School Accountability Report Card Reported for School Year 2006-07 Published During 2007-08

2006-07 Executive Summary School Accountability Report Card

Virginia Peterson Elementary School

Student Enrollment 

Teachers 

Curriculum and Instructional Materials 

School Finances 

Student Performance 

Academic Progress 

School Completion 

Postsecondary Preparation 

I. About This School 

Contact Information 

School Description and Mission Statement 

 The staff works collaboratively with families to foster a nurturing, safe, respectful school community that promotes each child’s responsibility and love for life-long learning. 

Opportunities for Parental Involvement 

We are indebted to our very supportive and involved community. There are many opportunities for
parents and community to be involved in the school’s academic and extracurricular activities. We are
proud of our active PTA and the volunteers who have contributed thousands of hours. We are also proud of our active English Learners Advisory Council (ELAC) . We appreciate the ongoing support we receive from our local businesses. The community takes pride in being involved in a wide variety of school activities. Student events are attended by supporters from all segments of the community, including merchants, school children, retirees, neighbors, parents and friends. Working together with our parents and the community, we are dedicated to preparing our students for success in school.

Student Enrollment by Grade Level 

Student Enrollment by Group 

Average Class Size and Class Size Distribution (Elementary) 

Participation in the Class Size Reduction Program 

II. School Climate 

School Safety Plan 

Fire, disaster, and intruder-on-campus drills are performed on a regular basis. During fire drills, students are evacuated to the playground/field area. During disaster and intruder drills, students remain in their classroom with window coverings drawn and doors locked until further directions. Each month of the school year we have either a fire drill, earthquake drill, intruder on campus drill or a lock-down drill.  During the subsequent staff meeting, time is given to review the drill results and to make any changes as needed. Included in the monthly drill are two district-wide drills a year.

Safe School and Emergency Response Plans are on file at our school and the district office. Plans are regularly reviewed, and staff is trained annually. Evacuation drills are held on an ongoing basis, and staff members using dangerous chemicals also receive training.

There are four key elements of a safe school plan:
• Safe schools are caring schools. Students in safe schools feel respected and know that the people care about them and expect them to succeed.
• Safe schools are built through the cooperative effort of parents, students, staff and community
members.
• Safe schools communicate high standards. Students know that learning and achievement are
encouraged and highly valued.
• Safe schools are prepared. Ongoing training opportunities allow students and staff to increase their
opportunity to deal with conflict, anger and other threats to safety. Safe schools have security checks on a regular basis to identify potential physical hazards or the school’s vulnerability to crime and vandalism.

The school's safety plan will be updated by March 1, 2008

School Discipline Practices 

Our "Community of Caring" and Self Manager programs provide children with a consistent message about the important school and community values of family, respect, responsibility, caring and trust. These values are posted in each classroom. Teachers incorporate these words into classroom discussions and curricular planning.

Student Recognition/Awards
Children are recognized for following school rules. Each month at an awards assembly, the staff presents children with certificates for modeling the values from "Community of Caring," and for Academic Excellence in an area of the curriculum. During the day students may receive a positive behavior ticket which can be used to earn a reward for their classroom after the class collects 100 tickets.

Discipline
Parents and students receive a copy of the "Positive Panda Good Behavior Book" to read at the beginning of the school year. This book explains the school rules, how children will be recognized for appropriate behavior, and consequences for breaking school rules. The book also provides information on how students can solve their own problems.

 
Grades and Absences
Grades and absences are monitored to identify students who need extra help. Appropriate intervention can take place through student and parent counseling, guided support groups, group and individual education on substance abuse, child abuse issues, and parenting education. Children are recognized at each trimester grading period for citizenship, attendance and academic excellence. Children are encouraged to attend school every day and to be on time. Truancy is monitored by the classroom teacher as well as the Principal. Letters are sent to parents when an attendance concern arises. Excessive truants are recommended to the School Attendance Review Board (SARB.)

Some of the Program Highlights Virginia Peterson School has to offer our students:
• A Community of Caring /Self Manager/ PAX School/Peaceful Playground Program
• Active PTA , ELAC, and classroom volunteer program
• School Improvement Program
• Active parent/staff School Site Council
• 20-station computer lab and classroom video centers
• Mini-computer centers in school classroom
• Full-service student library and parent resource library
• Extensive student support services: Band, Psychologist, Classroom Music, Reading Specialist
• Counselor, Special Education Classes, Nurse, Speech Services, P.E. Specialist,

Suspensions and Expulsions 

III. School Facilities 

School Facility Conditions and Improvements 

School Facility Good Repair Status 

Overall Summary of School Facility Good Repair Status