The First 90 Days

THE FIRST 90 DAYS

ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14 ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14

READING SCHOOL READINGDISTRICT PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE SCHOOL DISTRICT PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE

A report on Dr. Khalid N. Mumin’s first 90 days as Superintendent of Reading School District

BUILDING A PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE I am proud to serve as the Superintendent of Reading School District. Since my appointment on July 14, 2014, the Red Knight family has embraced me, and they are investing in my leadership team to bring sustainable change to the school system, while creating a pathway of excellence for all students of the Reading School District. I am truly humbled, by the support of the students, parents, staff and community, as we embark on this journey to equip our children with the skills to attain success in an ever changing society, first by graduating and accessing college and career opportunities.

What I have learned during the first months of service is that as a school system, we have a tremendous amount of accomplishments to relish, while there are several areas that require improvement. Thus, this 90-day report is a succinct interpretation of findings of the aforementioned.

Please know, as your Superintendent, I recognize and understand the im-

ABOUT DR. KHALID N. MUMIN Hometown: Philadelphia, PA

portance of our children receiving a quality education in the Reading School

Education: University of Pennsylvania

District, as this is not only about our students achieving graduation require-

Ed.D, Educational Leadership

ments. Education is the pathway and vehicle for our students to define their futures locally in the City of Reading, at the state level and by impacting the world. I am fully committed with “all hands on deck and boots on the ground� for our students to reap the infinite possibilities. Hence, this is a call to action to join us, as we collaborate to impact the education of our children

Pennsylvania State University M.Ed., Teaching and Curriculum Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania B.A., English

through, academics, fostering and maintaining safe school environments, enhancing transparency through communications, building on rich community partnerships, implementing organizational effectiveness, and maintaining fiscal responsibility. Together we will be successful. One Vision, All students, One Reading! Enjoy the journey!

Northeastern Christian Junior College A.A., Liberal Arts/English Interests: Traveling, classic cars, cooking, reading, music collector

Respectfully, Dr. Khalid N. Mumin Superintendent

FOLLOW DR. MUMIN ON TWITTER @DRMUMINRSD

LEADERSHIP TEAM Dr. Juliette Pennyman Asst. Superintendent, Teaching & Learning

Dr. Kandace Williams Chief Instructional Services Officer

Jeff Haas (BCIU) Acting Chief Information Officer

Wanda Crespo English as a Second Language Director

Todd Conn Facilities Director

Wayne Gehris Chief Financial Officer

Kathy Evison Chief Student Services Officer

Kurt Myers Food Services Director

Stephanie Hackash Finance Director

Cindy Ajemian Literacy & Humanities Director

Anne Fisher Supervisor of School Health

Christian Lellig Business Services Director

Waldo Alvarado Diversity & Equity Director

Allen McCloud Athletics Director

Karen Gokay Chief Human Resources Officer

Marcia Vega Federal Programs Director

Juan RondonP Safe Schools Director

Shelly Livingood Personnel Director

Wynton Butler Social Services Director

Kristin Boyd Community Engagement Director

Chris Celmer Asst. Superintendent, Business Support Services

The Reading School District proudly serves the diverse communities of the City of Reading, the fifth largest city in Pennsyl-

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

vania. Each day, in every district building

Rebecca Acosta l President

and in every district classroom, a vibrant

AcostaR@readingsd.org

learning community is striving for the success of every single student.

Robin Costenbader-Jacobson l Vice President

Our mission is to transform student potential into reality, and our dis-

Costenbader-JacobsonR@readingsd.org

trict vision is relationships shaping dreams. The district has 19 school buildings, including 13 elementary schools (grades Pre-K–5), four middle schools (grades 6–7), one intermediate high school (grades

Bernardo Carbajal, Esq.

8–9), and one senior high school (grades 10–12).

CarbajalB@readingsd.org

The district employs approximately 2,000 dedicated staff members,

Abraham Cepeda, Esq.

who serve the educational needs of more than 17,000 students.

CepedaA@readingsd.org Pierre V. Cooper CooperP@readingsd.org

FIRST STEP: THE ENTRY PLAN

Manuel Guzman

The intent of the Superintendent 90 Day Entry Plan was for the new

GuzmanM@readingsd.org

administration to conduct an intensive review of the school system, by assessing the strengths, points of pride, partnerships, needs for

Robert Heebner, Jr.

improvement and taking action on pertinent items which required

HeebneR@readingsd.org

immediate change. With the direction of the Superintendent, the administration conducted a series of activities on the following five areas of focus:

John Kramer KramerJ@readingsd.org

1.

Academics

2.

Safe Schools

3.

Equity, Communications and Partnerships

4.

Organizational Effectiveness

5.

Fiscal Responsibility

Eddie Moran MoranEd@readingsd.org

BOARD SECRETARY Lisa Iezzi Iezzilm@readingsd.org

SOLICITOR John Miravich Fox Rothschild LLP

Dr. Mumin and several board members after his Commission Ceremony.

PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE: ACTION STEPS The following is a succinct list of the actions and activities the Superintendent Mumin has engaged in during the duration of the entry plan: •

Participated in a board retreat to enhance the superintendent and board’s expectations and relationship.

•

Participated in an administrative retreat to introduce the immediate direction and expectations of the administration.

•

Conducted a new organizational structure and chart to enhance organizational effectiveness and costs savings.

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Appointed Asst. Superintendent of Business Support Services to focus on Safe Schools.

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Appointed Chief Financial Officer to focus on fiscal responsibility.

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Appointed Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning to focus on Academics.

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Appointed Director of Equity to focus on initiatives of equity and access for all students.

•

Appointed Director of ELL to focus on the diverse needs of students.

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Appointed Chief Student Services Officer to focus on the diverse needs of our underserved students.

•

Appointed Chief Instructional Services Officer to focus on creating and sustaining a culture of high academic standards.

•

Appointed Director of Literacy and Humanities to support the curriculum work of the Offices of Instructional Services.

•

Appointed Assistant Principals at the elementary and secondary schools to enhance organizational effectiveness.

Top: In the fall, Dr. Mumin met our biggest Red ...continued on next page

Knight fan, Bobby Weitzel, at a football game.

Below: Dr. Mumin talks with Stephanie Towles, librarian at 16th and Haak Elementary.

PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE One Vision. All Students. One Reading.

Academics

Safe Schools

Communications and Partnerships

Organizational Effectiveness

Fiscal Responsibility

Above, left: United Way kicked off its Raising A Reader program at 16th and Haak Elementary. Above, right: Dr. Mumin and several board members at the Community Pep Rally, held on the RHS Castle Steps in November.

•

•

Realigned the reporting of the Chief Human Resources

usage of social media tools, Red Knight Radio Program,

Officer to focus on recruitment, interviewing, hiring and

BCTV show and video messaging.

retention of talented staff.

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Launched the superintendent’s Twitter feed.

Established a toolkit for recruitment, interviewing, hiring

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Hosted a meet the superintendent activity for the school

and retention of talented staff.

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Appointed Director of Personnel to support the work of

system stakeholders.

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the Office of Human Resources.

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•

•

tings to create a one-year plan of education at the dis-

Conducted an opening day activity for the staff to intro-

trict’s two learning academies.

duce the direction of the school system—One Vision. All

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Formed a committee to review the student handbook.

Students. One Reading.

•

Engaged in partnership meetings with the local institu-

Established a partnership with the University of Pennsyl-

tions of higher education—Reading Area Community

vania’s Delaware Valley Consortium of Equity and Excel-

College, Alvernia University, Kutztown University, Albright

lence.

College and Penn State Berks.

Launched a feasibility plan study to assess the capacity

•

and demographic needs of the school sytems.

•

Presented a five-year budget plan to address the finanRecommended approved School Board Policies on ad-

•

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Engaged in partnership meetings with stakeholders from various agencies that serve our students and families.

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vertisement and school board meeting communications.

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Engaged in partnership meetings with local political officials.

cial needs of the school system.

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Met with parents and students formerly of alternative set-

Attended partnership meetings with neighboring school districts with similar demographics.

Adopted the implementation of the American Reading

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Reinstuted ongoing labor managment meetings.

Program at the middle schools to support all students

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Began negotiation process with several bargaining units.

reading on grade level.

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Conducting a districtwide feasibility study

Created a culture of communication through enhanced

EQUITY & EXCELLENCE Waldo Alvarado started as Director of Equity & Diversity in December 2014, and he is working diligently to address the terms of the PHRC Conciliation Agreement. He now oversees the Parent Outreach Assistants, and is introducing cultural compentency initiatives. He has re-established the Equity Advisory panel and Equity Committee. He also retrieved, analyzed, disseminated and presented the Fall 2013 School Climate Survey results. Each school will now create a Equity Leadership Team, and all principals were asked to develop and submit an Action Plan to celebrate strengths and to address areas of improvement at their schools. Outreach efforts have been a priority as well, and meetings have been held with different partners or potential partners of the RSD, including Center for Safe Schools.

PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE: SCHOOLS VISITED 10th & Green Elementary l 10th & Penn Elementary l 12th & Marion Elementary l 13th & Green Elementary l 13th & Union Elementary l 16th & Haak Elementary l Amanda E. Stout Elementary l Glenside Elementary l Lauer’s Park Elementary l Millmont Elementary l Northwest Area Elementary l Riverside Elementary l Tyson-Schoener Elementary Northeast Middle l Northwest Middle l Southern Middle l Southwest Middle l Reading Intermediate High Reading Senior High l

The Learning Academy at City Line l The Learning Academy at Thomas Ford

I-LEAD Charter School l Reading-Muhlenberg Career & Technology Center

Dr. Mumin visits with staff and students at Southwest Middle School in September 2014.

PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE: ACADEMICS New Elementary Gifted Program Implemented:

program

develops

lan-

A planning team has worked for the past two years

guage and literacy skills

to put into place the best elementary gifted and talented

through rich, integrated

program for our students. The program was developed by

content in all domains of

Reading School District principals and district administration

early learning: language

in consultation with professors from Penn State Berks. Team

and literature, mathemat-

members visited area gifted programs and researched pro-

ics, science and social

grams nationally that work with gifted students from tradi-

studies, arts, physical ed-

tionally underrepresented populations.

ucation, and social and

Our curriculum is patterned after the Primary Years Pro-

emotional development.

gram of the International Baccalaureate and is based on inquiry learning. Currently, it is based on STEM and the Next

Go Math Implemented in Elementary (and will begin

Generation Science Standards. Project M2 and M3- Men-

implementation in Middle Schools second semester):

toring Mathematical Minds, developed by the University of

After a thorough review of numerous programs, Go

Connecticut, were chosen for mathematics instruction for

Math was selected by both elementary and middle school

gifted students as they are a successful program that sup-

reviewers not only for its alignment to the Common Core,

port low-income, high-ability students (National Association

but also the depth of instruction, emphasis on conceptual

for Gifted Children, Unlocking Emergent Talent: Supporting

understanding, procedural fluency, and a focused and co-

High Achievement of Low-income, High-ability Students,

herent articulation across grade levels.

Paula Olszewski-Kubilius and Jane Clarenbach). Junior Great Books were chosen because of their multicultural aspects as well as shared inquiry method of instruction.

Math Design Collaborative: The Math Design Collaborative is a nationwide project

We increased the amount of time that students attend-

that supports middle and high school math teachers with

ed gifted and talented education from ½ day every other

professional learning opportunities to successfully implement

week to 1 day per 4 day cycle. All students attend Aman-

the Common Core State Standards for Mathematics. Fund-

da Stout Elementary, allowing for collaboration among the

ing for the project was provided through a grant from the

gifted teachers. Students are now eager to attend the pro-

Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The Shell Center created

gram and teachers feel empowered with their ability to de-

a lesson bank as the core resource that high school and

velop curriculum.

middle school teachers can access, known as Formative As-

All grade 2 students take the CogAT 7, a screener cho-

sessment Lessons, or Classroom Challenges. All of our middle

sen because it does not rely on language. It is ELL friendly in

schools have participated in the training and have imple-

that it levels the playing field for English Language Learners

mented the lessons.

by replacing verbal prompts with picture prompts. It includes three separate cognitive domains to form a comprehensive

First in Math:

perspective of a student’s reasoning abilities. Students who

FIM’s comprehensive content fully aligns with the Com-

meet a locally determined score, are then referred for fur-

mon Core State Standards for Math (CCSSM), and the easy-

ther consideration for the gifted and talented program. The

to-use interactive tool supports teachers as they implement

procedures for referring students to the gifted and talented

CCSSM content and practice standards. Recent major shifts

program were revised in May 2014.

in mathematics—focus, coherence and rigor—have been cornerstones of the program for more than a decade. First

OWL (Opening the World of Learning) Prek Program

In Math online is unique as a resource for both teachers and

Implemented:

students. Self-paced activities target mastery of procedural

Opening the World of Learning is a comprehensive cur-

skills and fluency that are essential for demonstrating con-

riculum that covers all domains of early learning. Themes

ceptual understanding, and applying those concepts to all

and concepts are developed through quality children’s fic-

life skills. It is used for short, online practice and can be used

tion and nonfiction trade books that provide a high level of

at home with families. Middle School Math teachers were

vocabulary necessary for our students to “catch up.” The

trained at the early release day in January 2015.

SuccessMaker Math Training provide for SYSPOS:

ership Meeting. Principals agreed to provide the artifacts.

Our elementary schools continue to use SuccessMaker Math, an online tool used to supplement mathematics instruction. The new version that was implemented in October 2014 includes: •

Ready Rosie in Partnership with United Way: At the January Board Meeting, we obtained approval for Ready Rosie. Our intent is to purchase this program for

Comprehensive Content Re-Alignment to Common

Core and State-Standards

all 13 elementary schools with Title III funds. Ready Rosie is an online resource that provides DAILY activities via email for

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New and Improved Math Content

adults to do with children ages zero to four. The activities are

•

Enhanced Interactivity and Close Reading Support

simple, researched-based and take only about two minutes

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New Teacher-Driven Course and Reporting Options

a day! Each activity is modeled In English and Spanish on a

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A Partnership with Java that Simplifies and Stream-

two minute video. Simply watch the video, do the activity,

lines Upgrades •

and everyone learns something new! Once purchased, the

A Timesaving Upgrade and Rollover Tool

The purpose of the training was to familiarize our systems

entire community will have access—thus extending the impact of our PreK program to students who are not enrolled.

operators (SYSOPS) at each school with the upgraded verMath 180 – Mathematics Enrichment at RIHS:

sion.

Math 180 uses adaptive technology to provide supMet with Lauer’s Park Teachers on Action Research:

port to struggling math students. The content is carefully

As part of Teacher Effectiveness, the Action Research

sequenced in a progression with nine blocks that are high

mode of supervision was added this year to our Reading

interest and feature 21st century career topics. Students

School District Supervision Plan.

As this is new, teachers

are making connections to real life while learning to think

shared their ideas for action research to ensure that they are

mathematically. The program was approved at the January

on the right track. Examples of successful action projects

Board Meeting. The Math Enrichment class did not previ-

were provided as discussion tools.

ously have a solid curriculum, and we believe that the professional development provided with Math 180 will support

Met With Elementary and Middle School Gifted Teachers:

solid instruction.

In this meeting, we discussed the Action Research mode of supervision, inquiry learning, and participation in various

Elementary Science Curriculum Developed in

academic competitions.

Partnership with Albright: Teachers from 13th & Union are working with Science

Met with PreK Teachers:

professors and advisors from Albright to develop a curricu-

PreK teachers meet every early dismissal date. The main

lum that will follow Next Generation Science Standards. It is

purpose of the meetings this year has been the professional

intended that all 13 elementary schools will implement this

development for OWL and developing shared agreements

curriculum in the 2015 – 2016 school year.

on the implementation of OWL. Professional Development School – Glenside Elementary Review of Mathematics and Language Arts Instructional Program Resources for Middle Schools:

in Partnership with Penn State Berks: Penn State Berks education professors and students

Middle School Teachers and Principals met to review and

work with teachers and students at Glenside Elementary to

evaluate instructional materials for mathematics and English

implement all aspects of balanced literacy. Additionally,

language arts. Results of their evaluations were shared with

they have provided different opportunities for student activi-

principals via a spreadsheet. Teachers’ comments on the

ties such as yoga and science. Family Literacy Nights have

various instructional resources were also provided.

been organized collaboratively. A school garden is maintained collaboratively. Representatives from the School, the

Introduced Principal Effectiveness and Potential Artifacts: The Principal Effectiveness mode of evaluation is implemented in the 2014 – 2015 school year. Potential artifacts for all 4 domains were provided at the November District Lead-

University, and Central Office Administration will present at the National Professional Development School Conference in March of 2015.

Met with Reading Specialists on the Interventions of Fast ForWord and Reading Assistant: Reading Specialists met to learn more about the implementation of our intervention programs, Fast ForWord and Reading Assistant. Professional Development was provided by our consultant from Scientific Learning.

Met with Middle School Principals on Music Instruction: Dr. Lausch presented his thoughts on the benefits of scheduled instruction on musical instruments. Middle School principals are interested and will evaluate schedules to determine how such instruction could be implemented.

Met with Lauer’s Park Principal on a Proposal for the Training of Special Education Teachers: Professors from Penn State University have proposed specialized training for emotional support teachers at Lauer’s Park Elementary.

You Be the Chemist – Northwest Middle School in Partnership with Brenntag: Brenntag is the leading chemical distributor and their international headquarters are in Reading. This is an annual science competition held at Penn State Berks. They have wanted Reading Schools to participate and this year gifted and talented students from Northwest Middle School will participate in the competition.

Dr. Mumin has hosted two Superintendent Socials for students. Above, students and parents who entered our “Back to School” Facebook contest attended the “Swim-

Participation in the Data Retreat at BCIU:

ming in the Right Direction” event, which

The following schools participated in the Data Retreat at BCIU: North-

had a goldfish theme. The second Super-

west Middle School, Northeast Middle School, 12th & Marion, 16th & Haak,

intendent Social was recently held for the

and Tyson Schoener. The teams spent two days analyzing school performance data and determining what next steps to take to improve student

undefeated RHS freshman Boys’ Basketball team, which had a record of 21-0.

performance.

The Castleairs Jazz Band performs during the district’s first-ever Networking at Night event.

Above, left: RHS senior Aaron Preston has been nickamed “Young Mumin,� thanks to his outstanding oratory skills. Aaron recently won the high school and regional Poetry Out Loud compeititons for the third consecutive year. He next competes in the state competiton. Above, right: Always a good sport, Dr. Mumin participates in the ALS Ice Bucket Challenge with Athletic Director Allen McCloud in the fall.

PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE: SAFE SCHOOLS Training on the All Hazards Plan:

Code of Conduct Handbook:

In August 2013, the RSD Board of Directors adopted a

While an update was done over the summer, continued

revised All Hazards Plan. While the plan is sound and aligns

staff training is required. While many of the protocols outlined

with other schools in Berks County along with PDE Chapter 10

in the manual are sound, they are not being consistently fol-

standards, adequate training was never provided to leader-

lowed due to a lack of training. In addition, parents and stu-

ship and staff. All staff members should be trained and each

dents are not required to sign off acknowledging receipt of

classroom and/or office should have an abbreviated version

the policies. It is also appears the teaching staff is not familiar

of the plan.

with the protocols in the manual related to student behavior.

Response to Escalated Student Behavior:

Training for Safe Schools Staff:

Currently the district has two certified Crisis Prevention

While some training has occurred, more frequent and

trainers which is inadequate given the size of the district. The

focused training is required. Training should occur several

district lacks consistent behavior response teams through-

times throughout the years. Recommended topics include;

out all buildings. The lack of staff training in de-escalation

de-escalation, gang awareness, and active intruder aware-

techniques can lead to an increase in exclusionary discipline

ness. The staff should also be considered for professional

measures such as out of school suspensions and local police

development opportunities that occur in the schools during

interventions. It also opens the district to behavior interven-

early dismissal days.

tion plans not being adhered to on a consistent basis.

Camera System: Active Intruder Training:

The systems are outdated in some locations. In addi-

The district lacks any formal training on active intruder.

tion, not all locations have adequate coverage and some

The entire district should be trained on concepts outlined in

have none. Camera replacement should be placed on a

the A.L.I.C.E and Run, Hide, Fight programs. Both programs

planned cycle and budgeted accordingly. The cost should

instruct staff on how to react if such an event would occur.

be one that is shared between the building budget and the

Both programs teach methodology and life skills that can be

district wide facilities budget.

utilized by students and staff inside and outside the school environment.

tems at all buildings. Such a system will allow for staff to ensure anyone with a predatory background does not enter parts of the building where children are located. It can also ensure the safety of the student when they are being signed out by parents and guardians involved with active custody issues.

Infrastructure Concerns: The district has several buildings where access in and out of the main office is compromised. The district should look at ways to sure up infrastructure by adding card reader systems and/or additional doors.

Safe Schools Leadership/Staffing: Currently the department is understaffed. The director is Dr. Mumin, Sgt. Major Wright and JROTC members were among the

not serving in a role that can move the district forward be-

district staff members, sports teams and students who marched in

cause he is forced to deal with too many day to day issues.

Reading’s annual Holiday Parade.

To move many of the aforementioned initiatives forward, a mid-level supervisor should be hired and stationed at Read-

Incident Command Team:

With the consistent turnover at central administration,

the district lacks a formal incident command team. A team should be established in the upcoming months which provides redundancy at each tier.

Reunification Plans: The district lacks formal reunification plans by building.

This is a daunting task given the number of buildings the district has, but is one that should be addressed in the future.

ing High School. This will allow the Safe Schools Director to be a resource and advocate for change across the entire district. In addition, five (5) additional safe schools officers should be placed at Reading High School and the Intermediate High School providing duel coverage on each floor. Another consideration that should be vetted is adding two(2) School Resource Officers (SRO) at the High School and two (2) SROs at the Intermediate High School. Currently, Neighborhood Police Officers (NRO) assist at both locations when called upon. Additionally, a review to determine if additional staff is needed to support the elementary level is required.

Student Drills: The district needs to create a schedule to perform drills beyond the state mandated fire, weather and transporta-

SAFE SCHOOLS: KEY AREAS

tion drills. Recommended drills include chemical spill and

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Professional Development

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School + Community Relations

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Teacher + Student Engagement (Curriculum)

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School District + Law Enforcement Relations

Safe Schools staff has an adequate number of radios, the

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Gang Prevention

district is lacking the same at the building level. Each build-

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Physical Building Needs

ing should have 8-10 radios dedicated to inner building com-

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Board Policy + Operational Procedures

munications and 1-2 radios that can transmit district wide.

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Staffing Levels

In addition, repeater equipment must be added to have a

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Support Program for Special Needs Students

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Proactive Programming (Elementary Level)

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Revised Student + Parent Handbook

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District Bell Times/Schedules

active intruder.

Two Way Radio Communication: The district has a major deficiency in this area. While the

true district wide network.

Badging System: The district should consider investing in ID scanner sys-

PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE: COMMUNICATIONS The Communications Department distributes Good News e-mails each Friday as a way to connect staff, share info and highlight positive info. Here’s a sampling of some of the Good News happening in RSD: Cassandrine Normil, a sixth grader at Southern Middle School, won the district’s Spelling Bee. Daniela Garcia won 2nd place in Fast Lane Art’s competition, and her work will be featured on a billboard.

RHS soccer play Oliver Calvo was selected All-State for the second year in a row as a midfielder, and Omar Guzman was selected All-State as a forward. Mrs. Rubin and Mr. Lis

RSD held a Recognition Reception in November for the

participated in Hour of Code with their students at Read-

recipients of the Superintendent’s Award of Excellence, a

ing Intermediate in December. RHS basketball player Raul

new award that recognizes the outstanding achievements

Barbosa earned a $40,000 scholarship from Olivet Boys &

of district employees. The Fall 2014 Recipients included:

Girls Club.RHS student Jayda King’s artwork was selected

Anne Fisher, Supervisor of School Health; Marlene Rathman,

as the program cover design for the NAACP’s Annual Gala.

Art Teacher, Millmont Elementary; Tyler Rutt, Life Skills Sup-

RHS senior Alexandra Quest was named as Carpenter’s Sci-

port Teacher, Reading Intermediate High School; Coach

ence Student of the Month in October. Riverside Elementary

Michael Cahn, Reading High School Boys Soccer Coach;

won $4,000 worth of school supplies from VF Outlet Center.

Gerard Tyson, Teacher, Northwest Middle School; and Er-

Our 2014-15 United Way Giving Campaign grand total was

icka Evans-Loos, Art Teacher, Lauer’s Park Elementary. The

$23,863, and our “Shake It Off” video went viral with more

winter Recognition Reception will be held on March 12.

than 14,000 views on YouTube.

COMMUNICATIONS

ONE VISION. ALL STUDENTS. ONE READING.

SNAPSHOT l PRESENTED BY KRISTIN BOYD, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

CONNECT WITH US • • • • • •

Facebook.com/ReadingSD Twitter: @RDGschools Twitter: @DrMuminRSD Pinterest.com/ReadingSD YouTube.com: Search RSD TV Website: www.ReadingSD.org

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

3

BY THE NUMBERS the number of awards that we have won from the PA School Public Relations Association.

We received three Awards of Excellence, the highest honor.

MEDIA HITS

• Sidewalk CHAMPS initiative • Opening Day Ceremony • Reading Holiday Parade

• Attendance at local events • Participation in local organizations • State of the District Address • Let’s Work Together Committee @RIHS

MORALE BOOSTERS • Birthday e-mails • Contests + Prizes • Recognitions + Special Messages

COMMUNICATION TOOLS

_

190 +

• Superintendent Socials • Super Saturday Event

• Networking at Night • Recognition Receptions • Individual school events

7

WHAT’S NEXT ... the number of local businesses that have advertised or have agreed to advertise with RSD. To date, we have secured $3,650 worth of advertising + sponsorships for the 2014-15 school year.

READING SCHOOL DISTRICT

5,350 copies of our Annual Report were

• Increase average open rates from current 25 percent to 30 percent • Increase email distribution list from current 6,000 to 10,000

*Since March 24, 2014

distributed via the Reading Eagle.

Electronic reads totaled 2,780 — 37% open rate and 400plus engagement reaches.

• Internal: Staff + Students Board members • External: Parents Alumni Businesses + Economic Development Local organizations + non-profits General public Media

RSD E-Newsletters + Print Newsletters RSD Annual Report + Community Newsletter Quarterly Alumni E-Newsletters Life Lessons Webisodes + Podcasts Pathway to Excellence BCTV Show Bilingual Radio Show on Albright’s 91.3 FM El Palo Magazine full-page ads Good News weekly e-mails Channel 22 + Graduation Spotlight Press releases + media alerts

• Create an accurate database of community partnerships + programs • Create an accurate database of activites, programs + clubs contacts • Review of communications + social media polices

COMMUNICATION + ENGAGEMENT GOALS

Of those, 166 were positive

TARGET AUDIENCES

Re-establish and/or strengthen PTO/PTA groups at each school Re-evaluate and update website Create marketing material Submit proposal for a Spanish-language BCTV Show Connect with RUMBA Radio

• Determine how to captialize on community interest in arts + athletics

Of those, 24 were not positive

ANNUAL REPORT 2013-14

PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE

• • • • •

FEATURED IN ...

Reading Eagle Channel 69 News Channel 69 News/En Espanol

• Find additional avenues to share information + tell our RSD story • Improve internal communication and protocol • Coverage in a national publication or news service • Form a RSD Ambassadors Team that can share information on behalf of the district, as well as volunteer + host tables at local events • Establish additional lines of communication with local organizations, non-profits, businesses and churches

WEEU-AM Radio BCTV.org Berks County Living

ACCOMPLISHMENTS

PSBA Magazine El Palo Magazine VOICES + Business Weekly

• Decrease of detrimental news in local media • Opening Day video received 1,500+ Vimeo views • Increase in effective communications + social media engagement

Comcast Newsmakers

• 1st Video PSA; received 733 YouTube views + 55 Facebook shares

.

15

SOCIAL MEDIA TOOLS

million hits

on our website since March 24, 2014. Popular pages: This Week’s Flyers, 10 Things Every Child Wishes You Knew About Autism, Hispanic Heritage Month + 2014-15 Budget.

DR. MUMIN l 556 following

START* l 5 following CURRENT* l 134 following

START l 0 following CURRENT l 753 following

GOAL* l 200 followers

GOAL l 1,000 followers

START l 126 subscribers CURRENT l 353 subscribers

START l 498 fans CURRENT l 4,100 fans GOAL l 4,500 fans

GOAL l 400 subscribers

*Start point as of March 24, 2014 l Current as of October 17, 2014 l Goal as of June 30, 2015

Above: RSD hosted a successful Networking at Night event in November 2014 . Nearly 200 people attended the event, held at Reading Intermediate High School. The purpose was to bring together district staff, athletic coaches and club advisors, community members and local business leaders. It also provided an excellent opportunity to showcase our secondary students and their phenomenial talents.

PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE: PARTNERSHIPS AND ENGAGEMENT The Reading School District values its community partners and all that they do for our students, staff and parents. Examples include the Fightin’ Phils, Greater Reading Chamber of Commerce & Industry, Berks Business Education Coaltion, Reading Recreation Commission, Centro Hispano, YMCA of Reading, Olivet Boys & Girls Club, Carpenter and the local colleges — Penn State Berks, Reading Area Community College, Albright College, Alvernia University and Kutztown University.

ACOR

Fantasy Skateaway

Path of Holiness

All Soul’s Ecumenical Church

Gilmore/Henne Fund

Peace Lutheran Church

Azko Nobel

Girl Scouts of Eastern

Reading Fightin’ Phils

Berks Arts Council

Pennsylvania

Reading Health System

Berks County 4-H

Girls on the Run

Reading Musical Foundation

Berks Historical Society

Glad Tidings Church

Reading Public Museum

Berks Packing

GoggleWorks Center

Reading Public Library

BCAP

for the Arts

Reading Symphony Orchestra

BCIU

Grace Lutheran Church

Ready.Set.Read!

Berks Community Prevention

Greater Berks Food Bank

St. Joseph Medical Center

Heister’s Lane

St. Margaret’s RC Church

Berks Women in Crisis

Partnership

Holy Spirit Lutheran Church

St. Luke’s Church

Burger King - Reading location

Holy Trinity Church of

Salvation Army

Calvary United Church of Christ

God in Christ

Sofritos Bistro

Hope Lutheran Church

Southern Alumni Association

Caron Foundation

Junior League of Reading

The Food Trust

Christ Lutheran Church

Koinos Church

The Place at Riveredge

City of Reading (COR) Tennis

Lamar Advertising

Travelers

City of Reading Recycling

Mentors for Berks Youth

Trinity Lutheran Church

Migrant Education Program

United Way of Berks County

Clover Farms

Mike & Joes Barbershop

Wood-to-Wonderful

Council On Chemical Abuse

Olivet Boys and Girls Club

Yes Mentoring Program

CrossRoads XP

Olivet United Church of Christ

Yocum Institute

Program

*List is not comprehensive or exhaustive. We thank and appreciate all of our community partners.

PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE: ORGANIZATIONAL EFFECTIVENESS To increase organizational effectiveness and support for students, parents, teachers, support staff, administrators and community partners, Dr. Mumin reorganized the leadership team. The reorganization consisted of aligning the leadership team to take responsibility in the areas of academics, safe schools, equity, communications and partnerships, organizational effectiveness and fiscal responsibility. Moreover, the existing organizational chart has a savings, as some positions have been combined and or administrative duties have been reassigned.

UTILIZING RESOURCES: DELAWARE VALLEY CONSORTIUM FOR EXCELLENCE AND EQUITY RSD is a district member of the Delaware Valley Consortium for Excellence and Equity (DVCEE). of DVCEE, which provides, among other things: support in the development and implementation of equity informed district strategic plans on-going high level professional learning, annual Middle and High School Students Leadership Institutes for minority students, recruitment fair for educators of color, research/sharing best practices among District members. So far, RSD has participated in the Annual Leadership Institutes for Middle and High School Students of color. District teams have also been sent to professional learning workshops.

PATHWAY TO EXCELLENCE: FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY •

Corrected all past PSERS errors and are correcting PSERS errors in a much more timely manner

•

•

Stabilized payroll staff-2 new

The 2014-2015 final budget in the amount of $226.8 million was approved

employees with basically no

by the Reading School District Board of Directors on June 25. There are

payroll experience

no cuts to personnel, programs or services. Here’s a brief budget outlook:

Open business office positions were posted and filled

•

2014-15 BUDGET OUTLOOK

TOTAL BUDGET — FUNDING SOURCES l $226,826,371 STATE

Federal Programs were neglected.

LOCAL

Now are up-to-date with fiscal status and projections •

New monthly up-to-date financial reports and cash flow projections

16 PERCENT

9 PERCENT

FEDERAL OTHER

72 PERCENT

3 PERCENT

given to board evey month •

2014-15 budget was completed, ap-

EXPENDITURE CATEGORIES

proved, and submitted in timely fash•

Reading SD submitted for federal indirect cost rate for 2013-14 and 2014-15

•

61 PERCENT

INSTRUCTION

ion

SUPPORT SERVICES DEBT SERVICE

28 PERCENT

10 PERCENT

1 PERCENT

Bank reconciliations and internal account reconciliations are

includes student & community activities

Instruction includes: Non-special education: 68 percent Special education: 26 percent Vocational education: 4 percent Pre-Kindergarten: 1 percent Other Instruction: 1 percent

occurring on a regular basis and are up-to-date •

ACCESS submissions and billings

EXPENDITURE SUBCATEGORIES SALARIES

were increased dramatically •

BENEFITS

Effective utilization of Title I funds

•

Corrected social security/medicare reconciliations which will lead to

PROFESSIONAL SERVICES DEBT SERVICE

OTHER

increased reimbursements •

a five year plan •

Conrad Siegal to develop a sustainable district-wide health insurance plan

RSD held a motivational Opening Day Ceremony for district staff at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Fightin’ Phils, one of our valued community partners, generously allowed the district to use the stadium free of charge for the event.

22 PERCENT

10 PERCENT 4 PERCENT

2014-15 BUDGET HIGHLIGHTS: A principal, assistant principal and school nurse in every elementary school; An appropriately staffed district office; New mathematics textbooks and curriculum materials; revised curriculum for all classrooms in grades K-5; Additional curriculum improvements, textbooks and materials; Enhancements for alternative education; Development of a cyber education program; New laptop computers with updated operating systems for all teachers; Additional technology improvements for students and classrooms; and renovations for select elementary schools

OPENING DAY CEREMONY

25 PERCENT

includes supplies & other expenses

Development of a three year financial plan moving toward

39 PERCENT

One Vision. All Students. One Reading.

All this will not be finished in the first 100 days. Nor will it be finished in the first 1,000 days, nor in the life of this administration, nor even perhaps in our lifetime on this planet. But let’s begin.

- John F. Kennedy

Reading School District 800 Washington St. Reading, PA 19601 (484) 258-7000 office l (610) 371-5971 fax www.ReadingSD.org