Swayney Elementary principal outlines five-year improvement plan, highlights sensory-room remodel

Joel Addis, principal at Swayney Elementary, briefed the Derby Board of Education on Feb. 24 about the school's needs assessment, five-year plan and recent facility improvements.

Addis said the school set specific targets: reduce the number of K–5 students scoring in state assessment levels 1 and 2 by 6% in reading and math (fifth-grade science included), and reduce chronic absenteeism by 3% (last year’s rate cited at about 16.83%). He described using an “API” eight-level breakdown to track growth and said the school is emphasizing teacher clarity with PLCs, SMART goals and student-led IEPs.

Addis showed examples of lesson deconstruction, learning intentions and work to move more students into Tier 1 instruction. He described character education activities (Character Strong), routines such as greeting students at the door and Monday late-start activities tied to social‑emotional learning. He also described a sensory room remodel that combined capital outlay funds, MCAS grant money from special services and building funds to create a safer, more usable calm-down space and storage area.

Addis highlighted celebrations, staff recognition and volunteer engagement efforts, and presented mid‑year academic progress indicators the school uses to monitor movement out of Tier 3 and Tier 2 into Tier 1. Board members thanked Addis and praised the school’s Character Strong implementation and engagement strategies.

No board action was required; the presentation will inform building-level priorities used in the district budget process.