This week brings a shortened school week due to the Thanksgiving Holiday. In walk throughs last week many classes were knee deep in culturally diverse activities, exploring different viewpoints of our history and learning about the beginnings of our nation.
We have WONDERFUL learning and teaching activities going on within our school walls each day. Each classroom has cultivated a unique family culture that supports learning for each and every student. Our teachers diligently work to plan these lessons and in depth learning opportunities.
I am thankful for the learning and teaching that takes place each day at Banks Road Elementary. Coupled with the high levels of learning here, we are surrounded by some of the finest support and supplemental staff in all of WCPSS! From our front office staff to our to our Specialist teachers, our staff is professional and dedicated to doing what is best for students. Again, we are truly thankful our school is wonderful place for students and thier families.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Monday, November 14, 2011
Student Assignment Plan Update
The new student assignment plan considers requests for stability, choice, proximity, and achievement. This week school assignment notifications will be sent home. Please read over the materials carefully and call the school or visit the WCPSS student assignment webpage if you have any questions.
Please see our homepage for a presentation that gives additional information about the student assignment process, how to exercise your choice in schools, and a time line for the school assignment process.
Please see our homepage for a presentation that gives additional information about the student assignment process, how to exercise your choice in schools, and a time line for the school assignment process.
Quarterly Review Session a Success!
This past Wednesday Ms. Goodson and I held two sessions for parents to view the school data from first quarter. Parents were able to see proficiency levels for reading, math, writing and science for grades 2-5, school wide data and specific subgroups of students. The parents who attended both sessions asked insightful questions about Team Time, specific strategies that the school is implementing to make growth with students and about our vision for the school as we move forward into the year. It was a wonderful opportunity to share the wonderful things that are going on each day here at school. Thanks to all who attend the two parent data sessions. We look forward to presenting mid year data in January.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Schoolwide Planning is Underway
Good work comes from good people working hard! Our first transition meeting was a success. We reviewed the requirements for transitioning to a schoolwide program. We were able to complete the 2nd addendum called a Transition Plan. Our team broke into groups and brainstormed ways to provide a seamless transition for students at critical points in school such as pre-k to K, 2nd to 3rd and 5th to middle school. We took a realistic look at where we are with our literacy instruction and where we need to put our focus as we move into next year to support teachers in the classroom and to ensure effective literacy instruction for our students. Our parent representative offered valuable feedback and suggestions on how to engage various subgroups of parents to provide education opportunities that will work to improve the quality of life for our families in our community along with the academic success of our students. Our transition team work will surely benefit our school!
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Banks Road transitions to Schoolwide Title I Program
Banks Road Elementary is eligible to provide Title I services to students in a "targeted model" this school year. Next year we are scheduled to implement a "schoolwide model." In September we were selected to begin to work through the schoolwide plan to support a smooth transition of services at BRES. A transition team has been created to develop the plan, complete the transition requirements and align the services to support the vision of the school program.
The transition team consists of administration, teacher representatives, central office representative from the Title I office and a parent representative. The team will meet formally and informally to complete the transition requirements.
Below is a brief description of the eligibility requirements and an outline of the work the transition team will complete this school year:
The transition team consists of administration, teacher representatives, central office representative from the Title I office and a parent representative. The team will meet formally and informally to complete the transition requirements.
Below is a brief description of the eligibility requirements and an outline of the work the transition team will complete this school year:
Title I schools with a free & reduced lunch population of more than 40% are eligible to move from targeted assistance to a school wide Title I model. In addition to the F&R requirement, schools must also commit to planning and revising the School Improvement Plan to address 10 required components:
- Comprehensive Needs Assessment
- Schoolwide reform strategies
- Instruction by highly qualified teachers (including teacher assistants)
- High-quality and ongoing professional development
- Strategies to attract highly qualified teachers to high-need schools
- Measures to include teachers in decisions regarding the use of academic assessments
- Strategies to increase parental involvement
- Plans for assisting preschool students in the successful transition from early childhood programs to local elementary schoolwide programs
- Activities to ensure that students who experience difficulty attaining proficiency receive effective and timely additional assistance
- Coordination and integration of Federal, State, and local services and programs
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Quarterly Review of Data
As promised, below is a review of student grades for our first quarter of the school year. The data indicates that we are starting the year strong with many students performing at or above grade level standards (level 3, 3* or 4 on report cards) in reading, math, writing, and science. Below is the data collected from first quarter report cards:
Kindergarten: Interim data coming soon!
First Grade: Interim data coming soon!
Second Grade: 80% of students performing at or above grade level in Reading
67% of students performing at or above grade level in Writing
89% of students performing at or above grade level in Math
89% of students performing at or above grade level in Science
Third Grade: 74% of students performing at or above grade level in Reading
69% of students performing at or above grade level in Writing
79% of students performing at or above grade level in Math
95% of students performing at or above grade level in Science
Fourth Grade: 78% of students performing at or above grade level in Reading
57% of students performing at or above grade level in Writing
76% of students performing at or above grade level in Math
90% of students performing at or above grade level in Science
Fifth Grade: 85% of students performing at or above grade level in Reading
82% of students performing at or above grade level in Writing
83% of students performing at or above grade level in Math
85% of students performing at or above grade level in Science
As a school our reading proficiency is 79% based on first quarter report cards. Our writing proficiency is 69% and our math proficiency is at 82%. Our students are mastering science concepts and skills at a 90% proficiency rate!
What does this data tells us at BRES? We are strong with our math and science instruction. Our students are confident with the math and science skills and are able to demonstrate their knowledge and skills on assessments. While our literacy proficiency rates are solid, we know we can support more of our students in becoming proficient with reading and writing skills. Our school focus is on literacy instruction and reaching all of our children with solid, explicit and direct reading instruction. Our teachers are working hard in staff development sessions and professional learning teams to identify areas of student need and implement research based strategies to support an increase in reading an d writing proficiency as a school.
We are extremely proud of the work we are doing with children this school year. We can't wait to share additional data and how we are working to support all students here at Banks Road Elementary at our first quarterly review of data for parents on November 9th at 8:45 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. in the Media Center. Ms. Goodson and I will review the data more closely and share specifics about how the school is working to increase student achievement and continue to be a leader in blazing the trail to student success!
:) Mrs. Graf
Kindergarten: Interim data coming soon!
First Grade: Interim data coming soon!
Second Grade: 80% of students performing at or above grade level in Reading
67% of students performing at or above grade level in Writing
89% of students performing at or above grade level in Math
89% of students performing at or above grade level in Science
Third Grade: 74% of students performing at or above grade level in Reading
69% of students performing at or above grade level in Writing
79% of students performing at or above grade level in Math
95% of students performing at or above grade level in Science
Fourth Grade: 78% of students performing at or above grade level in Reading
57% of students performing at or above grade level in Writing
76% of students performing at or above grade level in Math
90% of students performing at or above grade level in Science
Fifth Grade: 85% of students performing at or above grade level in Reading
82% of students performing at or above grade level in Writing
83% of students performing at or above grade level in Math
85% of students performing at or above grade level in Science
As a school our reading proficiency is 79% based on first quarter report cards. Our writing proficiency is 69% and our math proficiency is at 82%. Our students are mastering science concepts and skills at a 90% proficiency rate!
What does this data tells us at BRES? We are strong with our math and science instruction. Our students are confident with the math and science skills and are able to demonstrate their knowledge and skills on assessments. While our literacy proficiency rates are solid, we know we can support more of our students in becoming proficient with reading and writing skills. Our school focus is on literacy instruction and reaching all of our children with solid, explicit and direct reading instruction. Our teachers are working hard in staff development sessions and professional learning teams to identify areas of student need and implement research based strategies to support an increase in reading an d writing proficiency as a school.
We are extremely proud of the work we are doing with children this school year. We can't wait to share additional data and how we are working to support all students here at Banks Road Elementary at our first quarterly review of data for parents on November 9th at 8:45 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. in the Media Center. Ms. Goodson and I will review the data more closely and share specifics about how the school is working to increase student achievement and continue to be a leader in blazing the trail to student success!
:) Mrs. Graf
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Volunteer Information
Dear Trailblazer Families,
We want volunteers! We welcome parents and community members in volunteering here at Banks Road Elementary. In order to do so you must be a registered and approved volunteer. New volunteers need to register and agree to a criminal background check prior to engaging in volunteer work. Continuing volunteers must also register to reactivate their status as a volunteer no later than October 31, 2011. After October 31, 2011, individuals previously approved may not volunteer without a new criminal background check. Applicants may register at any WCPSS site through the intranet.
Registration Dates: You may register at any WCPSS school. The volunteer registration system will be open daily from July 1 through October 31, 2011 between 8:00am and 4:00pm. However, from November 7, 2011 through May 21, 2012 the volunteer system will open on Mondays only, between 8:00am and 4:00pm with the exception of holidays.
If you have any questions about volunteering, please call the school for additional information.
I look forward to seeing you volunteer! Mrs. Graf
We want volunteers! We welcome parents and community members in volunteering here at Banks Road Elementary. In order to do so you must be a registered and approved volunteer. New volunteers need to register and agree to a criminal background check prior to engaging in volunteer work. Continuing volunteers must also register to reactivate their status as a volunteer no later than October 31, 2011. After October 31, 2011, individuals previously approved may not volunteer without a new criminal background check. Applicants may register at any WCPSS site through the intranet.
Registration Dates: You may register at any WCPSS school. The volunteer registration system will be open daily from July 1 through October 31, 2011 between 8:00am and 4:00pm. However, from November 7, 2011 through May 21, 2012 the volunteer system will open on Mondays only, between 8:00am and 4:00pm with the exception of holidays.
If you have any questions about volunteering, please call the school for additional information.
I look forward to seeing you volunteer! Mrs. Graf
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