"Our thoughts are with his family," Mr. Hirschfield said. "We extend our thoughts for healing to the students recovering from the accident."

Thursday, October 22, Mr. Montana and three other Shepaug High School students, Christian James, Donald Mackay and Spencer Fappiano, were traveling on Bee Brook Road/Route 47 when the car they were driving in crashed, according to police.

Mr. Montana died from his injuries. The other three students were hospitalized.

Region 12 Superintendent Dr. Bruce Storm told board members that two of the three students were released from the hospital over the weekend.

After learning about the accident, Dr. Storm explained that he, Joseph Boyle, director of pupil services, and SHS Interim Principal Janet Strausberg assembled a crisis team of clergy, social workers, teachers and staff to help students on Friday morning.

"On Friday help was in place," Mr. Boyle explained. "After this first weekend, we made sure students had access to help and support. It's important to give our students the time to grieve.

"The clergy, social workers, teachers, staff and community have been a big help. It doesn't matter what age you are when something like this happens, it's so difficult. We will continue to be there for our students."

Dr. Storm told the board he sent a note home to parents with information guidelines for students in times of crisis.

Board members Valerie Andersen and Michelle Gorra asked that a discussion and overview on the high school's drivers education program be added to an upcoming agenda.

The Board of Education heard a presentation from Shepaug Middle School Principal Teresa DeBrito on her school's 2009-10 success plan.

"This has been a group effort to create student goals with in-depth analysis of student performance as measured on the Connecticut Mastery Test, along with additional school-based achievement indicators," Principal DeBrito said.

She took the board through a 25-page success plan with analysis on student performance, identifying students needs, implementing teaching strategies, assessing student learning and data-driven decision-making, all leading to increased student achievement

Ms. DeBrito reviewed the SMART goals acronym, which stands for specific, measurable, attainable, results-oriented and time-bound.

"This is very focused and helps us identify gaps and fill in those gaps quickly," Ms. DeBrito said.

She spoke of shorter learning cycles, targeted goals, targeted action steps for reading, writing, math, science and teacher training.

The Shepaug Middle School population has grown to 250 students this year.

Ms. DeBrito reviewed reading, writing, math, science, health wellness, professional development and communication goals.

She used a template that included targeted goals, rationale, strategies, strategies used in additional classes and results indicators.

Reading performance for current eighth-graders showed significant gains during their seventh-grade year.

Reading results for students entering seventh grade showed significant gains during their sixth-grade year.

A targeted reading goal for the 2010 Connecticut Mastery Test is to improve the results of the approximately 19 percent of sixth- and seventh-grade students who did not meet goal and the 15 percent of eighth-graders who did not meet goal.

Ms. DeBrito explained that this year, the strategies to help achieve the targets will use instruction and activities infused throughout the school year on reading subtests in language arts and social studies classes, book clubs and identifying students who need intervention.

In 2009, 64.6 percent of students in eighth grade met goal on the writing section. This year, instruction will focus on process writing that includes authentic composing and revising techniques throughout the year.

Social studies teachers, who will focus on composing and revising, will provide additional instruction in this area.

Math performance for current eighth-grade students showed a dip from last year.

Ms. DeBrito explained that the math performance for seventh graders remained flat. She continues to study each strand that presents students with challenges.

As a former math teacher, Ms. DeBrito and her teachers worked on specific strategies for each strand and a time frame for reassessments to determine if the strategy is working.

She gave an example of strand 13 for eighth-grade students which is computation with percents.

Approximately 45 percent of seventh graders achieved mastery. A pre-assessment showed this concept is a significant weakness for many students.

The strategies for improvement incorporate "Do Now" exercises that focus on concepts. Students focus on the concepts in gym class calculating their heart rates with a Heart Rate Monitor.

Additional targeted computation, whole numbers, decimals, metric measurement, spatial skills, geometric skills and computer-based exercises will be added to throughout the year.

Ms. DeBrito expressed some concern with the current math program and continues to study the gaps she is seeing and how they can be filled.

She told the board that some of the strands the students are being tested on are brand new.

Board member Kelly Lott asked if there is any talk about looking into a new math program.

"Everyone is interested in a new series. We continue to look at this," Ms. DeBrito said.

Board member Anthony Bedini asked if students from the elementary level are close to grade level when entering sixth grade.

Ms. DeBrito said it appears as though they are. She explained sixth grade creates a different learning environment with emphasis on focus, discipline, getting used to a new academic setting and working on skills everyday.

Shepaug saw an increase in the percent of eighth-grade students who meet goal on the science CMT. This section of the test is given in fifth and eighth grades.

Instructional practice is being strengthened with a focus on scientific inquiry and standardized terminology.

The success plan reviewed health and wellness goals that go beyond the classroom to meet the needs of the whole child.

Ms. DeBrito spotlighted a goal to increase communication with unified arts teachers and guidance counselors.

Faculty is considering additional recreation clubs for students who are not in sports with access to the weight room and track after school.

A healthy eating program is in place to help students increase their knowledge of healthy choices.

Ms. DeBrito praised her teachers commitment, professional development and determination to work collaboratively to refine student-learning outcomes.

She thanked the board, teachers and students for the effort the school success plan requires.

"The success plan is developed to meet the needs of students, staff, families with the intent to enhance the learning environment and continue to improve the culture of Shepaug Valley Middle School," Ms. DeBrito concluded.