What great excitement there is at Banks Road Elementary as we near the end of our first year of school! Our students, teachers, parents, and school community have certainly lived up to title of Trailblazers. Together we have created an outstanding school. We have come together as a collaborative learning community that shares a common vision for student success.
Throughout the year we have charted our students' academic growth. Preliminary end-of-year data confirms that our students have made significant academic growth this year! I look forward to sharing more detailed information with our school community over the coming weeks.
Now, we are focused on finishing the last tasks of this year and preparing to begin the 2010-2011 school year on July 1. Yesterday, our fifth graders participated in a fantastic promotion celebration. All students were recognized for their many accomplishments and we reflected on our journey together that began last July. I am confident that our fifth graders are ready for middle school and the next steps they take toward bright and successful futures!
Today, many classes are participating in readers' and writers' theater productions, presenting finished multimedia research projects to classmates and parents, and of course, celebrating a great year of school. I spent time this morning interviewing several students about their school experiences this year. I also spoke with some of our beginning teachers about their first year of teaching at Banks Road. I truly enjoyed listening to their responses and learning how they think we can make Banks Road better. All of their responses confirmed that Banks Road Elementary is a strong school where students enjoy learning and teachers enjoy teaching. This information along with student survey results, parent comments, and Teacher Working Conditions Survey results indicates that are we are indeed blazing a trail to success! Enjoy the upcoming July 4 holiday. We are looking forward to starting back to school on July 9!
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The Homestretch
March 2010
We have reached another milepost on our journey to success. The fourth quarter and final leg of this inaugural journey is approaching fast. We have worked diligently throughout the year to keep our students on the trail and moving forward. Teachers continue to monitor students’ progress and refine instructional practices to meet learning needs. In addition, we continue to research effective ways to reach our learners.
Recently, we received subscriptions to Study Island, Prescriptive Instruction, and Education City. Many of our teachers and students have used these programs at previous schools or on a trial basis at Banks Road. All of these programs are aligned with grade level curriculum objectives in specific content areas (language arts, math, and science). Used correctly, these programs can help students develop mastery of skills and a deeper understanding of concepts presented and practiced in the classroom. In addition to providing a new method for students to experience the curriculum, the programs also provide immediate feedback that helps teachers and parents monitor progress. Parents will be happy to know that students can access some of these programs from home. More information about these learning tools will be coming home soon.
We have reached another milepost on our journey to success. The fourth quarter and final leg of this inaugural journey is approaching fast. We have worked diligently throughout the year to keep our students on the trail and moving forward. Teachers continue to monitor students’ progress and refine instructional practices to meet learning needs. In addition, we continue to research effective ways to reach our learners.
Recently, we received subscriptions to Study Island, Prescriptive Instruction, and Education City. Many of our teachers and students have used these programs at previous schools or on a trial basis at Banks Road. All of these programs are aligned with grade level curriculum objectives in specific content areas (language arts, math, and science). Used correctly, these programs can help students develop mastery of skills and a deeper understanding of concepts presented and practiced in the classroom. In addition to providing a new method for students to experience the curriculum, the programs also provide immediate feedback that helps teachers and parents monitor progress. Parents will be happy to know that students can access some of these programs from home. More information about these learning tools will be coming home soon.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Progress Made on Our Journey of Learning
As we blaze our trail to success it is important to monitor our progress along the way. We have been on the trail for half a school year now and the distance our students have travelled is impressive! We know students have made great strides because we have monitored their progress since the journey began. The information below provides insight as to how we have assessed students’ progress since the beginning of the school year.
In all grade levels, instruction is based on curriculum objectives for each content area. These objectives require students to develop and demonstrate mastery of skills. It is important for students to learn these skills because they serve as a foundation for future learning. Each quarter, teachers use a variety of methods to measure student progress toward objective mastery. After an objective has been taught, teachers provide students with guided practice and support. Students then receive multiple opportunities to independently demonstrate mastery of the objectives.
Teachers work in their grade level PLTs to develop common assessments that they can use to measure student progress toward objective mastery. Teachers also use district assessment tools such as running records and quarterly math and writing assessments. In grades three, four, and five, Blue Diamond assessments are also used to assess objective mastery in reading, math, and science. In addition to formal assessments, teachers provide informal opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery. For example, students may be given an activity or project that requires them to apply certain skills. Through teacher observation or the review of a final product, teachers gain an indication as to whether or not a student has mastered an objective. It is important for students to receive multiple opportunities to demonstrate their understanding of objectives before receiving a quarterly grade. It is equally important for grade level teachers to collaborate on the development and use of assessment tools in order to ensure consistent grading practices across each grade level.
Throughout the quarter, teachers meet weekly in grade level PLTs to review student progress. Teachers measure students’ growth toward quarterly benchmarks and plan lessons that align with the curriculum and the instructional needs of students. The result is classroom instruction that is aligned with the curriculum, appropriately challenges students, and includes opportunities for remediation and enrichment.
At the end of the second quarter we looked at how much progress students have made at each grade level. Below are some highlights by grade level. Remember that the standards in each content area increase every quarter. For example, in first grade reading, students are expected to read at a level 6 at the end of the first quarter and a level 10 at the end of the second quarter. Below are a few highlights from each grade level.
— Kindergarten- 31% of students are performing above mid-year benchmark in reading
— 1st Grade- 35% of students are performing above mid-year benchmark in reading
— 2nd Grade- The number of students earning level 4 in reading and math increased from 1st quarter to 2nd quarter and the number of students earning level 1 in reading and math decreased from 1st quarter to 2nd quarter
— 3rd Grade- The number of students earning levels 3* and 4 in math and writing increased from 1st quarter to 2nd quarter. In reading, the number of students earning level 1 decreased and the number of 3*s increased
— 4th Grade-The number of students performing below grade level in reading and math decreased from 1st quarter to 2nd quarter
— 5th Grade-The number of students performing above grade level in 5th grade reading and math increased from 1st quarter to 2nd quarter
While this progress is worth celebrating, we still have much work to do. At every grade level there are students who are not performing on grade level and students who need enrichment opportunities. We are taking a number of steps to help these students. Teachers are providing focused interventions in the classroom, grade level PLTs are planning and implementing remediation and enrichment of specific curriculum objectives. Intervention teachers are working with students in small groups to provide supplemental instruction. Parents and volunteers are also providing needed instructional support. Teachers and parents are maintaining frequent communication regarding effective strategies and academic progress. The Student Support Team is helping teachers and parents target specific areas for improvement. School Improvement Committees are identifying resources and developing goals, key processes, and action steps that will improve student achievement. As one can see, the entire school community is involved in helping our students succeed. We are proud of our students’ achievement at Banks Road Elementary and we are excited about the opportunity to help our students achieve even more this year!
In all grade levels, instruction is based on curriculum objectives for each content area. These objectives require students to develop and demonstrate mastery of skills. It is important for students to learn these skills because they serve as a foundation for future learning. Each quarter, teachers use a variety of methods to measure student progress toward objective mastery. After an objective has been taught, teachers provide students with guided practice and support. Students then receive multiple opportunities to independently demonstrate mastery of the objectives.
Teachers work in their grade level PLTs to develop common assessments that they can use to measure student progress toward objective mastery. Teachers also use district assessment tools such as running records and quarterly math and writing assessments. In grades three, four, and five, Blue Diamond assessments are also used to assess objective mastery in reading, math, and science. In addition to formal assessments, teachers provide informal opportunities for students to demonstrate mastery. For example, students may be given an activity or project that requires them to apply certain skills. Through teacher observation or the review of a final product, teachers gain an indication as to whether or not a student has mastered an objective. It is important for students to receive multiple opportunities to demonstrate their understanding of objectives before receiving a quarterly grade. It is equally important for grade level teachers to collaborate on the development and use of assessment tools in order to ensure consistent grading practices across each grade level.
Throughout the quarter, teachers meet weekly in grade level PLTs to review student progress. Teachers measure students’ growth toward quarterly benchmarks and plan lessons that align with the curriculum and the instructional needs of students. The result is classroom instruction that is aligned with the curriculum, appropriately challenges students, and includes opportunities for remediation and enrichment.
At the end of the second quarter we looked at how much progress students have made at each grade level. Below are some highlights by grade level. Remember that the standards in each content area increase every quarter. For example, in first grade reading, students are expected to read at a level 6 at the end of the first quarter and a level 10 at the end of the second quarter. Below are a few highlights from each grade level.
— Kindergarten- 31% of students are performing above mid-year benchmark in reading
— 1st Grade- 35% of students are performing above mid-year benchmark in reading
— 2nd Grade- The number of students earning level 4 in reading and math increased from 1st quarter to 2nd quarter and the number of students earning level 1 in reading and math decreased from 1st quarter to 2nd quarter
— 3rd Grade- The number of students earning levels 3* and 4 in math and writing increased from 1st quarter to 2nd quarter. In reading, the number of students earning level 1 decreased and the number of 3*s increased
— 4th Grade-The number of students performing below grade level in reading and math decreased from 1st quarter to 2nd quarter
— 5th Grade-The number of students performing above grade level in 5th grade reading and math increased from 1st quarter to 2nd quarter
While this progress is worth celebrating, we still have much work to do. At every grade level there are students who are not performing on grade level and students who need enrichment opportunities. We are taking a number of steps to help these students. Teachers are providing focused interventions in the classroom, grade level PLTs are planning and implementing remediation and enrichment of specific curriculum objectives. Intervention teachers are working with students in small groups to provide supplemental instruction. Parents and volunteers are also providing needed instructional support. Teachers and parents are maintaining frequent communication regarding effective strategies and academic progress. The Student Support Team is helping teachers and parents target specific areas for improvement. School Improvement Committees are identifying resources and developing goals, key processes, and action steps that will improve student achievement. As one can see, the entire school community is involved in helping our students succeed. We are proud of our students’ achievement at Banks Road Elementary and we are excited about the opportunity to help our students achieve even more this year!
Monday, December 7, 2009
Connecting to the Curriculum with Technology
In a few weeks we will be at the midway point of the school year. It is exciting to see the progress that our students have made so far. At each grade level students have been working hard to master curriculum objectives. It is easy to see how proud students and teachers are of what they have accomplished. Work products posted in the hallway are evidence of skills that have been mastered in reading, math, writing, science, and social studies.
In the classrooms, teachers are using technology to help students connect the curriculum to relevent life experiences. For example, in social studies, fourth graders learn about the different regions of North Carolina. Our fourth graders are video conferencing with fourth graders from schools in the mountain and coastal regions of North Carolina. Students from these three schools will able to compare the different regions and discuss how the geographical region they live in impacts everyday life. In addition to covering social studies objectives, our students are learning about how video conferencing works. Some students have noted that collaborating with people through technology is somewhat different than working with a group of people in the same room.
It is important that students learn how technology can enhance their educational experiences. The fourth grade video conference is just one of many examples of how technology can help students make personal connections to the curriculum. Click on student work on the homepage of the school website for more samples.
In the classrooms, teachers are using technology to help students connect the curriculum to relevent life experiences. For example, in social studies, fourth graders learn about the different regions of North Carolina. Our fourth graders are video conferencing with fourth graders from schools in the mountain and coastal regions of North Carolina. Students from these three schools will able to compare the different regions and discuss how the geographical region they live in impacts everyday life. In addition to covering social studies objectives, our students are learning about how video conferencing works. Some students have noted that collaborating with people through technology is somewhat different than working with a group of people in the same room.
It is important that students learn how technology can enhance their educational experiences. The fourth grade video conference is just one of many examples of how technology can help students make personal connections to the curriculum. Click on student work on the homepage of the school website for more samples.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Parents and Volunteers- Making a Difference
This week 187 parents/volunteers gave time to Banks Road Elementary. This equals roughly 1 volunteer for every 3 students! Over 80 more parents helped with the tracks 2 and 4 Trailblazer Fun Run on Thursday. Each day several parents visited during lunch to eat with their children or participated in our Lunch Bunch program. Some parents led centers in classrooms and visited as guest readers while others helped in the media center. Many parents who cannot make it to school during the day gathered and/or prepared materials at home and sent them to school. In addition, parents serving on School Improvement Committees had their first committee meetings this week.
Individual classroom activities and large events such as The Trailblazer Fun Run are possible because of parent volunteers. Thanks to all of you who helped to make these activities and events positive experiences for our students. Throughout the year there will be many more opportunities for parents to get involved. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact your child's teacher and/or the PTA to learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities. Thanks for supporting our school!
Individual classroom activities and large events such as The Trailblazer Fun Run are possible because of parent volunteers. Thanks to all of you who helped to make these activities and events positive experiences for our students. Throughout the year there will be many more opportunities for parents to get involved. If you are interested in volunteering, please contact your child's teacher and/or the PTA to learn about upcoming volunteer opportunities. Thanks for supporting our school!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
First Quarter Progress
We have reached the end of the first quarter of the year for all tracks. Looking back, I think you will agree that we have all accomplished a great deal! Most importantly, we have become a school community. Do you remember the anticipation of Kindergarten Orientation or Meet the Teacher? How about the first day of school? Getting to know new families, friends, teachers and administrators as well as learning new school routines and procedures took all of us out of our comfort zones. I thank you for stepping out of your comfort zone and embarking on our first year journey at Banks Road Elementary. Together we will continue to move forward with a common goal in mind- making Banks Road Elementary the very best school for our students! Parents have already done so much to support this goal. Helping students with homework, reading with your children at home, volunteering at school, or serving on a PTA or SIP committee are only a few examples. Some ways that teachers and staff are working to achieve this goal include our School Improvement Plan, Professional Learning Teams and Student Support Team. Our School Improvement Committees have formed and are beginning to meet regulary as they guide our continuous improvement efforts. Teachers are meeting weekly as Professional Learning Teams and are improving learning and teaching through focused collaboration. The Student Support Team has developed effective tools for progress monitoring and is working closely with teachers and parents to help students succeed.
Banks Road Elementary teachers, parents, staff, and students are building strong relationships as we work together for our students. I am extremely proud of how far we have come since starting the school year. I look forward to all that will be accomplished in the coming weeks and months as we continue the journey to success at Banks Road Elementary!
Banks Road Elementary teachers, parents, staff, and students are building strong relationships as we work together for our students. I am extremely proud of how far we have come since starting the school year. I look forward to all that will be accomplished in the coming weeks and months as we continue the journey to success at Banks Road Elementary!
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Next Steps
Thank you for the tremendous support of our Vision Parades! These parades were a great way to involve students in the identification of core values and the development of our mission and vision at Banks Road Elementary. Last Wednesday, September 2, the class banners were all placed in the cafeteria for the staff to view and reference during school improvement planning sessions. In these sessions, staff members provided input into the development of our school's mission and vision. I will soon be communicating with parents to gain their input into the development of our mission and vision. These are the next steps in the creation of our School Improvement Plan (SIP). SIP Committees focused on academics, family and community involvement, and school culture wll be meeting during the last week of each month to identify goals and key processes that will drive our work at Banks Road Elementary. SIP updates will be provided throughout the year. Again, I thank you for your overwhelming support of Banks Road Elementary as we work together to blaze trails to success for our students!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)