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We believe that the most successful professional development comes from the needs of the entire staff. Many times district wide initiatives are put in place that you have to participate in. However, when an entire staff can sit down as a curriculum team and focus in on what we need to do better there is a meaningful connection established.

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

This single most important thing we do is provide an outlet for daily communication for every parent. Younger grades have a daily folder with an area for parent communication. Intermediate students have a daily planner that provides an opportunity for daily communication. These instruments are shared with parents at the outset of the year and checked daily by teachers. Additionally, we are blessed with a staff that is approachable and parents feel comfortable calling or meeting regularly with parents when the need arises.

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

It is hard to describe a single event that our school has initiated to strengthen ties to the community. Instead I think the partnership we have created with a community organization is the best example. The Evans Community Initiative (ECI) is a community group that partners with us on many different tasks. The group was instrumental in raising funds and installing a walking track that is located on school grounds. When our school has events such as craft shows and bingo games for fund raising, usually ECI operates a concession stand in conjunction to raise funds for their organization. ECI has been generous enough to donate funds for other things around the school as well. We value the partnership created with ECI because it is one that has been beneficial for both parties.

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

Each year as a staff we use data to formulate goals for the upcoming year. For next year we want to continue to increase achievement in the areas of Reading and Math.

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

The warm caring environment. As we said in an earlier response the most important thing we can do for our children is make them feel safe and want to come to school to have a good time. This type of atmosphere is created by the people in the building.

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

In a word it is consistency. First off, staff turnover is very low at Evans Elementary. Second, we are faithful to the programs we choose throughout the curriculum. For example we use the county adopted math series, and we all also use a second curriculum that we are faithful to daily. In Reading, the primary grades supplement the regular reading series with a phonics program daily. This commitment to consistency is done through the cooperation of staff.

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

Title I funds are used at our school mainly for finance the teachers position. This position is vital for our ability to provide Tiered instruction for struggling readers. Additionally, funds are used to increase parent involvement for programs such as One Book, One School. Each year we select a book for all families to read. Chapters or sections are assigned on a nightly basis. Prizes are handed out based on questions the following day. This is done in a effort to encourage family activities that include everyone reading and discussing together.

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

We believe that the most successful professional development comes from the needs of the entire staff. Many times district wide initiatives are put in place that you have to participate in. However, when an entire staff can sit down as a curriculum team and focus in on what we need to do better there is a meaningful connection established. When this takes place there is already staff by in.

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

The current state of technology gives us so many forms of assessment with data at our fingertips. All of these can be valuable tools in decision making, however we use a couple as our main pieces of information when making decisions about students. First, each child is administered three benchmark tests yearly via STAR. Students who score below average are placed in tiered instruction to fill the gaps that exist. Additionally, we use state standardized testing data on our older students to make decisions. Finally, we factor in classroom performance on students with inconsistent testing performance. All of these factors as well as others are discussed in grade level and Title I collaboration sessions to make decisions that are in the best interest of of student achievement.

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

The most important thing we can do for our children is make them feel safe and want to come to school to have a good time. This type of atmosphere is created by the people who work within the building. Letting students know that you care about them and kids understanding that they have a positive role model is powerful.

• Category 1

  Selected in 2015

• Grades: pre k - 5
  School Setting: rural
  Town Population: 0
  Student Enrollment: 175
  Student Demographics:
  

  Black/African American: 1%
  White/Caucasian: 98%
  Hispanic: 1%
  Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
  Asian: 0%
  Native American: 0%
  Other: 0%
  

  Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:14.6
  % Reduced Lunch: 43%
  % ELL Learners: 99%
  Founded: 1960
• PRINCIPAL:
  Matthew Howery
• CONTACT:
  205 School House Drive
  Evans, WV 25241
  304-372-7333
  mhowery@k12.wv.us