Principal's Corner

April 15, 2010

Dear Parents,

As spring struggles to gain a foothold, life at Jeremy Ranch Elementary has a heightened energy. This has as much to do with finishing one school year, as it has to do with planning for the next one.

I find myself faced with an added challenge this year. With the new opportunity you have to enroll your children at the Weilenmann School of Discovery, determining how many students to make plans for is much less certain than it has been in the past. I would like to thank those parents who have let me know their plans.

I know there are a number of parents who remain undecided regarding next school year. My goal is to keep as many students as possible here at JRES. With that in mind, I would like to take this opportunity to make sure you’re aware of the many services and programs we provide. I’ve compiled a list, by no means complete, and in no particular order, of what Jeremy Ranch Elementary students have available to them:

High quality instruction: Based on end of year core curriculum exams, Jeremy Ranch Elementary is among the top performing schools in the state. The whole-school proficiency score for JRES is over 90% in Math and Language Arts. Our 2nd - 5th grade students participate in a competition called Online Math. In competition with private, charter, and other public schools throughout the United States, as well as internationally, JRES 4th grade placed 8th, and 5th grade placed 10th.

A variety of instructional opportunities: JRES teachers have invested great energy in refining our Power Hours. While homerooms are heterogeneously grouped, during Power Hour, students are grouped by skills to narrow the instructional focus. This benefits students at every level. Specialists and trained paraprofessionals assist with small groups, bringing group sizes as low as 4:1 for students who are striving in basic math and reading skills. Ongoing assessments allow for regrouping as students continue to gain skills. Our Kindergarten offers a full-day program to students who will benefit by more time to build their skills. We also host an afternoon Kindergarten program through Community Education for families with that need.

A commitment to high-ability students: JRES has nine teachers endorsed in Gifted and Talented education or actively working toward their G&T endorsement. We are also moving forward with a plan to offer enrichment activities to high-ability students in grades 1, 2, and 3. Our district G&T Coordinator meets weekly with small groups in 4th and 5th grade.

Well-trained teachers: Professional learning is of high priority in the Park City School District. JRES teachers are trained in Sheltered Instructional Observation Protocol, Understanding by Design, Love and Logic, Differentiation, Early/Next Steps Reading Instruction, etc. 100% of JRES teachers are “highly qualified” under federal guidelines, while 50% have completed advanced degrees. Further, our teachers enjoy the support of our Instructional Coach, who is here to help all teachers hone their craft.

Access to specialized teachers: JRES students are taught by certified, full-time PE, Library, Music, and Counseling teachers. This not only offers invaluable instruction and variety to our students’ days, but also allows all classroom teachers a daily opportunity to plan collaboratively with their grade-level colleagues.

The infusion of technology into everyday instruction: Our 5th grade teachers are now completing their 2nd year of eMINTS learning, which is training them in the skillful integration of technology in the curriculum for higher-level thinking and active student engagement. The 5th grade has high computer access - one computer for each two students – which makes the use of technology as seamless as the use of pencil and paper. JRES 4th grade teachers are piloting the use of Apple iTouch devices in multiple subjects. Nintendo DS devices are available for Math fact training to 3rd and 4th grade students. Each JRES student is given frequent computer experience through the use of our computer lab and COWS (computers on wheels). Students create unique products through the use of technology, such as movies, books, powerpoint presentations, etc. Each JRES classroom is equipped with a projector, audio enhancement, document cameras, digital cameras, and student computers. 5th grade students also enjoy a Lego Robotics unit, in which they work in teams to create a unique, working robot. Later this year JRES teachers will have access to five interactive white boards. In order to keep all this technology operating properly, we have two well-trained, accessible, and patient, Computer Specialists on site.

Professionals to meet individual student needs: At JRES we have two Special Educators, as well as trained and experienced paraprofessionals, who modify instruction to make the curriculum accessible to all students. We have a Speech Therapist who is able to meet with her students several times each week. Through the district, our students have access to an Occupational Therapist, a Physical Therapist, as well as a Psychologist/Behavior Specialist, all experienced in meeting the unique needs of children.

Responsive and caring Guidance Counselors: Our Counselors actively teach all students a weekly, grade-level appropriate guidance curriculum that targets the local and global social, health, and safety issues. Our Counselors also support individual students and families with a broad range of issues that may otherwise interfere with learning.

High quality breakfast and lunch program: The Utah State Office of Education has ranked the school lunch menus offered by Park City School District as the best in the state. According to the child nutrition specialists at the USOE, “the variety of fresh fruits and vegetables offered is wonderful. The menus were fun and different, and we did not see a better planned menu.”

A well stocked Media Center: The JRES library houses a collection of 13,000 books and 26 magazine subscriptions for students to choose from. Our teachers have access to professional books and magazines, as well as over 800 videos and DVD to enhance classroom instruction. Our certified Librarian and assistant keep the collection up to date and in good repair.

A clean, healthy, and inviting facility: Our custodial staff is committed to the health and safety of our students, and they keep our school building exceptionally clean. Their emphasis is on the well being of our students. The hand sanitizer and soap in every room is a testament to their attention to detail. Our Nurse is here part-time to see that we meet all state and federal guidelines regarding the health needs of our students, and she is available to students who are feeling unwell. Our secretarial staff is always ready to welcome all students with a smile and solve the dizzying array of problems that come their way.

Extensive reading instructional framework: While all of our teachers are accomplished teachers of reading, our students also have access to two exceptional Reading Specialists. Their time is split between improving the reading instruction school-wide, and meeting with small groups of students. They have compiled an extensive Leveled Library in the reading center that is available to all teachers and students. Our Reading Specialists will also play a key role in the implementation of our new Language Arts textbook series, which will incorporate the latest in reading research into every elementary classroom in our district. JRES is also home to one of the state’s premier STAR reading programs. This gives students the opportunity to read 1:1 with adult volunteers.

Established community support: Our STAR reading program is just one example of the immense support JRES receives from our community. At any time of the week I can find numerous parents volunteering their time to their school. Our PTO is a strong organization that is focused on improving our students’ educational experience through the raising and distributing of funds, coordination of volunteer efforts, operation of book fairs and the ski/snowboard program. Our Masterpieces in Art program offers Art instruction to all students and is operated start to finish by parents.

Support for language learning needs: Our ESL Specialist and her paraprofessionals work tirelessly to ensure that students who are learning the English language have the materials and support they need to meet the same learning goals as their native-English speaking peers. We are all working toward the day when the academic opportunities for our English language learners are on par with those of our highest achievers.

A variety of extra-curricular opportunities: For many students, the school day is not finished at 3:05. Instead they are busy learning Spanish or French. They might be attending Arts Kids, Art Spark, or Drama Club, or they’re golfing. They may attend Camp Hawk, our established and popular after school program, which includes K-5 students.

As I’ve said before, I think I won the lottery when I was given the opportunity to come to Jeremy Ranch Elementary. This is a remarkable school because of the passionate faculty and staff, supportive parents, and hard-working students. Thank you for making the time to read this, and please contact me if you would like to further discuss this article.

Shawn Kuennen
skuennen@pcschools.us