NCA SCHOOL PROFILE Sunset Elementary School Cody, Wyoming
Updated Fall 2010
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Park County School District #6 Mission “We promise to develop responsible learners with skills and knowledge to succeed in an ever-‐ changing world.”
Sunset School Mission Excellence In Teaching – Learning For All
Sunset Vision
If Sunset Elementary School’s children are going to receive an exemplary education, a shared vision must serve as the bridge between our school’s present and the future that it desires.
Leadership Sunset Elementary School leaders will foster a clear sense of direction each day and pursue this with persistence, tenacity, and patience.
Staff
Sunset Elementary School staff will accept full collaborative responsibility for each student’s achievement and will model this standard of excellence on a daily basis.
Curriculum and Instruction Sunset Elementary School will provide and utilize a carefully articulated curriculum including: instructional strategies (supported by best practices) for improving student achievement, technological tools and training, and daily monitoring and support, which all lead to successful learning.
School Climate Sunset Elementary School students and staff will work together to provide an emotionally and physically safe environment, which supports learning.
Community Partnerships Parents, staff, and community will share in an active partnership, teaching Sunset’s children by providing a strong partnership, which focuses on an exemplary educational experience.
Students Students at Sunset Elementary School will be persons of positive character who each accept responsibility for themselves, their learning, and their choices.
Sunset Values
We will begin where the students’ abilities lie and nurture growth. We will celebrate academic achievement, improvement, and personal character. We will monitor each student’s learning, providing enrichment and support. We will collaborate with one another and our students so we can achieve our collective goals more effectively. We will demonstrate our commitment to ongoing professional development and continuous improvement. We will involve parents in the education of their children by keeping them informed of their child(ren)’s progress and offering suggestions for assisting them. We will provide an inviting classroom environment for students by establishing clear expectations, consistent consequences, and specific, articulated, academic goals.
Sunset Goals
Attainable Goals We will set team and school Norms. We will assess where our school is academically and culturally. We will set forth our mission, vision, values, and goals. We will develop our personal missions. We will celebrate success!
We will meet regularly to focus on teaching and learning. We will align curriculum and create and administer grade level common assessments. We will compile data from grade level assessments. We will adjust teaching, provide support, and extend learning as data indicates. We will consider our actions as teachers as it affects our goal to raise responsible independent learners with intrinsic motivation. Stretch Goals We will ensure all students demonstrate proficiency on the PAWS assessment. We will eliminate achievement gaps based on socioeconomic status. We will ensure the academic success of every student. We will teach students to be critical thinkers who learn from each other and from experience.
Community Characteristics The community of Cody lies approximately 52 miles east of Yellowstone National Park. Nestled at the base of the Shoshone National Forest, Cody blends spectacularly beautiful scenery with local attractions, outdoor recreation and business opportunities. Its economy is a mix of energy, agriculture, tourism, and manufacturing. A city of over 9,000, Cody is home to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, a five-museum complex featuring exhibits depicting the development of western expansion. Cody offers many other activities to attract tourists to the area. The City of Cody and Park County have experienced an average annual growth of 1.7% in population. The community has a very low crime rate. The tourism industry is a major contributor to the local economy. The oil and gas industry provides 65% of the tax base. Major employers are the West Park Hospital and Park County School District #6. The unemployment rate in the Cody area is 6%, below the national average.
School Characteristics Sunset Elementary is one of five elementary schools in Cody. Our students come from all over the community and in that part of Park County included in Park County School District #6. Sunset Elementary School is a Kindergarten through 5th grade school. We have a student population of 315 students. The staff consists of 39 certified personnel and 32 classified personnel. Sunset School provides its students with instruction in Reading, Writing, Math, Science, Social Studies, Physical Education, Music, Media/Library and Art. Reading is taught using a balanced literacy approach with leveled books. Writing is taught using the 6 Traits writing model and Lucy Calkins. Math is taught using Bridges Math and an emphasis on basic skills and facts. Each of the Core Areas is taught at least one hour every day and often more. PE, Music and Media are offered on a rotating weekly schedule for a total of 120-225 minutes per week, depending on grade level. Sunset students also receive 15 minutes of Fitness exercise (Fit 15) every day. School is in session 175 days each school year and teachers work 185 days. There is one administrator, two administrative assistants, and one guidance counselor. Sunset School has a strong special education component. Students also are supported by a "HomeSchool Liaison" who tracks and supports at-risk students. One of the strengths of the school is the Building Intervention Team. This team of professionals along with the student’s parents intervenes to support students who are struggling. Data driven decision-making is used in assessing and/or referring these students for further support. Sunset School has an active Parent Group. The Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is the fundraising and volunteer coordinating arm of the school. This group has a long history of outstanding support of the school. The PTA also serves as a committee that provides feedback and advisory information to the school administration on the schools programs and operations.
Professional Learning Communities The school is in the fifth year of implementing the Professional Learning Communities (PLC) model. Each grade level has a PLC team as well as our Specials teachers’ team (PE, Media, Music, Counselor, Computer Lab para-educator). Each PLC team meets during the school day weekly. Thirty minutes twice a week is set aside for Learning Academy. Learning Academy (LA) is a time when students are grouped for enrichment, practice, and remediation based on formative data.
Instructional Characteristics Administrators: 1 Administrative Assistants: 2 Certified Faculty Members: 41 Total Faculty and Staff: 72 Professional Support Staff: School Psychologist: .3 School OT: .2 COTA: .2 Speech/Language Pathologist: 1 Adaptive PE: .2 Guidance Counselor: 1 School Nurse: .5 Literacy Coach: 1 Math Coach: 1 Success Tutor: 1 English Language Learning Instructor: .42 Home School Liason: .73 Gifted and Talented: .75 Custodial Staff: 3 Instructional Staff: 5th Grade Teachers: 2 4th Grade Teachers: 2 3rd Grade Teachers: 3 2nd Grade Teachers: 3
1st Grade Teachers: 3 Kindergarten Teachers: 4 Music Teacher: 1 Physical Education Teacher: 1 Media Specialist: 1 Special Education (Resource) Teachers: 2 Special Education (Severe Needs) Teachers: 3 Title I Teachers: 4 Highly Qualified Teachers: 100% Certified Teachers: 100% Nationally Board Certified Teachers: 4 Masters Degrees: 26 Multiple Certifications: 13 Years Teaching Experience: Average 13 years experience Years Until Retirement: Average 19 years until retirement Classified Staff with High School Diploma Plus: 100% Classified Staff Years of Experience: Average 7 years experience
Climate Survey Results 2008 Climate Survey 2008 - Common Response Items Sample Size School does a good job of teaching Wide variety of Curriculum area opportunities Learning is relevant to students future All teachers want all students to learn Homework positively supports learning School provides access to a variety of learning sources Teachers provide extra learning time to students as needed Student successes are recognized Computers and other technologies are used in instruction School does not allow cheating Teachers treat students fairly I am happy with our school Bullying is dealt with at our school Students are safe at school Parents are welcome at school School communicates the rules
n=196 Students 91% 85% 84% 94% 86% 89% 85% 81% 82% 83% 85% 86% 71% 87% 76% 91%
n=26 Teachers 100% 74% 92% 97% 86% 96% 96% 100% 96% 100% 100% 100% 92% 96% 96% 97%
n=3 Parents 100% 52% 33% 66% 66% 100% 66% 66% 100% 100% 66% 100% 100% 66% 100% 100%
School Improvement Survey Questions Percentage of staff members who agree or strongly agree: 1. Our school has a clear mission and vision that provides staff with a common purpose and direction for the future: 100% 2. The administration provides teachers and staff with adequate support: 100% 3. Teachers provide instructional activities that involve students in their learning: 100% 4. Data and research is used to make informed decisions: 100% 5. The expenditure of funds is aligned with goals: 96% 6. There are effective procedures in place to support communication with parents: 85% 7. Our school focuses on continuous improvement by targeting student learning as the goal: 100%
Student Characteristics
Total Number of Students Male Students Female Students Special Education ELL Students Free/Reduced Lunch Attendance
2008-2009 274
2009-2010 281
2010-2011 315
133 141 34 0 29%
139 142 41 1 18%
160 155 59 2 41%
94%
95%
96%
Behavior: Number of Referrals
-----
----- 40
----- 140
35
Note: 2010-2011 is data to date of this report. OSS = out of school suspensions. ELL = English Language Learners The criteria for logging behavior referrals was changed beginning fall 2009. Fall 2010 the Special Education Behavior program was moved to Sunset.
During the course of the last three academic years, Sunset School has experienced a fluctuation in the Free/Reduced population. The school has also experienced an increase in the number of male students in the population. Special education numbers have also increased each year. Please note that during the 2010/2011 school year there were two severe needs special education programs moved into the building. The elementary level of StarGate, our district’s Gifted and Talented program, is also housed at Sunset Elementary.
Student Performance Data The school administers the Measures of Academic Progress three times annually to its students in all grades. This growth model standardized assessment is used in planning and implementing instruction based on individual student needs. This data is also used by the building’s Professional Learning Community teams in grouping students for remediation and enrichment. These flexible groups are clustered within each grade level.
MAP Results Fall 2009 to Fall 2010
The above data displays the average growth in percent for grades 2 through 5. It also displays the percent of students proficient at grade level for the fall assessment of 2010. The colored square displays the growth as projected for students based on their proficiency levels. This data set is for reading. The green and yellow squares represent the percent of students who grew academically more than expected. The orange and red squares represent the percentage of students who did not grow as much as expected. This data is a comparison for one calendar year.
The above data displays the average growth in percent for grades 2 through 5. It also displays the percent of students proficient at grade level for the fall assessment of 2010. The colored square displays the growth as projected for students based on their proficiency levels.
The above data displays the average growth in percent for grades 2 through 5. It also displays the percent of students proficient at grade level for the fall assessment of 2010.. Grade by RIT Proficiency Probability (Reading)
The above data displays the probability students in the RIT band have of meeting or exceeding the most basic-‐level of proficiency on the state assessment in reading.
Grade by RIT Proficiency Probability (Math)
The above data displays the probability students in the RIT band have of meeting or exceeding the most basic-‐level of proficiency on the state assessment in math. Grade by RIT Proficiency Probability (Language Usage)
The above data displays the probability students in the RIT band have of meeting or exceeding the most basic-‐level of proficiency on the state assessment in language usage.
PAWS Data By Grade Level and Year
3rd Grade PAWS - Total Percent Proficient and Advanced Reading Writing Math 2008 76 48 97 2009 57 46 87 2010 61 85 77
3rd Grade PAWS Results for 2008-2010 120 100 80 Reading
60
Writing
40
Math
20 0 2008
2009
2010
4th grade PAWS - Total Percent Proficient and Advanced Reading Writing Math 2008 78 69 81 2009 78 50 69 2010 80 100 85
4th Grade PAWS Results for 2008-2010 120 100 80 Reading
60
Writing
40
Math
20 0 2008
2009
2010
5th Grade PAWS - Total Percent Proficient and Advanced Reading Writing Math 2008 81 59 90 2009 73 82 89 2010 88 74 89
5th Grade PAWS Results for 2008-2010 100 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
Reading Writing Math
2008
2009
2010
Survey Appendix Percentage of students who agree: (Sample Size = 196) 1. My school does a good job of teaching our students: 91% 2. I have a chance to learn lots of subjects at my school: 85% 3. I am learning things at my school that I can use in the future: 84% 4. All my teachers want students to learn: 94% 5. I am given homework that helps me to learn in school: 86% 6. My school has lots of places where I can learn: 89% 7. My teachers give me extra help when I need it: 85% 8. Students are rewarded when they do a good job at school: 81% 9. I use a computer at my school to learn: 82% 10. My school does not allow cheating: 83% 11. I am treated fairly by my teachers: 85% 12. Our principal cares about students: 92% 13. All teachers at my school care about students: 88% 14. I am happy with my school: 86% 15. Problems with bullying are dealt with at my school: 71% 16. I feel safe at my school: 87% 17. My family feels welcome at my school: 76% 18. I am happy with all the things my school has for us: 82% 19. My teacher tells us about the school rules: 91% 20. My teacher listens to my ideas: 76% Percentage of teachers who agree or strongly agree: (Sample Size = 26) 1. High quality of education is offered: 100% 2. This school does a good job teaching Language Arts: 100% 3. This school does a good job teaching Math: 100% 4. This school does a good job teaching Science: 85% 5. This school does a good job teaching Social Studies: 85% 6. This school does a good job teaching Fine Arts: 92% 7. This school does a good job teaching Phys. Ed.: 77% 8. This school does a good job teaching Health: 68% 9. This school does a good job teaching Foreign Lang: 20% 10. This school does a good job teaching Career/Voc: 42% 11. The school is preparing students for their futures: 92% 12. Students understand relevance of learning to life: 92%
13. Teachers use a variety of teaching strategies: 100% 14. Teachers involve students in learning activities: 100% 15. Teachers collaborate to develop instruction: 100% 16. Teachers have high expectations for student learning: 100% 17. Students are motivated to do their best: 100% 18. Teachers provide reasonable amount of homework: 88% 19. Teachers use a variety of ways to show student learning: 96% 20. Teachers are willing to allow students extra time: 96% 21. Struggling students receive extra support: 100% 22. Use of community resources is encouraged: 100% 23. Opportunities are given to support all learning levels: 100% 24. Students are recognized for all types of accomplishments: 100% 25. Procedures support communication with parents: 85% 26. Students have access to a variety of resources: 100% 27. Up to date computers etc. are used for learning: 96% 28. Teaching materials are in good condition: 96% 29. The facility is adequate to support learning: 65% 30. Class size is appropriate: 100% 31. Students and staff are treated with respect regardless of gender, race, or religion: 100% 32. Students at this school respect school and community property: 96% 33. Cheating is not allowed in this school: 100% 34. Adequate security measures are in place: 96% 35. School rules apply equally to all students at this school: 100% 36. Provides a safe and orderly learning environment: 96% 37. Substance abuse is not a problem: 96% 38. Problems with bullying are dealt with at school: 92% 39. School discipline is administered fairly: 92% 40. I am satisfied with the school: 100% 41. Families of our students feel welcome at school: 96% 42. Our school has a clear mission and purpose: 100% 43. The school is focused on continually improvement: 100% 44. A culture of accountability is evident in our school: 96% 45. Data and research are used to make decisions: 100% 46. Expenditures are aligned with goals: 96% 47. Staff is involved in making important decisions that impact the quality of teaching and the learning process: 100% 48. Positive relationships between staff and admin: 100% 49. Administration provides adequate support: 100%
Percentage of parents who agree or strongly agree: (Sample Size = 3) 1. High quality of education is offered: 100% 2. Good job teaching important skills (compiled from 9 subject areas): 67% 3. School prepares students to deal with the future: 33% 4. Students see a relationship between what they are learning and their everyday lives: 33% 5. Teachers use a variety of teaching techniques: 100% 6. Teachers have high expectations for student learning: 100% 7. Teachers give students extra help in class: 66% 8. Students are challenged to do their best work: 66% 8. Teachers give extra help outside of class: 66% 9. School recognizes all types of student achievement: 66% 10. Cheating is not allowed: 100% 11. Students and staff are treated with respect regardless of gender, race, or religion: 33% 12. Adequate security measures are in place: 33% 13. Provides a safe and orderly learning environment: 66% 14. Substance abuse is not a problem at school: 100% 15. Problems with bullying are dealt with at school: 100% 16. I am satisfied with the school: 100% 17. Parents feel welcome at school: 100% 18. Our opinions are considered when important decisions are made at school: 100% 19. School rules are communicated: 100% 20. Sufficient opportunities are provided at this school for parent involvement: 100% 21. Technology is used to provide parents with information about this school: 100% 22. This school makes effective use of the available financial resources: 66% 23. The quality of schools helped influence my decision to live in this community: 33% 24. The school grounds and facilities are clean and well maintained: 100% 25. Adequate time, space, and facilities are provided for student activities at this school such as music, sports, extracurricular: 100%