CHS D-CAPS

Assistance to regular education classroom teachers, such as professional development that will help them analyze and accommodate various students’ learning needs, and to manage students’ behavior effectively

• Examination and analysis of RTI methods
• Peer Tutoring at all levels including tutoring for incoming students offered by NHS students
• MCAS math, ELA and science and reading after school tutoring
• “At Risk” Team
• Cooperative and team teaching for inclusion classes
• ESL teaching staff and district wide ESL coordinator
• Section 504 Coordinator
• Paraprofessionals assist regular education teachers
• Inclusion training and some opportunities for common planning
• Professional development in reading, writing, and literacy across the curriculum (district wide)
• Paraprofessional training and SPED workshops offered through FLLAC
• Systematic tracking system that examines students’ individual goals and interests throughout their high school career
• Use of EWIS and Edwin Analytics to track students’ strengths and weaknesses according to MCAS testing results
• Use of MA Model system and use of Mass Core in Guidance through programs, classrooms based interventions and group or individual counseling to reinforce academic or technical achievement, workplace readiness or career planning and personal or social development.
• Use of Naviance college data management system in Guidance by students for post-secondary planning.  This system helps students gain a better understanding of individual learning styles.
• Use of advisor/advisee program where each teacher will oversee 12 students’ individual growth over four years through homeroom and an 8^th class period one time monthly.

Support services that are available to students through the regular education program, including services to address the needs of students whose behavior may interfere with learning

• Two Guidance Counselors, one bilingual
• Implementation of accommodations through instruction
• School wide agenda system
• Perkins School counselors - 3x/week
• School Nurse
• Three orientation opportunities offered to incoming students, one in the summer and two during the school year
• Introduction/Orientation program offered for 9^th grade students
• Social Worker – 1x/week
• Ongoing communication with You Inc. and DCF
• Valley Psychiatric Counselor- 2x/week
• Step Up to Excellence Mentoring Program:  http://www.stepuptoexcellence.org/
• GAEL Mentoring Program that focuses upon fostering adjustment, support and academic success of incoming freshmen.  (Junior/freshmen pairings)
• Implementation and analysis of Student Success Plans
• Implementation and continued analysis of Educational Proficiency Plans for those students who do not score at a 240 or above, and not below a 220 on the grade 10 ELA and math MCAS
• 45 day diagnostic program
• School Wide Crisis Team
• Use of in school suspension program when appropriate
• G.A.E.L.S. Award offered to those students who show achievement outside of school
• Systematic shadowing program for incoming students from December-April
• New Comers Club – for transfer students
• Use of the advisor/advisee model where students can connect with at least one adult in the building aside from their guidance counselor for the four years of their high school career

Direct and systematic instruction in reading and literacy development for all students

• Utilization of School Wide Rubrics for Reading & Writing
• Consistent implementation of Learning Standards across disciplines
• Clear and consistent benchmarks, aligned with Frameworks
• MCAS preparation courses, materials, and tutoring
• Extended library hours
• After school tutoring
• Freshman Seminar requirement paired with English requirement
• SAT Preparation class offered to students and use of the SAT Method Online Course
• Emphasis on critical thinking, writing and open-ended response writing through use of essential questions
• Offering of PSAT exam to students during the academic day
•  Library support staff
• Distance/On line Learning through VHS Program
• Use of writing/portfolio systems
• Availability for middle school students to take high school classes for credit at CHS
• Bilingual homework club

Encouragement of teacher mentoring and collaboration

• District-wide Mentor Coordinators
• New/beginning Teacher induction program
• Mentoring Beginning Teachers Training Program
• One-to-one mentoring for new teachers by trained mentors
• Common planning time, when available

Changes to the school schedule, such as additional instructional time or block scheduling

• Modified Block Schedule
• Peer tutoring
• MCAS preparation classes
• Extended Library Hours
• Assigned testing days
• Implementation of homerooms and advisor/advisee period between staff and students including the Day 8 advisory period

Ongoing assessment of local curriculum in relation to state learning standards

• All high school curriculum guides updated and aligned with state frameworks during the NEAS&C accreditation process and continuation of this process
• Adherence to the Common Core State Standards through ongoing updates, alignments, assessments and a demonstration of a solid understanding of their expectations
• District-wide Curriculum Committee meets 4x yearly.
• Implementation of Engineering program for all 9^th graders, “Engineering of the Future”
• Use of pacing guides and interim testing to ensure consistency through instruction
• Use of departmental rubrics that reflect school wide rubrics
• Adoption of the BYOD (Bring Your Own Device) model as a means to offer the most current curriculum in a technology-driven society
• Monthly meeting of the District-wide Curriculum Committee
• Continued use of Kindle readers in ELA classrooms

Review of school policies and discipline codes

• Yearly revisions to Student Handbook based upon student and school needs
• ·Development of yearly School Improvement Plan through collaboration with the School Council
• Revised High School Safety, Internet, and Evacuation policies
• Implementation of the District-Wide Safety Committee
• Implementation of School Wide Safety Committee
• Collaboration with local police, fire and school resource officer
• School Choice student entrance and exit interviews
• Adoption of a school-wide vision statement and core values that reflect our students’ involvement and active participation in a diverse and ever-changing community.
• Maintaining school wide drop out rate as less than 3%
• Adherence to and implantation of policies regarding civil rights

Additional staffing or consultation on behavioral issues and literacy development

• Mentoring Program
• Consulting Clinical Child Psychologist – utilized on an “as needed” basis
• Relationships with DYS, DCF, Probation, Juvenile Court, Police and application for CRA when needed
• Inter-Agency meetings
• SAT Prep classes in the evenings
• Additional on-site counseling services provided by Community Healthlink, Perkins, DCF, You Inc. and Valley Psychiatric Services
• End of the year grade 8 transition program promoting summer reading and math study programs

After-school options such as homework assistance and peer coaching

• MCAS Academic Support grant program
• Peer Tutoring by NHS members at CHS & CMS
• Extended Library hours
• Extra-curricular activities (sports, clubs, government)
• Tutoring Program and Collaboration with Clinton Middle School
• Bilingual Homework Club

Strategies for using or increasing the use of community agencies and volunteers to assist students and teachers

• Mentoring Program
• Recognition of Youth of the Month and Youth of the Year by the Clinton Exchange Club
• Publication of the Green Scene in collaboration with local newspaper
• School Improvement Council
• Senior Project internship opportunities
• Clinton Community Classroom internships
• Nypro/FIRST partnership
• March Madness (student-staff volleyball tournament)
• Faculty vs. Students Sporting Events 
• Development of the Community Informational outreach Program to promote community awareness and involvement in current affairs and offer CHS as a learning center for the community
• Collaboration with the Exchange Club on the Cyber Safety Program
• Student participation in the Excel Club and community outreach
• WHEAT cooperative programs
• Partnership with Leominster Credit Union
• NHS service projects
• Continued partnership with the District Attorney’s office to offer informational sessions on issues concerning high school students
• Use of the school website as an outreach tool for parents and guardians