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Data is used throughout the school year to determine eligibility for supports and push students to the next level. Student data is used to set goals and develop a growth mindset within each classroom. Our faculty strives to build relationships with students and differentiate instruction in order to positively impact student learning.

Describe specific programs in place to ensure that families are involved in the success of your school and students.

The families of Dallastown Elementary are an integral part of the student success. The Dallastown Elementary PTO provides opportunity for social interaction and events within the school. The climate and culture is enhanced through the opportunity to attend events during and after school. Title I Parent Workshops and Literacy Nights are provided as opportunities for families and students to interact with staff and learn about how they can help their students experience success in the specific area of reading, which enhances all academic areas.

Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen ties to your community.

The District Title I program offers parent/student workshop sessions throughout the school year. Dallastown Elementary holds kindergarten and first grade literacy nights as well. These sessions are attended by Dallastown Elementary families. The sessions offer an opportunity for students and parents to interact positively with the reading specialists and teachers as well as learn about strategies that parents and students can use to practice reading at home. Students work with parents at each session to practice strategies such a comprehension, fluency and spelling. Students leave with materials to practice as well as appropriate books to read at home.

Describe your philosophy of school change or improvement.

Our philosophy at Dallastown Elementary is simple, “Do what we need to be done to support student learning and growth.” Our faculty strives to build relationships with students and differentiate instruction in order to positively impact student learning. The staff is willing to make adjustments, work together to maximize strategies and find ways to support student interest in learning. Our staff is positive and excited about the work they do in the building each day.

What are your school’s top two goals for the next year?

Our two goals for the next year are to continue to develop and maintain positive relationships and remain focused on enhancing the learning opportunities for ALL students.

What is the single most important factor in the success of your school that others could replicate?

Collegial dialogue and passionate willingness to do what is right for ALL students are the foundations for success at Dallastown Elementary. Collegial dialogue occurs continuously throughout all grade levels without being mandated or required by administration. Staff regularly discuss students and instruction in order to enhance learning opportunities and increase student achievement. Teachers are always focused on the needs of students and work together as a building team to support student learning.

Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement, including closing achievement or opportunity gaps, if applicable.

Moving away from a traditional data team to a building focused data team has had a positive impact on student achievement each day. The entire building has ownership of third grade student achievement and work collaboratively to enhance the learning opportunities for all students. Teachers work together to maintain, enhance and fill in learning gaps to make sure all students experience success. Student success is celebrated by the entire staff.

Explain how Title I funds are used to support your improvement efforts.

Title I funds within the district go directly back to the staff, paraprofessionals and the parent programs. The funds support our exceptional reading specialist and her growth and development as a teacher from professional development opportunities to staff development and Continuing Contact. Additional funds have been set aside to provide a Title I paraprofessional that works only with students in grade one and two. This individual supports the instruction provided by the reading specialist on a daily basis in individual and small group support. The remaining Title I funds provide materials, resources and activities for the parent workshops that support the learning beyond the school walls. The district belief is that Title I funds go directly back to the students through solid, research based instructional practices.

Identify the critical professional development activities you use to improve teaching and student learning.

Time to work collaboratively with the curriculum maps to ensure that teachers and support staff are all on the same page and working to meet the expectations of the robust, rigorous curriculum and state standards while maintaining the desire to provide instructional strategies meet the needs and learning styles of the students. Dallastown Elementary sets itself apart through continual K-1 and 2-3 collaboration. Strong staff relationships set the tone for their learning which enhances the learning opportunities for the students. Students see teachers as role models for learning when they witness them working collaboratively together to accomplish goals.

Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.

Data is used on an on-going and continuous basis at Dallastown Elementary. Standardized data is used to support. Internal data such as the DRA is used throughout the school year to determine eligibility for supports as well as push students to the next level. Classroom and small group data is used on daily basis to determine instruction. Data is used by teams of teachers to clearly inform instruction and make adjustments based on students’ needs. Student data is used with students to set goals and develop a growth mindset within the classroom. Students know how they are performing, areas in need of improvement and they work hard to achieve established goals.

Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.

The culture at Dallastown Elementary is one of strong positive relationship building and high expectations. The staff and administration have a working relationship that is focused on meeting the needs of the students, not necessarily the needs of the adults. The paraprofessional staff work directly with students in individual or small group support. This support seamlessly enhances classroom instruction. The School Wide Behavior Support Program (SWEBS) encourages student support of each other. Empathy is evident in working with families of high poverty but expectations are high and the “We can do it. You can do it. I can do it.” theme is evident throughout the school community.

• Category 1

  Selected in 2016

• Grades: k - 3
  School Setting: urban
  Town Population: 0
  Student Enrollment: 191
  Student Demographics:
  

  Black/African American: 5.6%
  White/Caucasian: 82.2%
  Hispanic: 6.1%
  Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
  Asian: 1.1%
  Native American: 0%
  Other: 5%
  

  Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:23
  % Reduced Lunch: 57.2%
  % ELL Learners: 100%
  Founded: 1959
• PRINCIPAL:
  Chip Patterson
• CONTACT:
  105 South Charles Street
  Dallastown , PA 17313
  717-244-3785
  charles.patterson@dallastown.net