• Category 1

    Selected in 2019

  • Grades: pre k - 12
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 653
    Student Enrollment: 220
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0%
    White/Caucasian: 95.8%
    Hispanic: 2.3%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.5%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 1.4%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:16
    % Reduced Lunch: 32%
    % ELL Learners: 2.3%
    Founded: 1931
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Sonja Ortman
  • CONTACT:
    PO BOX 8
    Canistota, SD 57012
    605-296-3458
    Sonja.Ortman@k12.sd.us
Canistota Elementary School
Canistota, SD
This is a mindset that we try to share with our student population as well.
Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen ties to your community.
There are many ways we work with our community members. We have an open-door policy here in Canistota, inviting parents and community members in frequently. One of the programs we are most proud of is our 5th grade "Adopted Grandparent" program. We partner with our local nursing home through this venture which facilitates solid, timeless friendships between fifth graders and their elderly friends. Students and residents look forward to this monthly activity!
Describe your philosophy of school change or improvement.
Education is ever-changing! If we compare schools that embrace change with schools that do not, I would say that educators who understand the need to embrace the unpredictability of what our student needs are going to be the most successful. At Canistota Elementary, we continue to evolve, reflect, and grow. This is a mindset that we try to share with our student population as well.
Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement, including closing achievement or opportunity gaps, if applicable.
Reading Plus is a program that has helped us reach most of our students. Students not reading at grade level (through fluency and/or reading comprehension) are given text at their level through a web-based platform that students use independently. We have seen great growth in the area of reading through Reading Plus in grades 3, 4, and 5.
Explain how ESEA federal funds are used to support your improvement efforts.
Our federally funded K-5 Title pull-out program is the most widely used intervention in our district. In the areas of reading and math, students are pulled out and re-taught in different ways and are provided with additional support, which has been an integral approach to teaching all students at every level here in Canistota.
Identify the critical professional development activities you use to improve teaching and student learning.
The most critical professional development theme that I can provide to my staff is CHOICE. Not everyone has passion for the same professional development; we like to provide opportunity and choice.
Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.
We monitor student learning through many mediums. Most recently, we launched NWEA Map testing for our district. This is one of many different puzzle pieces used to group students, to provide more rigor, to differentiate, and to tailor customized instruction to our elementary students.
Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.
Our school culture is positive and welcoming! We honor and respect all of the professionals in the building and work hard to support and encourage each other ALL THE TIME. We have a team mentality here in Canistota, and that is what makes our school so special. Not any one individual's job or work load is more important than anyone else's.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2019

  • Grades: pre k - 12
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 653
    Student Enrollment: 220
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0%
    White/Caucasian: 95.8%
    Hispanic: 2.3%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.5%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 1.4%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:16
    % Reduced Lunch: 32%
    % ELL Learners: 2.3%
    Founded: 1931
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Sonja Ortman
  • CONTACT:
    PO BOX 8
    Canistota, SD 57012
    605-296-3458
    Sonja.Ortman@k12.sd.us