School Info

School Name Rickards MS (2121) School Grade (2024 - 2025)
Title 1 School Yes School Improvement (SI) No
School of Excellence No ESSA School No
RAISE
Reading Achievement Initiative for Scholastic Excellence
No    
SAC Documentation/SAC Upload Center

Executive Summary

Executive Summary

 

File Name File Uploaded By Upload Date
Rickards-Cognia-Executive-Summary-.pdfElizabeth Valentino8/19/2025

School Budget Signature Page

School Budget Signature Page

 

File Name File Uploaded By Upload Date
School-Budget-Page-25-26.pdfElizabeth Valentino9/30/2025

High Quality Instruction

Early Warning Indicators

Using the data below, describe all intervention strategies employed by the school to improve the academic performance of students identified by the early warning system.

  • Math- Strategies that will be used to improve academic performance outcomes include professional development and trainings on planning and conducting engaging classroom stations, using formative and summative data to drive instruction, and continous improvement on the use of district wide materials such as Savvas, iReady, and ALDs (Achievement Level Descriptors). Teachers will collaborate on a horizontal and vertical level to develop rigorous lesson plans.  FAST PM 1 will serve as baseline data of students at the beginning of the year. PM 2 will serve as a determinant of growth from beginning of the year to middle of the year. Remediation and enrichment plans will include activities provided in district resources. IReady Assessments will be given three times during the year to help determine student learning levels and individual learning targets.  Mr. Lewis Prisco, from the district, is supporting the team with the crossover from Successmaker to IReady, Achievement Level Descriptors for each level of math (DOKS), CFA creation to support school based tracking of achievement, teacher support- rigor and stations, and Algebra Small Groups- pull outs, and use of the new CFA platform for algebra and geometry- Performance Matters.
  • ELL- English Language Learners(ELL) will participate in iLit learning activities and formative assessments, Idea Proficiency Test(IPT), and WIDA assessment. Teachers use the WIDA reports and CAN do descriptors and Ellevation resources to address the learning gaps. The Master Schedule will reflect cohorted groups of ELL students. These groupings will allow all core teachers to strategically lesson plan for LYs. Teachers in the ELA & Social Studies classrooms will use the Differentiated Instruction- Scaffolding for English Learners, provided within the text, and the supplemental tools within HMH to support ELL learners.  All teachers use the LAUNCH IT flyer within their classrooms to ensure all strategies for supporting ELLs are being completed.  Eric Rosenauer provides the school with support during online office hours weekly.  He also visits the school regularly to assist with lesson planning, classroom strategies, and training on supporting technology.  He works with the DLA and Literacy team to ensure we are on proper pacing and developing strategies to promote the growth of our ELL students.
  • SWD- Strategies that will be used to improve academic performance outcomes include support facilitators and classroom teachers collaborating during PLC. Research-based learning strategies will be discussed and embedded in teacher lesson plans. Teachers will implement learning strategies into instruction and monitor for effectiveness.  Rickards Schoolwide Student Accomodation Checklists are provided to all teachers to ensure that they are properly identifying and providing the proper accomodations required to assist students and close their achievement gaps.
  • ELA- HMH formative assessments, selection tests, will be used to progress monitor individual students. Teacher/student data chats will occur to build student ownership of learning. Teacher/admin data chats will occur to monitor student progress and provide support to teachers to improve effectiveness of practice. Common formative assessments provided through district resources will be the assessment tools. FAST PM 1 will serve as baseline data of students at the beginning of the year. PM 2 will serve as a determinant of growth from beginning of the year to middle of the year. Remediation and enrichment plans will include activities provided in district resources. IReady Assessments will be given three times during the year to help determine student learning levels and individual learning targets.  Ms. Delisabel Rosario and Ms. Richelle Fearon are supporting the ELA Department with assistance with cross analysis between iReady and PM data, classroom support, PDs, supporting teacher lesson plans & "READS" Look Fors.  Ms. Craig continues to support Rickards this year by allowing us to contact her for any additional support needed in Read180 or The Code.  

 

School Report Card

FLDOE: Edudata

Areas of Focus (Formerly Goals, Strategies and Activities)

Area of Focus: ELA and Reading

Measurable Outcome (SMART Goal) Professional Development Budget Monitoring Results
(End of Year)
By May 2026, students in grades 6-8 James S. Rickards Middle School will increase their ELA proficiency from 46% to 50% as measured by FAST PM3 ELA assessment. By May 2026, 80% of students in Intensive Reading courses will meet their individualized projected goal on the Growth Map Assessment 3 as outlined by the Growth Map Diagnostic Assessment. How to Effectively Implement Learning Stations. The area of focus will be monitored by conducting weekly classroom walkthroughs, providing feedback, conducting quarterly data chats, conducting professional learning communities, and celebrating student success on a monthly basis.

Evidence-based Interventions/Strategies

Evidence-based Intervention/Strategy 1 Teachers will adapt instruction to meet the different needs, strengths, and interests of students.
Person(s) Responsible Elizabeth Valentino and Patricia Porter
Deadline 5/25/2026
Evidence-based Intervention/Strategy 2 Teacher provides students with opportunities for engagement in all three types of engagement: behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement.
Person(s) Responsible Elizabeth Valentino and Patricia Porter
Deadline 5/25/2026
Evidence-based Intervention/Strategy 3 Teachers will incorporate differentiated learning stations in their instruction to support students stretch themselves intellectually and personally by engaging with skills, habits, and content in challenging, in developmentally appropriate ways.
Person(s) Responsible Elizabeth Valentino and Patricia Porter
Deadline 5/25/2026

Mid-Year Reflection

Progress: Is desired progress being made to accomplish the intended outcome for the Area of Focus by the end of the school year? Yes
Evidence: Provide evidence of the implementation challenges the school encountered during the Fall semester. Describe the changes made to address these challenges.
One challenge was inconsistent implementation of standards-aligned instruction and pacing across grade levels as it relates to ELA. Classroom walkthrough data indicated variability in the level of rigor, alignment to BEST standards, and the use of explicit instruction and text-based questioning. In some classrooms, instructional time was focused more on assignment completion rather than targeted skill development aligned to assessed standards. To address this, the school implemented the following adjustments:
  • Established grade-level unified pacing expectations to ensure all teachers were teaching the same standards within the same instructional window.

  • Increased the frequency of weekly walkthroughs with targeted feedback focused on standards alignment, explicit instruction, and student engagement.

  • Required BEST Standard Planning Cards to be incorporated into lesson planning to strengthen alignment and intentionality.

  • Implemented short, standards-based cold reads and common assessments to monitor mastery and inform instruction.

Evidence-based Interventions/Strategies: What was each Intervention/Strategy’s identified strengths and weaknesses?

Strategy 1: Teachers adapt instruction to meet the different needs, strengths, and interests of students.
Strengths:
Walkthrough data and lesson plan reviews show increased use of flexible grouping, targeted questioning, and scaffolded supports for diverse learners. Teachers demonstrated greater awareness of student data and began identifying Power Pack students to inform instructional decisions.

Weaknesses:
Implementation was inconsistent across classrooms. In some cases, differentiation focused primarily on support for struggling students, with limited opportunities for enrichment or extension for advanced learners. Additionally, adjustments were not always directly aligned to specific standards-based skill gaps.


Strategy 2: Teachers provide opportunities for behavioral, emotional, and cognitive engagement.
Strengths:
Classroom observations reflected strong behavioral engagement through structured routines, monitoring, and active participation strategies. Many classrooms also demonstrated positive teacher-student relationships and supportive learning environments that promoted emotional engagement.

Weaknesses:
Cognitive engagement varied. In some classrooms, tasks required lower levels of thinking or focused on completion rather than deep analysis of complex text. Continued support is needed to increase the level of rigor and ensure students consistently engage in higher-order thinking aligned to grade-level standards.


Strategy 3: Teachers incorporate differentiated learning stations to support students’ intellectual growth through developmentally appropriate challenges.
Strengths:
Several classrooms successfully implemented small-group rotations and learning stations that allowed for targeted skill instruction, independent practice, and teacher-led intervention. These structures supported increased opportunities for individualized support and student collaboration.

Weaknesses:
Station implementation was not consistent across grade levels or classrooms. In some cases, stations lacked clear alignment to priority standards or did not include rigorous, differentiated tasks. Additional support is needed to ensure stations are purposeful, standards-based, and used regularly to provide targeted intervention and enrichment.


Overall, these strategies strengthened differentiation and student engagement; however, the primary area for growth is ensuring consistent implementation with a strong focus on standards alignment and instructional rigor across all classrooms.

New Actions: Describe any new actions that are needed to accomplish the intended outcome for the Area of Focus.

To strengthen progress toward the ELA proficiency goal, the following actions will be implemented during the second semester:

  • Implement bi-weekly progress monitoring using standards-based common assessments to identify skill gaps and adjust instruction more quickly.

  • Establish coaching and follow-up cycles for teachers based on walkthrough data to ensure instructional feedback is implemented with fidelity.

  • Require teachers to maintain and monitor Power Pack trackers and provide targeted small-group instruction at least weekly for identified students.

  • Refocus PLCs to include structured protocols for data analysis, intervention planning, and sharing of effective instructional strategies.

  • Increase student goal-setting and data tracking, including conferences with Intensive Reading and bubble students to build ownership of growth targets.

  • Expand academic recognition and incentives to celebrate student growth, proficiency gains, and assessment success.

These actions will strengthen instructional consistency, accelerate intervention, and increase both teacher and student accountability to support the intended increase in ELA proficiency.

Additional Reflections (optional): Please add any additional reflections for this Area of Focus.
The school will also continue to build student ownership and motivation by consistent incorporation of goal-setting, and regular recognition of academic growth. These efforts will support a positive academic culture and reinforce the collective responsibility of staff and students to achieve the school’s ELA goal.

Title I Addendum

 

File Name File Uploaded By Upload Date
Titlte-1-Addendum-25-26.pdfElizabeth Valentino8/19/2025
Titlte-1-Addendum-25-26-(1)_updated.pdfFatima De Leon10/23/2025
Rickards-MS.pdfPatricia Ciceron10/24/2025

K-12 Comprehensive Reading Plan

 

File Name File Uploaded By Upload Date
BCPS-Comprehensive-Reading-Plan-25-26.pdfElizabeth Valentino8/19/2025
SIP-K12-CERP-Literacy-Leadership-Contact-Information-25-26.pdfElizabeth Valentino8/19/2025
2025-26BCPSReadAtHomePlan.pdfElizabeth Valentino8/19/2025
Broward-2025-26-CERP_Fully-Approved.pdfElizabeth Valentino9/10/2025

Resources

Safe and Supportive Environment

Professional Learning Communities (PLC)

PLC Meeting Schedule

PLC Name Day(s) of Week Week(s) of Month Start/End Dates Start/End Times Grade  
RMS Diversified Arts Department PLCs Thursday
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th 8/14/2025 - 5/21/2026 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM 6, 7, 8
RMS Social Studies Department PLCs Thursday
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th 8/14/2025 - 5/21/2026 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM 6, 7, 8
RMS Literacy Department PLCs Thursday
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th 8/14/2025 - 5/21/2026 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM 6, 7, 8
RMS Science Department PLCs Thursday
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th 8/14/2025 - 5/21/2026 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM 6, 7, 8
RMS Math Department PLCs Thursday
1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th 8/14/2025 - 5/21/2026 8:30 AM - 9:00 AM 6, 7, 8

Response to Intervention (MTSS/RtI) Plan

 

File Name File Uploaded By Upload Date
MTSS-Action-Plan-25-26.pdfElizabeth Valentino8/19/2025

RtI Team Meeting Schedule

Day(s) of Week Week(s) of Month Start/End Dates Start/End Times
Wednesday
3rd 8/21/2025 - 5/14/2026 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

Social Emotional Learning (SEL) Plan

 

No files have been uploaded.

School-wide Positive Behavior Plan (SPBP)

 

File Name File Uploaded By Upload Date
SPBP_Rickards-Middle-25-26_updated.pdfFatima De Leon4/26/2025
SPBP-Feedback-Form-2025-2026_Rickards-MS.pdfAmber Jennings6/25/2025

Attendance Plan

Total School AVG

    Regular Attenders
(0%-4.9% Absent)
At Risk
(5%-9.9% Absent)
Chronic
(10%-19.9% Absent)
Severe Chronic
(20% or more Absent)
School Year Population Number % Number % Number % Number %

Grade Level Breakdown

      Regular Attenders
(0%-4.9% Absent)
At Risk
(5%-9.9% Absent)
Chronic
(10%-19.9% Absent)
Severe Chronic
(20% or more Absent)
School Year Grade Level Population Number % Number % Number % Number %
Attendance Type School Goal

 

File Name File Uploaded By Upload Date
SIP-Attendance-Plan-25-26.pdfElizabeth Valentino9/22/2025

School Counseling Plan

 

File Name File Uploaded By Upload Date
Annual-School-Counseling-and-Support-Plan-2025-26.pdfElizabeth Valentino9/24/2025

Equity Plan

 

No files have been uploaded.

Best Practices in Inclusive Education (BPIE)

 

File Name File Uploaded By Upload Date
BPIE.pdfElizabeth Valentino9/26/2025

Effective Communication

SAC Documentation

SAC Upload Center

File Name Meeting Month Document Type Uploaded Date
SAF_sign-in-March____.pdf March SAF Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 4/19/2026
SAF_sign-in-February____.pdf February SAF Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 4/19/2026
SAF_sign-in-January___.pdf January SAF Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 4/19/2026
SAF_sign-in-March.pdf March SAF Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 4/16/2026
SAF_sign-in-February.pdf February SAF Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 4/16/2026
SAF_sign-in-January.pdf January SAF Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 4/16/2026
SAC_sign-in-April.pdf April SAC Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 4/16/2026
SAC_sign-in-February.pdf February SAC Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 4/16/2026
SAC_sign-in-January.pdf January SAC Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 4/16/2026
SAC_sign-in-March.pdf March SAC Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 3/24/2026
James-Rickards-MS-Special-December-SAC-Meeting.pdf December SAC Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 2/5/2026
Rickards-School-Recognition.pdf January A+ Funds 1/27/2026
SAF_sign-in-December.pdf December SAF Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 1/7/2026
SAC_sign-in-December.pdf December SAC Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 1/7/2026
SAF_sign-in-October.pdf October SAF Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 11/20/2025
SAC_sign-in-November.pdf November SAC Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 11/20/2025
SAC_sign-in-October.pdf October SAC Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 11/20/2025
Rickards-MS-SAC-Composition-2025-2026.pdf November SAC Composition 11/6/2025
RMS-SAF-Meeting-Dates-25-26.pdf August SAF Meeting Dates 9/30/2025
RMS-SAC-Meeting-Dates-25-26.pdf August SAC Meeting Dates 9/30/2025
SAF-Bylaws-.pdf August SAF ByLaws 9/22/2025
SAC-Bylaws-2025-2026.pdf September SAC ByLaws 9/22/2025
SAC-Agenda-September-3rd.pdf September SAC Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 9/16/2025
SAC-Meeting-Minutes-September-3.pdf September SAC Agenda, Attendance, Minutes 9/10/2025

Cognia eProve Survey Results

 

File Name File Uploaded By Upload Date
Rickards-MS-Parent-Survey-2025.pdfElizabeth Valentino9/30/2025
Rickards-MS-Staff-Survey-2025.pdfElizabeth Valentino9/30/2025
Rickards-MS-Student-Survey-2025.pdfElizabeth Valentino9/30/2025

Family and Community Engagement (FACE) Plan

 

File Name File Uploaded By Upload Date
FACE-Section-of-Rickards-Front-Office-.pngElizabeth Valentino9/30/2025

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