Our Vision

The vision of Baltimore School is to empower all students through the acquisition of knowledge.

 

Our Mission Statement

The mission of Baltimore School is to develop and foster a positive, creative and challenging learning environment; where all students have the opportunity to develop their potential as thinking, caring, confident, life-long learners. We dedicate ourselves to doing this by promoting academic excellence, respectful behavior and creating the best possible student-centered classroom learning that will collaboratively use students, teachers, parents, and community members to achieve these goals.

 

Our Belief Statements

At Baltimore School we believe that:

­  teaching/learning is a life-long process for all stakeholders (students, teachers, and parents) whereby all teaching/learning is student-focused, considering the individual needs and learning styles of each student.

­  a safe and caring environment must be evident in all classes and throughout the school; all stakeholders must contribute to school spirit and community pride.

­  establishing open communication and positive relationships foster an environment conducive to learning and for promoting respect.

­  teachers are knowledgeable in the courses they teach and will work with colleagues and improve professionally in order to adapt to changing needs and demands in the classroom.

­  student achievement and learning are enhanced when students are prepared for school, are motivated and are taught using a variety of strategies.

­  all stakeholders make use of available resources to offer a strong academic program enhanced with extra-curricular and co-curricular activities.

 

Table of Contents

Message from the Director of Education

Message from Principal

Message from School Council

Overview of School

Our School Community

Key Highlights/Special Projects

Partnerships

3-4 Year School Development Plan

Summary Report on the School’s Most Current Data

School Developman Plan for Current School Year

Appendix A – Summary of School Fundraising

Message from the Director of Education

The strategic plan of the Eastern School District identifies the mission of our District to enhance achievement and success for all students, within a healthy, active, safe, caring and socially-just learning environment.  We are supported by a strong team of professionals both at the school and district level who work diligently to achieve the goals of our individual school plans.

 

This report is an opportunity for schools to highlight the challenges and  successes experienced over the past year.  It celebrates the accomplishments of the school as it works to achieve its stated goals.  Success is possible when teachers, parents, and community members work together in a supportive and collaborative manner.

 

I encourage you to review this report, reflect upon the information and discuss with your school’s administrators and teachers items of interest.  It is the ongoing dialogue and engagement that maintains the commitment to our goal of enhanced learning for all.

 

I would like to congratulate each school for their dedication to learning and teaching as evidenced by this Annual School Report.

FORD RICE

 

Message from Principal

The 2008-2009 school year proved to be another successful year at Baltimore School.  We had many outstanding events this past year, including very solid results on all our CRT and Public exams.  The school spirit and overall feeling within the building was exceptionally positive and we hope to grow upon this in the upcoming year.

 

In regards to our school growth and development, we have completed the third and final year of our new School Development Plan. The school community has been very supportive of our efforts thus far and there is an understanding that the process is a very important one for our school and that will ultimately affect the performance of children in the classroom.

 

Work began late in the year to continue our school growth through the development of a new 3 year plan.  This plan will be in place at the beginning of the new school year and will reflect the input gathered through surveys, focus groups and the entire review of our current procedures.  All stakeholders were very willing to provide input in order to aid the continued progress of students academic and social well being.

 

The administration of Baltimore School would like to thank all stakeholders, parents, staff and community members, for their continued support as we continue to provide a safe and caring environment that allows students to learn to the best of their ability in the quest to life-long learning. It is through your interest and never ending generosity that we are able to provide the extra programs that are available to our students. The endless hours of volunteering, and tremendous parental support are allowing us to build on our strengths and plan solutions for our future.  Thank you to all who have provided the leadership and guidance that was necessary to make this process both productive and operational, and we look forward to the fruits of our effort.

 

Sincerely,

Darrell Budgell, Principal                   Rosemary Hartery-Brophy, Assistant Principal

 

Message from School Council

On behalf of the Baltimore School Council, I would like to congratulate the staff and students on another successful year. There were many accomplishments, for both academics and sports, in the year 2008-2009. The school involvement of the staff and students is highly recognized by parents and the community and is greatly appreciated. We wish you all the best for the new school year.

Best Regards,

Natalie Davidson

Chairperson

Baltimore School Council

Year 2008 - 2009

 

Our School Community

Baltimore School is located in the historic community of Ferryland on the Southern Shore, the Irish Heart of Newfoundland. It takes its name from the great English explorer, Lord Baltimore who settled Ferryland in 1621.

The school was originally built in 1969, however due to an accidental fire in 1979 the school was totally destroyed and was rebuilt in 1980. Expansions which occurred in 1998 resulted in the schools present appearance. Baltimore School was originally built as a Senior High School, however today it encompasses all grades, Kindergarten to Level III.

Baltimore School is part of the Eastern School District. Our school offers Kindergarten to Level 3 and currently has an enrolment of 288 students.  98% of our student population is bussed from 11 surrounding communities: Brigus South, Cape Broyle, Admiral's Cove, Calvert, Ferryland, Aquafort, Fermeuse, Kingman's Cove, Port Kirwan, Renews and Cappahayden.  This year the school had a total of 24.75 teaching units which include administration, one guidance counselor, a physical education teacher, one French teacher, one music teacher, a technology teacher, one challenging needs and 3.25 special needs teachers. Our support staff included two student assistants with a combined total of 7.5 hours per day, a maintenance-custodian, a custodian, two cleaners and a secretary. In addition to school-based staff, we have access to district office staff including a speech language pathologist, educational psychologist, ESL specialist, and program specialists.  The talent, hospitality, and support of the southern shore is definitely alive and well at Baltimore School.

 

Programs Provided

Baltimore School offers the prescribed curriculum as set out by the Department of Education of Newfoundland and Labrador. We strive to make course offerings to students at all academic levels so that they can achieve successes in their individual program. In all core subject areas we have continued to offer a general, academic and advanced stream. We continue to prepare our students for the high standards that will be demanded of them once they leave school and enter an increasingly competitive job market in an information driven economy.

 

Our school offers the entire provincially prescribed curriculum from Kindergarten to Grade 9.  At the High School level, 42 courses are offered including Math 3205, Math 3207, French 3200, Physics 3204 and Chemistry 3202 through CDLI.

 

Student Support Services

Student Support Services at Baltimore School consists of 3.75 Special Education teaching units and 1.0 Guidance Counselor allocation. Special Education teachers are responsible for providing Pathways supports to students requiring assistance as determined by comprehensive assessments and ISSP’s(Individual Support Services Plan) or IEP's (Individual Education Plans). Special Education teachers work with students who have Identified Exceptionalities by providing such services as oral testing and scribing, as well as, developing and teaching alternate courses. Guidance counseling services include such services as individual and group counseling, comprehensive assessment, post-secondary school counseling, ISSP/IEP and pathways consultation, Tutoring for Tuition Facilitation, interagency involvement and Senior High course selection. In addition to those services mentioned above, special education teachers and the guidance counselor will be using the Referral Tracking System which is the provincial database for monitoring and managing all assessments completed in our school. Student assistants are also provided to the school by the school district to support teachers in meeting severe physical, personal care and behavior management needs of students.

 

Key Highlights/Special Projects undertaken at School

Drama	Academic Awards Night	Intramurals
SADD	Chess Club	Spirit Days
Basketball Tournaments	Ball Hockey	Cross Country
Track and Field	Recycling	Peer Tutoring
Band	Tutoring for Tuition	Student Leadership
Concert/Recitals	Stitch Club	Tap Dancing
Clan Day	Homework Haven	Softball Tournament
Public Speaking	Breakfast Program	Writing Contests
Math Competitions	Computer Club	CAP site
Peer Mediation	Star Student of the Week	Science Fair
Heritage Fair	Forum for Young Canadians	Lego Robotics

 

Partnerships

Baltimore School is very fortunate to have the support of the various communities it serves.  The following is a list of partnerships which have developed over the years and remain strong in our school:

- Fire Safety: Fire Department                                        

- CAP Website                                               

- School Milk Foundation                              

- Cadets/Royal Newfoundland Legion         

- Memorial University of Newfoundland      

            - D.A.R.E: R.C.M.P                

            - Public Health

            - Kids Eat Smart Foundation  

- Celtic Business Development

            - Irish Loop Development

 

3 Year School Development Plan (2006 – 2009)

Goal 1: Motivate students to accept responsibility for learning.

Year	Objectives	Objectives
2006-07	To educate the school community on the expectations in assessment.	To promote high achievement through motivation of students.
2007-08	Provide students with curriculum that challenges them individually (at their own level).	To continue to promote high achievement through motivation.
2008-09	To continue to facilitate students’ improvement in individual testing results in Public Examinations, CRT’s 3, 6, 9 and Benchmarks in Grades 1 and 2).	To motivate students to obtain higher levels of achievement on all internal assessments.

 

Goal 2: To create an environment where there is greater collaboration and cooperation among all stakeholders.

Year	Objectives	Objectives
2006-07	Staff will work together to enhance the teaching and learning environment.	Staff will work together to reorganize resources and space.
2007-08	The school community will be given increased opportunities to participate in school activities.	Staff will collaborate at divisional and subject level.
2008-09	Teachers will collaborate regularly with staff and all stakeholders when making decisions and significant changes within the school.	To foster consistent assessment and evaluation practices, staff will collaborate regularly.

 

Goal 3: Foster the affective component of student learning by creating more diverse learning opportunities for students both inside and outside the classroom setting.

Year	Objectives	Objectives
2006-07	Promote an active and healthy lifestyle among staff and students.	Increase students’ access to more diverse learning experiences both inside and outside of the classroom.
2007-08	Staff and community will work together in a variety of ways to enhance the teaching and learning environment.	Increase our students' sense of belonging.
2008-09	Students will respect, accept and appreciate each other.	Staff will work together to enhance the teaching and learning environment.

 

Operational Issues

Smart Board per subject area

Monday Memo on First Class

Macintosh Computer with Speak Recognition for Special Needs

Set of Cupboards mounted in Spare Room for Breakfast Program (Home Ec Room)

New Filing Cabinets

Phys Ed Equipment - Volleyball Nets/Poles / Track and Field Poles / Basketballs

Display Case for Awards in the Main Area of School

Enrichment Kits

New Sound System

New Portable Band Stage

Storage in classroom (cubbies)

Library needs updating with Library Pro, Technology and Reading Material

BBQ for staff and student events

More Money for all subject areas and grade levels

Report on School Development Plan for Previous Year (2008-09)

Objective 1.5   To continue to facilitate students’ improvement in individual testing results in Public Examinations, CRT’s 3, 6, 9 and Benchmarks in grades 1 and 2.	Objective 1.6   To motivate students to obtain higher levels of achievement on all internal assessments.
Evaluation 1.5 This objective was achieved to a great extent; a thorough review of all standardized testing was undertaken and plan of action was set in place, the enrichment program was expanded, and a homework page was developed and used extensively by teachers.	Evaluation 1.6 The objective was a focus of our Academic Committee; to create an atmosphere where doing ones best at all times was the accepted norm.  Non-monetary rewards were offered for high achievement in all courses and grades from grade 4 – Level III, an enrichment program was instituted for grades 4-9, and students were enrolled in several math, poetry and writing competitions.
Recommendations 1.5   Provide a specific checklist of expectations for assessment.	Recommendations1.6   Ensure a greater percentage of our school population is recognized for improved results.
Commendations 1.5 A more intense focus has been placed on the standardized tests results and the need to put in place a plan of action.	Commendations 1.6 By acknowledging and promoting the striving for excellence, our percentage of students at the 4 and 5 levels has increased.
Goal 2 To create an environment where there is greater collaboration and cooperation at the divisional and subject levels.
Objective 2.5   Teachers will collaborate regularly with staff and all stakeholders when making decisions and significant changes within the school.	Objective 2.6   To foster consistent assessment and evaluation practices, staff will collaborate regularly.
Evaluation: 2.5  Staff had more input into the decision-making process through the School Development Committee.	Evaluation: 2.6   Staff was encouraged to meet on a regular basis with divisional colleagues, and the housekeeping items were reduced during staff meetings to allow more staff sharing.
Recommendations 2.5 Provide more time for teachers to collaborate during staff meetings and divisional meetings.	Recommendations 2.6   Schedule meeting time during the school day for divisional and subject groupings.
Commendations 2.5   Much was accomplished with the designation and organization of prep rooms for the Pri/Elem and Jr./Sr. High grades.	Commendations 2.6   There was a great deal accomplished in the area of teacher isolation and providing more peer support for teachers.
Goal 3 Foster the affective component of student learning by creating more diverse learning opportunities for students both inside and outside the classroom setting.
Objective 3.5   Students will respect, accept and appreciate each other.	Objective 3.6   Staff will work together to enhance the teaching and learning environment.
Evaluation 3.5   Programs such as peer mediation, tutoring for tuition, buddy reading and the Literacy program were extremely well received.  Many more opportunities were provided for students to take part in extra-curricular activities.	Evaluation 3.6   A real focus was in place to promote academic improvement.  Throughout the school there was a tremendous variety of teaching and learning practices put in place by teachers and staff.
Recommendations 3.5 Have Student Leadership represent the entire school, including the Primary/Elementary grades.	Recommendations 3.6 Create an environment where cross-curricular activities are promoted and encouraged.
Commendations 3.5   The overall teamwork throughout the school as improved on many levels.	Commendations 3.6   There was improved collegiality among staff and an improved focus on student learning.

 

Operational Issues Report

The identified operational issues for the 2008-2009 school year at Baltimore School ranged from fine tuning several of our procedures and protocol, to purchasing new equipment for our school.  Great strides were taken to ensure all the operational issues were achieved. 

 

During the past year, the following was achieved:

            *Monday Memo was used which allowed more time for instructional issues during staff and divisional meetings.

*Resources were purchased for the Enrichment program.

            *Two new Smartboards were purchased, along with 4 new LCD projectors and two ELMO machines.

            *All new basketballs were purchased and attachments were added to the basketball hoops to allow for various heights.

            *A New Sound System was purchased for the school.

            *The Peace Garden was further developed, with the purchase of new materials.

            *More money was provided to staff for consumable items..

            *Standardized software was purchased to allow easy transfer of files and documents.

            *A new 3 year agreement with a Food Services provider was signed which guarantees a better selection.

 

Summary Report on the School’s Most Current Data

Primary Language Arts Assessment

Grade 1: Percentage of Students Performing At or Above Provincial Benchmark

07-08		08-09
School	Province	School	Province
93.3%	63.4%	94%

 

 Grade 2: Percentage of Students Performing At or Above Provincial Benchmark

07-08		08-09
School	Province	School	Province
95.2	68.9%	93%

 

Criterion Reference Tests

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Public Exams

 

Graduation Status