• Category 1

    Selected in 2016

  • Grades: pre k - 4
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 25,000
    Student Enrollment: 274
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 6%
    White/Caucasian: 38%
    Hispanic: 46%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1%
    Native American: 5%
    Other: 4%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:27
    % Reduced Lunch: 78%
    % ELL Learners: 20%
    Founded: 1970
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Mike Andreasen
  • CONTACT:
    1205 South 2nd St.
    Norfolk, NE 68701
    402-644-2557
    michaelandreasen@npsne.org
Washington Elementary School
Norfolk, NE
Our teachers work hard to get to know the students and provide them with an environment where they can reach their full potential. We do not let poverty or language serves as an excuse to lower expectations. Instead, we seek to overcome challenges.
Describe specific programs in place to ensure that families are involved in the success of your school and students.
We realize the importance of including families in their children's education. Washington Elementary promotes family involvement in several ways. We keep our website updated with important information. Our teachers send weekly emails to parents with information about what their children have been working on and reminders about upcoming events. We hold family events such as a carnival, a game and soup night, Prime Time Reading, and a Grandparents luncheon. We also send 90 food packs home for low income families over the weekend, through the Backpack program and Blessings in a Backpack.
Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen ties to your community.
The teachers at Washington Elementary realize the importance of having parents and families involved in their students’ education. Our goal is to reach out to families and build relationships that will positively impact our students’ success.Washington Elementary has many activities to bring our families into our building. We have family reading nights in which we provide a meal for our families. We plan activites for our students and give away books.
Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement, including closing achievement or opportunity gaps, if applicable.
Washington Elementary has really focused on using our data to pinpoint the needs of specific students in the area of reading. The teachers and support staff have been flexible as we continually look at our groups of students and how to best support them. We have a staggered intervention block and use research based interventions to support our students. This allows our reading groups to be smaller and give students a more individualized intervention.
Identify the critical professional development activities you use to improve teaching and student learning.
Norfolk Public Schools has made a commitment to providing staff development focusing on district initiatives twice a year. Washington teachers also have the opportunity to participate in self initiated professional development through our district technology department. We continue to receive training on our district’s adopted instructional framework, APL Instruction Skills and Behavior Management Strategies, and we implement these research based strategies in our classrooms daily. The Washington staff also continues to receive training in our DIBELS assessment, our Wonders Reading program, and our Step-Up writing program.
Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.
The teachers at Washington Elementary use an assessment based literacy model to ensure learning opportunities for all students. Universal screeners, such as DIBELS, MAP and NeSA (when available) are used to identify students at risk. Further diagnostic or benchmark assessments are used to place students into reading groups based on the student’s instructional reading level. We utilize our Title I/Reading, ELL (English Language Learners), and SPED teachers to support the classroom teachers with their instruction and to keep our group sizes smaller. Additional intervention and
extension services, varied by time and intensity, are implemented for students who need more than core and supplemental instruction.
Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.
Washington Elementary staff prides itself on being a positive and safe place for our students. I have worked to model an excitement for learning and build a collaborative place where everyone is valued. The staff is active, not only in the building, but also in our district. Our teachers work hard to get to know the students and provide them with an environment where they can reach their full potential. Our staff does not let poverty or language be an excuse to lower expectations. Instead, we look at it as a challenge to overcome.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2016

  • Grades: pre k - 4
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 25,000
    Student Enrollment: 274
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 6%
    White/Caucasian: 38%
    Hispanic: 46%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1%
    Native American: 5%
    Other: 4%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:27
    % Reduced Lunch: 78%
    % ELL Learners: 20%
    Founded: 1970
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Mike Andreasen
  • CONTACT:
    1205 South 2nd St.
    Norfolk, NE 68701
    402-644-2557
    michaelandreasen@npsne.org