May 21, 2024
ATLANTIC CITY — Superintendent of Schools, Dr. La’Quetta S. Small, school principals, district administrators, teachers, teacher coordinators, parents, community members and state representatives converged on the Atlantic City Boathouse on Friday, May 17, 2024, for a quarterly District Leadership Meeting.
Schools met to begin developing their Annual School Plan (ASP) for next year. Much of the focus centered on data analysis to identify areas that need improvement and developing strategies to achieve goals.
Dr. Small said the meeting provided an opportunity for collaboration and strategic planning. “We use these meetings to make certain that the goals set by each school are aligned with the district's goals,” said Small. “What that looks like in individual schools may be different.”
Superintendent of Schools Dr. La'Quetta S. Small listens intently during the District Leadership Meeting.
The vision statement shows where the district is headed, she said. The mission statement essentially charts the course.
The Vision statement is: “The Atlantic City District recognizes the urgency to provide resources to improve instruction through exemplary and diverse practices which are monitored and analyzed through student achievement data. The District has the expectation that all students will achieve the New Jersey Student Learning Standards at all grade levels.”
The mission statement is: “In order to meet the needs of all students, the District is committed to increasing student learning and improving teaching in the core academic subjects by using instructional strategies aligned with the New Jersey Student Learning Standards and based on Scientifically Based Research. Parents will be active partners and key stakeholders with the Atlantic City School District to support their student’s intellectual, emotional, physical and social growth.”
SEL coaches invited everyone to set an intention for the day.
Early in the meeting, Social Emotional Learning (SEL) coaches invited everyone to set an intention for the day. Positive energy manifestation exercises using sound wave vibration bowls were well-received. SEL is the process of developing and applying the skills, attitudes and values that help individuals and communities thrive. SEL Skills include self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making. Each school has a Social Emotional Learning Coach. The program is led by SEL Teacher Coordinator, Dr. Mitea Lakins.
Many who attended the meeting said they were pleased to be part of the process. Brandi Debose, whose children attend the Richmond Avenue School, said she works closely with the administrators to stay informed. “It’s important to understand that there’s a value between having a relationship with your school and being a parent,” said Debose. “I’m an involved parent, so if something is not right, I immediately reach out.”
Debose said parents cannot wait until the last minute to address concerns or even give praise.“By the time progress reports come out you already know what works and what doesn’t,” said Debose, “what can be celebrated and what’s an area of opportunity.”
Brandi Debose (Left) and Richmond Avenue School Principal Shontai Nicholson-Harris worked together.
Richmond Avenue School Principal Shontai Nicholson-Harris agreed. One component of the Richmond Avenue School ASP would be addressing chronic lateness and absenteeism. For example, if one student has missed more than 100 days of school, they determine the best course of action. “We have to investigate why,” said Nicholson-Harris. “What can we do to help? Is it a lack of understanding?” Nicholson-Harris said the ASP seeks to remedy such problems at a building-level. “It’s our road map that lets our school, staff and community know what we want for them and the children,” Nicholson-Harris said.
The critical issues at New York Avenue School are different. New York Avenue School Principal Kendall Williams said many of his students have housing-related issues. New York Avenue School is located across the street from the Stanley S. Holmes Village. Williams said his students need support with various resources and access to health care.
“Having partnerships like Caesar’s and AtlantiCare is going to help us in our ASP,” Williams said. CHORUS, Diverse Voices in Harmony, the Business Impact Group for African Americans and their Allies at Caesars Entertainment, donated thousands of dollars in school supplies to New York Avenue School on Monday, April 22, 2024.
New York Avenue School Principal Kendall Williams (Left) and Keith Purnell, Director of Guest Experience at Caesars worked together.
Keith Purnell, Director of Guest Experience at Caesars and CHORUS Chairman of the Board, attended the meeting because he supports New York Avenue School. “It gives me a better understanding of what they want to accomplish and a greater desire to help them accomplish their goals,” Purnell said. Cori Radisch, a statewide continuous improvement specialist with the New Jersey Department of Education, said he is working to help the New York Avenue School, make progress. “I want them to be open to systems change,” Radisch said. “It’s not about more work. It’s being open to different work. Everybody is working hard. But what can we do to maximize the instruction?”
Luis Rodriguez, president and CEO of La Casa Dominicana NJ, Inc. (Left) and Brighton Avenue School Principal Jason Grimes collaborated.
Brighton Avenue School Principal Jason Grimes said his ASP would center on generating more community involvement. Grimes met with Luis Rodriguez, president and CEO of La Casa Dominicana NJ, Inc. The organization will assist with ESL classes and other resources specific to his building needs, Grimes said.
Patricia McDaniel-Tweedle worked closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Complex.
Patricia McDaniel-Tweedle, who works closely with Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Complex, said she was impressed by the level of cooperation.“I’ve always felt that the school and community needed to be involved together,” said McDaniel-Tweedle. “It’s a great idea that they have the parents and community involved. It takes the parents, the school and the community to get it right.”
Jerry J. Decker, an 8th grade math teacher at Chelsea Heights School, said collaboration is what makes the ASP process so valuable.
“Communication and teamwork is the cornerstone of what we’re trying to develop for not just our building, but the district as a whole,” said Decker. “We try to maintain our strengths and honestly address our weaknesses and figure out how we can improve upon them as a team.”
