Wolcott High School

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Wolcott High School
Wolcott School District
Strategic School Profile 2007-2008 December 8,
2008
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FACILITIES 2007-2008
of Permanent General Classrooms 65 of
Portable Classrooms 0 Year of Original
Construction 1959
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Indicators of Educational Need
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PROGRAM and INSTRUCTION
State law requires that at least 180 days of
school and 900 hours of instruction be offered
to students in high school grades.
The State requires a minimum of 20 credits for
graduation.
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PROGRAM and INSTRUCTION
World Languages Instruction was offered in the
following world language(s) Chinese I, French,
Latin, and Spanish.
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PROGRAM and INSTRUCTION
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PROGRAM and INSTRUCTION
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PROGRAM and INSTRUCTION
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LIBRARY AND COMPUTERS
Free on-line access to periodicals, newspapers,
and other resources is available to all
Connecticut schools through the Connecticut
Digital Library at www.iconn.org.
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SCHOOL STAFF
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SCHOOL STAFF
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Home and School Communication and Support
Wolcott High School promotes and supports
parental involvement.

• An overview of the New England Association of
  Schools and Colleges Self-Study accreditation
  process was presented during a televised Board of
  Education meeting. Items addressed included
  Wolcott High Schools Mission and Student
  Expectations for Learning, Critical Strengths and
  Needs, Standards Committee Reports, and the May
  4-7, 2008 Accreditation Visit.
• District and Building Goals were articulated to
  the Parent Action Council during various meetings
  throughout the school year, as well as made
  available on the district website.
• WHSs Mission Statement and Student Expectations
  are posted in all classrooms and teachers
  reviewed them with their students at the
  beginning of the school year. The Mission
  Statement is read daily during morning
  announcements.
• For the second year, computer generated Interim
  Grade reports were mailed home. A copy of the
  schools newsletter was included in each Interim
  Grade and Marking Period Report mailing. These
  newsletters were used as a vehicle to update
  parents concerning school events, academic and
  social expectations, as well as highlight both
  students and faculty accomplishments.
• Our Guidance Department hosted two financial aid
  nights for parents of college bound students.
• Homework assistance was offered through our
  Instructional Center, and students received
  extra-help from our Spanish and French Honor
  Society students.
• In an effort to attract and retain district
  students, the school offered its second Eighth
  Grade Curriculum and Activities Night which was
  designed to promote our programs.
• During 2007-08 school year, our School-to-Career
  Program provided many authentic career
  experiences for students and externship
  opportunities for staff.
• Students in Marketing, Psychology, Professional
  Foods, Anatomy Physiology and Art earned a
  total of 24 Connecticut Career Certificates. In
  addition, 58 students enrolled in the WHS/NVCC
  Articulation Program, each earned 3 transferrable
  college credits.
• The Parent Action Council continued its
  fundraising activities which included their
  annual Membership Drive, Pajama Day, and
  Breakfast Fundraiser. As a result, PAC provided
  refreshments at Freshman Orientation, sponsored a
  CAPT Breakfast, and contributed to the After-Prom
  Party and the Yearbook.
• Teacher e-mail addresses are post on the WHS
  website and listed in the Student Handbook.

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SCHOOL DIVERSITY
Percent of Minority Professional Staff is
2.4. 3.7 of WHS students come from homes where
English is not the primary language. The number
of non-English home languages is 10.
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Efforts to Reduce Racial, Ethnic, and Economic
Isolation
Wolcott High School faculty and students actively
participated in a number of activities and
programs in efforts to reduce racial, ethnic, and
economic isolation.

• During the 2007-08 school year, Wolcott High
  School hosted an exchange student from Albania, a
  native Mandarin- speaking Chinese Guest
  Teacher, and a delegation of educators from our
  sister school in the Shangdong province of
  China.
• Chinese I was introduced into the curriculum,
  and more students elected to study French than in
  previous years.
• In March of 2008 the Wolcott Robotics Team (Max
  1071) placed 16th out of 62 teams at the
  Connecticut Regional Competition, attended the
  national competition in Georgia where they
  participated in the finals and placed 7th out of
  84 teams in their division, and in June hosted
  its first robotics tournament for teams from
  throughout greater New England.
• Our National Honor Society worked at the towns
  Senior Center teaching computer skills to the
  elderly and held its Annual Christmas Party for
  students with special needs.
• In order to provide equal learning
  opportunities to students of low income families,
  all math classrooms have sets of graphing
  calculators for students to borrow if they cannot
  purchase one of their own and many teachers allow
  students to sign out a calculator overnight if
  it is an essential component for their homework.
• In Social Studies I, Social Studies II, and
  Contemporary Issues, students researched and
  discussed historical differences between Muslims
  and Christians to gain a better understanding of
  the cultures.
• Our U.S. History and Civics courses expanded
  units on Civil Rights Amendments and Movement.
  In addition, throughout the year, U.S. History
  classes focused on African Americans and guest
  speakers presented programs on the Holocaust and
  the Palestinian/Israeli Conflict.
• All 9th grade health classes discussed
  prejudices and how students need to accept and
  tolerate differences in race, religion and
  economic status.
• All 11th and 12th grade health classes
  discussed acceptance and tolerance of people that
  have nontraditional relationships.
• Business and Applied Education classes
  conducted several field trips into Manhattan
  during which students were exposed to a wide
  range of people and cultures. In addition,
  Culinary Arts classes brought to life the many
  customs of international cuisine.

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Student Performance
Student Enrollment on October 1, 2007 915
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Student Performance
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Student Performance
The lowest possible score on each subtest is 200
the highest possible score is 800.
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Disciplinary Offenses
Disciplinary Offenses
In the 2006-07 school year, 148 students were
responsible for these incidents. This represents
15.9 of the estimated number of students who
attended at some point during the 2006-07 school
year.
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School Improvement Plans and Activities

• During the 2007-08 school year, students,
  faculty, and administration fully implemented the
  Student Advisory Program utilizing the Student
  Advisory Handbook which was developed during the
  summer of 2007 and includes appropriate grade
  level activities. The purpose of this
  mentorship program is to insure that each
  student has an adult member of the school
  community in addition to the school guidance
  counselor who personalizes each students
  educational experience, knows the student well,
  and assists the student in achieving the
  school-wide expectations for student learning.
  In this program, all students are able to make
  positive connections with students and faculty
  members.
• A School Culture and Climate Committee worked
  to improve and enhance student and staff morale.
• School-wide rubrics for every major subject
  area, which are in direct alignment with the
  schools mission and student expectations, were
  refined and used throughout the school year.
  Furthermore, Department Head/Team Leaders met as
  a Critical Friends Group to examine student work
  with an emphasis on the use of the School Wide
  Rubrics.
• Weekly CORE meetings were used to monitor
  student services including, but not limited to
  Crisis Intervention, Scheduling 2008-2009, AP
  Testing, Case Conferences, Student Intervention
  Team, 504 Designations, Special Education,
  Alternative Programs, and Seniors In Danger of
  Failing. Team members include Administrative
  Team, Director of Student Services, Guidance
  Counselors, School Psychologist and Social
  Worker, School Nurse, and School Resource
  Officer. Objectives were to disseminate
  information, develop a global perspective, and
  provide proactive interventions in a timely
  manner.
• During this year, renovations of the main
  office were completed which resulted in a new
  look old carpeting was removed, a tile floor
  installed, and counters were modified to provide
  a more open and inviting appearance.
• A 3 year plan to refurbish the Resource Center
  was completed which included new paint,
  carpeting, tables, chairs, computer
  workstations, atlas stands, dictionary stand, and
  a new charge-out desk.
• The girls locker room was refurbished which
  included new paint and new lockers.

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Supplemental School Information

• During the 2007-2008 school year, Wolcott High
  Schools administration, faculty and staff
  reaffirmed their commitment to the schools
  mission to provide a positive learning
  environment where students are engaged in
  meaningful learning that develops the
  intellectual, creative, social, technological and
  physical skills necessary to prepare them for the
  next phase of their lives. Once again, students
  were encouraged to give of themselves and their
  time in the service of others both inside and
  outside of school.
• Our Advanced Placement Course Audit for all
  current AP courses offered at Wolcott High School
  included AP Biology, AP Calculus, AP Chemistry,
  AP English, AP Physics, AP Spanish, AP Studio Art
  Drawing, AP Studio Art 2D Design, and AP
  U.S. History were electronically renewed for
  2008-2009. Additional AP Course Audit Requests
  were submitted for new teachers teaching AP
  English and AP Spanish. Additionally, a new
  Algebra II Level 1 and 2 textbook was introduced
  which is more in line with the Connecticut
  Mathematics Framework recently adopted by the
  State of Connecticut. This textbook aligns with
  the CAPT strands, enables SAT practice, and
  includes an on-line component where students can
  access practice tests, quizzes and extra
  independent practice.
• Technology use included increased PowerPoint and
  multimedia presentations computer lab usage for
  research projects use of portable computer labs
  to write papers and do internet research by
  multiple departments and individual teachers
  use of Smart Boards, LCD projectors, TV/DVD and
  web quests to enhance instruction. Again this
  year, Geometer Sketch- pad was installed on all
  computers within the Mathematics Department and
  the mobile lab, computer room and in the
  Resource Center. As a result, students now have
  access to the program for independent practice
  and homework assignments, and teachers have
  incorporated the software into their lessons.