Title I

What is a SCIP?

SCIP stands for School Continuous Improvement Plan. Every school in St. Paul Public Schools has a SCIP. The SCIP helps keep us focused on our goal of high academic achievement for all of our students at E-STEM. 

How do we make the SCIP?

To make our SCIP, we look at data from tests students take in school, like the MCAs, and the Access test. We also look at teacher classroom assessments, student grades and student surveys.

What is the focus of SCIP?

Every year our school chooses goals to focus on and create areas of improvement for our staff and students. This year we chose goals in 3 specific areas.

Goal 1: School Climate and Attendance 

Goal 2: Increase Math Proficiency Across all Grade Levels

Goal 3: Increase Literacy Proficiency Across all Grade Levels

 

SCIP Implementation

• To ensure the implementation of the E-STEM SCIP, the Leadership Team will...
  • Implement bi-monthly trainings to ensure staff are up to date on tools, information, and  resources to best support students.
  • Staff will be provided time during the school day to dig into testing data, troubleshoot issues and provide support for student learning
  • The Leadership team will meet monthly to review SCIP data, review goals, and track progress around the goals set for year.

 

SCIP Review

• The School SCIP will be reviewed 3 times during the year and updates provided to track our progress and how we are working to meet students needs in the areas of Climate/Attendance, Math and Literacy.

 

Questions/Feedback

• If you want would like additional information about the SCIP, are interested in getting involved in our SCIP and school, or would like to provide our school feedback on our SCIP goals please contact Principal Jocelyn Sims at 651-744-5900.
• If you would like to provide feedback here please click this link to complete a google form survey.

E-STEM Parent Compact

What Is a Family-School Compact?

● A Family-School Compact for Achievement is an agreement that parents, students and teachers develop together. It

explains how parents and teachers will work together to make sure all students get the individual support they

need to reach and exceed grade level standards.

Jointly Developed with Parents

● The parents at E-STEM Middle School helped develop this Compact for Achievement. School-wide meetings are

held each year to update the compact. Parents are welcome to contribute comments at any time.For more

information on E-STEM’s compact please contact Brett Asleson, Assistant Principal at brett.asleson@spps.org

Communicating about Learning: E-STEM is committed to communicating regularly with families about thier childs' learning.

Some of the ways you can expect us to communicate are:

• Weekly Newsletters with information from Principal Sims
• Progress Reports every 4 weeks
• Teachers will give caregivers their phone number and email at the start of the school year.

Do you have questions about your child’ progress? Parents can contact their child’ s teacher by using this link to access their child's teachers website and contact information. If parents would like to meet with their child's teacher or an administrator and need transportation, they are welcome to call the school and schedule transportation and possible child care coverage.

District Goals

District Goals Middle School Model:

• The middle school model centers around a team of teachers and advisors who work together to meet the social-emotional and academic needs of a common group of students.
• Teachers from four core subject areas (math, science, reading/writing and social studies) instruct the same group of students throughout the school day.
• Teachers, counselors, social workers, and support staff work together to provide students with lessons that help them navigate peer conflict, friendships, bullying, stress and anxiety.
• Academics include challenging core and elective courses and college and career readiness programming.
• Every student is supported for who they are and who they hope to become by honoring and celebrating their culture, race/ethnicity and gender.
• Middle schools will strengthen the English Language Arts (ELA) curriculum that expands Writers Workshop to 6th grade.
• Middle school schedules will be adjusted to a Block Schedule day to allow time for flexible scheduling, electives and a whole class period for the Foundations Advisory class.

Teachers, Parents, Students Together for Success

The grade level teams will work with students and their families to support students’ success in reading and math.

Staff will:

• Continually update Schoology with assignments and progress information
• Ensure that students who are not proficient have access to support services
• Provide silent sustained reading time for all students.
• Provide Daily Math Review for all students
• Provide students with designated writing time
• Provide small group instruction to support students at their instructional level.
• Commit to the use of Restorative Practices to ensure all students needs are met
• Parents join staff to develop ideas about how families can support student success in reading and math. Families may have additional ideas to add to this list.

Caregivers will:

• Read at home with their child.
• Have fun and explore math at home daily.
• Check Schoology weekly.
• Attend Conferences and F.A.M. meetings.
• Place appropriate limits on devices (technology)
• Contact the classroom teacher, counselor or family when they have a question or concern.
• Promote positive use of my child's iPad, ensure their iPad is charged daily • Promote positive use of extra-curricular time outside of school. Dedicate one day per week for family time.

Students will:

• Read at home at least 20 minutes per day.
• Use Successmaker on thier iPad at least 20 minutes per day.
• Check Schoology daily / weekly.
• Use thier planner each day and share it with their caregivers.
• Use their iPad for educational purposes.
• Ask their teachers for help when needed.
• Follow E-STEM School Expectations: Believe, Belong, Do Your Best●

Parent Involvement Guide

• E-STEM staff and parents joined to develop ideas about how students can succeed in school in math and reading.
• Parents thought of the following ideas to make connections between learning at home and at school:
• Volunteer/Attend Family Events, Conferences, Field Trips, Classrooms, & SCIP Updates.
• Utilize school resources: E-STEM Website, Monthly Newsletters, Schoology.
• Connect and communicate with your child’s teacher regularly for information on: Reading and math goals, class assignments, school/class events, and how to engage students at home.
• At home: Ensure that screen time is used for educational purposes and contact your child’s teacher for any questions and concerns regarding iPad use at home or in the classroom.

 

E-STEM Family Engagement Plan

Mission:

To engage students in meaningful learning that honors their strengths and supports

growth in a caring, connected community.

Vision:

E-STEM students will be curious, kind, and confident learners - ready to contribute to

their success in high school and beyond.

Collective Commitments:

1. We will create a system of interventions and extensions to ensure students who struggle receive

additional time and support for learning in a way that is timely, directive, diagnostic and systemic and

students who demonstrate proficiency can extend their learning, while maintaining access to any new

direct instruction.

2. We will work in partnership with each other, our students, families, and community.

3. We will provide space to listen to, reflect on and celebrate others’ stories and differences.

4. We will encourage individual growth and authenticity.

5. We will hold ourselves accountable to engaging with each other through a restorative lens, leading by

example.

6. We will prioritize and practice self-care in our daily lives so we can have healthy and supportive

relationships with each other.

7. We will use evidence of student learning to inform and improve the individual and collective practice of

our team.

8. We will be organized into collaborative teams and will use the time and structure during the regular

work day to collaborate with colleagues on specific issues that impact student learning.

9. We will work collaboratively rather than in isolation, take collective responsibility for student learning,

and clarify the commitments they make to each other about how they will work together.

10. We will remain a trusting, learning environment where everyone feels safe to try and learn from their

failures by acknowledging that growth requires vulnerability and reflection.

The Family Engagement Plan (FEP) is organized into four impact areas: Welcoming Environment, Family Partnerships, Community Partnerships and Teaching and Learning. Families and staff developed this plan together to build positive and goal-oriented relationships in each area.

Welcoming Environment 

Our school has staff members available for families  to discuss this plan and ask questions.

• Principal: Jocelyn Sims
• Assistant Principals: Brett Asleson and Nicole Staab
• Counselor: Courtnie Conyers and Courtney Queen
• Social Worker: Nick Keller, Jennifer Harper & Hawa Sirleaf-Harris
• Family Liaison/Cultural Specialist: Kristy Pierce, Patrick Gee & Eric Brown   

Our school communicates with families in many ways. Our school communicates with families in many ways.

• Families at E-STEM are sent a weekly e-mailed bulletin by Ms. Sims, the Principal. The weekly email explains events and announcements that are happening around the building. (New info, Celebrations, Flipside, Athletics, Teacher Requests, & Old News).
• Grades and attendance can be monitored through Schoology which can be activated by contacting the school office. All families are encouraged to register and are trained in Schoology at their request.
• Families can stay informed of daily/weekly class happenings by checking Schoology.
• All teachers stay connected with families through Schoology, phone, e-mail contacts, caregiver Portal and conferences.
• Family One Stop has been made with all necessary information and resources for families in one spot.
• All school events will be announced through Finalsite/Smore emails and phone calls. All Finalsite/Smore communications are made in English, Spanish, Hmong, Karen and Somali.
• Our school website is updated with important information on a regular basis. We encourage families to visit it often at http://spps.org/estem
• When families call, email or send a note, we do our best t0 respond within 24 hours.
• PPO (caregiver Power Organization) meetings are held monthly. Meetings address community building, principal update, upcoming events and an educational topic such as: Restorative Practices, Adolescence, Self-Esteem, Grading, Personalized Learning (iPads), utilizing Schoology and Cultural and Race Related Topics.
• Office staff are available during school hours to answer questions.
• E-STEM Middle School will host informational events for our families throughout the year. They include: Incoming 6th grade Registration, 5th grade “Experience E-STEM”, PPO, Open House, Honor Roll and 3B Assemblies, Cultural Celebrations, Band/Orchestra/Choir Concerts
• WEB students will meet and greet, hand out fliers and be available to answer questions at all school events.
• Interpreters will be available as needed.
• Agendas and Sign-ins will be kept for each event.
• Weekly electronic announcements keep families informed.

The achievement gap between students of color and white students in Saint Paul Public Schools (SPPS) is unacceptable. Our school is working to change practices and systems by identifying the barriers that make it harder for students of color to succeed and their families to support their learning.

• The Leadership Team guides the focused racial equity work at E-STEM Middle School.
• Staff at E-STEM are committed to embedding equity work through the use and belief of Restorative Practices.
• Instruction is a focus for all staff and is the focus in PLC’s, through culturally responsive instruction
• Caregivers, families and community members are given a chance to voice their concerns and provide counter-narratives throug
• Monday: Restorative Practice Circles
• Tutoring Tuesday is an intervention targeted to help close the achievement gap.
• Native American affinity groups
• Sankofa Reading Program
• Transitions between schools can be challenging and we work to help families as their children start and leave school.
  • “Experience E-STEM” 5th Grade Feeder School Visits to E-STEM
  • WEB Wednesdays with 6th graders
  • Showcase night
  • Registration night
  • Meet and Greet in May for our incoming 6th graders and their families
  • Camp E-STEM in August before school starts
  • Family Orientation meeting for all new students to E-STEM
  • Open House
• Moving Up and Moving On a day focused on transitioning 8th graders to high school and preparing them for the rigorous work and change in schedule for the next 4 years.

Family Partnerships

Our school-caregiver compact establishes the shared responsibility for student success between the school, families, and students. Families and teachers work together to develop the compact.

• Copies of the compact are available at all school events and on our website.
• The compact will be updated: In the Spring of each school year after seeking feedback from families.

There are many opportunities for families to build connections to the school and to each other.

• Title I Annual Meeting is held in Fall, Winter and Spring to update families on how we are meeting our SCIP goals.
• Incoming 6th grade Registration, 5th grade “Experience E-STEM”, FUN RUN, PPO., Open House, Honor Roll and 3B Assemblies, Cultural Celebrations, Band/Orchestra/Choir Concerts, caregiver Power Organization (PPO) meets monthly.
• Topics are caregiver focused and suggested.
• E-STEM caregivers are given the opportunity to volunteer at all events hosted at E-STEM. Families can support their students at after school events such as sports and performances.

We work to make these meetings and events available for every family in the school.

• Student Progress is available to families at each quarter mid-way point and at the end of each quarter.
• Interpreters are provided for all school events when needed.
• Families can utilize the Carson’s Clothes Closet when in need.
• Families without internet capabilities will be given the option to receive paper copies of our electronic communications.
• We will have interpreters available when needed. SPPS interpreters will provide translations of paper materials when requested.
• E-STEM will use Blackboard Connect for email and text communications with families as needed.

Our school supports families as advocates and provides opportunities for caregiver leadership

• If a caregiver has a concern about a child’s learning, they are encouraged to contact their child’s teacher or counselor via phone, email or in person.
• All caregivers are invited to volunteer for a variety of events and attend our PPO. meetings.
• Caregiver leader(s) will develop and support our PPO
• School administrative team continually encourages feedback from families.
• Caregivers have an opportunity to review and contribute to any editing of the E-STEM Compact and E-STEM Family Engagement Plan (FEP) in the spring.
• A caregiver survey will be sent to the families at the beginning and end of the school year.

Our school shares information about student achievement with families in multiple ways.

• Grade Reports will be made available seven times a year through Campus/Schoology.
• Family-Teacher conferences are held in the fall and spring. E-STEM teaches families awareness and understanding of Schoology.
• School administrative team continually informs families about student achievement at all school events.
• Student achievement is incorporated at all school events:. Incoming 6th grade Registration, 5th grade “Experience E-STEM” , PPO, Open House, Honor Roll and 3B Assemblies, Cultural Celebrations, Band/Orchestra/Choir Concerts

Our school will engage families in Personalized Learning as a key strategy to accelerate student achievement, as these changes come to our school

• All students will be given an iPad for the school year.
• Professional Development opportunities related to iPad use in the classroom are provided for staff on a regular basis.
• Support in utilizing Schoology will be offered to caregivers at all open houses and Family-Teacher Conferences.
• Our Technology Specialists are available to families to assist with questions at all times.
• Students will facilitate family learning regarding technology in the classroom.

After school enrichment and support opportunities are available for students

• Our Extended Day Learning (EDL) program offers several after school enrichment programs including academic, and extension options:
• Athletics Department/Sports, Extended Day Learning (EDL), Cooking Class & Lego Robotics

Community Partnerships

Our school develops community partnerships to provide additional support for students and their families

• E-STEM offers support to our students through Junior Achievement, the University of Minnesota, Change Inc, Starbase and Worldstrides.