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Montessori Magnet principal highlights rising ELL population, high attendance and SHINE program supports
Summary
Principal John Powell told the board Montessori Magnet School has seen an increase in English-language learners, above-95% average daily attendance and expansion of arts participation; the school flagged planned staffing turnover and a change in SHINE ratios for next year.
Principal John Powell presented an update on Montessori Magnet School to the Albany City School District Board of Education, noting demographic shifts, high attendance, and program developments.
Powell said the school's English-language-learner population rose from single digits to about 30 students in recent years, prompting changes in professional development and instructional planning. "We have seen a noticeable increase," he said, adding that the trend mirrors districtwide enrollment shifts.
The school reported an average daily attendance above 95 percent and chronic absenteeism around 11 percent at the time of the presentation; Powell highlighted daily tracking, home visits by the attendance officer and regular teacher outreach as strategies. He said fewer than 1 percent of students were below 90 percent daily attendance.
Powell also emphasized arts and music participation: 74.4 percent of students in grades 3 to 5 take part in band or strings, largely using school-owned instruments, and the school staged concerts with large parent turnout.
Powell described the SHINE program, an in-district initiative supporting neurodiverse learners (formerly called a ratio-based program) that now provides targeted services and has been adopted across district buildings. He said staff developed SHINE locally and created a logo and materials intended to reflect the program's purpose.
Challenges for the coming year include an unusually large staffing turnover: Powell said Montessori will welcome four new teachers and noted several retirements among long-tenured staff. He also said SHINE ratios will shift from 6:13 to 8:13 in some placements, requiring planning.
Powell closed by outlining social-emotional and inclusive initiatives at Montessori, including No Place for Hate and the Best Buddies program.
Ending note: Powell and Montessori Community Council chair Anna Killings described fundraising and family-engagement events that support field trips and school activities, and they invited board members to attend an upcoming multicultural festival and other events.
