E. Ruth Sheldon Elementary School

School Information

School Name: E. Ruth Sheldon
School Address: 1901 Woolner Ave. Fairfield, CA  94533

School Phone: 707-421-4150
School Fax: 707-421-3203
Principal: Lauran Hawker
Principal email: LauranH@fsusd.k12.ca.us

Demographics

Number of Students:  521
Number eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch: 72.6%
Percent of Limited English Proficient: 40.3%
Percent of Special Education:  .1%
Racial/Ethnic Percentages:

• White  14%
• Black  18%
• Hispanic  52%
• Asian/Pacific Island 5%
• Multi-Racial  6.1%
• American Indian .4%

Present Student Achievement Data in at least three points to demonstrate trends – for example, three consecutive years or the first, third, and fifth years.

Scale: % at or above proficient 

 

	CST Scores % Proficient or Advanced (Sheldon/District/State)
Grade 5	2004	2005	2006	2007	2008
Reading	23/NA/40	31/NA/43	53/NA/35	43/NA/44	32/42/48
Writing	0/NA/1	13/NA/8	28/NA/19	NA	47/53/NA
Science	14/NA/24	22/NA/28	30/NA/32	42/NA/34	35/42/46
Math	24/NA/38	30/NA/54	62/NA/48	52/NA/49	57/44/51

Sheldon's A.P.I. *Shows a 58 point gain over 5 years

API	Base Score	Ranking (Similar Schools )
2003	693	3
2004	717	6
2005	745	9
2006	747	8
2007	751	6
2008	722	NA

 

Please present any additional information that indicates your efforts to build a professional learning community have had a positive impact upon students and/or teachers.

Sheldon has made gains in each of the achievement tests indicated. Over the last 3 years the following stands out for proficient and advanced scoring students:

• 38% gain in 5th grade CST Math scores, while the state had a 10% gain- an accelerated gain for Sheldon!
• 12% gain in 5th grade CST English-Language Arts scores, with the state at 13%- this is consistent with the state gain
• 16% gain in 5th grade CST Science scores- double the state gain of 8%!
• 28% gain in 4th grade STAR Writing scores- while the district had an 18% gain- an accelerated gain for Sheldon!

API (Academic Performance Indicator) Similar School Ranking:

1. 2005-06:  9/10! (The only Title 1 school in FSUSD with this achievement)
2. 2004-05:  6/10
3. 2003-04:  3/10

2005-06 – Highest Rate of Student Attendance (96%) district wide for Elementary Schools

Positive School and Classroom Climate

 

Please elaborate upon strategies you have found to be effective in any of the following areas:

1. Monitoring student learning on a timely basis.

• Site development of grade level formative assessments for English Language Arts/Reading and Math for grades K-6
• Site development of school-wide interventions in the areas of English Language Arts, English Language Development and Math support for students in grades K-6
• Grade level focus on the development of Language Objectives for Math instruction, school-wide.
• Site development of grade level formative assessments for English Language Arts/Reading and Math for grades K-6
• Site development of school-wide interventions for Language and Reading support for students, grades K-6

2. Creating systems of intervention to provide students with additional time and support for learning.

• Development and implementation of 7 member Student Resource Team (SRT)- Principal, Psychologist, Resource Teacher, Speech Therapist, Teachers of Academic Support (2), - to work with each grade level 1-3 times each month during weekly 2 hour Collaborative Planning time. At these pre-referral meetings, Teacher Plans are established to identify possible interventions for students, document what is tried and works and to follow-up with student academic and/or behavior concerns if interventions are unsuccessful. The SRT is primarily responsible for setting up Student Success Team meetings at the school.
• Annual Staff Retreat utilized to train and develop new staff members in PLC, set SMART Goals
• Leadership Team and Staff Meetings utilized to determine scheduling to provide academic interventions for students during and beyond the school day
• Student Study Team meetings used to determine specific services for all students performing below grade level
• Individual Education Plan meetings used to set up, modify and adjust services for Special Education students
• 504 meetings used to determine modifications for those students who do not qualify for Special Education services, but may need additional support for learning
• Development and implementation of 7 member Student Resource Team (SRT)- Principal, Psychologist, Resource Teacher, Speech Therapist, Reading Teachers (2), Intervention Specialist- to work with each grade level 1-3 times each month during weekly 2 hour Collaborative Planning time.  At these pre-referral meetings, Teacher Plans are established to identify possible interventions for students, document what is tried and works and to follow-up with student academic and/or behavior concerns if interventions are unsuccessful.  The SRT is primarily responsible for setting up Student Success Team meetings at the school.

3. Building the capacity of teachers to work as members of high performing collaborative teams who focus the efforts of their team on improved learning for students.

• 8 new staff to Sheldon were trained at the PLC Summer Institute (Burlingame, June 2008)
• 2 teachers (Kindergarten & 5/6 Grades) attended the ASCD Teaching & Learning Conference in October 2008.
• 8 Teachers per month participate in a site level self-study by participating in school-wide classroom observations using the district developed Instructional Strategies observation checklist. Following each walk, participants develop a presentation of findings and recommendations to the entire staff at the same day staff or leadership meeting that month. This strategy has become an extremely empowering staff development process as we work to focus our work together to improve our students’ achievement and behavior.
• Annual Staff Retreat attended by 98% of teaching staff to establish SMART Goals
• Site Leadership Team developing a presentation for local and state level educators
• Staff meetings utilized for professional development- targeted on teacher and student needs (i.e. Elements of PLC; Book Study groups present, Academic Vocabulary Development; Mountain Math; Mountain Language; K-6 Writing Design)
• 18 classroom teachers have completed formal PLC Training at an Institute (Utah- Summer 2005, Colorado- Summer 2006 and FSUSD Coaching Institute- 2006-07)- 4 teachers who have not been formally trained will attend the California PLC Summit in Anaheim, October 2007.
• 5 staff (including principal) trained at California PLC Summit (Anaheim, Oct. 2007)
• 8 new staff will be trained at the PLC Summer Institute (Burlingame, June 2008)

List any Awards and Recognition Garnered by Your School

• 2006-07-School awarded recognition as one of three schools in the county for providing ALL students who are eligible for free health insurance, these benefits through Solano County Health affiliated agencies
• 2005-06 - California Distinguished School Honorable mention
• 2003-04 - exited state II-USP status (Immediate Intervention for Underperforming School Program)
• 2005-06- API Similar Schools ranking of 9