The school environment is safe and secure and students are equipped with the skills to confidently navigate their complex lives.
Goal: Conduct a needs assessment (mental health/social emotional/diversity, equity and inclusion) and develop a plan to address the gaps.
- For the second year in a row, the Behavior Intervention Monitoring Assessment System-Second Edition (BIMAS-2) was administered to students in grades K-12. This confidential and voluntary screening tool helps the district’s mental health support team assess student social-emotional wellness, learning, and development, and assists school officials in making effective plans to meet students’ social emotional learning needs.
- As part of the district’s Multi-tiered System of Supports (MTSS), Enders Road Elementary School piloted the Brainstorming Educational Strategies Team (BEST) approach. The benefits included a more streamlined, efficient and thorough process to meet student needs utilizing targeted interventions within a data tracking system to monitor progress, and allow for increased teacher voice. There was a significant and positive impact on student academic/social-emotional and behavioral progress. Sixty-three students received personalized, supplemental support through the BEST program.
Goal: Formulate a highly functioning Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee producing tangible objectives and measures of progress.
- The district’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee separated members into four subcommittees: Welcoming and Affirming Environment, Professional Learning, High Expectations and Rigorous Instruction, and Inclusive Curriculum and Assessment. Each subcommittee has shared recommendations with the district and will continue their work in the 2024-25 school year.
- District officials initiated a partnership with Utica University personnel to begin work on conducting a curriculum equity audit in all content areas.
Goal: Advance a districtwide welcoming and affirming environment that values, represents and respects all individuals.
- Through the Academic Enrichment Program at Eagle Hill Middle School, students developed the Sunshine Ambassador club. Members of the club welcomed students and staff to the building every morning with smiles, words of encouragement, and posters that promote positive behavior in an effort to improve school climate and culture.
- F-M High School expanded the definition of success for students through changes in programming and curricular offerings. A bimonthly parent communication was sent via ParentSquare to assist in making students and families aware of academic, social and career opportunities as students transition throughout their high school career.
- Mott Road Elementary School continued its monthly Positivity Project (P2) assemblies. Each unique assembly was based on Other People Mind Set, which consists of five elements intended to help people understand ways to build positive relationships. Students were encouraged to use their positive qualities to improve the lives of others.
Goal: Develop collaborative learning spaces and schedules that support student inquiry.
- F-M’s Diversity Coalition hosted a Culture Festival, which included student-run booths, activities, food, and performances that showcased the cultural diversity of the school and community. F-M’s Diversity Coalition strives to create a space for students to express their own identities while learning about others.
- The Mott Road Elementary School holiday assembly included songs from several cultures and “Evenings of the Arts” was expanded to include an art show, music concert, and open house.
Goal: Provide social-emotional learning and counseling and mental health services to support the development of the whole child.
- The district welcomed three student engagement specialists to help support elementary students’ social, behavioral and mental well-being. Each elementary school has one student engagement specialist who works with the school’s student support team to supplement existing mental health services. They identify and provide support to students with emotional or behavioral challenges, as well as assist with implementing targeted interventions and focus on collaborative problem solving, in-class support, and de-escalation.
- Drop-in mental health services were established at F-M High School and Eagle Hill and Wellwood middle schools. Two licensed social workers from Contact Community Services helped to offer students social and emotional support, and improve access to substance abuse prevention, treatment and recovery services.
- F-M High School’s mental health coordinator and Contact Community Services social worker implemented small group, classroom, and building-wide mental health awareness activities. These activities were in addition to the support provided by the school’s counselors, psychologist, and family school liaison.
Goal: Monitor board-approved recommendations from the district Safety and Security Task Force.
- Approved by voters in May 2023, the district put forth a capital project proposal that addressed critical aging infrastructure needs and safety and security upgrades at every school building. Work is expected to begin in summer 2025 and will include the following safety and security enhancements: lighting upgrades, public address system upgrades, security camera upgrades, and keycard access upgrades.
- The district maintained its School Information and Resource Officer (SIRO) and Special Patrol Officer (SPO) program, which includes three SIROs and four SPOs so that each school campus has at least one assigned officer. Of the seven officers working with the district, the district’s SIROs are active duty Town of Manlius police officers assigned to serve the school district, and the four special patrol officers are peace officers hired by the town to serve the district.