A Message from Dr. McLaughlin

***Pearsontown Tours at 9:45am on Monday, May 21, 2012***

Pearsontown’s Theme for 2011-2012, “Nothing but Your Best”

Dear Pearsontown Parents:

We have incredibly skilled, dedicated classroom teachers who even though they are already doing great things for children, are open to being even better. As I reflected on our goals, I met with teachers about three weeks ago to discuss some areas of increased focus.

• Guided Reading: Identifying and utilizing best practices and making sure we have the resources to provide good instruction.
• Parent Communication: maintaining weekly communication through a newsletter or website, sending home some corrected work on a weekly basis, and responding to emails within 24-48 hours.
• Lesson Plans: Having them visible, though they do not need to be turned in. This is a central office requirement.
• Procedures: Arrival times, limiting cell phone usage to private places and completing daily attendance by DPS designated time.

I have also had individual meetings with a very small number of faculty members to address specific areas of improvement and plans of support. I want to make sure that we are always providing excellent instruction for your children. If we are not meeting your needs or the needs of your children, we will give you "nothing but our best". As always, if you notice areas where I or a member of my administrative team can improve, I welcome your feedback.

These expectations were not communicated to burden teachers, but rather to improve our service to you and your children. We want to make sure that your children are successful, challenged and reach their full potential.

Below is an update on where we are in meeting the goals that were established at the beginning of the year. Improve the Reading Skills of K-5 students who are below grade level: Created Intervention Program serving 108 students in 2nd-5th grades, primarily in reading for two or three times/week for 45 minutes. We also have 113 students in the before/after school tutoring program, 38 students in intervention groups for K & 1st grade and we started Math Intervention for 2nd-4th grades.  The mclass literacy assessment program was implemented in December. Currently 87% of Pearsontown students are proficient. Increase the proficiency of African American and Latino students: Conducted a faculty workshop on culturally responsive teaching, utilize common planning to facilitate collaborative planning, share intervention/acceleration plans. CA scores show we closed the gap in 5th grade Math for African Americans and Latinos, 4th grade Reading and Math and in 3rd grade for African Americans. Ensure student growth for AIG students and non-AIG students based on increased EOG growth and increase overall composite to 90%. Recent Math and Literacy SGAs scores were outstanding.

Math 1/26                  Reading  2/3

80% is considered proficient

3rd grade        82.22                           91.23

4th grade         74.73                           89.98

5th grade         85.82                           92.71

We secured $1,000 grant for 5th grade AIG classroom from IBM, 14 AIG certified teachers (3 will be newly certified 2011-2012). In classrooms, teachers differentiate, offer cooperative learning, projects to extend learning, self-directed learning and hold discussions that result in critical thinking.

Increase students' exposure to Science and increase performance on Science EOG. Implement Showcase of Scientists on February 23, 2012. Scientists visited Pearsontown on February 23, 2012 in grades 2-5, began double dose in Science for 5th grade in February 2012, quarterly Science Quiz bowls for 5th graders, Specials rewards program for students scoring 80% + on CAs and SGAs. We also secured a $2500 grant from LabCorp for a Brightlinks projector.

Dr. Dionne McLaughlin, Principal

Pearsontown Elementary School