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Grimes School teachers learn about data-driven instruction in professional development

Woman presenting to teachers.
Grimes School teachers learn about data-driven instruction in professional development

Teachers at Grimes School gathered in a classroom for an early morning professional development session on data-based decision making on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Teachers received a presentation from representatives from the Lower Hudson Regional Partnership Center of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), with an emphasis on special education. They were introduced to the data-management processes they will utilize during the school year.

The goal for the end of the 2024-2025 school year is for 90% of teachers in special education or combined general education and special education classrooms to engage in monthly data-based decision making meetings. They will use Fundations, a learning program guided by the science of reading, to assess students. They will also use other early literacy assessments such as the Unique Learning System to collect data and inform instruction.

“Because the school initiative last year and this year is Fundations, we’re really trying to match and align the school initiatives to our goals,” said Dr. Anna Massaro, specially designed instruction specialist for the Lower Hudson Regional Partnership Center at Putnam-North Westchester BOCES. “So, we’re looking at the Fundations data and being able to determine how to drive instruction based on how the students are doing with the data and also to make strategic interventions and then be able to provide that specially designed instruction. 

Driving instruction with data allows teachers to see which students need more support, what they are struggling with and how to help them improve. Ultimately, this program’s objective is to improve outcomes for students with disabilities. 

Students will be analyzed on an individual level rather than as a group, allowing teachers to see which students need more support. Specially designed instruction will be implemented for students to help close gaps in learning.

Teachers received a fidelity checklist, which outlines the steps towards successfully utilizing data. The main steps are establishing a collaborative process, using the process, determining instructional action steps, delivering instruction and adjusting instruction based on student outcomes. 

To support this data management work, teachers at Grimes School will go through training, coaching and assessment. They will hold one teacher data meeting per month and receive support from BOCES in the classroom and during preparation and planning. 

Presenter speaking to classroom of teachers.
Presenter explaining BOCES partnerships.
Woman presenting while other woman helps a teacher.
Teacher presenting.

 

Student presenting Hispanic Heritage Project.
Grimes School fifth graders present projects for Hispanic Heritage Month

Carmelle Terriblé's fifth-grade class at Grimes School enthusiastically celebrated Hispanic Heritage Month by selecting a notable Hispanic figure or country to research. The students put in great effort, diving deep to find valuable and relevant information for their projects. They then curated engaging and detailed PowerPoint presentations, showcasing their findings to an audience that included their parents, principal, and teachers. The presentations highlighted their hard work, creativity, and newfound appreciation for Hispanic culture and heritage.

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Woman presenting to teachers.
Grimes School teachers learn about data-driven instruction in professional development

Teachers at Grimes School gathered in a classroom for an early morning professional development session on data-based decision making on Wednesday, September 25, 2024. Teachers received a presentation from representatives from the Lower Hudson Regional Partnership Center of the Board of Cooperative Educational Services (BOCES), with an emphasis on special education. They were introduced to the data-management processes they will utilize during the school year.

Group picture of students, teacher and police.
Mount Vernon Police Department officers thank Grimes School students for letters

Mount Vernon Police Department Chief Marcel Olifiers, Captain Gregory Addison and two patrol women visited Kristine Brooks' sixth grade class at Grimes School on Monday, September 16, 2024. The police officers thanked the students and their teacher for letters the class sent them on 9/11 thanking them for their service.

Grimes School Debate Club
Grimes School students in Debate Club receive medals for in-school tournament

The Grimes School Debate Club engaged in a tournament at Grimes School last month about animal testing, where the topic was, “Should animal testing be banned in the United States.” The debate was held with the American Debate League, and students competed against other students in the Debate Club at Grimes. The team received medals for their performance.

Grimes cook book
Grimes School eighth graders create community cookbook

Eighth grade students at Grimes School recently completed their Civic Readiness Project, a community cookbook catering to the residents of Mount Vernon specifically. Civic Readiness Projects allow students to demonstrate their civic knowledge through research and problem solving.

Families playing games at math night.
Grimes School holds Family Fun Math Night

Grimes School held Family Fun Math Night on Thursday, May 16, 2024. Families played educational games together and had a fun-filled night together at school.