• Category 2

    Selected in 2018

  • Grades: k - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 31,454
    Student Enrollment: 310
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 17.7%
    White/Caucasian: 45.4%
    Hispanic: 28.1%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.3%
    Asian: 4.1%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 1.4%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:22
    % Reduced Lunch: 60%
    % ELL Learners: 24.6%
    Founded: 1960
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Natalie Birch
  • CONTACT:
    14 Forge Rd
    Newark, DE 19711
    302-454-2180
    natalie.birch@christina.k12.de.us
Etta J. Wilson Elementary School
Newark, DE
Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Manage Yourself, and Follow Directions the first time
Describe specific programs in place to ensure that families are involved in the success of your school and students.
Wilson elementary has an active PTA. Parents are welcome and active in the daily life of the school.
Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen ties to your community.
Jefferson Foundation: Each year our school participates in a service project with the Jefferson Foundation. This year our school-wide service project was Buckets of Love. This year our donation drive resulted in 267 items 53 Buckets of Love for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. These Buckets are provided to students who are hospitalized with the goal of bringing joy into their lives.
Describe your philosophy of school change or improvement.
Wilson Elementary has a strong leadership team comprised of special education and regular education teachers. Allowing the teachers to make instructional decisions and to feel free to take risks allows for a culture which welcomes innovation. Also this team nurtures and develops new teachers who are just beginning their careers in education.
What are your school’s top two goals for the next year?
Improve the number of students who are proficient.
Improve outcomes for students of poverty and our ELL students.
What is the single most important factor in the success of your school that others could replicate?
Professional Learning Communities: Focused on student outcomes (behavior, academic, attendance). The ongoing data cycle allows us to intervene early and design interventions to support all of our students.
Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement, including closing achievement or opportunity gaps, if applicable.
I believe grade level Professional Learning Communities, small group instruction and flex groups have had a great impact on our results. In addition, the use of an online instructional program targeting student deficits has been an amazing tool as well.
Explain how ESEA federal funds are used to support your improvement efforts.
Title 1 funds have been used to hire paraprofessionals to work with small groups of students in the area of reading and math.
Title 1 funds have been used to purchase technology including online instruction.
Identify the critical professional development activities you use to improve teaching and student learning.
Professional Development this year is focused on building background knowledge for all students but especially our English Language Learners.
Educational Equity is also a topic we have just begun to study.
Social Emotional Learning for students AND adults has been part of our ongoing book study this year.
Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.
During our Professional Learning Communities, grade level teams analyze a variety of assessments. Examples of assessments analyzed include curriculum based measures, Online Diagnostic assessments and other inventories such as the phonics inventory. This data is utilized to create flexible groups for reading and math. In addition, the data is used to create RTI groups for math and reading. Progress monitoring data is then reviewed during PLCs to determine if adequate progress is being made by the students. Students who are not responding to intervention are discussed and adjustments are made to inform future instruction.
Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.
Wilson is a positive behavior support school. We have four school wide behavioral expectations: Be Respectful, Be Responsible, Manage Yourself, and Follow Directions the first time. The students are recognized through monthly celebrations for following these expectations. In addition, the students participate in Pizza with the Principal luncheons in order to celebrate their behavioral success. Wilson is a No Place for Hate school. As a no place hate for school we clearly define expectations in behavior for all members of the community. Our goal is to combat bias and bullying as a means to stop the escalation of hate. Each year our school takes the No Place for Hate pledge and participates in several other activities designed to improve our school climate and help every student thrive.
Stats
  • Category 2

    Selected in 2018

  • Grades: k - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 31,454
    Student Enrollment: 310
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 17.7%
    White/Caucasian: 45.4%
    Hispanic: 28.1%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0.3%
    Asian: 4.1%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 1.4%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:22
    % Reduced Lunch: 60%
    % ELL Learners: 24.6%
    Founded: 1960
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Natalie Birch
  • CONTACT:
    14 Forge Rd
    Newark, DE 19711
    302-454-2180
    natalie.birch@christina.k12.de.us