Dear Parent or Guardian:

 The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act of 2001 is a federal law to improve education for all children. It holds schools responsible for results, gives parents greater choices, and promotes teaching methods that work.  The New York City Department of Education (NYCDOE) is committed to helping all schools reach high standards for student achievement and giving every child in every school a quality education.

In January 2011, the New York State Education Department (NYSED) identified schools in NYC that are in need of improvement as required under federal NCLB rules. Schools were identified in one of the following categories: Title I School in Need of Improvement – Year 1, Title I School in Need of Improvement – Year 2, Title I Corrective Action School – Year 1, Title I Corrective Action School – Year 2 in Planning for Restructuring, Title I Restructuring School – Year 1, Title I Restructuring School Year 2, or Title I Restructuring School – Year 3.  This means that these schools have, so far, not made what is called adequate yearly progress (AYP) toward meeting the State proficiency level in English language arts, mathematics and/or science. 

 For the school year 2011-2012, Marta Valle High School has been identified by NYSED as a School In Need of Improvement due to the fact that we did not make AYP in our graduation rate in 2009.   As schools must make AYP for two years in a row to be removed from the school in need of improvement list, we are working towards that goal.

 In 2010, MVHS made AYP in all accountability measures (including graduation rate) except for Mathematics in the subgroup of Hispanic and Latino students.  If we did not make AYP in the Mathematics for a second year in a row in 2011, we would then be designated as a School In Need of Improvement in that area.  For this reason, our school-wide focus continues to be on improving our student’s performance in Mathematics, and ensuring that all students are on track for graduation.

 We are confident that several of the interventions and exciting new programs that have been introduced citywide and at the MVHS school level will make this school year a successful experience for your adolescent.  The following is an abbreviated list of the interventions and programs that are being implemented at MVHS are:

• Professional development opportunities for all teachers which will focus on supporting improved teacher practice in using data to ensure success for all students;
• Participation in the Innovation Zone Program, allowing targeted students to enroll in Advanced Placement Courses as well as Credit Recovery classes, and earn college credit while still in High School.
• A school-wide Vision Screening Program through Childsight that provides all students with free vision screening and eyeglasses if needed;
• Continued and strengthened partnerships with Community Based Organizations such as Partnership With Children, New York University, Empire State College, Australian United States Services in Education (AUSSIE), Sarah Lawrence College, Publicolor, Morningside Center for Teaching Social Responsibility;
• An Advisory Program that provides all students with targeted academic and socio-emotional support and intervention three times per week in groups of ten students;
• A longer school day that will incorporate opportunities for students to participate in tutoring or additional course offerings;
• Literacy and Mathematics Lead Teachers who will work with teachers on an ongoing basis to strengthen teacher skill;
• New teaching strategies and smaller class sizes for targeted students;
• Continued recruitment of highly-qualified and certified teachers to staff our classrooms;
• More classroom time devoted to reading and math skills;
• Strategies to increase daily attendance;
• Expanded tutoring opportunities through our 21^st Century Grant Extended Day and Saturday Success Program;
• Extensive support for students through a partnership with Partnership with Children, a non-profit organization that provides counseling and referral support to our students and their families;
• Increased opportunities for students to be engaged in an extended array of enrichment activities such as Publicolor, a project that has involved our students in transforming the public spaces in our school through color and collaboration.

We ask that you support your adolescent by making sure that she/he comes to school every day on time.  Make sure that all homework assignments and school projects are completed on time.  We also invite you to participate in all school activities.  Stay in close contact with your adolescent’s teachers to monitor your adolescent’s academic progress.  Share with teachers you want to hear from them as soon as problems occur so you can work together to find solutions.  We also encourage you to become active in the MVHS Parents’ Association and School Leadership Team. 

Through the federal No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB), some students in schools identified for school improvement are eligible for Supplemental Educational Services (SES).  SES are tutoring or other remedial services offered by a New York State approved service provider, at no cost to you, after-school or on weekends.  If your child is free-lunch eligible, and is attending a school that has been identified for improvement for two or more years, you will have the option to select from a list of state-approved providers.  Specific information regarding SES programs has been provided to the parents of eligible students in a separate notification.  We have hosted the first of a series of Parent Resource Fairs to offer parents with an opportunity to meet with NYCDOE approved vendors who can provide SES Tutoring to eligible students at no cost to families.

The second Parent Resource Fair will take place on: Wednesday, October 19, 2011 from 5:30-6:00 PM.  At that time, I will be available to answer any questions you may have about the school improvement interventions and programs described above. 

• School Leadership Team
• Family College & Career Workshops
• Parent Association
• Principal Breakfasts
• Curriculum Evenings & Academic Conferences
• ARIS Parent Link 

 Please feel free to reach out to me or any staff member at MVHS at any time via e-mail, phone, or a note sent via your adolescent.  We look forward to working in partnership with you to ensure a wonderful future for your adolescent!

 Most warmly,

 Mimi Fortunato

Principal