Dear
Draper Families,
Our School
Community Council met recently, and as we discussed the changes that have been
made at Draper Elementary this school year, the council encouraged me to
outline those efforts for school improvement with all Draper families. The following items have been put in place
this school year:
· To increase student achievement in
Literacy and Math:
o
School-wide
computer-based math computation program
o
Computer
aide to support school-wide math practice during computer class time
o
Reading
intervention aides for grades K-3
o
Reading
intervention training for classroom teachers grades K-5
o
Progress
monitoring and intervention by classroom teachers for students struggling in
literacy and/or math
· To increase the opportunity for
teachers to collaborate and problem-solve around student data and instruction:
o
Established
“Specials” rotations – supplemental classes in Music, PE, Computers,
Library-Media, and Art Through the Ages
o
Repurposed
funding previously used for copy aides to hire Music aide and PE aide –
prioritizing funds for direct student-services
o
Grade
level teams meet weekly for planning, professional development, and
student-centered instructional problem-solving
o
Achievement
Coach prioritizing core instructional support for classroom teachers through
mentoring and instructional coaching
· To increase student socialization
and unity across grade levels (particularly between dual immersion and general
ed classes):
o
Grade
level classes are mixed up during Specials rotations
o
Grade
level “Dragon trainings” encouraged every Friday afternoon for grade level
activities that either mix classes up and/or involve the entire grade level
meeting together
· To increase safety and supervision
at recess:
o
Additional
staff hired and assigned to recess duty; an increase from 2 recess aides to 4
recess aides during the busiest recess times
o
PE
classes teach recess games to encourage appropriate recess activities
· To increase positive student
behaviors and school-wide behavior efforts:
o
Increased
Positive Behavior Intervention and Support implementation with school-wide
posters and instruction
o
Assigned
new school psychologist as school-wide behavior coach, whose services include
- School-wide behavior plans
- Individualized student behavior
plans
- Social skills groups and student
support groups
· To increase support and ongoing
implementation of Chinese-language dual immersion:
o
Re-established
research-based state program model (e.g., preserving Chinese-language classroom
by establishing the environment as Chinese-only)
o
Hired
two Chinese-language aides for student intervention/support
o
Increasing
efforts for collaboration between English-language and Chinese-language
teachers for instructional planning in Math and Science.
This
outlines just a few of the exciting initiatives we have in place at Draper this
year. We also have been working towards
additional opportunities for enrichment and learning through Before- and
After-School Programs.
At Draper
Elementary, we are excited about the positive outcomes we are already
experiencing as we work together to benefit students. As a new principal, I am passionate about
student-centered leadership and making decisions based on better outcomes for
our kiddos. I am also grateful for the
incredible parents, students, and staff we have at our school, and am humbled
by the opportunity to work with you. We
are fortunate to have so many wonderful opportunities for learning and growth
within our school community, as we strive to nurture students to be competent, safe,
kind, and responsible contributors to society.
Thank you for all that you do
to support your child and our school.
