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In lieu of traditional report cards, O'Loughlin School monitors and records student progress via a curriculum checklist. District educational standards reflect the College and Career Readiness Standards and constitute the framework for our individualized, standards-based checklist. Teachers carefully record student progress, move forward with instruction as students master standards and create opportunities to teach and reteach in small groups if remediation is needed.

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

5th grade students write essays and complete an application form to apply for membership in our O'Loughlin Ambassadors leadership team. During monthly Ambassador meetings, students learn how to conduct conversations, meet and greet guests, and properly shake hands. Guest speakers share a variety of leadership opportunities including government, medical, military, business and local politics. Our Ambassadors hosted a breakfast for all school staff and will build and sell bird houses to raise funds for a Buddy Bench to be placed in our O'Loughlin Friendship Garden. Ambassadors organize and facilitate special events such as Mix It Up Lunch, PTA events, student book-exchange. O'Loughlin Ambassadors are a diverse, highly respected group of student leaders. Ambassador shirts are worn with pride and students often follow the lead of their older siblings and look forward to becoming an Ambassador themselves. This leadership experience promotes success and confidence for our students.

Describe your philosophy of school change or improvement.

O'Loughlin School utilizes educational research and innovative practices to improve student instruction and student learning success. Over the past 24 years, we have continued to research and adjust instructional practices as student data, current research and educational wisdom indicate. Parents often tell us they are grateful for our high expectations for our students' success. Technology continues to be a seamless part of our instructional day. Communication with parents has greatly increased as technology has grown. A Facebook page for our PTA, websites for students to access assignments and practice skills, and increased instructional technology have added new dimensions to our instruction, communication and student learning success. O'Loughlin School is proud of our commitment to providing educational opportunities designed to prepare our students for success now and in the future.

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

Since opening in 1990, our school has utilized "looping" - a design that allows students and teachers two consecutive years to learn together. Kindergarten and first grade, second and third grade and fourth and fifth grades stay with the same teacher and the same classmates. Looping has increased parent-teacher communication, enhances understanding of curriculum and student needs, and reduces time at the start of the second looping year needed to "get to know" students and determine the best instruction for individual students since the teachers, students and parents already understand routines and expectations for success.

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

Monthly professional development meetings are held after school addressing a variety of topics. Though attendance is not mandated, average teacher attendance is 95%. Meetings are interactive, often featuring classroom teachers sharing successful instructional practices. Staff meetings facilitate teacher collaboration across grade levels, review building-wide scores, and discuss, research and plan for innovations to best meet student learning needs. Teachers are committed to professional development and have presented at state and national conferences. Since opening in 1990, seven O'Loughlin teachers completed National Board Certification, two teachers were named National Milken Educators, three teachers received National Presidential Awards for Math and Science Teaching, O'Loughlin was named a National Blue Ribbon School, Redbook Magazine's Outstanding School, Kansas Title I Reward School for three years and now a Distinguished Title I School. Our staff is committed to excellence.

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

In lieu of traditional report cards, O'Loughlin School monitors and records student progress via a curriculum checklist. District educational standards reflect the College and Career Readiness Standards and constitute the framework for our individualized, standards-based checklist. Teachers carefully record student progress, move forward with instruction as students master standards and create opportunities to teach and reteach in small groups if remediation is needed. Small groups are fluid and ever changing as checklists are updated. Teachers work collaboratively in PLCs to provide necessary interventions. Parents are contacted, support teams created and additional Title I and Special Education support is provided as needed. Individual End-of-the-Year Parent-Teacher conferences are held to communicate student progress and to make recommendations to support continued student learning over the summer break.

• Category 1

  Selected in 2013

• Grades: k - 5
  School Setting: rural
  Town Population: 21,000
  Student Enrollment: 369
  Student Demographics:
  

  Black/African American: 1.4%
  White/Caucasian: 85.2%
  Hispanic: 5.8%
  Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
  Asian: 0%
  Native American: 0%
  Other: 7.7%
  

  Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:20
  % Reduced Lunch: 39%
  % ELL Learners: 39%
  Founded: 1990
• PRINCIPAL:
  Nancy Harman
• CONTACT:
  1401 Hall
  Hays, KS 67601
  785-623-2510
  nharman@usd489.com