An Overview JULIA LATHROP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

School Support VisitJanuary 21, 2014

Penny El-Azhari, PrincipalThanks to Jennifer Wood for her contribution with regards to PLCs at Lathrop

Thanks to Jesus Medrano for photography

Mission“Our mission is to provide the best opportunities for academic success

and social achievement for our diverse student population in a 21st Century learning environment.”

Demographics of Students at Lathrop

% of students

Black/A-AHisp/LatinoWhite2+races

TOTAL NUMBER OF STUDENTS: 402

BilingualMonolingual

Bilingual: 11 classesMonolingual: 8 classes

Bilingual program: 227 studentsMonolingual: 175 students

Average class size: 24

Students mobility: 17%

COLLABORATIONPLCs meet officially every two weeks for the purpose of data analysis and planning. Grade level teams meet on a weekly basis to discuss instructional strategies, resources, etc. PLCs also meet for an entire day, once every 8 weeks, to plan instruction.

Ensuring students learn:

A Culture of Collaboration

Focus on results

Celebrating

Taking charge from the beginning!

The Planning Cycle incorporating :CCS alignment with curriculum maps and pacing guidesData - now truly driving instructionBridgingTechnologyProfessional DevelopmentStudent progress monitoring

The Planning Cycle

ESA/DEA Data – 2013/14

Example of cohort growth

ISAT data

2012 20130

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

Reading =Math -1Science +11Overall -1

DISCIPLINELathrop is a well-established PBIS school. This is reflected in the discipline data. The Universal (Tier 1) and

Secondary (Tier 2) PBIS Teams meet monthly. All tiers of behavior interventions are offered at Lathrop through RtI and PST.

Graph showing Average Number of Referrals per Day for 2014 compared with 2013

Sept Oct Nov Dec0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

2

20132014

RtI and PSTLathrop offers all three Tiers of RtI in English and Spanish. There are 4 HQ tutors who provide interventions to small groups of students, on a daily basis, for Reading and Math. Our PST is fluid and involves the appropriate members of staff needed to address the needs of an individual student.

SpecialistsLathrop recognizes the importance of the Arts and Physical Education in the development of the whole child. Students are encouraged to excel in Music, Art, and P.E.. Lathrop offers opportunities for students to participate in extra curricular activities in all three areas including REBA, Cheerleading, Choir, and a variety of community Art competitions and exhibitions.

TechnologyLathrop is fortunate to have wall-to-wall iPads. We have made enormous strides when it comes to incorporating technology into our lesson planning. We not only utilize DE, but our teachers are gradually becoming more and more accomplished at finding appropriate apps and primary sources to enhance instruction.

Professional DevelopmentPD is now embedded into the PLC culture at Lathrop. Professional development is determined from data collected during PLC s, and Instructional Rounds. PD is offered twice a month and addresses Reading, Math, and technology, as well as other topics such as Student-Led Conferencing, CPR, etc. Teachers also receive in-classroom coaching from the Literacy Leader and DE Coach.

Reflection and AccountabilityThe principal is held accountable. She meets with here supervisor once a month to reflect on all aspects of Lathrop’s progress. The Literacy Leader reflects and plans with the principal weekly. Teachers are held accountable. They are evaluated as per contract and the principal conducts Instructional Rounds regularly. All observations and Instructional Rounds are followed by a reflection meeting.

Family InvolvementLathrop is fortunate to have a steady number of parent volunteers who help out at lunch times and to fundraise. Family Nights are embedded in the school’s calendar. Each month, Lathrop organizes a Reading or Math Night for families. These events are well attended. The principal holds a Coffee Morning once a month for parents, and we also enjoy Family Fun Nights such as Skate Night, McTeachers’ Night, etc.

Community InvolvementLathrop has partnered with 2 churches, Pilgrim Baptist and , more recently, Providence Missionary Baptist.Students receive mentoring from community members and volunteers from Rockford Reads, and United Way’s I READ program.

All-school eventsLathrop students and staff celebrate the great behavior at Lathrop once every trimester with an all-school PBIS celebration.We also celebrate special occasions such as Veterans’ Day (above) and fundraising successes.

Building improvements at Julia Lathrop Elementary School

Lathrop School held an Open House on January 15th, 2014. Members of the community were invited to tour our new cafeteria and resource room, as well as the updated office area. Lathrop has also had new locks installed on classroom doors and a new security system installed at the main entrance. We are very grateful for these improvements.