Elementary School News and Events

As you may recall, after much hard work by administration, teachers, and students for the past two years, Fort Crawford, Greenwald Elementary and Martin Elementary school were recognized for reaching Adequately Yearly Progress in school years 2005 and 2006. With the recognition comes a monetary award from the Title I Academic Achievement Award Funds of $2000 per school. The teachers and administration discusses many options concerning how best to use the funds. We unanimously agreed that whatever we chose, the activity should further the academic progress of the children. We also agreed that fundamental to our children's academic success, leading to life success is reading. After researching how to make the highest quality impact to the most students, we chose to start The Explorer's Reading Club and invited all children who are basic or below basic proficiency in reading to join the club. A letter was sent home to the parents of thee students explaining the details of the program. The children will meet at their respective school s for 45 minutes before school 2-4 days a week. Under the direction of Cara Finkel at Fort Crawford, Stephanie Schlarman at Greenwald, and Holly Spohn at Martin, the club provides students with a combination of tutoring in reading and use of the CompassLearning Odyssey Computerized Reading Program. Awards will be given to encourage the students to attend on a regular basis. While the club is provided at no cost to the parents, we chose to encourage parent commitment by asking them to provide transportation. The club will begin in October at all three elementary school and will last for three months.