November 23, 2016
Normandy Schools see major improvements Learn & Play
11
A twist on a timeless dish
Community Voices
2
By Rick Stevens
Photo courtesy Normandy Schools Collaborative Brunetta Blackshear, teacher at Barack Obama Elementary, works with students as part of the Normandy Saturday Learning Labs. The Saturday enrichment program is one of several initiatives implemented by the collaborative to help improve student achievement. The collaborative earned 76.5 points on the state’s 2015-16 Annual Performance Report.
Feature Section
6
Holiday Shopping Guide
Collaborative reaches provisional accreditation range on state’s annual report card By Nicholas Elmes The scores are in, and it looks like the Normandy Schools Collaborative is well on the path to academic success. The school district, which lost its state accreditation two years ago after only earning 10 out of 140 points on the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education Annual Performance Report (APR), has made considerable improvement, reporting that its most recent APR score is equivalent to a “Provisionally Accredited” level. On the most recent report, released in late October, the district earned 76.5 out 140 points, marking the second year in a row they have achieved double-digit improvements on the state assessment. “We have been blessed to have the outcomes we’ve seen in the last two years,” said Normandy Superintendent of Schools Dr. Charles J. Pearson. “Our students and staff have made the sacrifices, doing what was needed to improve instruction and learning. We have also been very fortunate to be a part of a community who stepped up and asked, ‘how can we help.’ Now we have a network of
nonprofits, corporations, individuals and other school districts – all a part of the team to bring the best education to our students. It’s been a partnership of resources, efforts and goodwill from multiple providers. We are extremely grateful; they all have had a role in our resurgence.” He said the collaborative had seen growth in all of its schools in specific grade levels. “In the elementary schools this is attributed to the Balanced Literacy approach to teaching English Language Arts. Reading is the key to success in all subjects,” Pearson said. “Balanced Literacy requires a focus on reading and writing using small group instruction. We are now applying that small group instruction model in teaching math as well. Grades seven and eight had progress in targeted academic areas — ELA, but not as widespread. In each case, what worked to generate growth — focus on vocabulary, reading, writing and support of wraparound partners for children struggling with trauma. Growth
occurred in the high school in English Language Arts and Biology in terms of academics. There was significant growth in the areas of attendance across the district, graduation rate at the high school See IMPROVEMENTS page 2
School
8
Girls take control of social media
Movie: No turkeys here: Thanksgiving movies 2016 16 FREE Online Subscription at mycnews.com