Nicolas Jr. High School
-
Principal: Mauricio Gormaz
School Site Council Approval Date: November 15, 2021
STATE PROGRAM FUNDS | ESTIMATED FUNDS
- LCFF Supplemental 302 | $ 201,435
-
LCFF Base 304 | $ 120,048
FEDERAL Program Funds | Estimated Funds
-
Title I Economically Disadvantaged 212 | $ 224, 679
School Mission/Vision
-
Mission Statement:
Nicolas Junior high School students are innovators and mindful citizens who are determined, capable and focused.
Vision Statement:
The students of Nicolas Junior High School are future innovators, who through personal determination and focus, will pursue a path of lifelong learning and cultivate their community.
Goals
-
Goal 1
Student Achievement
● The percentage of students in grades 7-8 scoring in levels 1 and 2 ("not meeting State Standards") on the 2021 - 2022 Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) will decrease by at least 10% from the 2018 - 2019 results in both ELA and Math.
Major Initiatives, Actions and Services to Improve Student Achievement
- Teachers will implement State Adopted Common Core Curriculum Standards.
- Each Departmental PLC Team will collaborate to review standards and curriculum to ensure all content within the curriculum is being taught and that 100% of students demonstrate mastery on identified Guaranteed and Visible Standards.
- All departments will actively participate in curriculum planning days to ensure that the curriculum pacing is being implemented with fidelity and that teachers are collaborating on appropriate utilization of curricular materials to support student needs based on multiple measures of assessment.
- Curriculum goals and expected outcomes will be communicated to students and parents.
- Ongoing training in the area of Common Core and Visible Innovation will be implemented school-wide, with the infusion of STEM viewed as the common thread for cross-curricular planning.
- Support for Best Practices in Classroom Instruction
- District supported Marzano strategies and lesson design
- Professional Development and coaching for the implementation of Marzano strategies on-site and High-Reliability Schools.
- Implementation of key Guaranteed and Viable Standards and subsequent teacher training
-
Goal 2
Technology and Digital Literacy
● All Nicolas Students and Staff will have access to and demonstrate mastery of 21st Century learning tools, resources, and skills in support of relevant and rigorous learning experiences.
Major Initiatives, Actions and Services to Improve Student Achievement
- Implementation of AVID strategies with the intent of implementation lessons learned at the AVID summer institute
- Conferences/workshops/training for electives teachers
- Implementation of an ELD curriculum to support language acquisition.
- Multi-Tier intervention RTI Instructional/Behavioral support systems are offered throughout the day with Social Service Assistants, instructional aides, and a mental health professional and intern.
- Push-in RSP/SDC ELA classes are offered to assist students in meeting IEP goals in ELA and Math.
- Intensive small group intervention classes strategically offered based on student instructional need
- Support for teacher planning, collaboration, and student success.
- Instructional staff will be given release time to design instruction based on student performance
- Instructional staff will be given release time to visit other school sites
- Support for Understanding of 21st Century Standards
- Instructional strategies/lessons that focus on critical thinking
- Leveraging technology to engage students in real-world global learning and experiences (CNC Milling Machine, 3D Printers)
- Create an understanding of learning environments of "personalized learning"
- Robotics support, instructional planning, and student access
- Instruction that is focused on Design Thinking.
- Instruction that leverages STEM to apply real-world problems and solutions.
- Support for District Technology. TOSA's to blend content and technology for 21st-century environments and outcomes. To help with the implementation of Design Thinking
- Personalized learning/ gamification
- One to one iPad access for all students
- Share best practices from teachers who utilize 21st-century skills, strategies, or environments.
- Provide release time to observe and plan for implementation.
- Support teacher leaders who utilize 21st-century skills and environments to present during site PD days.
- Support for School and Community Success
- Parent education presentations for home support i.e. power school.
- Access to the internet for home use.
- Parent Technology Classes
-
Goal 3
Safe and Secure Environment
● Nicolas will provide a welcoming, safe and secure environment for all members of our school community.
Major Initiatives, Actions and Services to Improve Student Achievement
- Promote positive relationships among adults, between adults and students, and among students through professional development.
- Create a school environment where students and staff are likely to feel safe and comfortable at school.
- Provide all resources required for a positive classroom environment.
- Support school-wide activities such as assemblies, concerts, classroom competitions, and celebrations.
- Infuse STEM and the Arts across all content areas.
- Provide a warm and welcoming Parent Center.
- Exemplify and promote a positive and friendly campus culture.
- Buildings will be clean, orderly, well maintained, free of clutter, and well lit.
- Student work and achievement are highlighted and displayed in classrooms and public areas. Excellence in customer service is emphasized.
- College-going culture will be evidenced around campus with multiple murals showing community pride.
- Emphasize the importance of positive physical, mental, and emotional health for students and adults.
- The Campus will be maintained to emphasize safety for all staff and students.
- Regular drills will be held to support emergency preparedness.
- A detailed emergency plan is in place and all staff members understand their roles in the event of an emergency.
- Emergency Supplies are kept on-site and updated on an annual basis.
- A detailed Safe School Plan and Safe School Action Plan are in place.
- Supporting excellence in attendance/academics.
- SSOAR- Attendance recovery Saturday School.
- Positive Attendance incentives and recognition.
- Annual Award Ceremonies
- Principal Honor Roll
- Working with community leaders to support student programs.
- PBIS conferences and support
-
Goal 4
Parent Engagement
● Nicolas will support excellent communication among all members of our school community and within our District and city and geographic area at large to support school activities, support parent advocacy, and support for students in their home environments through Champions of Learnings, PTSA, SSC, ELAC, and our
Social Service Assistants.
Major Initiatives, Actions and Services to Improve Student Achievement
School Activities
- Supporting School Home communication
- School Administration and Classroom Teachers will establish positive communication before the start of the school year.
- Information will be disseminated to families describing school programs and events, policies, and procedures.
- The school will communicate via phone, e-mail, and PowerSchool to inform all families of current events, celebrate success, and support academic excellence.
- Personal phone calls and face-to-face meetings will ensure that important information is conveyed directly.
- Teachers will make communication learning goals and work expectations to students.
- Teachers will promote positive communication and celebrate success.
- Staff to student communication will be made through a variety of communication tools such as e-mail, phone, face to face, and announcements.
- Clear and timely communication between the school and the District will be accomplished through effective use of e-mail, text message, and direct contact.
- District information will be effectively conveyed to members of school staff and community as is pertinent.
- Nicolas will utilize social media (Facebook and Twitter) to promote school programs, practices, events, and to celebrate success.
- Nicolas will develop a positive working relationship with local news organizations such as the OC Register, Fullerton Tribune, and Fullerton Observer.
Advisory and Advocacy Roles
- Parents will be informed and have a voice in matters of advocacy for students and families.
- Nicolas will serve as a conduit for support and services available to families throughout the wider community culminating in an annual resource fair.
- Nicolas will participate in community events such a Face of Fullerton, the All the Arts Pin Auction, and the Toast to Learning Event
- Positive communication skills will be promoted through parent meetings, classroom discussions, curricular connections, and one-to-one conversation. o Nicolas will support District events and promote active participation of our parent community at district level meetings
Activities to Support Learning at Home
- Powerschool outreach, enrollment, and workshops. o Resources from throughout our community will be coordinated to ensure that all parents understand ways in which to help students at home.
- Office Staff and Administration will be available to families to support as needed throughout the school day.
- Parents will have Nicolas's support in coordinating support and advocacy for students, and District Programs that help families in the home.
- Nicolas will practice positive communication with local high schools and colleges.