School Improvement Plan

2013-2014

Walkerton Elementary School

805 Washington Street

Walkerton, IN 46574

Tim Davis

Principal

email:

Rebecca Cummings

Assistant Principal

email:

Telephone: (574) 586-3186

Fax: (574) 586-3280

Home Page:

1

Table of Contents

Page #

School Improvement Team Members……………………………………………..……2

Walkerton Elementary School Staff………………………………………………...…..3

Missions and Belief Statements……………………………………………..….……….4

School Demographics……………………………………………………..…………….4

Cultural Competency……………………………………………………………………5

Curriculum………………………………………………………………………..……..5

Technology Initiatives……………………………………………………………….….5

School Safety………………………………………………………………………..…..6

Parental Participation………………………………………………………………..…..6

Test Descriptions……………………………………………………………………...…6

Rationale for Goals………………………………………………………………..….….7

Goal #1…………………………………………………………………………..………7

Goal #2…………………………………………………………………………..………8

Benchmarks...... 9

Graduating Class Analysis...... 10

Walkerton Elementary School Improvement Team

Principal

Timothy L. Davis

Assistant Principal

Rebecca Cummings

Co-Chair

Pamala Hayes

Cathy VanDuyne

Staff Members

Jan Hayes

Bethany Laizure

Diane Vermillion

Parent/Community Members

Jeff Day

Angela Foresman

1

Walkerton Elementary School Staff

Certified Staff

Principal

Tim Davis

Asst. Principal

Rebecca Cummings

Kindergarten

Ann Riggs

Diane Smith

Emily Walker

First Grade

Carole Alspaugh

Sara Nusbaum

Tracy Perry

Second Grade

Carol Beach

Cindy Knaack

Connie Oke

Third Grade

Pam Hayes

Bethany Laizure

Ryan Reese

Fourth Grade

Denise Dunbar

Kathy Guseilla

Fifth Grade

Kyle Amor

John Huffman

Kristy Wilsey

Sixth Grade

Travis Hannah

Jan Hayes

Art

Karen Maudlin

Band

Dan Fortlander

Music

Cathy VanDuyne

Physical Education

Scott Hostetler

Resource

Christin Hannah

Dawn Ickes

Lisa Rizek

Kathy Snyder

High Ability

Kara Kaser

JESSE Preschool

Kari Kraszyk

Speech Pathologist

Marsha Frey

Barb Rans

Title One

Diane Vermillion

Support Staff

Secretary

Sharon Harasewicz

Secretary/

Treasurer

Jodi Park

Nurse

Donna Napier

Media Center

LuAnn Malstaff

Instructional

Aides

Karen

Dreibelbeis

Lindsay Ennis

Karen Feitz

Joy Hensley

Temple Kipper

Bev Lung

Amber Mattke

Monica Morris

Lexia Pearish

Paula Pearson

Heather Sherman

Amanda Smith

Barb Strahm

Annette Tysver

Janine Zoellner

Head Start

Linda McLaughlin

Minds in Motion

Vicky Tucker

Technology Facilitator

Ann Ring

Cafeteria Staff

Celeste Dooms

Jennifer Geyer

Deborah Keeley

Megan Meyer

Melody Pletcher

Christine Singleton

Glenda Smith

Custodial Staff

Becky Bolze

Lisa Lindsley

Jeanna White

Before and After

School Care

Charman Dreessen

Mission Statement

“Walkerton Elementary exists to provide our students with academic,technological, and social confidence to help others and themselves reach their life goals.”

Belief Statements

  • All students are expected to learn.
  • All students are inspired to excel.
  • All students are expected to demonstrate mastery of basic skills.
  • All students are expected to be respectful.
  • All students are expected to become lifelong learners.

Demographics

Walkerton Elementary School is located in Walkerton, Indiana. It is one of four schools within

the John Glenn School Corporation. Our school accommodates kindergarten through sixth grade. Our

sister school, North Liberty Elementary, is located in North Liberty. Urey Middle School accommodatesgrades seven and eight. John Glenn High School accommodates grades nine through twelve. The middleschool and high school are both located in Walkerton. A unique feature of the John Glenn SchoolCorporation is that boundary lines include townships from three counties: LaPorte, Marshall, andSt. Joseph. The counties are located in the northern third and western half of the state.

The Walkerton Elementary staff of 31 certified and 33 support staff serves our 455 students. The staff maintains three full-day kindergarten sections, three sections of first, second, third, and fifth grades, two sections of fourth and sixth grades, as well as a Head Start classroom and a JESSE Preschool classroom. Staff includes a part-time high ability coordinator, Title I coordinator, teachers of music, band, art, physical education, resource, and a speech pathologist. An instructional assistant has been trained to service students in the media center. This assistant is under the supervision of the high school media specialist. A total of 17 part- and full-time aides assist the students in the classrooms, resource rooms, computer labs, and the Minds in Motion program. Other staff members include the principal, an assistant principal shared with North Liberty Elementary School, a half-time nurse, two secretaries, three custodians, and two full-time and four part-time cafeteria personnel.

Current enrollment is 455 students. Student population usually fluctuates from 450 to 480. At the present time 29 students are considered tuition transfer. Daily attendance is in the mid to upper 90% range. The 2012-2013 average daily attendance was 97.98%

Walkerton is a small community located in St. Joseph County. It is an incorporated town of 1.5 square miles. Major cities, such as Chicago, Indianapolis, and South Bend are within easy driving distances. Manufacturing, agriculture, service industries, and some recreational facilities are the main employment opportunities for its residents.

Walkerton Elementary School was constructed in 1959 with major room additions/renovations in 1976, 1988, and 2000.

Cultural Competency

Walkerton Elementary school meets the diverse needs of the student population by utilizing various programs. To address the needs of exceptional learners, the classroom teachers and special education teachers meet to determine the most effective programs and practices to achieve individual student success. The Student-Teacher Assistance Team (STAT) meets throughout the school year on an as-needed basis.

Differentiated instruction occurs in language arts and mathematics. Teachers use diagnostic and pre/post-tests for both subject areas. Students are placed in flexible groups and may be moved according to needs. Students who are determined to have needs in the areas of special education or high abilities are placed in programs to meet these needs.

A bilingual aide assists students with their ENL needs and for parental assistance and translations. Teachers have received some training regarding ENL students.

The Title I Coordinator is responsible for identifying students who are in need of remediation. Small group instruction is implemented throughout the day by instructional aides. After school tutoring and study groups are available for remediating students who need time beyond the school day. Summer school instruction is also an option for students who need help beyond the school year.

Curriculum

Walkerton Elementary has adopted the common core state standards as the school curriculum. Ourcurriculum includes a ninety minute uninterrupted reading block for Kindergarten through third grade classes.

Technology Initiatives

Walkerton Elementary houses two computer labs that are utilized daily by students in kindergarten through sixth grade for extension of the curriculum, enrichment, and remediation. Online testing is also conducted in the labs. The school has four classroom sets of thirty laptops that students in grades three through six use. All classrooms and the media center have access to the Internet for research and online resources. In addition, each classroom at every grade level has whiteboard technology. Kindergarten, first, and second grade have a set of 30 ipads per grade level for classroom use with an additional 30 ipads and a Promethean Active Table housed in the computer lab. There are six ipads being used in the music room and 12 in the Resource room. A document camera is also used in the school to enhance instruction.

Safety

Walkerton Elementary School creates a safe and secure environment for all staff and students. Fire drills are held each month as required by the state of Indiana. Storm drills are held twice each semester along with the required storm drill in March. Teachers inform the students about proper procedures and responses. A map of the school and an exit plan is posted in each classroom. The Crisis Plan outlines procedures for fire/storm drills and other safety issues. This plan is found in the media center and the administrator’s office. Doors remain locked throughout each school day. To gain access to the building, visitors must communicate via a two way intercom system. Once admitted, visitors report to the office and sign in. Cameras added to the playground, hallways, and front entrance enhance security.

Parental Participation

Walkerton Elementary benefits from parental involvement through an active Parent Teacher Association (PTA). Programs include but are not limited to a Book Fair, VIP (Very Important Person) Day, Title I Parent Night, Field Day, and Family Fun Night. Parents of students who do not pass the ISTEP test have an opportunity to meet with the principal to discuss possible interventions. Parents are given access to online reporting of student scores, email, attendance, and disciplinary actions through Harmony.

Test Descriptions

Kindergarten

Students entering kindergarten and whose birthdates are after March 1st are evaluated using the Gesell Developmental Screening. Progress monitoring is used for all current kindergarten students using a local teacher-generated checklist and recorded observations. Students are given the Scholastic School Readiness Test at the conclusion of their kindergarten year.

Kindergarten through Sixth Grade

The MAP(Measures of Academic Progress) test is given to Kindergarten and first grade students. Third, fourth, fifth, and sixth grade students take the ISTEP test. Grades K-6 take the NWEA test. The IREAD-3 assessment is administered to all students in grade three. First through fifth grades also do the textbook comprehensive reading and math tests in January and May of each year.

Additional Testing

Students experiencing difficulty are referred for further evaluation and testing through the Title I program. To determine if the student is eligible for services, the Title I Coordinator and teachers administer tests for each grade level along with grade-appropriate checklists. Students are referred to the STAT team for further testing to determine target areas for remediation. Instruments used are the Peabody Picture Vocabulary Test, Woodcock Reading Test, and Key Math Test. Tests used to determine high ability are the Kingore Observation, NWEA, and the OLSAT (Otis Lennon School Ability Test).

Rationale for Goals

Current data from standardized tests indicates that reading comprehension and vocabulary goals are needed to improve student performance. ISTEP+ (Indiana Statewide Testing for Educational Progress), NWEA (Northwest Evaluation Association), and MAP (Measures of Academic Progress) test scores are used to determine current goals.

Goal 1

SCHOOL AVERAGE DAILY ATTENDANCE WILL BE AT OR ABOVE 98%

Implementation Year

2013-2014

Strategies

  • Clearly stated expectations
  • Parent contracts for problem students
  • Frequent home visits
  • Daily calls to absentees
  • Incentive and recognition programs

Assessments

  • Quarterly percentage reports to administrator addressing needs/home visits
  • Regular analysis of attendance data and absences

Responsible Individuals

  • Administrators
  • Teachers

BenchmarksActual

  • 2011-2012……96.5% attendance………...96.8%
  • 2012-2013……97.5% attendance…………97.98%
  • 2013-2014 …...98%

Goal 2

STUDENTS WILL IMPROVE IN READING COMPREHENSION AND VOCABULARY

Implementation Year

2013-2014

Strategies

  • Utilize supplemental vocabulary and comprehension materials/activities
  • Utilize Accelerated Reader
  • Write responses to literature
  • Focus groups
  • Cross-curriculum instruction on comprehension and vocabulary
  • Flexible grouping
  • Utilize the computer programs, “Study Island” and “Spelling City”
  • Cross level reinforcement activities
  • Utilize writing prompts to teach the relationship between reading comprehension and vocabulary development

Assessments

  • Scholastic Readiness (Kindergarten), IREAD-3, NWEA (grades K-6), ISTEP+ (grades 3-6), MAP (K-1)
  • Scoring literary responses using the Simple Six rubric
  • Reading selection tests
  • Scoring writing prompts using the Simple Six rubric
  • Accelerated Reader

Staff Development

  • Conferences that enhance teaching methods on comprehension and vocabulary
  • Cooperative sharing of effective vocabulary and comprehension strategies
  • Inservice on vocabulary and reading comprehension instruction
  • Grade level meetings to collaborate

Responsible Individuals

  • Principals
  • Teachers
  • Title I Coordinator
  • Aides

Benchmarks

Beginning benchmarks are based upon the spring 2013 ISTEP. The “percent mastery” for vocabulary and reading comprehension (nonfiction/info text and literary text) will improve. The expectation will be for subsequent improvement each year of the plan. Below is a grade level analysis. The following page includes a graduating class analysis.

Reading ComprehensionVocabulary

Nonfiction/Info TextLiterary Text

2012 2013 2012 20132012 2013

3rd grade83% 79%83% 81%85% 79%

4th grade82% 77% 80% 72%80% 84%

5th grade68% 79%67% 77%71% 79%

6th grade77% 73%74% 68%75% 73%

Graduating Class Analysis

Using ISTEP Data

Specific Areas Where Improvement is Needed Immediately

Areas determined by the committee were:

  • Vocabulary in all content areas
  • Comprehension of expository materials
  • Applying reading comprehension strategies to all content areas
  • Develop more relevant writing prompts

1