Executive Summary Templateschool Accreditation

Executive Summary TemplateSchool Accreditation

Description of the School

Maplewood Elementary School is located in Coral Springs, Florida. We have a student population of 775 students. Of those, 501 are White, 211 are Black, 270 are Hispanic, 33 are Asian, and 28 Multi-racial students. Approximately 468 students, 60%, receive Free and Reduced Lunch, 71 students are English Language Learners, and 214 are students with Disabilities. We have four Intellectual Disability classes with a total of 32 students, 4 Specialized and 2 Intensive Pre-K ESE classes with a total of 74 students. The remainder of our population is in the general education classes. While we have a strong Parent Teacher Organization(PTO), it is difficult to get our families involved inPTO meetings and the events they host. It is a challenge to get our parents to participate in our family trainings and other events at school. The diversity of our staff closely reflects the demographics of our student population and community.

Maplewood’s “Children’s Garden” was created 3 years ago in our former “Environmental Lab”. The garden space also includes a Solar Array. These panels collect the sun’s energy, which is utilized, by our building.

It has become the school's responsibility to help meet some of the basic needs of our students so that they can come to school ready to learn. All students may receive free breakfast and dinner.

Maplewood’s Exceptional Student Education (ESE) population has increased to reflect 30% of our population over the last 3 years. To address these challenges we have implemented research based academic intervention to meet all students’ needs.

School’s Purpose

The methodology for this strategic plan is clearly to involve and evoke a positive energy in a sound formulated action plan. Our mission statement is, “Maplewood Elementary provides optimal learning experiences for all students in a respectful and safe environment”. The vision is, “Together Everyone Achieves More!” To effectively achieve our mission and visionwe involve and incorporate partnerships with parents, the community, students, school professionals, and business leaders. Our action plan is based around the school’s Vision and Mission statements keeping in mind the overall goal to increase student achievement.

Our goal, along with our stakeholders is to prepare our students to be college and career ready. This partnership is crucial in raising student achievement and providing all that is needed for students to be able to work to their fullest potential. Maplewood Elementary provides its students with a rigorouscurriculum. Three years ago, Maplewood Elementary was one of the six pilot schools for Digital 5. We are now a Digital 3, 4 and 5 school, which utilizes one to one devices, allowing students to access their curriculum through the use of personal laptops. We offer STEM as a Special for our students… Maplewood has had 100% participation in Hour Of Code for the past three years.

We differentiate our instruction based on formative and summative assessments that are analyzed by grade level teams with support staff. Utilizing that data, we supplement our core curriculum by providing school-wide prevention and enrichment programs that meet the needs of all students. We implement the Fundations and Wilson programs. We continuously use data to drive instruction, reflect and make informed decisions for the purpose of increasing student achievement.

We use Thinking Maps, and have SMART boards, Recordex, and/or Mimio’s in all classes. In addition to addressing the Common Core and Florida State Standards, we offer a variety of programs, clubs and opportunities for our students. Our Physical Education (P.E.) teacher who conducts a volleyball and running club that participates in local 5K runs. We have a Math Club, which our fourth grade team placed in the county and one of our fifth grade students placed in the top three for individuals. We also have a STEAM Club, Chorus, and Art Club that meets after school. Play Pals is an active group of fourth and fifth grade students that meet and buddy with our special programs students on a weekly basis to prepare them for the Special Olympics.

We believe that strong partnerships with our parents and community are vital to student success. Parents receive regular communication about important class and school information through a multitude of media. We utilize Class Dojo, Remind 101, E-mail blasts, class websites, school website, PTO website, Twitter. We host a variety of activities, programs and events. We have parent-teacher conference nights twice per year, two Book Fairs per year, two family Bingo nights, Evening Choral performances, S.T.E.A.M. Evening Expo. We participate in quarterly Honor Roll Assemblies, Reading Across Broward, Just Do It, Broward Reads for the Record, Play Pals, and UNIKIDS. We are fortunate to team with Taravella High School’s HOSA students and Coral Glades High School’s DECA students. By allowing Taravella High Schools HOSA students and Coral Glades High Schools DECA students to come in to our school and interact with our students they provide vital mentorship and individualized support for our population.

Notable Achievements and Areas of Improvement

During the next three years we will be working on improving our BEST Practices, which are PLCs (Professional Learning Communities) and RtI (Response to Intervention).For RtI, we haveestablished a system that involves an RtI Liaison as well as a team that is present at all meetings. We are working on improving communication with all stakeholders. Two years ago, Maplewood was one of two pilot schools for SMART Bond Technology. We were one the first group of schools to receive $100,000 for the school choice enhancement allocation for SMART Bond. With this bond, we are remodeling the primary playground, removing the sand and adding a surface, adding a shade structure, new playground equipment. We added a sound system for the stage and a new curtain.

Maplewood strives to increase achievement by implementing the Wilson Reading program for selected students in third through fifth grade. Maplewood’s Response to Intervention team has worked hard over the past three years to train our staff the process of implementing strategies and interventions with students in need. We are working through a three-tierprocess, which identifies student’s areas of need. Strategies are implemented and monitored for a minimum 6 week at each tier before review for further follow-up. Parents are invited to attend RTI meetings, where teachers discuss their student’s progress. Our team consists of our Principal, Assistant Principal, Parent, Classroom Teacher, Reading Coach, ESE Specialist, School Psychologist, School Social Worker and Guidance Counselor.

Additional Information

Communication is key at Maplewood. We utilize a variety of communication tools to assure that all stake holders know what is happening at the school such as Remind 101, Class Dojo, E-mail blasts, Twitter, PTO Facebook and Website, Maplewood Website, Maplewood Marque, Parent Newsletter. All stakeholders have knowledge of partnerships through our Student Advisory Council meetings.

A large majority of our staff lives in our community and a few attended Maplewood as students. When we hire new staff, it is usually for one of two reasons: retirement or growth in numbers.