Executive Summary

Woodleaf Elementary School Rowan-Salisbury School System

Mrs. Kristine A. Wolfe, Principal 9055 School Street Woodleaf, NC 27054

Document Generated On March 15, 2015

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

1

Description of the School

2

School's Purpose

3

Notable Achievements and Areas of Improvement

4

Additional Information

6

Executive Summary Woodleaf 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.

Page 1 © 2015 Advance Education, Inc. All rights reserved unless otherwise granted by written agreement.

Executive Summary Woodleaf 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?

Woodleaf Elementary School is nestled in the northwestern part of Rowan County. It has a population of 369 students in grades NC Pre-K-5. Woodleaf Elementary's percent of students on free or reduced lunch is 69%. The student body is 65% white, 19.8% Hispanic, 12.1% African American, and 2.2% Multi-racial. There are 23 full time certified teaching position, 4 itinerant teaching positions serving 60% of their work week, i.e ESOL, Art, ... , a Speech Pathologist, 9 positions serving as classified staff (teacher assistants and tutors) and 4 individuals serving as custodial and office staff employees. One part-time nurse serves multiple school with her participation at Woodleaf consisting of 1.5 school days. During the 214-2015 school year Woodleaf Elementary received a new principal, a new assistant principal, a full time technology facilitator, and a reading design coach.

Woodleaf Elementary sets high expectations for students and staff. The culture of the school is positive and strong, while maintaining its community school status. Woodleaf is a generational school, with many families having multiple generations who have attended. Parents are welcome at all times and are encouraged to actively participate by volunteering and attending parent involvement activities. Woodleaf has strong relationships with the community (United Way, Salvation Army, Toys for Tots, Relay for Life, etc.), and local businesses (Martin Marietta, Woodleaf BP). Woodleaf School has excellent support from the surrounding faith-based community as they support Project Christmas Tree, Food for Thought, and provide funding for many projects. The Blanche and Hubert A. Ritchie Foundation has given constant support, sponsoring matching funds and providing primary funds for major projects such as the new playground, mobile computer carts, a LISTA grant ( media), and a Scholastic Guided Reading Room.

Through foundation grants, PTA fundraisers and RSS matching funds grants, Woodleaf students have access to many forms of technology for classroom instruction. Each classroom has a Promethean board and teachers have laptop computers and iPads. Through the RSS 1:1 initiative, each student in grades 3-5 has an iPad that can be used at school and at home. Students in first and second grade are 1:1 in the classroom with iPads. Kindergarten classrooms have 12 iPads to use with students. Teachers regularly integrate technology into their lessons to enhance student learning.

The fine arts program is supported by the school district and community. Children present regular programs for parents and friends during P.T.A. meetings. Students participate in locally sponsored visual art shows through the Waterworks gallery and enjoy performance experiences with the Salisbury and North Carolina Symphonies and performing with the visiting artist program.

Woodleaf Elementary strives to provide students with a well-rounded, challenging program of study while helping them grow socially and emotionally. Students are encouraged to think at higher levels and work collaboratively so they can be globally competitive.

Page 2 © 2015 Advance Education, Inc. All rights reserved unless otherwise granted by written agreement.

Executive Summary Woodleaf 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.

Woodleaf Elementary School's vision is to inspire and expect the best from every child, every chance, everyday.

It is the mission of Woodleaf Elementary School to reach every child each day in the way they learn best, in order to promote individual success.

Woodleaf Elementary School's motto is: Every Child, Every Chance, Every Day!

All students are held to high expectations with academics and behavior. Instruction is differentiated, addressing individual student's needs based on data analysis. A master schedule was created that contains a two hour literacy block, at least a 75 minute math block, and a 30 minute remediation/enrichment to better meet students' instructional needs. The RSS Literacy Framework is incorporated into daily literacy blocks at all grade levels. Students in grades 3-5 are participating in the district 1:1 digital initiative where they have an iPad to use in the classroom and at home. Teachers are also incorporating Problem Based Learning into lessons to increase critical thinking skills and student engagement.

Page 3 © 2015 Advance Education, Inc. All rights reserved unless otherwise granted by written agreement.

Executive Summary Woodleaf 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.

Notable Achievements:

Woodleaf School continues to maintain a safe and orderly school environment with no acts of violence reported during the 2011-2012, 20122013, and 2013-2014 school terms. A 0.23 rate of violence was reported during the 2010 - 2011 term. The implementation of the Olweus program contributes to the overall positive results with student discipline. Student attendance for the last three years remained at a constant 95%. There were no long term suspensions or expulsions during the last three years.

On the 2012 N.C. Teacher's Working Conditions Survey (TWC), 97.35% of the 100% of the teachers reporting felt overall, Woodleaf School was a good place to work and learn. Every category saw positive growth with the category of professional development having three or more areas recording scores less than published during the 2010 TWC. These areas included sufficient resources available for professional development, professional development based on data and learning opportunities based on the school improvement plan. The 2014 N.C. Teacher's Working Conditions Survey (TWC) showed overall satisfaction at 92.6%. Teachers rated facilities and resources, community support and involvement, and teacher leadership with an average of greater than 85% approval.

The custodial team received a score of "1" on the Fall unannounced Clean School Inspection. "0" is the best score possible.

Woodleaf Elementary's Mrs. Cassie Thompson was voted District Teacher of the Year for the 2014-2015 school year.

Another notable achievement would be the structure of the schedule to incorporate a 2 hour literacy block, a thirty minute remediation block, and a seventy-five minute collaborative planning block for teachers. Woodleaf also added a full-time Technology Facilitator and a full-time reading Design Coach to support School Improvement Plan initiatives and RSS Strategic Plan initiatives.

Areas of improvement:

The greatest area of improvement is linked to high student performance. According to the NC. School Report Cards, Woodleaf School had students on grade level in Reading as recorded by End of Grade tests in grades 3 - 5 as follows: 2009 - 2010 = 69.4%, 2010 - 2011 = 63.6%, 2011 - 2012 =57.4%, 2012-2013=34.2%, and 2013-2014=54%. In math, Woodleaf had the following percentages of students on grade level as recorded by the End of Grade tests in grades 3 - 5: 2009 - 2010 = 83.4%, 2010 - 2011 = 72.4% and 2011 - 2012 = 76.5%, 2012-2013=40.2%, and 2013-2014=48%. Based on the data over the last 5 years, Woodleaf is focused on increasing reading and math scores over the next 3 years. There is a strong focus on instructional strategies and individualized instruction to meet students' needs. The structure of the schedule to incorporate a 2 hour literacy block, a thirty minute remediation block, and a seventy-five minute collaborative planning block for teachers was done to help increase student achievement. Teachers will receive professional development targeting balanced literacy strategies, including guided reading. A full-time Reading Design Coach was hired to work with teachers on the implementation of the Literacy Framework.

In looking at improving math scores Woodleaf Elementary will implement small group instruction in daily math lessons. K-5 teachers will have support from Teacher Assistants during their math blocks. Incorporation of technology and hands-on learning will help students think Page 4 © 2015 Advance Education, Inc. All rights reserved unless otherwise granted by written agreement.

Executive Summary Woodleaf Elementary School

critically and problem solve.

Also, high absenteeism and tardies for individual students are areas of concern. During the 2012 - 2013 school term one student miss 62 days of school and we saw four students with greater than 72 absences. In the 2014-2015 school year classes start at 8:00 so if students are tardy to school they miss part or all of their literacy block, which directly impacts student achievement. Woodleaf Elementary is working to helping parents understand the importance of students being at school, on time and the impact it has on their children. Woodleaf is using a stronger line of communication with parents regarding absences and tardies. Letters and personal phone calls from the principal have heightened awareness about the importance of good attendance.

Page 5 © 2015 Advance Education, Inc. All rights reserved unless otherwise granted by written agreement.

Executive Summary Woodleaf 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.

Sixty-nine percent of the Woodleaf student body falls within the low socio-economic levels which enables them to receive free or reduced lunches. This impacts how the school works to meet the needs of students. There are currently 17 students taking Food for Thought backpacks home every Friday with food for the weekend. A grant was obtained for $ 1000 through the Rack Room Shoes that Fit Program and distributed over 60 pairs of shoes to Woodleaf students. Local churches provide school supplies, coats and a local church runs a food pantry that provides food, medical supplies and assistance with family expenses such as power bills, prescriptions, etc. for Woodleaf School families. There are also regular contributions of coats and other clothing for families from local churches. With the help of funding by the P.T.A., Woodleaf was able to send every child home for the summer with 5 new novels in accordance with the N.C. initiative Give 5 - Read 5. Woodleaf was also able to purchase a Scholastic Guided Reading Room with grants received from the Blanche and Hubert Ritchie Foundation and Robertson Family Foundation. Woodleaf Elementary School maintains a community school reputation with families who take great pride in their school.

Woodleaf Elementary

Page 6 © 2015 Advance Education, Inc. All rights reserved unless otherwise granted by written agreement.