Good Results Now Indicate Future Success

Earlier in the third quarter, our 3rd-5th grade students completed benchmark assessments in reading and math. Results are reported at the grade level and not the individual student level. The benchmark assessments give us an indication as to how grade levels may perform on End of Grade tests. The information also helps us determine which reading and math objectives we need to reinforce. The results for Banks Road are positive. According to the assessments, all three grade level have shown improvement in reading and math when compared to last year's End-of-Grade results. We have also seen a significant increase in performance on science assessments. These benchmark results are an indicator of improved student achievement at each grade level. Congratulations to our teachers and students! You have worked with great focus this year. The results support your efforts. We are looking forward to even more success!

A Data Trail to Success

As you may know, teachers track student progress with many different tools. Data walls are commonly used for this purpose. Data walls can be created electronically or with more traditional materials such as pocket charts and index cards. There are advantages to both methods. Data walls can illustrate progress of a grade level, class, and/or individual student over the course of a school year. Data walls really do represent a trail to success. Our kindergarten, first, and second grade teachers have created a data wall to track student reading achievement by quarterly benchmark. Check out the video to learn more.

Measuring Success

It is important at this time of year to take a look at how much our students have learned as well as how much more they are expected to learn before the end of the school year. There are several measures we can use to assess progress. I believe one of the most comprehensive indicators of how well students are performing is the report card. Report card grades are not based on an individual task, test, or assignment. Report card grades take into account many different assessments both authentic and standard. This allows students' grades to reflect their performance on a variety of assignments and assessments that are geared toward different learning styles. Providing students multiple ways and opportunities to demonstrate mastery of the curriculum also allows us to get an idea of the depth of a student's understanding of curriculum objectives.

A recent review of report card grades indicates that the number of students performing at or above grade level continues to increase. This has been a steady trend dating back to the second quarter of the 2009-2010 school year (the first time we were able to examine report card grades). Teachers' collaborative work of reviewing student data and improving instructional practices to meet student needs is making a difference! Students and parents deserve congratulations as well. The students' high level of engagement in learning at school and the support provided at home certainly have a positive impact on student learning. We are excited about the remainder of the school year and look forward to continued student progress and success.

Thanks from Banks Road Elementary

What an appropriate time of year to pause and say thank you to everyone who makes Banks Road Elementary an excellent school. Thank you to our parents and community partners who support our instructional programs and school improvement goals. Thank you to our teachers for your daily work at Banks Road Elementary. Most importantly, thank you to our students for being great kids and inspiring everyone around you. Below are just a few examples from this year of how each of you have helped make Banks Road Elementary such an excellent school.

Thank you to our parents and community partners for:

• Supporting the PTA Fun Run and Family Fitness Night. Both were very successful events involving multiple volunteers, businesses, and community organizations
• Working with the PTA and Strong Family Community Committee to help several school families during the upcoming holidays.
• Attending the Barnes and Noble Book Fair on November 15. We received many compliments from Barnes and Noble staff on the impressive level of parent and teacher attendance at the event
• Contributing instructional resources. The Fuquay-Varina Rotary Club will be donating dictionaries to all third grade students in December
• Volunteering at school. As of today, 211 parents, guardians, and relatives are registered to volunteer at Banks Road Elementary

Thank you to our teachers for:

• Setting and progress monitoring challenging goals for student achievement and working collaboratively to ensure every student is prepared for success in the 21st Century
• Providing field experience and student teacher placements for students from surrounding universities
• Mentoring beginning teachers, participating on School Improvement Committees, working effectively in Professional Learning Teams
• Participating in professional development, graduate school, and advanced certification programs in order to become even better teachers
• The dedication and professionalism you show every day

Thank you to our students for:

• Being prepared for school
• Demonstrating leadership and accepting responsibility
• Working hard in school and challenging yourselves
• Being trailblazers and setting an outstanding example for all other students to follow

I thank you all for making Banks Road Elementary an excellent school community.

Technology Trailblazers

When visiting Banks Road Elementary, there is a good chance you will see students and teachers using technology to enhance learning. We are fortunate to have the technology resources that we do at Banks Road. We are even more fortunate to have teachers who know how to properly integrate technology into instruction. Appropriate integration is critical if technology is going to truly enhance instruction. Technology should be used to access, analyze, and synthesize information, solve problems, and communicate understanding. Proper technology integration positively impacts achievement and hones skills that students will use for the rest of their lives.

At the September 30 WCPSS Principals’ Meeting three of our teachers demonstrated how they use ipods, blogs, and other technology to support classroom instruction in science, social studies, math, and writing. Angela Sonntag, Jennifer Harrower, and Patrick Tart shared sample lessons and student work products. They also led hands-on learning activities for elementary principals. Our teachers then spoke about how technology affects student engagement and student achievement in their classrooms. The Banks Road Teachers facilitated an impressive learning experience and received very positive feedback. We are extremely proud that our students and teachers are leading the district in blazing a trail to 21^st Century success.

Supporting our Teacher Leaders Through Professional Development

Have you every wondered how teachers keep their skills sharp and stay abreast of the latest research on effective teaching? Certainly, teachers pursue graduate degrees, take on-line courses, read professional journals, attend book studies, and collaborate with colleagues. Teachers also stay up to date by attending professional development. Like many other professionals, teachers are required to earn continuing education credits each year to keep their licenses current and maintain highly qualified status.

Teachers often attend professional development off campus during their track out time. Last year, we offered teachers a variety professional development sessions at Banks Road. This year, our teachers are working in cohort models to earn professional development credits. Each group of teachers will complete two courses by the end of the school year. Teachers will take one course this fall and another in the spring. Most of the course sessions are held in the morning before school starts. Time is also set aside on early release days.

Both courses are aligned with our School Improvement Plan. One course targets K-5 writing. In this course, teachers will learn more about the writer's workshop model and how to effectively implement this model. The other course targets 21st Century learning and teaching. Teachers will receive more hands-on training so they can better integrate technology and 21st Century skills into their lessons. Our teachers are excited to be working together to complete their professional development. We are fortunate to have a number of qualified experts on staff who will be able to lead the courses.

Professional development is not something that we talk about very much with our school community but it is an important part of our continuous improvement cycle. High quality professional development positively impacts learning and teaching at Banks Road Elementary.

New Journeys Have Begun

We are almost 9 weeks into the 2010-2011 school year. Our goals are set and we are blazing trails to success! As mentioned in my previous post our students made impressive academic growth last year. This year, we are focused on improving student performance in reading. All grade level teams have set quarterly SMART goals for student growth in reading. We have extensive professional development in literacy and 21st Century Learning and Teaching planned for our teachers. Student will be receiving even more academic support through our new Title 1 program. I am also excited about the intersession program that will begin in a few weeks. The intersession program will allow us to provide additional days of instruction during track-outs to students who need support in reading, writing, and math. More information about Intersession will be coming soon. Teachers, students, parents, and staff are all focused on making 2010-2011 another awesome year at Banks Road Elementary! I hope you all enjoy the ride on this year's trail to success!