Ray Elementary School at Mid-term
State of the School Address
February 23, 2009
Dear Ray School Parents:
We are now into our second semester. It is time to review some of the accomplishments of the first semester and discuss what to expect in the second semester. One goal that I spoke of on curriculum night was to overall improve student-learning behaviors so that classroom disruptions and classroom time lost would be diminished.
We implemented this with a program of Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports or PBIS. As with any new initiative, we have had our challenges, but over all, teacher referrals and suspensions are down at least fifty percent compared to last year at this time. As children learn what is expected of them and realize that all adults have the same expectations, and with a system of positive rewards in place, being reinforced on a daily basis, student behavior has greatly improved. Many children who were seen regularly in the office last year have either not been seen or referrals have been greatly reduced. The lunchroom, which was the bane of existence for most volunteers, has become not only bearable but also at times quite pleasurable. As part of PBIS, we have instituted School Based Problem Solving for students who are underachieving academically or may be acting out in some way. We hope that this support will provide teachers and students with tools to increase student achievement.
The second goal was to improve our after school program. We have added many new offerings such as Art for the Younger Child, Studio Art, Board Games, Cheerleading, Homework Help, Sewing Club, Knitter’s Circle, Baton Twirling, South Side Scribblers (writing club), Debate Club, Spoken Word Poetry Club, Yoga, Jewelry Club, Chinese Language and Culture, Science Club, Spanish Song and Dance, Soccer, and Chess for Girls. The already existing drama club, girls’ and boys’ basketball, tutoring, B.I.G. Baseball, and Big Brothers, Big Sisters still remain.
Thirdly, the physical plant is improved with all new flooring and with all lockers sporting a fresh coat of blue paint. The tenacity and dedication of Mr. David Myles (parent), who single-handedly painted all of the student lockers in the building, paid off in double digits for us. These improvements, along with theme-focused student work, decorations in the corridor and large plants, have greatly improved the look of our school. Student work is now displayed in the main office so that it is readily evident that we are proud of our students. Our tuition-based after schoolroom has been fashionably coordinated with new green tables and rugs and curtains made by our after school sewing club. We purchased new computers, computer tables and software for students using the tuition-based revenue. Our lunchroom looks less institutional due to the bright bulletin boards featuring our successes in improved student responsibility and theme-based artwork hung on the walls. Lastly, our tricycle room now has child-patterned curtains at the windows and a wall hanging to reduce starkness of the room.
Other goals involved creating more of a student connection to our school. Our morning radio show features one class per week with up to four students being radio show announcers per day. These students give the thought of the day, which is based upon the character theme of the month. Depending upon the age of the announcers, they may also give important information for teachers and students. Students are excited to speak on the intercom system and get a boost of self-esteem in the process. Children, who have received stars for responsible behavior are eligible to have their names put in a lottery, and if their name is drawn, are publicly recognized and receive a token in the lunchroom once a week.
Our Spanish Celebration and Holiday performances were spectacular. The addition of costumes along with stage and auditorium decorations created a sense of pride among the students. I would like to commend the collaboration between our Spanish Language teachers and our Fine Arts team for putting together such high level programs. The pride that children felt about their performance was obvious. For the first time, children wore beautiful costumes and displayed their talents on a beautifully decorated stage, in an auditorium where student artwork was displayed.
Our rally celebrating the nomination of a Chicagoan and fellow Hyde Park resident and the Inauguration Assembly gave students of all ages a chance to exercise their speaking, writing and artistic abilities in front of their peers. Our International Night was wildly successful with great student performances and a virtual feast of gastronomic delights from around the globe. Spearheaded by Ray School parent Julie Coward, it was a tremendous success with more donations and talents and many more teachers attending than ever before.
The Lunar New Year was celebrated with fortune cookies and a dragon dance at lunchtime at Ray. A much larger collaborative happened between Ray School and the U. of C. where there were arts and crafts, a variety of Asian food and musical performances by our students and a professional Asian musician.
As Ray School has long been known for academic excellence and achievement, my goal is to continue in this tradition and seek to raise the bar. As promised, Ray students began to compete at the school and area wide levels in science, spelling and Young Authors and will compete in the Academic Olympics. As competition for selective enrollment schools increases, our students must learn to perform well to compete for their places in these schools or other schools of choice. Our after school science club focuses on Lego robotics. Our students are learning the basics of building robots and learning to program them through computers. This is a great example of allowing children to find their interest and challenging their intellect. Though we were not ready for the competitions this year, we will be ready in the next school year. Mrs. Webb and parent, Michael Scott provide guidance and instruction.
Our school was given a challenge by Mr. Duncan to improve the quality of our Spanish Language Department’s service delivery. The addition of Mr. Fernando Martin to the fifth and sixth grades provided instant improvement. Weekly meetings of the Spanish department to plan and coordinate curriculum with regular classroom teachers and providing more staff development in best practices have reaped rewards for our students. Monitoring of the lunchtime “Spanish Tables” has increased participation among students and provides more practice in the language.
Looking on to this second semester, we will finally see the Community Schools Initiative finally come to fruition. Our new partnership means increased funding so that much of our after school programming will continue until the last week of June. This initiative will also support more “Coffees with Mrs. Butler.”
In an effort to reduce class size in the early grades we have been able to hire an additional teacher to support students who are underachieving or who are accelerated, in grades kindergarten through second grade. Using discretionary funds we were able to secure this half-time position to run small groups for both reading and math. Early diagnosis and support will help student success in third through sixth grade.
In conclusion, as school funds grow even scarcer, I will continue to focus on high academic standards as the top priority for Ray School. With the continued support and cooperation I have received from so many of you who volunteer your time and expertise, I am sure that our students will continue to flourish and become the responsible citizens of the world and life-long learners we describe in our vision and mission statements.
Sincerely,
Bernadette Butler
Principal