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The concept behind the teams is simple: Riderwood faculty and parents work together to ensure that the school and its children thrive. School based management began in 1993 and now consists of a number of teams. Teams contain teachers, administrators, staff members, and parents. Listed below are several teams at Riderwood. School Improvement Team (SIT): The composition of this team includes a grade level representative, school administrators, a spokesperson from the support staff, and interested parents. This team works to support the mission and goals of the BCPS system as represented in the Blueprint for Progress. Our main goal is related to student achievement, and this team is mainly responsible for writing and revising the SIP (School Improvement Plan) each year. We use data from the MSA (Maryland School Assessment) to establish goals specific to Riderwood, based on the performance goals and indicators designated in the Blueprint. We then write strategies and key actions to help us to achieve these goals. In addition, the team uses data based on short cycle assessments and benchmarks given in the core academic areas, to develop short term goals for areas of need. Our findings guide grade level instructional programs. Teachers maintain data binders so we can track specific skills and students, as we progress through the units of study. Data input from multiple sources and county initiatives guide the development and planning for the professional development opportunities available to our faculty and staff members. This committee also addresses issues related to the grouping process. Site Based Management Team Chair: Pat Murphy, Assistant Principal: Decision making is a shared responsibility at Riderwood Elementary. This team is composed of representatives from each grade level, a special educator, reading specialist and a special area teacher, as well as both administrators. The SBMT welcomes parent volunteers to round out the team. This team works to support the mission and goal of BCPS as laid out in the county’s Blueprint for Progress. Many new and challenging initiatives have been tackled and achieved by this team such as the writing of the Riderwood School Pledge that is recited by the students each day. Policies are discussed and our teacher handbook is updated each year. This team oversees the American Education Week activities, organization for our participation in the Job Fair, Riderwood Policies, school budget, building use procedures, general school programs and student activities, etc. It has an important role in decision making regarding the use of Wrapping Paper Funds as well. Please feel free to bring any questions or concerns regarding decision making to our team. The GT Referral Committee is made up of an administrator, classroom teachers, special area teachers, and the school counselor. The purpose of the Riderwood GT Referral and Review Process is to prepare a student profile that includes multiple sources of information and a variety of assessment methods. This data describes a student’s behaviors and abilities in the discipline(s) of perceived strength. The team analyzes the data and recommends program placement. Meetings are scheduled at the end of each quarter throughout the school year and the team may meet at other times if deemed necessary. The Literacy Team is responsible for incorporating fun and creative school-wide reading and writing programs into the existing academic program. This includes the school-wide reading incentive and writing incentive entitled “Wee Deliver.” We also plan events around special national reading days such as D.E.A.R. and Read Across America. Finally, we host a fall and spring reading night for our parents to give them tips and suggestions for assisting their children with reading in the home setting. The Citizen/Outreach Team reinforces values and community service ideals to our students. Its activities include the Student Council Association, Safety Patrol, Peer Mediation, School Spirit Squad, student-operated school store, Talent Show, and community outreach projects. Some examples of activities this team has sponsored include a hat and coat drive for the Bea Gaddy shelter, canned goods drives, collecting loose change to donate to the SPCA, and bake sales for the Ronald McDonald House and other worthy causes. The Technology Team helps Riderwood student's encounters with computers be exciting, informative, and challenging. Goals include assessing Riderwood's computer equipment throughout the year and upgrading it as needed, evaluating educational software, and providing the Riderwood faculty with professional development to increase. In the past the team has written grants to obtain funds to update the wiring of the school, and developed partnerships with local businesses for donations of furniture and other needed items. Parent Internet Education has been offered in the evenings for the last two years with staff and teacher volunteers.
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