Executive Summary. Dr. William Herbert Brewster Elementary School

Executive Summary Dr. William Herbert Brewster Elementary School Memphis City Schools Ms. Angela Askew-Mickey, Principal 2605 Sam Cooper Blvd. Memph...
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Executive Summary

Dr. William Herbert Brewster Elementary School Memphis City Schools

Ms. Angela Askew-Mickey, Principal 2605 Sam Cooper Blvd. Memphis, TN 38112

Document Generated On February 7, 2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

1

Description of the School

2

School's Purpose

4

Notable Achievements and Areas of Improvement

6

Additional Information

8

Executive Summary Dr. William Herbert Brewster Elementary School

Introduction Every school has its own story to tell. The context in which teaching and learning takes place influences the processes and procedures by which the school makes decisions around curriculum, instruction, and assessment. The context also impacts the way a school stays faithful to its vision. Many factors contribute to the overall narrative such as an identification of stakeholders, a description of stakeholder engagement, the trends and issues affecting the school, and the kinds of programs and services that a school implements to support student learning.

The purpose of the Executive Summary (ES) is to provide a school with an opportunity to describe in narrative form the strengths and challenges it encounters. By doing so, the public and members of the school community will have a more complete picture of how the school perceives itself and the process of self-reflection for continuous improvement. This summary is structured for the school to reflect on how it provides teaching and learning on a day to day basis.

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Executive Summary Dr. William Herbert Brewster Elementary School

Description of the School

Describe the school's size, community/communities, location, and changes it has experienced in the last three years. Include demographic information about the students, staff, and community at large. What unique features and challenges are associated with the community/communities the school serves?

Dr. William Herbert Brewster Elementary is a neighborhood school for students primarily from the Binghampton neighborhood of Memphis, Tennessee. It is also an optional school for students who qualify academically. The Binghampton neighborhood is located eight miles east of downtown Memphis between two major east-west arteries: Summer and Poplar. The school day begins at 8:30 a.m. and ends at 3:15 p.m.

The school opened the 2006-2007 school year. Brewster Elementary serves as the first neighborhood school for the west side of the Binghampton neighborhood, meaning that until this point students have been bused to a school outside of their direct neighborhood area. Dr. William Herbert Brewster Elementary was named for the late Dr. W. H. Brewster, a famous African American playwright, poet, gospel songwriter, and preacher. The school was chartered in 2006 with a focus and emphasis on Math, Arts, Science, and Technology (MAST).

Dr. W. H. Brewster Elementary School is a two-story building complete with 36 classrooms, library, science lab, multi-purpose room and stage, music room, strings room, art room, computer lab, guidance suite that encompasses the parent resource center and 3 teacher planning rooms. Every school classroom is equipped with four student computer workstations with internet access. There are a select number of classrooms that have additional computers to use for EPGY/Stanford Math. In addition, each teacher has a laptop and a projector in their classroom. This allows teachers to project their laptop for full classroom use. The school has two Pre-K/ K playgrounds that are accessible through those classrooms on the east wing of the school building. Off the west wing of the school is a paved courtyard with benches, tables and a grassy lot for the intermediate grades to use as recreational space. The recreational space is being utilized as on outdoor urban garden.

Dr. W. H. Brewster serves grades pre-K through 5th grade. Dr. W. H. Brewster also has Primary and Intermediate CDC classes. Additionally, we have a before and after-school program that provides care and instruction to needed students. Brewster serves primarily students in the Binghampton neighborhood, but also encompasses students from all areas under the No Child Left Behind Legislation and due to the fact that it is a Memphis City Schools Optional School in good standing. Brewster Elementary is also a public Title 1 School. The school is bound by Poplar to the South, Hollywood to the West, Tillman to the East, and Jackson to the North.

Dr. W. H. Brewster supports many faculty and staff positions in order to obtain the school goals and objectives for reaching student success. The administrative team of Dr. W. H. Brewster consists of the principal, instructional facilitator, parent counselor, school counselor, building engineer, front office secretary and financial secretary. Dr. W. H. Brewster employs two PreK teachers, twenty-one classroom grade-level teachers, one media specialist, one ORFF music teacher, one strings teacher, one physical education teacher, one science teacher, one art teacher, three ESL teachers, two special education CDC teachers, one instructional resource teacher, and one CLUE teacher. In addition, there are many support positions who report to the school for various durations during the school week including two bilingual mentors, three interventionists, six instructional assistants, one speech and language therapist, one occupational therapist, one school social worker, one school nurse, one school psychologist and school aged child care coordinator and staff. All members of the Brewster Elementary teaching staff are fully licensed by the State of Tennessee and are "Highly Qualified" to teach in the area they serve. Non instructional staff members at Dr. W. H. Brewster include a cafeteria manager and six cafeteria workers. There is also a building engineer and four members of the custodial staff. The demographic breakdown for our teachers is as follows: African American -55%, White - 42%, Other - 3%, Male- 26%, Female- 74%. © 2012 AdvancED

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Executive Summary Dr. William Herbert Brewster Elementary School

Brewster Elementary has had two principals since its opening. Shonda Huery was the principal from August 2006 until January 2009. Angela Askew is the current school principal. In the last three years Brewster has had decreases in special education numbers due to class relocation as well as district zoning. One CDC teacher and one resource teacher has been lost since last school year.

Brewster's current enrollment is 492, including our preschool population. The breakdown of each grade level is as follows: Prek- 40 students Kindergarten- 77 students First grade- 79 students Second grade- 67 students Third grade- 87 students Fourth grade- 82 students Fifth grade- 60 students

Of the 492 students, 384 (78%) are African American, 14 (3%) are White, 83 (17%) are Hispanic, 10 (2%) are Asian, and 3 (0%) are multiple ethnicities. Currently we have 93 ESL students from 8 countries speaking 10 languages. We have two main types of ESL student: Newcomers who enter our school with no English or previous literacy skills in their native language, and intermediate ESL students who are receive ESL services but are not yet fluent in English and have not tested out of ESL. Brewster also has a total of 57 special education students. Special education students encompass speech, CLUE, resource, and mild CDC. Other subgroups at Brewster include the following: Economically disadvantaged-93.13%, male- 51%, female- 49%.

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Executive Summary Dr. William Herbert Brewster Elementary School

School's Purpose

Provide the school's purpose statement and ancillary content such as mission, vision, values, and/or beliefs. Describe how the school embodies its purpose through its program offerings and expectations for students.

School Purpose The Mission of Dr. William H. Brewster Elementary School is to transform and empower ourselves by creating a thriving learning environment with rigorous instruction and experiences in Math, Arts, Science, and Technology. We recognize that achieving students in an achieving school will create an achieving community.

School Vision The Vision of Dr. William H. Brewster is "We recognize that as achieving students, in an achieving school, we will create an achieving community."

School Motto Achieving Child, Achieving School, Achieving Community

School Beliefs Brewster WILL: Create a thriving learning environment through varied appropriate instructional strategies for individual students. Align appropriate researched based instruction in math, arts, science, and technology (M.A.S.T.) to produce independent thinkers who value themselves. Monitor each child's progress through appropriate varied types of assessments and utilize data to differentiate instruction. All stakeholders must collaborate and be genuinely involved in decision making process. Create an environment that encourages communication, participation and education of students, parents, and community members to create active stakeholders in an achieving community.

Student Pledge I know the truth about myself. I am here to learn. I have been given a magnificent tool, a brain. My brain allows me to increase my knowledge and understanding as I learn. Every moment of every day is overflowing with unlimited possibilities. I can do all things if I believe. Dr. William Herbert Brewster strives to offer students an academically challenging curriculum. A particular emphasis is placed on the school's focus: Math, Arts, Science, and Technology. As a result, all students are offered exposure to rigorous instruction in these areas as well as being afforded opportunities to experience technology and fine arts events. Instructional delivery time is maximized daily to an optimal level. While following the curriculum and focusing on Student Performance Indicators and Grade Level Expectations, teachers provide additional instruction to students with a variety of teaching methods during class time and provide additional tutorial sessions. These practices are designed to make sure that all students meet proficiency levels and above. Dr. William Herbert Brewster Elementary currently has a variety of tutoring programs available to offer additional support to students in need. Extended Contract tutoring is offered after school for students in grades three through five. TCAP coaching is available to students whose data reflects the need. During this time small groups in need of assistance are pulled and tutored on specific SPI's. Volunteer tutors work with students in grades Kindergarten through fifth who are deficient in reading or math. Students with disabilities such as resource and CDC students, receive accommodations and modifications as outlined in their IEP's. Intellectually gifted students also receive instructions based on their abilities and IEP. ESL students benefit from after school tutoring designed specifically for their needs. While always taking the federal, state and district standards into Page 4 © 2012 AdvancED www.advanc-ed.org

Executive Summary Dr. William Herbert Brewster Elementary School

account, the analysis of data is used to enhance our curriculum to aid students' achievement through a variety of approaches. Time is also dedicated to continuous professional development in an effort to stay current with the latest educational trends and strategies. Teachers participate in continuous professional development and training opportunities via faculty meetings, district level meetings, attendance at national conferences and conventions and engaging in higher education. Special skills teachers attend monthly professional development meetings that focus on their area of expertise. Paraprofessionals are given professional development opportunities throughout the school year. Parents are provided with instructional opportunities facilitated by the school's parent coordinator. Parents are also offered support via PTO and the Parent Academy. By means of written progress reports, report cards, and formal/informal conferences, parents are continually provided notification regarding their child's progress. Teachers meet weekly with the Principal and/or Facilitator to analyze data and plan for differentiated instruction. The targeted SPIs and GLEs are used to drive instruction. This allows for instructional planning that builds upon the student strengths and provides remediation for indicated weaknesses. The CLUE program (Creative Learning in a Unique Environment) serves the academically advanced at our school. Dr. W. H. Brewster is a site for the CLUE program and services both primary and intermediate CLUE classes. Character education is offered to students through the Brewster comprehensive guidance program. Grade level, class, group, and individual sessions are conducted. In order to meet the extracurricular needs, students have a choice of student organizations in which to participate. The student organizations are as follows: basketball team, baseball team, cheerleaders, B.U.G. Club, book club, dance club, science club, Envoy (peer mentoring), student choir, drama club, and Captain's Council (the school's student leadership council). Special activities and programs include the Spelling Bee, Kindergarten Thanksgiving Tea, Christmas Program, Honors Assemblies, Blue Ribbon Fun Days, Healthy Choices Week, Career Day, Lunch and Learning (Workshops for Parents), Black History Program, Volunteer Appreciation Day, NFL Friday and MCS Reads celebrations.

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Executive Summary Dr. William Herbert Brewster Elementary School

Notable Achievements and Areas of Improvement

Describe the school's notable achievements and areas of improvement in the last three years. Additionally, describe areas for improvement that the school is striving to achieve in the next three years.

Dr. William H. Brewster has had numerous notable achievements in the last three years. Brewster's overall 2012 One year Average TVAAS Composite was a 5 for Numeracy and Literacy. Brewster's composite growth rate in 2012 was 2.8 compared to the state rate of 1.9. Brewster was effective in helping students gain above the growth standard in the following areas: 4th grade math (+6.2), 5th grade math (+.9), 4th grade reading (+8.3), 4th grade science (+3.0), 5th grade science (+3.2), and 5th grade social studies (+2.3). We were able to have a NCE gain that was less than the growth standard by 1 standard area in the following areas: 5th grade reading (-.1) and 4th grade social studies (-1.3). Lastly, we did not have any NCE gains that were below the growth standard by more than 2 standard errors in 2012. Although we made gains in 2012, there is still a great need for continued improvement. We are in good standing under No Child Left Behind. Last year's TCAP scores showed an improvement in the following areas: RLA 4th grade: 5% gain Science 4th grade: 12% gain

RLA 5th grade: 8% gain Math 5th grade: 7% gain Science 5th grade: 5%

Economically Disadvantaged: RLA: 8% gain Science: 9% gain

SPED: RLA 4th grade: 9% gain Math 5th grade: 22% gain Science 5th grade: 40% gain

Ours areas of improvement are:

RLA 3rd grade: 2% loss Math 3rd grade: 9% loss Science 3rd grade: 8% loss

Math 4th grade: 2% loss

Economically Disadvantaged: Math: 2% loss

SPED: RLA 3rd grade: 4% loss © 2012 AdvancED

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Executive Summary Dr. William Herbert Brewster Elementary School

Math 4th grade: 23% loss RLA 5th grade 4% loss Although we excel in using data to drive our instruction of all students our students with disabilities still fall behind. We will continue to focus on closing the achievement gap for these special subgroups.

Brewster is striving to exceed annual data targets in all areas annually. This year's Annual Measurable Objectives are as follows: Brewster Elementary students in grades 3-5 (All Subgroups) will increase their RLA scores from 21.6% in 2011-2012 to the goal of 26.5% in 2012-2013. Brewster Elementary students in grades 3-5 (All Subgroups) will increase their Math scores from 25.4 % in 2011-2012 to the goal of 30.1% in 2012-2013. Brewster Elementary students in grades 3-5 (All subgroups) will increase their Science scores from 19.2% in 2011-2012 to 30.0% in 20122013.

Additionally, our goal is to pool resources to purchase a more succinct assessment tool for measuring the growth of students in grades pre-K through 2, especially grade 2. Currently the district does not have any type of intervention aimed at second grade. Assessment tools available through the district are primarily geared toward tracking the progress of students in grades 3 through 5 with the exception of grade 1 that Mimio Headsprout (early reading intervention). We want to emphasize academic readiness in the lower grades (Pre-K -2), special education and ESL subgroups which will positively impact the number of students achieving at the proficient and advanced levels in the upper grades. This goal can be accomplished through the implementation of more differentiated instruction. More focus will also be placed on meeting students' diverse needs in a differentiated manner in order to better meet the needs of our students with disabilities, ESL, and struggling regular education students.

Additional Notable Achievements

Brewster has 10 TEM 5 teachers.

Brewster has three Nationally Board Certified Teachers.

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Executive Summary Dr. William Herbert Brewster Elementary School

Additional Information

Provide any additional information you would like to share with the public and community that were not prompted in the previous sections.

Brewster has an annual musical that highlights the talents of the students in grades 2-5. The musical is held in May and is attended by community members, MCS district personnel, MCS students and teachers, and parents. Numerous dedicated staff members work extremely hard to make each musical success. Examples of past musicals are Aristocats, Willy Wonka, Annie, Seusiccal, and Jungle Book. This year's dram club production is The Wizard of Oz. Memphis City has an annual ThinkShow that highlights student's quality work. ThinkShow invites all community stakeholders to come in to not only view but judge student projects.

Brewster students participate in the Go Jim Go campaign. They raised hundreds of dollars in support of St. Jude's research efforts.

Brewster has a community garden entitled the Brewster Urban Garden or BUG. Stakeholders such as Grow Memphis, Rhodes College, and University of Memphis volunteer to help with the garden. Students are engaged in real world learning experiences by working with the Brewster Urban Garden on a consistent basis.

Brewster has numerous community volunteers that come in to work with students. Volunteers such as Tresvant Nursing Home, Optimist Club, Memphis Rotary Club, Peer Power, Rachel's Kids Inc., and St. Anne's Catholic School come in consistently to work with designated students on academic and social skills.

Brewster will receive 246 school computers from Title 1 that will be used to increase student achievement. New computers will be placed in every classroom as well as the library.

Sixteen students received scholarships at a notable academic/social performing arts academy, Watoto Memphis. These students will perform on February 16th at Westside Middle. The production is called Ngoma.

Brewster has a Master Barber that comes in to give free haircuts in exchange for homework. He also works with students on their reading and math skills. The master barber, Fidel Woods, will also start a program called "Man-Up." This program will work with students on dressing up weekly as well as complete community projects.

A community volunteer will begin giving free violin lessons to Brewster students weekly.

Marx-Bensdorf Realty gives the school uniforms annually.

Statefarm Insurance donates incentives for students and faculty monthly.

Brewster stakeholders raised over two thousand dollars to purchase shoes for students during the holiday season.

Christ United Methodist makes donations for teachers.

Binghampton Development Corporation helps the school on a consistent basis by donating money and supplies to families and the school. Page 8 © 2012 AdvancED www.advanc-ed.org

Executive Summary Dr. William Herbert Brewster Elementary School

Eikon Ministries works with students as well as sponsors teacher appreciation lunches annually. Idlewild Presbyterian Church purchases food backpacks and food for students to take home every Friday. This effort is coordinated by the Memphis Food bank. Brewster serves approximately 150 students.

Power Intel donates money, food baskets, coats, clothing, etc. to the school annually.

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