Assignment #1: How Well Do You Know Your School Community

Aiea Elementary is located in lower part of Aiea near the Aloha Stadium. Their vision statement is “Where Dreams Begin” because they all believe in their students’ potential. Their mission statement “Together, the Aiea O`hana will work towards: Academic Achievement, Resiliency, A safe and Nurturing Environment, Positive Relationships, Health and Wellbeing,” is founded on the notion/practice of TRIBES. Aiea Elementary is also often used by community groups on the weekend. The community includes businesses and shopping centers.

School and District Factors

            In the School Year (SY) 2014-2015 there was an enrollment of approximately 324 students. Of the 324 students 11.2% are noted as receiving Special Education services and 20.5% of students were classified as receiving aid as English Language Learners. The ELL program at Aiea is essential due to their students’ multicultural backgrounds. The program has been commended for the quality of work they have done with second language learners. All staff members are actively learning new strategies to better instruct all students dependent on their needs. 

In the SY 2014-2015, Aiea Elementary maintained a STRIVE HI status of Continuous Improvement. Students at Aiea Elementary struggle with chronic absenteeism, with last year’s rate at a high 17%. Since then the staff has developed and implemented a positive reinforcement program to promote regular daily attendance. In the SY 2014-2015, the average daily absences in days were ten days. Where in the SY 2013-2014, the baseline data states the average daily absences were about 11.6 days. Although there has been a slight increase in attendance, the staff members are constantly trying to improve attendance through incentives and other strategies.

Classroom Demographics and Knowledge of Student Factors

There are two 6^th grade classrooms at Aiea Elementary; the total amount of students on grade level is currently 47. My classroom consists of 21 (8 girls and 13 boys) students who are of Chuukese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Micronesian, Samoan, and Tongan ethnic backgrounds. Also, of my students, there are two Micronesian students who are both classified as English Language Learners (ELL). These students are pulled from the class once a week for an hour to work on their academics. Both of the ELL students are at a fourth grade reading and math level, and have shown gradual academic progress throughout the year.

Additionally, the two 6^th grade classrooms formed one general education class and one inclusion class. It was decided and implemented at the start of this school year. My classroom consists of all general education students with no SPED students. The other 6^th grade classroom contains eight identified SPED students. Within the inclusion settings there is a general education teacher, a SPED teacher, and a Paraprofessional Teacher (PPT). Together they work to assure that all the students are being helped and are getting the additional instructional tools they need to succeed.

Instructional and Support Resources

In the SY 2014-2015, Aiea Elementary reached their goal of providing one device per student. Since then students have shown growth in many aspects due to the one-to-one status. Students are now given the opportunity and time in class to login to the Achieve3000 web-based non-fiction reading program. This program monitors and measures students’ lexile levels. Students are also able to access IXL, Wonders, Go Math, and other academic programs through their individual accounts both in and out of school. Correspondingly, Aiea Elementary is striving and achieving to become a more paper-free environment.  Aiea Elementary utilizes Google Apps for Education (GAP) in all of the classrooms. Students are now able to submit assignments online through their google accounts. Aiea Elementary is committed to improve their teaching practices in hopes to have all students reach their potential.