LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE AWARDS
Once again, the Florida Association of Elementary and Middle School Principals has highlighted some of Florida’s most exemplary elementary and middle school programs through the awarding of their Little Red Schoolhouse Award program. Each year the FAEMSP recognizes schools and their principals for developing exemplary and unique programs implemented in their schools. This year’s awards were judged based one of several categories: Principal as Leader; Clearly Stated Vision and Mission; Student Performance/High Expectations; Assessment and Monitoring; Instructional Delivery; Safe, Caring and Orderly Environment; Parent and Community Involvement; Professional Development; or School Culture. The specificity of the judging categories allowed for schools to highlight their most successful practice. Congratulations are in order for all of the projects nominated and awarded. One project is selected as the John Gardner Award winner, named for the elementary principal who began this award 33 years ago. The award winners will be recognized and honored at a ceremony to be held on Sunday, July 22 at the annual FASA Summer Conference.
Click here for a Little Red Schoolhouse Award Information. Click here for Little Red Schoolhouse Award Application.
Little Red Schoolhouse Award Winners
LITTLE RED SCHOOLHOUSE AWARD WINNERS
2006-2007
“Wonderful Writers and the Golden Pen Lead to the Wall of Fame”
Oak Park Elementary School
Brevard County
Betsy B. Butler, Principal
To promote excellence in writing, Oak Park Elementary school provides a school wide award program for students in grades 1-6. Each teacher selects two students to represent their class. The writing coach gives these nominees an additional writing prompt assignment. A committee selects two students from each grade for further recognition. All nominated students are recognized and given a framed certificate and a Golden Pen. In fourth grade two students are inducted into the Oak Park Writing Wall of Fame. Their framed pictures and their writing samples are hung in a gallery for public viewing.
“Math Blitz”
Palm Cove Elementary School
Broward County
Dorothy A. Cain, Principal
The Math Blitz is a program designed to provide students across all grade levels necessary practice and remediation utilizing all five math strands. It is used primarily to introduce skill concepts before they are presented in a detailed math lesson. It is also used to reinforce the skills not mastered during the initial math lesson. Teachers begin by reviewing strengths and weaknesses for each math strand by benchmark. They write questions based on this analysis. Students complete one page daily, which entails one question from each of the five strands. Teachers review the questions with the class. Students easily grasp new benchmarks as the school year continues due to the constant exposure to all the strands.
“Step It Up”
Silver Lakes Elementary School
Broward County
Sherolyn Starcher, Principal
Step It Up is a yearlong school wide staff development program which provides teachers with opportunities to strengthen their skills in teaching reading, math, science and writing. Fifteen teachers serve on the planning committee and all teachers are involved in bi-weekly trainings. Staff development activities are planned based on needs identified on the School Improvement Plan. Workshops are also accompanied by a grade level specific teacher’s binder full of activities, instructional focus calendars, benchmarks and lesson plans. Teachers learn the value of creating innovative lessons and establish a level of pride and confidence in their abilities that creates an atmosphere in which their students cannot help but thrive.
“Kidstown”
Avalon Elementary School
Orange County
Pam Sanders, Principal
Kidstown is an innovative school design where children create a mini-city or microcosm of the real world. Each student has a role in running the municipality. Students apply for jobs or create businesses to support Kidstown. All the citizens earn wages in the school’s currency, Mariner Bucks. K-5 students earn Mariner Bucks for attendance, while 3-5 students earn additional currency for the performance of their jobs. Students then invest in product ideas, deposit and borrow money, and pay taxes and tuition as they experience “daily life” in a working city. On a weekly basis, the halls of the school are transformed into a marketplace. Kidstown provides a unique opportunity for students to apply real world experience to what is learned in the classroom.
“Book of the Month”
Cross Bayou Elementary School
Pinellas County
Marcia Stone, Principal
The Book of the Month program builds a character development culture throughout the school using reading as a foundation. Each month a book is selected by the principal to highlight one of the principles of character such as respect, honesty, responsibility, diversity, caring, self-motivation, and honesty as well as to create a love and passion for reading. One day each month, the school administration personally delivers the chosen book to each classroom and gives a brief summary reflecting enthusiasm and passion for a good book with a great message. The selection is then read in every classroom, displayed in a place of honor, and sent home with a different child each night to share with the parent. Teachers have in-depth discussions with the class and often extend the text by assigning related activities. When the entire school community focuses on positive character traits and the importance of books and good literature, wonderful things happen.
JOHN GARDNER AWARD
“ Celebrations”
Kate Sullivan Elementary School
Leon County
Kathleen L. Rodgers, Principal
This program focuses on teachers, administrators and staff recognizing good behavior by handing out “Celebration” tickets to students. The tickets can be earned for being a positive example, or doing a good deed. Each morning, during the student led news broadcast, the principal holds a drawing from the tickets submitted. Stars with student names are posted in the hallways and students are given stars to take home. “Celebrations” creates a positive school climate. Kate Sullivan was able to decrease student discipline referrals by 63% the first year that the program was implemented. Teachers have reported that the program has changed attitudes and the students are focused on being good citizens and good learners.
|
|
![[ignore]](/images/_spacer.gif) |
![[ignore]](/images_ssi/AboveMenu_FAEMSP.gif){kind=small}
