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Middle and high school leaders outline new electives, PLC schedule and literacy initiatives
Summary
Port Jervis middle- and high-school staff described new learning spaces, expanded electives, a daily PLC window and several classroom literacy initiatives they say are aimed at boosting student engagement and long-term outcomes.
Middle- and high-school leaders presented classroom- and program-level changes March 11 that district administrators said are part of a sustained push on literacy, common assessments and professional learning communities (PLCs).
Port Jervis Middle School principal Anthony Lazaro and colleagues described new instructional space and course offerings after the middle grades moved into a consolidated schedule. The presentation highlighted renovated or repurposed rooms—technology and wood-shop spaces, a new art room and music facilities—and an effort to ensure elective access for sixth through eighth graders.
Why it matters: Administrators said the schedule change that ends the school day earlier provides 25 minutes of daily PLC time for staff collaboration. That, they said, supports common formative assessments, data review and coordinated interventions intended to improve long-term outcomes such as graduation rates.
Key points from presenters - Facilities and electives: Lazaro said the middle school now houses technology rooms, a wood shop, three-dimensional printers and expanded art and music spaces. Staff emphasized hands-on electives (robotics, multimedia, technology and culinary/food service classes) available across grades. - PLC and schedule: The middle school now ends the day at 2:00 p.m. and provides a 2:00–2:25 p.m. PLC block for teacher collaboration, common-assessment work and targeted reteach plans. Lazaro said common assessments let teachers compare approaches and adjust instruction. - Engagement and climate data: Administrators reported about 1,841 points of contact (family/staff/student communications) and said positive referrals increased by roughly 67% compared with the prior year while out-of-school suspensions decreased by about 24%. Lazaro characterized the change as a sign of improved climate and consistency of expectations. - Music and participation: Presenters said choir and band participation grew markedly; Lazaro cited figures for seventh- and eighth-grade choir involvement (more than 100 students) and band participation approaching several dozen at a time. - High school literacy and curriculum work: The high-school English department displayed three classroom strategies introduced through PLC teams: concept maps to activate prior knowledge, structured research journals and a student choice "passion project". Librarians and literacy coaches described database use, leveled text tools and scaffolded research stations to improve information fluency and reduce reliance on uncurated web searches.
Direct note from a presenter Anthony Lazaro: "It's not about me. It's about the kids," he said while describing adjustments teachers made after comparing student assessment results.
Ending Administrators said the instructional changes are part of a broader strategic planning effort and asked for continued board support as they refine measures intended to raise state test scores and graduation outcomes.
