|
Our School's Philosophy October 6, 2008 Monroe Elementary is a National Distinguished Title I school serving preschool through sixth grade students with an inclusive population of 728 students. In addition to grades 1-6, there are four half day Early Reading First pre-school classes, 2 full day Kindergarten classes and 3 half day Kindergarten classes. Students at Monroe are increasingly diverse as 65% are English Language Learners with 21 different languages represented in the school. 80% of the students also qualify for free & reduced lunches. To meet the needs of this diverse population, the faculty at Monroe is comprised of both highly trained teachers and professional assistants who implement the most up-to-date research-based strategies to ensure all students achieve adequate yearly progress in both reading and math. With support from Title I funds class sizes have been reduced and highly trained professional assistants work alongside teachers to meet the individual needs of each student. In literacy, Monroe has adopted the 2008 Open Court, Imagine It! school-wide. All students participate in a three hour literacy block that includes whole group instruction and small group differentiated instruction. Supplementary instructional materials include leveled readers and differentiated activities for learning centers and are implemented to meet the instructional needs of all students. Students not mastering content are given additional individual or small group instructional sessions by the classroom teacher, reading specialists, special education teachers, ESL specialists, or professional assistants. Gifted students are clustered and taught by endorsed teachers, thus ensuring that all students are provided instruction to meet their academic needs. Monroe has implemented the new Houghton Mifflin Math series to be used during our 90 minute numeracy block daily. It offers teachers, students, and parents research-based approaches in a highly accessible format so all students can reach grade level success—and beyond. In addition, teachers use Granite’s numeracy curriculum map which provides a systematic structure for addressing the Utah State core content. In both reading and math, students needing additional time and attention beyond the regular school day attend a 40 minute after-school tutoring program taught in small groups by faculty and staff at the school. Monroe students also benefit from an enrichment program which takes place following after-school tutoring each day. Students are offered enriching experiences in a variety of art forms and sports activities. Many students are also invited to participate in a summer school program to improve English skills and to address academic needs. Multiple funding sources which include Title 1, Trustlands, Highly Impacted, QTSA, and Educational Equity, are co-mingled in order to implement the school’s wide range of literacy and numeracy programs. Parents of Monroe students are also active learners, participating in parenting classes, ESL classes, and working alongside their children in the classrooms. These opportunities are made available through a grant from the Toyota Family Literacy Program. Interpreters are available at the school to help parents at any time. They provide the bridge for non-English speaking parents to assist them in making connections with the school. In addition, family nights, weekly newsletters, school calendar, PTA, and Community Council are in place to include parents in the ongoing education of their children. At Monroe Elementary, we believe it is not what’s easiest for adults; it is about what’s best for children. Monroe is meeting the challenge and continually looking for ways to improve.
|