Dear Mr. Huntley:

The Lisbon Central School District is pleased to have the opportunity to increase our participation in the Learner Centered Classroom/Standards Focused Initiative under the Targeted Instructional Staff Development grant.

During the 1999-00 school year two of our teachers participated as Pilot Teachers and as we watched their professional growth through new methodology in their classrooms we were also impressed at the academic growth of their students in both the education and special education programs.

Each of the fifteen teachers in this year's program have requested that their personal Professional Growth Plan (PGP) include that their Annual Professional Performance Review (APPR) be completed in a unique manner rather than the traditional classroom observation/evaluation. During the past year the district offered in-service training in reading/writing in the content areas and preparation tbr increased student assessment. Our Academic Intervention Services (AIS) includes the means to provide increased individual services to students

This past summer found our teachers in grades K-12 meeting to prioritize the curriculum and our strategy this year and into next year will be to provide the staff development opportunities needed to fill any "holes" that individuals or departments have found. In bringing continuity to our K-12 curriculum in our core classes and in our specialized programs such as occupational education we will reduce and eliminate redundancy.

Our "lead" teachers spent a significant amount of time at this summer's conference determining how best to pull the team of "15" together as fall approached. Although we have been in session for only two weeks I have already seen many unique ways in which they have found to interact and share throughout the school day-early morning coffee/donuts a lunch bunch, sharing study hall time.

At the Lisbon Central School Board of Education meeting of August 9, 2000 the Board passed a motion to contribute $4,440 for our financial contribution to this initiative. In addition, the Superintendent and Board have permitted administrative time during the summer and throughout the school to attend meetings and work with staff.  Team members are also receiving the support of the Board and administration is being released during Staff Development Days for Project activities and in permitting team members to share field trip activities (covering the necessary substitutes with district funds), classroom observations, and sharing time.

I believe that this is an excellent use of grant funds and would invite members of the grant committee to visit Lisbon Central School to see how grant funds are being used for the growth and education of staff and students.
 

Karen L. Cunningham Jr./Sr. High Principal

Pc Nir. Don Nlesibov

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