• Category 3

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: k - 2
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 8
    Student Enrollment: 450
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 42%
    White/Caucasian: 27%
    Hispanic: 23%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 2%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:25
    % Reduced Lunch: 100%
    % ELL Learners: 37%
    Founded: 1953
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Laura Schneider
  • CONTACT:
    511 Sussex Avenue
    Seaford, DE 19973
    302-629-4587
    nicole.ickes@seaford.k12.de.us
West Seaford Elementary School
Seaford, DE
We foster trust and cooperation for ongoing support with the families we serve.
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
West Seaford Elementary School's success stems from strong partnerships with our local community. We prioritize identifying and addressing individual student and community needs, allowing us to implement targeted resources and interventions. Our efforts include a team approach to tackle attendance issues, resulting in a significant reduction of students with unexcused absences. Early identification and support for families contribute to long-term student success. Additionally, we collaborate with organizations like Love Inc., The Savage Foundation, Trinity Foundation, Kiwanis, Lion’s Club, local churches, and The Food Bank of Delaware to address basic needs such as food and clothing. These efforts foster trust and cooperation for ongoing support with the families we serve.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
In the not-so-distant past, our school faced a significant challenge: chronic absenteeism was pervasive, affecting students' academic progress and the overall well-being of our educational community. Recognizing the urgency of the issue, a collaborative effort was initiated to develop and implement targeted strategies to reduce chronic absenteeism and pave the way for transformative success. We used a three-pronged approach to achieve an unheard of "on-track" attendance status by communicating the importance of student attendance, reviewing data for early warning signs, and implementing a multi-tiered system of supports.
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
Last year’s ESEA funding was used to transform our school's drab cafeteria into a vibrant and visually engaging space that showcases the spirit of the West Seaford community. Redesigning our school's cafeteria may seem unrelated to instructional outcomes at first glance, but it has had a significant influence on our overall learning environment. Our cafeteria is the one physical space that every student visits each day. A well-designed and welcoming environment can positively influence the overall atmosphere of the school. When students feel comfortable and engaged in their surroundings, it sets a positive tone for the entire learning experience. By incorporating elements that celebrate diversity and inclusivity, the redesigned cafeteria has contributed to a sense of belonging and pride.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
In collaboration with the University of Delaware, West Seaford Elementary School prioritizes a whole-child approach in professional development. Our educators undergo research-based training, integrating the science of reading with High-Quality Instructional Materials (HQIM). Our curriculum aligns with the latest reading research, fostering real-time coaching and differentiated instruction. We've extended this partnership to the mathematics team, implementing Illustrative Mathematics with job-embedded learning and coaching. Additionally, we focus on Multi-Tiered System of Support (MTSS) development, reshaping how student growth is perceived and measured. Our cyclical learning, guided by district assessments, empowers grade-level teams to address identified weaknesses. Complementing our instructional vision, professional development spans trauma-informed practices, mindfulness, personal and professional growth, and self-care.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
In a world dominated by digital communication, our school recognized the need to shape its own narrative and take control of its trajectory. Our School Leadership Team developed a strategic initiative to harness the power of social media, utilizing positive stories and engaging visuals to showcase the vibrant and thriving community within our school. Our rebranding journey articulated a compelling narrative that highlighted the unique strengths, values, and achievements of our school and its students. This narrative became the foundation for our social media content, guiding the stories we wanted to tell. The strategic use of social media became a powerful tool in reshaping external perceptions and establishing our school as a beacon of success, innovation, and community engagement.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
In Seaford, while resources for families exist, access is not always immediate. At West Seaford Elementary School, we prioritize addressing students' and families' basic needs for a secure environment. Our initiative includes a coat closet with items from Project Warm, providing coats and sweatshirts. Winter accessories are also available through partnerships with local churches and Love Inc. Thanks to the Kiwanis chapter and the Savage Foundation, weekend food bags were distributed. We've made school supplies easily accessible through partnerships with organizations like the Trinity Foundation. Addressing the need for backpacks, we maintain a stocked closet with support from local churches and the Trinity Foundation. Our Shoes for the Soul program, funded through grants and private donations, operates as a no-cost shoe store for students, enhancing the school culture by focusing on the whole student, not just academics.
Stats
  • Category 3

    Selected in 2023

  • Grades: k - 2
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 8
    Student Enrollment: 450
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 42%
    White/Caucasian: 27%
    Hispanic: 23%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 2%
    Native American: 0%
    Other: 0%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:25
    % Reduced Lunch: 100%
    % ELL Learners: 37%
    Founded: 1953
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Laura Schneider
  • CONTACT:
    511 Sussex Avenue
    Seaford, DE 19973
    302-629-4587
    nicole.ickes@seaford.k12.de.us