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The goal of the incentive program is to systematically increase math fact expectations each year so all 5th grade students graduate our school with the necessary skills for success in the middle school. You could spend tens of thousands of dollars on curriculum and not come near the results we get by offering dodge ball with local college athletes and/or a college or professional basketball, hockey, or soccer game on a weekend.

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

Last summer we received a grant from the Oregon Department of Education which allowed us to completely fund a five-week Summer Camp. Three teachers and about 12 high school students (they took and passed the highly qualified paraprofessional test) designed and taught the students. The camp ran Monday through Thursday from 8 AM until noon with free breakfast and lunch.

Over 70 kids participated. Each week had a different theme and kids rotated between classes for activities integrated into the weekly theme. Some of the activities included computer skills (PowerPoint, graphing, etc.) math skills (designing and constructing bird houses, building rockets, designing and making Pinewood Derby cars, map reading, cartoon story boards, making a park, etc.) and language skills (writing a biography about a new Disney character, making a park and presenting it to our town’s mayor and city administrator, researching topics with IPads, etc.).

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

Parents and community members really support and appreciate our commitment to learning the "basics" of education. For instance, we implemented a math incentive program years ago that rewards students that demonstrate memorization of the basic math facts. The goal of the incentive program is to systematically increase math fact expectations each year so all 5th grade students graduate our school with the necessary skills for success in the middle school. You could spend tens of thousands of dollars on curriculum and not come near the results we get by offering dodge ball with local college athletes and/or a college or professional basketball, hockey, or soccer game on a weekend. Teachers have short differentiated intervention groups each day for about two months to help kids master each area.

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

The single most important factor in our success is the creativity and energy of the staff. We never feel like we are limited on what we can do to help kids. Staff rarely ever present a problem. Instead, they brings solutions and ways we can support the solution.

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

Honestly, there is no one program or initiative that has closed the achievement gap at Turner Elementary. The improved test scores have been a by-product of many changes that came from our summer retreats the past two years. During the two night/three day retreat we stay in a cabin and work off an agenda set by the staff. Basically, we evaluate what went well, what we want to modify or implement and then eliminate the obstacles in our way. Everyone on staff is invited to our collaborative retreat. Last summer our agenda included revision to the master schedule to allow for math interventions at all grades, evaluation of our after-school program, planning our summer camp, science days, math incentive programs, using the IPads most effectively, optimizing the computer lab, use of a focus room, counseling groups, and countless other conversations until late into each evening. The staff initiates the summer session and volunteer to come.

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

We don't have a mission statement. My experience has been the time spent on mission statements is largely a waste of time. Instead, we have a school theme--Preparing, Caring and Daring. Students and staff are challenged every day to demonstrate these characteristics daily. Our school song, Turner Rocks, (to the tune of We Will Rock You by Queen), announcements and assemblies are all focused on these traits. We believe living and demonstrating these three words is a pretty solid start to a successful life.

• Category 2

  Selected in 2014

• Grades: k - 5
  School Setting: rural
  Town Population: 0
  Student Enrollment: 236
  Student Demographics:
  

  Black/African American: 1%
  White/Caucasian: 79%
  Hispanic: 15%
  Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 1%
  Asian: 3%
  Native American: 1%
  Other: 0%
  

  Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:23
  % Reduced Lunch: 53%
  % ELL Learners: 9%
  Founded: 1922
• PRINCIPAL:
  Dan Petersen
• CONTACT:
  7800 School Avenue
  Turner, OR 97392
  503-749-8060
  dpetersen@cascade.k12.or.us