VISION and MISSION STATEMENTS

Vision:
The vision of Polk Avenue Elementary is to deliver a rigorous academic program and to assist each student in becoming healthy global citizens in an ever-changing world.

Mission:
Polk Avenue Elementary is committed to each child reaching his or her full potential through a challenging program in a warm and caring environment.

Belief Statements:
We believe in the intrinsic satisfaction of learning and hope, sustained and nurtured in a diverse school community united in the commitment of all students and all teachers to mutual respect and purposeful effort to set and achieve high standards.


PART I: CURRENT SCHOOL STATUS

SCHOOL PROFILE/DEMOGRAPHICS


Brief History and Background of the School

Brief History and Background of the School
Polk Avenue Elementary is a charter school located within the city limits of the town of Lake Wales. It is a charming school with endearing features including the architecture of the 1930’s. The original Polk Avenue Elementary facility was built in 1939 by the Work Progress Administration during the Franklin D. Roosevelt administration. The campus is made up of 5 classroom wings varying in size, a separate cafeteria, 6 portables provided by Polk County School Board and the original auditorium in the main wing built in 1939. The population of Lake Wales in 2000 was 10,194. The racial makeup of the city is 59.49% White, 25.3% African American, 9.95% Hispanic, 30% Native American, 0.51% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 3.62% from other races, and 1.39% from two or more races.


Unique School Strengths for Next Year

Unique School Strengths for Next Year
1.Polk Avenue Elementary has implemented departmentalization in grades K-5. This will allow teachers to focus on one to two subjects which will allow them to plan more thoroughly to provide more student engagement.
2.Less teacher turnover
3.All teachers and paraeducators are highly qualified.
4.Discipline specifically out of school suspensions has dropped substantially.


Unique School Weaknesses for Next Year

Unique School Weaknesses for Next Year
1.High student mobility
2.Parent Involvement
3.Reduced school budget


Student Demographics

Student Demographics:
0809: White – 40.8%; Black 22.0%; Hispanic – 30.7%; Asian - .9%; Indian - .2%; Multi- 5.7%; SWD – 10.0%; ELL – 14.1%; Economically Disadvantaged – 87.3%; End-of-Year Enrollment – 541 students
0910: White – 36.2%; Black 28.8.%; Hispanic – 32.3%; Asian - .8%; Indian - 0%; Multi- 1.8%; SWD .8%; ELL 12.6%; Economically Disadvantaged –90%; End-of-Year Enrollment – 489 students


Student Attendance Rates

Student Attendance Rates:
08-09 – 94.4% compared to the district’s average of 94.56%;07-08 – 93.6%; 06-07 – 93.9%


Student Mobility

Student Mobility:
Polk Avenue Elementary’s mobility rate is 29.7% as measured by those students moving in or out of Polk Avenue on or after day 16 of student enrollment for the 08-09 school year. This is an increase from 24.3- for the 07-08 school year.


Student Suspension Rates

Student Suspension Rates:
08-09: K-65%, 1st-43%, 2nd-52%, 3rd-50%, 4th-51%, 5th-43%
07-08: K-55%, 1st-46%, 2nd-51%, 3rd-47%, 4th-60%, 5th-41%
06-07: K-29% , 1st-36%, 2nd-34%, 3rd-18%, 4th- 16%, 5th-17%


Student Retention Rates

Retention Rates:
06-07 = 10%
07-08 = 8%
08-09 = 7%


Class Size

Class Size:
0607: PreK-3 18.41; 4-8 23.4
0708: PreK-3 18.18; 4-8 20.92
0910: PreK-3 17.84; 4-8 20.42


Academic Performance of Feeder Pattern

Academic Performance of Feeder Pattern:
The feeder patterns have not been solidly determined since our school begins with kindergarten. Many of our students do not attend a pre-school. The ones who do come from the First United Methodist preschool, Miss Jean’s Playland, the YMCA, Special Treasures, and Headstart.


Partnerships and Grants

Partnerships and Grants:
We have received the Progress Energy Science Grant. We have been named a Sun Smart school with solar panels to use in instructing our students to work towards a healthy environment. The Kindergarten Support grant has assisted the kindergarten students, parents and staff serving kindergarten by designating a specific certified teacher and a paraprofessional to assist the struggling kindergarten students. The Lake Wales Charter Foundation is also raising funds to assist us in approved expenditures for the school year.


STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT DATA

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School Grades Trend Data

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) Trend Data

Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT) Trend Data

HIGHLY QUALIFIED ADMINISTRATORS

PositionNameDegree(s)/ Certification(s)# of Years at Current School# of Years as an AdministratorPrior Performance Record *
Principal Gail Quam BA
Elementary Education
MS
Educational Leadership
24 6 YEAR GRADE AYP
0809 C 85%
0708 B 95%
0607 A 97%
0506 B 97%
0405 C 87%
0304 A 87%
Assis Principal Chauncey Mitchell BS
Business Administration
MS Educational Leadership
2 1 YEAR GRADE AYP
0809 C 85%
0708 B 95%

* Note: Prior Performance Record (including prior School Grades and AYP information along with the associated school year)

HIGHLY QUALIFIED INSTRUCTIONAL COACHES

Subject AreaNameDegree(s)/ Certification(s)# of Years at Current School# of Years as a CoachPrior Performance Record *
Reading Nydia Arragon BA Modern Language Education
MS Reading
4 4 YEAR GRADE AYP
0809 C 85%
0708 B 95%
0607 A 97%
0506 B 97%
Learning Focus Jennifer Barrow BA
Elementary Education
MS
Educational Leadership
20 4 YEAR GRADE AYP
0809 C 85%
0708 B 95%
0607 A 97%
0506 B 97%
0405 C 87%
0304 A 87%

* Note: Prior Performance Record (including prior School Grades and AYP information along with the associated school year)


HIGHLY QUALIFIED TEACHERS

Description of StrategyPerson ResponsibleProjected Completion DateNot Applicable (If not, please explain why)
1. Lake Wales Charter Schools Job Fair Administration June 2010
1. Polk County Schools Job Fair 1. Polk County Schools Job Fair June 2010
3. Out of State Recruitment w/ Relocation Stipend Administration Ongoing
4. Partnership with local colleges with the placement of interns and practicum students Administration Ongoing
5. To retain highly qualified teachers we participate in STAR, NBCT, and Masters Programs. Administration Ongoing


Non-Highly Qualified Instructors

NameCertificationTeaching AssignmentProfessional Development/Support to Become Highly Qualified
No data submitted


Staff Demographics

Total Number of Instructional Staff % of First-Year Teachers % of Teachers with 1-5 Years of Experience % of Teachers with 6-14 Years of Experience % of Teachers with 15+ Years of Experience % of Teachers with Advanced Degrees % Highly Qualified % Reading Endorsed Teachers % National Board Certified Teachers % ESOL Endorsed
3003037332010001360


Teacher Mentoring Program

Mentor NameMentee AssignedRationale for PairingPlanned Mentoring Activities
Jennifer Barrow New Teachers Jennifer is our LFS Facilitator and a Master Teacher Jennifer will meet bimonthly with teachers for LFS.



ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Coordination and Integration


Note: For Title I schools only

Title I, Part A

Title I, Part A
Title I, Part A, funds school-wide services to Polk Avenue Elementary. The Title I funds provide supplemental instructional resources and interventions for students with academic achievement needs. Title I, Part A, support provides after-school and summer instructional programs, supplemental instructional materials, resource teachers, technology for students, professional development for the staff, and resources for parents.


Title I, Part C- Migrant

Title I, Part C- Migrant
Migrant students enrolled in Polk Avenue Elementary will be assisted by the school and by the District Migrant Education Program (MEP). Students will be prioritized by the MEP for supplemental services based on need and migrant status. MEP Teacher Advocates, assigned to schools with high percentages of migrant students, monitor the progress of these high need students and provide or coordinate supplemental academic support. Migrant Home-School Liaisons identify and recruit migrant students and their families for the MEP. They provide support to both students and parents in locating services necessary to ensure the academic success of these students whose education has been interrupted by numerous moves


Title I, Part D

Title I, Part D
Title I, Part D, provides Transition Facilitators to assist students with transition from Department of Juvenile Justice (DJJ) facilities back into their zoned school. The Transition Facilitators communicate with the Guidance Counselors at schools to facilitate the transfer of records and appropriate placement.


Title II

Title II
Professional development resources are available to Title I schools through Title II funds. In addition, School Technology Services provide technical support, technology training, and licenses for software programs and web-based access via Title II-D funds. Funds available to Polk Avenue Elementary are used by the county to purchase PD 360°, which is a school improvement network product.


Title III

Title III
Title III provides supplemental resources for English Language Learners (ELL) and their teachers in Title I schools, as well as professional learning opportunities for school staff.


Title X- Homeless

Title X- Homeless
The Hearth program, funded through Title X, provides support for identified homeless students. Title I provides support for this program, and many activities implemented by the Hearth program are carried out in cooperation with the Migrant Education Program (MEP) funded through Title I, Part C.


Supplemental Academic Instruction (SAI)

Title X- Homeless
The Hearth program, funded through Title X, provides support for identified homeless students. Title I provides support for this program, and many activities implemented by the Hearth program are carried out in cooperation with the Migrant Education Program (MEP) funded through Title I, Part C.


Violence Prevention Programs

Violence Prevention Programs
Title IV provides violence and drug prevention programs in schools in order to promote a safe school environment. Examples of violence prevention programs include anti-bullying, gang awareness, gun awareness, etc.


Nutrition Programs

N/A


Housing Programs

N/A


Head Start

Head Start
Head Start is/is not located on our campus. Resources are provided to the program to assist in the transition of students from pre-k to kindergarten. Head Start teachers may participate in professional learning opportunities offered to school staff, and they are involved in Professional Learning Community activities with kindergarten teachers. Parents of Head Start students are invited to participate in parent workshops and activities provided by the school.


Adult Education

N/A


Career and Technical Education

N/A


Job Training

N/A


Other

N/A


Response to Instruction/Intervention (RtI)


School-based RtI Team

Identify the school-based RtI Leadership Team.

Principal: (Required Member) The Principal provides a common vision for the use of data-based decision –making, models the Problem Solving Process; supervises the development of a strong infrastructure for implementation of PS/RtI; ensures that the school-based team is implementing PS/RtI; conducts assessment of PS/RtI skills of school staff; ensures implementation of intervention support and documentation; ensures and participates in adequate professional learning to support PS/RtI implementation; develops a culture of expectation with the school staff for the implementation of PS/RtI schoolwide; ensures resources are assigned to those areas in most need; and communicates with parents regarding school-based PS/RtI plans and activities.
Assistant Principal: Assists Principal in providing a common vision for the use of data-based decision-making, assists in the development of a strong infrastructure of resources for the implementation of PS/RtI, further assists the principal in the assessment of PS/RtI skills, implementation of intervention support and documentation, professional learning, and communication with parents concerning PS/RtI plans and activities.
Selected General Education Teachers: (Recommend at least one Primary Teacher and one Intermediate Teacher) – Provides information about core instruction; participates in student data collection; delivers Tier 1 instruction/intervention; collaborates with other staff to implement Tier 2/3 interventions; and integrates Tier 1 materials/instruction with Tier 2/3 activities.
Exceptional Student Education (ESE) Teachers: Participates in student data collection, integrates core instructional activities/materials/ instruction in tiered interventions; collaborates with general education teachers.
Academic Intervention Facilitator: Develops, leads, and evaluates school core content standards/programs; identifies and analyzes existing literature on scientifically based curriculum/behavior assessment and intervention approaches. Identifies systematic patterns of student need while working with district personnel to identify appropriate, evidence-based intervention strategies; assists with whole school screening programs that provide early intervening services for children to be considered “at risk,” assists in the design and implementation for progress monitoring, data collection, and data analysis, participates in the design and delivery of professional development; and provides support for assessment and implementation monitoring.
School Psychologist: Participates in collection, interpretation, and analysis of data; facilitates development of intervention plans; provides support for intervention fidelity and documentation; provides professional development and technical evaluation; assists in facilitation data-based decision making activities.
PS/RtI Behavior Representative (PBS): Participates in collection, interpretation, and analysis of data; facilitates development of intervention plans; provides support for intervention fidelity and documentation; assists with professional development for behavior concerns; assists in facilitation data-based decision making activities.
Speech Language Pathologist: Educates the team in the role language plays in curriculum assessment, and instruction, as a basis for appropriate program design; assists in the selection of screening measures; and helps identify systematic patterns of student need with respect to language skills.
Guidance Counselor: Provides quality services and expertise on issues ranging from program design to assessment and intervention with individual students. Communicates with child-serving community agencies to support the students’ academic, emotional, behavioral, and social success.
Technology Specialist: Develops or brokers technology necessary to manage and display data, provides professional development and technical support to teachers and staff regarding data management and graphic display.


Describe how the school-based RtI Leadership Team functions (e.g. meeting processes and roles/functions).

The PS/RtI Leadership Team will focus meetings on how to improve school/teacher effectiveness and student achievement using the Problem Solving Model.
The PS/RtI Leadership Team will meet at least once per month (or more frequently as needed) to engage in the following activities:
o Review school-wide, grade level, and teacher data to problem solve needed interventions on a systemic level and identify students meeting/exceeding benchmarks as well as those at moderate or high risk for not meeting benchmarks. This will be done at least three times per year or more frequently if new data is available.
o Help referring teachers design feasible strategies and interventions for struggling students by collaborating regularly, problem solving, sharing effective practices, evaluating implementation, assist in making decisions for school, teacher, student improvement.
o Facilitate the process of building consensus, increasing infrastructure, and making decisions about implementation.
o Focus on improving student achievement outcomes with evidence based interventions implemented with fidelity and frequent progress monitoring.
o Intervention teams also foster a sense of collegiality and mutual support among educators, promote the use of evidence-based interventions, and support teachers in carrying out intervention plans.


Describe the role of the school-based RtI Leadership Team in the development and implementation of the school improvement plan

The PS/RtI Leadership Team met with the School Advisory Council (SAC) and principal to help develop the SIP. The team provided data on: Tier 1, 2, and 3 targets; academic and social/emotional areas that needed to be addressed; helped set clear expectations for instruction (Rigor, Relevance, Relationship); facilitated the development of a systemic approach to teaching (Gradual Release, Essential Questions, Activating Strategies, Teaching Strategies, Extending, Refining, and Summarizing); and aligned processes and procedures




RtI Implementation

Describe the data management system used to summarize tiered data.

Describe the data management system used to summarize tiered data.
Baseline data is gathered through August and September. FAIR data is processed through the Progress Monitoring and Reporting Network (PMRN). Kindergarten and First Grade data is gathered for the SBAR. First and Second Grade instructional data is gathered from the previous year SAT 10. Third through Tenth Grade instructional data is gathered from the previous year’s FCAT scores.
Progress Monitoring data is gathered mid-year and toward the end of the year. FAIR data is processed twice more through the PMRN. Kindergarten and First Grade data is gathered for the SBAR every nine weeks. Other Progress Monitoring data is collected as needed for classroom or student progress. This information may be obtained by probes, Quick Reads, Fluency checks, etc.
Diagnostic Assessment data is gathered through the FAIR, ERDA, and DAR
End of Year data is gathered through FAIR, SAT 10, FCAT, and SBAR.
Data is discussed and analyzed at least monthly at the PS/RtI Leadership Team Meetings.


Describe the plan to train staff on RtI.

Professional learning will be provided during the teachers’ common planning time and sessions will occur throughout the year. The PS/RtI Overview will be provided in mid-August/September. The District has five other mini-modules that will be provided throughout the year.
The PS/RtI Leadership Team will evaluate additional staff Professional Learning needs during the monthly PS/RtI Leadership Team meetings.



School Wide Florida’s Continuous Improvement Model

Plan

Data Disaggregation 2008-2009 FCAT Data


What strengths and weaknesses were identified in the 2009 data by grade level, subject area, and clusters/strands?


• According to our 2009 spring data 3rd grade students were not proficient in reading or math. The benchmark for reading proficiency was set at 65%.Third grade students did not make proficiency on any of the clusters/strands. The cluster that was the weakest was Words and Phrases. The benchmark for proficiency in math was set at 68% and no cluster showed proficiency for our 3rd grade students. According to the spring data our cluster in most need of improvement was Number Sense.
• According to our 2009 spring data 4th grade students did not show proficiency in reading or math. The benchmark for reading was set at 65% and no clusters/strands were met. Reference and Research was close to making proficiency at 63% and the weakest cluster was Main Idea and Plot at 38%. In the area of math 4th grade students were close to making proficiency with a 67% in Algebraic Thinking and the weakest cluster was Data Analysis at 46%.
• According to our 2009 spring data 5th grade students did not make proficiency in reading or math. Specially, in the area of reading 5th grade students were proficient in the cluster Reference and Research, while their lowest cluster area was Words and Phrases. In the area of math 5th grade students did not meet proficiency in any of the clusters/strands. The area showing the greatest need for improvement was Data Research.


Instructional Calendar Development


What is the process for developing, implementing, and monitoring an Instructional Focus Calendar for reading, writing, mathematics, and science?

As an initial step towards implementing FCIM the school will focus on the area of reading. The district has created reading curriculum maps that are accompanied by a course timeline. The course timeline is the starting point for each school’s Instructional Focus Calendar. The district has also developed a timeline for Reading Comprehension Mini-Lessons which will serve as the school’s Reading Instructional Focus calendar. The implementation of the reading mini-lessons will be monitored by the AIF, school leadership team, and administration. Monthly PLC (grade level/department/team) meetings will be held to adjust the pacing of the mini-lessons.


Which instructional Benchmarks will be given priority focus, based on need, for each content area (reading, writing, mathematics, and science)?

Based our 2009 data students in grades 3-5 will be focusing on all of the benchmarks in reading, math, and science because our data revealed that we only showed proficiency in one cluster which was Reference and Research in the 5th grade and we only made the benchmark by 2%.


What is the process to ensure instruction is based on individual students’ needs, as opposed to the master schedule?

Disaggregation of FCAT data and monthly data PLCs (grade level/department/team) will use the data from FAIR and other progress monitoring tools to identify student needs and provide appropriated interventions


How does the school incorporate applied and integrated courses to help students see the relationships between subjects and relevance to their future?

Teachers will follow the Polk County Curriculum Maps in all the content areas while focusing on integrating: Learning Focus Strategies, student engagement, intensive intervention, and departmentalization. Teachers will be given and coached on specific strategies to make connections from one subject to another.


How does the school incorporate students’ academic and career planning, as well as promote student course selections, so that students’ course of study is personally meaningful?

N/A




DO

Direct the Instructional Focus


How are lesson plans and instructional delivery aligned across grade levels and subject areas?


Aligned and prioritized curriculum maps and time lines are used in all core areas. Teachers implement the EATS model for planning and delivery of core curriculum which includes essential questions, activating strategies, high-yield teaching strategies, summarizing and then reteaching as necessary. The district-wide Monthly Reading Comprehension Focus will be used as the basis of the reading mini-lessons.


How are instructional focus lessons developed and delivered?

Model instructional focus lessons were developed by master teachers and are posted within the district curriculum maps for all to use for core instruction. Collaborative PLCs will use the EATS model for creating additional acquisition lessons. Best practices, coaching and support for using Learning Focused Strategies will be provided by the principal, assistant principal, and leadership team. Reading comprehension mini-lessons have been written for grades 3 - 10. Each grade level/department/team will schedule the pacing of the mini lessons as well as the time of delivery during the monthly PLCs dealing with curriculum and instruction. The mini-lessons are organized by instructional day as well as strategy.


How will instructional focus lessons be revised and monitored?

Vertical teams and articulation centered on high quality student work and the results of mini-assessments will guide further revisions or refinements of the instructional focus lessons. Classroom walk-throughs will be used to monitor the quality and effectiveness of the lessons.




CHECK

Assessment


Describe the types of ongoing formative assessments to be used during the school year to measure student progress in core, supplemental, and intensive instruction/intervention.


FAIR, READ 180, Fast Forward, Harcourt Trophies, Voyager, 100 Book Challenge, Compass Odyssey, Reading Assistant, AR will be sources of ongoing formative assessments and data.


How are assessments used to identify students reaching mastery and those not reaching mastery?

Achievement thresholds will be set for each grade level and subject area. Students not reaching the threshold will be targeted for additional support as well as monitoring. Formative benchmark assessments are consistently used: school-wide and in all core areas. They are given frequently and used for monitoring student progress, as well as for planning and instruction.


Maintenance


How is ongoing assessment and maintenance of Benchmark mastery for each grade level and content area built into the Instructional Focus Calendar?

Dates for ongoing assessments and spiraled review are built into the instructional focus calendar at the conclusion of each month’s comprehension focus. Additional learning opportunities will be offered to struggling students.


Describe the process and schedule for teams to review progress monitoring data (summative and mini assessments) to identify the required instructional modifications that are needed to increase student achievement.

PLCs (grade level/department/team) will meet monthly to review the most current progress monitoring data and in turn make instructional recommendations to include both interventions as well as enrichment strategies for subgroups of students, as well as individual students.


Monitoring


Describe the Principal’s and Leadership Team’s roles as instructional leaders and how they will be continuously involved in the teaching and learning process.

The administrators and the leadership team facilitate PLCs with staff members/teams which address data, student work, instruction and curriculum. The administrators and the leadership team schedule coaching and monitoring visits to classrooms on a regular basis.




ACT

Supplemental and Intensive Instruction/Interventions


Identify the core, supplemental, and intensive instruction and interventions.


• Students performing in the low and average range in reading will receive Harcourt Interventions.
• Students in grades 2nd & 3rd will receive SRA Mastery as needed, and students in grades 3rd-5th will receive SRA Corrective reading.
• Students identified as immediate intensive intervention will also work on the Voyager program


How are supplemental and intensive instruction/interventions and tutorials structured to re-teach non-mastered target areas?

Multiple opportunities for researched based extended learning activities including: extended time for math and /or reading, extended day, summer school, accelerating and previewing, as well as re-teaching.


How does the school identify staff’s professional development needs to improve their instructional strategies?

The Learning Focused Implementation Tool will be administered at the start of the 2009 – 2010 school year to help identify areas of need for professional development.


Which students will be targeted for supplemental and intensive instruction/interventions?

Any student scoring a Level 1 or 2; a student with an ASP; or a student who is struggling with the Core instruction.


How will the effectiveness of the interventions be measured throughout the year?

Ongoing progress monitoring, mini-assessments, formative assessments, student data chats, and FAIR. (Individual schools may have other specific tools that can be listed here.)


Enrichment


Describe alternative instructional delivery methods to support acceleration and enrichment activities.

While identified students are pulled out for double dose intervention the students that are not a part of that will remain in the classroom and receive acceleration and enrichment activities specifically Learning Focused Strategies such as accelerated summarization and extended thinking activities.


Describe how students are identified for enrichment strategies.

Students are identified for enrichment strategies based on a culmination of the following: Progress Monitoring assessments, FCAT/SAT 10 data, and student performance




Professional Learning Communities

PLC Organization (grade level, subject, etc.)PLC LeaderFrequency of PLC MeetingsSchedule (when)Primary Focus of PLC (include Lesson Study and Data Analysis)
Kindergarten Olga Stafford Weekly Planning Time Lesson planning, data analysis
First Grade Kelly Harrington Weekly Planning Time Lesson planning, data analysis
Second Grade Susan Kistner Weekly Planning Time Lesson planning, data analysis
Third Grade Cheri Cooper Weekly Planning Time Lesson planning, data analysis
Fourth Grade Shelly Batson Weekly Planning Time Lesson planning, data analysis
Fifth Grade Ambica Saran Weekly Planning Time Lesson planning, data analysis
Reading Teachers Nydia Arragon Monthly After School Lesson planning, best practices, data analysis, LFS, book studies
Math Teachers Kim Kieffer Monthly After School Lesson planning, best practices, data analysis, LFS, book studies
Writing Teachers Jennifer Barrow Monthly After School Lesson planning, best practices, data analysis, LFS, book studies
Science Teachers Melissa Kelly Monthly After Schol Lesson planning, best practices, data analysis, LFS, book studies


NCLB Public School Choice

Note: For Title I schools only


Pre-School Transition


Strategy #1
Lake Wales Charter Schools has coordinated a program to work with Polk Community College to award CEU’s to our local preschools for their participation in ongoing education. This ongoing education took place through professional development meetings monthly with the elementary/kindergarten teachers doing workshops with and for the preschool teachers/owners to inform them of current strategies that are being used with the kindergarten students. Along with these strategies, it has been a great time to have quality articulation between the preschools, preschools and elementary schools as well as between the elementary schools. The focus has been skills that the students would need to be successful in a kindergarten program.
Strategy #2
Our kindergarten team led by our K Support teacher assists preschool children in transition from Early Childhood programs to our elementary school by providing the following: Kindergarten Roundup (pre-registration and visitation of Kindergarten classrooms); Distribute fliers to all local daycare facilities who filter children to our schools; Readiness screening in spring and summer prior to Polk Avenue Elementary Kindergarten program; Kindergarten Week is provided for all incoming Kindergarten students during summer to ease the transition to school.
Strategy #3
Our K support teacher assesses each k student upon entry to Polk Avenue Elementary and places them according to their skills in their classrooms. They are heterogeneously grouped for homeroom, but are ability grouped for reading.
Strategy #4
Polk Avenue Elementary disaggregates data to determine students’ acquisition of specific skills and knowledge by breaking down the data from the Readiness Assessment into a variety of possible subgroups.
Strategy #5
Polk Avenue Elementary helps the students to cultivate meaningful relationships by using peer interactions during the Kindergarten Round-up event and Kindergarten Week experience.

Strategy #6
The kindergarten teachers responsible for the kindergarten transition process are highly qualified teachers and paraeducators. Although this group is highly qualified, ongoing training of staff in transition strategies will occur throughout the school year.
Strategy #7
Programs are currently offered to assist preschoolers with low readiness rates through the Lake Wales Charter School’s Even Start Program and the Polk Avenue Elementary Preschool Program.
Strategy #8
Polk Avenue Elementary differentiates between orientation to school using Kindergarten Round-Up and Kindergarten Orientation Day and transition to school using Polk Avenue Elementary Kindergarten Week Program
Strategy #9
Parental involvement and communication is provided by news releases; flyers, neighborhood sites for parents; phone calls prior to Kindergarten Week; home visits as needed; From Your Nest to Ours, a coffee time for parents on the first day of school; and a 30 minutes Parent Component is provided for all parents during Kindergarten Week. Parents will complete an evaluation of the transition programs at this time.
Strategy #10
The Kindergarten Support grant was given through the Lake Wales Charter Schools Foundation. This grant allows us to make this program possible.
Strategy #11
The Kindergarten teachers assess students using the FLKRS to determine school readiness for the state of Florida.
Strategy #12
A K Support study was completed to determine the meaningfulness of this grant. The study supports the use of this program.
The return on investment was overwhelming in the benefit of this program to our students. The donor making this grant
possible was delighted to see the effect of the program with the children and has given one additional paraprofessional to enable the program to serve more students.



Postsecondary Transition

Note: Required for High School- Sec. 1008.37(4), F.S.

N/A



 

PART II: EXPECTED IMPROVEMENTS

 

Other Goals

No Other Goals were submitted for this school

 

FINAL BUDGET



Differentiated Accountability


School-level Differentiated Accountability Compliance



Show Attached school’s Differentiated Accountability Checklist of Compliance (Uploaded on 9/9/2009 4:17:12 PM)



School Advisory Council



School Advisory Council (SAC) Membership Compliance

The majority of the SAC members are not employed by the school district. The SAC is composed of the principal and an appropriately balanced number of teachers, education support employees, students (for middle and high school only), parents, and other business and community citizens who are representative of the ethnic, racial, and economic community served by the school.

No. Disagree with the above statement.

Measures Being Taken to Comply with SAC Requirement



Projected use of SAC FundsAmount
No data submitted



Describe the Activities of the School Advisory Council for the Upcoming Year



SAC Members

 

AYP DATA

No Data Found
No Data Found
No Data Found


SCHOOL GRADE DATA

Polk School District
POLK AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
2008-2009
  Reading
  
Math
  
Writing
  
Science
  
Grade
Points
Earned
 
% Meeting High Standards (FCAT Level 3 and Above) 61%  63%  88%  32%  244   Writing and Science: Takes into account the % scoring 3.5 and above on Writing and the % scoring 3 and above on Science. Sometimes the District writing and/or science average is substituted for the writing and/or science component.
% of Students Making Learning Gains 61%  58%      119  3 ways to make gains:
  • Improve FCAT Levels
  • Maintain Level 3, 4, or 5
  • Improve more than one year within Level 1 or 2
  • Adequate Progress of Lowest 25% in the School? 51% (YES)  55% (YES)      106  Adequate Progress based on gains of lowest 25% of students in reading and math. Yes, if 50% or more make gains in both reading and math.
    Points Earned         469   
    Percent Tested = 100%           Percent of eligible students tested
    School Grade         C  Grade based on total points, adequate progress, and % of students tested


    Polk School District
    POLK AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
    2007-2008
      Reading
      
    Math
      
    Writing
      
    Science
      
    Grade
    Points
    Earned
     
    % Meeting High Standards (FCAT Level 3 and Above) 65%  69%  87%  28%  249   Writing and Science: Takes into account the % scoring 3.5 and above on Writing and the % scoring 3 and above on Science. Sometimes the District writing and/or science average is substituted for the writing and/or science component.
    % of Students Making Learning Gains 58%  67%      125  3 ways to make gains:
  • Improve FCAT Levels
  • Maintain Level 3, 4, or 5
  • Improve more than one year within Level 1 or 2
  • Adequate Progress of Lowest 25% in the School? 64% (YES)  79% (YES)      143  Adequate Progress based on gains of lowest 25% of students in reading and math. Yes, if 50% or more make gains in both reading and math.
    Points Earned         517   
    Percent Tested = 99%           Percent of eligible students tested
    School Grade         B  Grade based on total points, adequate progress, and % of students tested


    Polk School District
    POLK AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
    2006-2007
      Reading
      
    Math
      
    Writing
      
    Science
      
    Grade
    Points
    Earned
     
    % Meeting High Standards (FCAT Level 3 and Above) 66%  66%  88%  19%  239   Writing and Science: Takes into account the % scoring 3.5 and above on Writing and the % scoring 3 and above on Science. Sometimes the District writing and/or science average is substituted for the writing and/or science component.
    % of Students Making Learning Gains 73%  66%      139  3 ways to make gains:
  • Improve FCAT Levels
  • Maintain Level 3, 4, or 5
  • Improve more than one year within Level 1 or 2
  • Adequate Progress of Lowest 25% in the School? 78% (YES)  73% (YES)      151  Adequate Progress based on gains of lowest 25% of students in reading and math. Yes, if 50% or more make gains in both reading and math.
    Points Earned         529   
    Percent Tested = 100%           Percent of eligible students tested
    School Grade         A  Grade based on total points, adequate progress, and % of students tested