• Category 2

    Selected in 2021

  • Grades: pre k - 6
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 33,400
    Student Enrollment: 283
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0%
    White/Caucasian: 80%
    Hispanic: 16%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 4%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:16
    % Reduced Lunch: 42%
    % ELL Learners: 4%
    Founded: 1976
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Eric Stremcha
  • CONTACT:
    800 Hemlock Avenue
    Gillette, WY 82716
    307-686-1060
    estremcha@ccsd.k12.wy.us
Wagonwheel Elementary School
Gillette, WY
The foundation of our school’s success is having effective educators."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
We as a school moved from "not meeting expectations" to "exceeding expectations" in one year and have maintained "meeting expectations" this past school year. We have 342 reasons for that success. This is the exact number of students and staff that are currently putting in the work it takes for our school’s mission: Ensuring High Levels of Learning for All. The number of people and staff may change from year to year, but our commitment to our students is the same. Our school has successfully established a thriving Professional Learning Community committed to a belief that collaboration and collective commitments are essential for student success.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
A committed and talented staff is the number one contributing factor that has promoted positive change in our school. These dedicated professionals have rolled up their sleeves and done the work it takes to improve student learning. Their efforts are focused on the three big ideas of a PLC. Our instructional coach provides student-centered coaching cycles for our staff and facilitates the PLC process to promote continuous growth. Staff members pursue professional development opportunities in order to learn and apply best practices for teaching and learning.
Our staff firmly believes in educating the whole child, having high expectations for both student learning and character. We have coupled Trust-Based Relational Intervention (TBRI) with Positive Behavioral Intervention and Supports (PBIS) in order to promote proactive behavioral supports. All staff members are committed to providing a safe, trusting, and collaborative environment that provides a system of support for all students.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
The foundation of our school’s success is having effective educators. Our staff is what makes the difference! We invest our Title I funds into professional development and hiring of quality and experienced educators. These staff members offer extra time, support, and instruction in the areas of reading, writing, and math focusing on improving student achievement. Utilizing ESEA funding allows us to have highly trained staff working with our most at-risk students in a small group or one-on-one setting, directly impacting the growth and achievement of our students.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
A school-wide commitment to student and staff development continually improves teaching and learning. We were awarded a PLC grant through the Wyoming Department of Education and put together a guiding coalition to attend training and use acquired knowledge to facilitate the PLC process. Every Wednesday morning before school, we hold Pick Your Professional Development (PYPD) offering a wide range of learning opportunities led by our school counselor, instructional facilitator, technology specialist, principal, or teachers. Our classroom teachers also offer lessons where educators can learn from observing each other, thereby increasing collective competencies. Additionally, our staff members participate in book studies and various training offered by our district PD team and the state.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
The cultural shift leading up to our school’s success happened gradually over time. It began when our eyes were opened while looking at data from state testing. We looked at our current reality and dug back into the standards to prioritize those at each grade level. We also looked at our current teaching practices to find out how we can serve our students more effectively. We started with the belief that all students can learn and achieve at high levels. Then systems and processes were put into place to make data-driven decisions grounded in the PLC process while providing additional time and support to intervene or enrich each essential standard. We have built in time during the instructional day along with extended learning opportunities before and after school to provide students extra time and support. These shifts coupled with a committed staff has led to our current success.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Involvement in the community has strengthened our success by involving multiple stakeholders in educating our students. We promote family involvement through PTO with math nights, literacy information, STEM events, and other activities. We work with local organizations to meet the basic needs of our students such as eye exams, school supplies, food, and warm clothing. Wagonwheel partners with Blessings in a Backpack to provide extra food to students over the weekend. Our Caring for Kids Fund supplies Christmas baskets and meets unexpected needs throughout the year for our Wagonwheel families. We serve our community as well by providing scholarships to graduating seniors who formerly attended our school. Students sing and play instruments for residents at a local retirement home. Students Without Alcohol and Tobacco (SWAT) use their leadership skills during volunteer opportunities. We are also involved with Girls on the Run which promotes empowerment by teaching valuable life skills.
Stats
  • Category 2

    Selected in 2021

  • Grades: pre k - 6
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 33,400
    Student Enrollment: 283
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0%
    White/Caucasian: 80%
    Hispanic: 16%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 4%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:16
    % Reduced Lunch: 42%
    % ELL Learners: 4%
    Founded: 1976
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Eric Stremcha
  • CONTACT:
    800 Hemlock Avenue
    Gillette, WY 82716
    307-686-1060
    estremcha@ccsd.k12.wy.us