class will make a representation of their learning. Students will engage in a grade level gallery walk followed by a parent event.
2. Continue to provide targeted parent engagement evenings (i.e. RtI Game night)
3. Expand student communication of upcoming events; students are great communicators with their families. Our goal is to make sure students are informed of all upcoming events. We will do this by:
• Use of lobby and lunch room TV advertisements.
• Update student council bulletin board with upcoming events that will be shared with each teacher.
• Teachers will promote awareness of upcoming events by playing the student council video.
• The Newspaper Club will create a one-page “Here is what is happening . . .” notice to be shared with students.
• Ensure that student council representatives are 5-10 minutes followed each student council meeting to share what they are working on.
• Increase signage at arrival and dismissal to spread the word about upcoming events.
Goal No. 2
Increase opportunities for students to feel represented and connected to teachers and the larger school community. Increase student exposure to leadership through community service events.
Action Plan
• The expansion of the House System will include student leaders called House Ambassadors.
• House meetings will begin this year with House Ambassadors leading their house in identifying a house charity they will support throughout the year.
• Create a connection between PTA and the STEM student council. Students will participate in PTA meetings to share their ideas and gain support for their community service events.
• Promote the Box Top for Education program through STEM PTA and student council with all money raised being put toward student selected school programs.
• Plan a spring Community Market Day weekend event where families and students work together to raise money for house charities.
Goal No. 3
Increase student focus on wellness by expanding access to student support services and offering opportunities for students to engage in healthy lifestyle choices.
Action Plan
• Expand the school mentoring program.
• Continue to offer 20 minute mental health intervention programs that will be delivered to all students in all grade levels.
• Support a house walkathon or color run.
• Support awareness of healthy lifestyle choices through lobby and lunch room TV advertisements.
• Through the school’s health curriculum, students will explore healthy lifestyle choices and create posters demonstrating their learning.