Jefferson Elementary School offers the following programs to support children for academic success:

3-D Time “3 dimensional levels of instruction based on Data-Driven Decisions”  

               This is how we support our at-risk and special education students, plus challenge our higher students through enrichment opportunities.  We utilize research based best practice interventions (ex: Maps Mentoring, Title 1 aide support, Read Naturally, etc.)   3-D time is in place for our all Y-5 through 3^rd grade students this year. It looks like this: all students receive 90 minutes/day of English Language Arts instruction, and our at-risk and special education students receive an additional 30 minutes/day. Every day, each 2^nd and 3^rd grade classroom has a block of 30 minutes for student supports (3-D time).  These supports are individually prescribed based on student test scores (Dibels, MLPP, etc.).    The goal of 3-D time is to move students toward (and beyond) proficiency by:

1.)    Minimizing classroom interruptions and maximizing student learning opportunities.

2.)    Minimizing loss of instruction time for at risk and SE students due to being “pulled out” and missing classroom instruction.

 

Here are the different interventions:

1.)    Jefferson Mentoring  (2^nd & 3^rd grade)  We are currently servicing 33 2^nd and 3^rd graders for reading.  (We are always looking for more mentors.   If you have an hour one day a week, and you would like to volunteer; please contact Beryl Freeburg, our Mentoring Aide.) 

2.)    Literacy Groups (K & 1^st Grade) is primarily for1^st graders and also services Kindergarten students in the Second and Third Trimester.  Literacy Groups are instructed by a trained Para-professional for letter and sound recognition, phonemic awareness, blending, segmenting, etc.  The Para-professional works with 3 students for 30 minutes each day. 

3.)    Title 1 Aide Support  During this time students are pulled to work on specific areas of need. (Example: sight words, fluency, comprehension, etc.)   For three days/week, the students utilize the computer based “Read Naturally” to address their needs.  This time can also be used for supports in basic math skills, depending on individual student needs.

4.)    Resource Room  Identified students receive special education support at this time.

5.)    Enrichment  Classroom teachers offer enrichment activities to the 8-14 students who are already at grade level in their classroom.  Enrichment opportunities have included service learning activities, higher level vocabulary activities, upper grade level curriculum challenges, etc. 

 

In addition to this, we also have our Read to Achieve program with Carol Keleher.   Read to Achieve is a new Title 1 program using the Level Literacy Intervention program.  The program will provide extra small group instruction to promote early achievement in reading and writing skills.  The children will spend 30 minutes daily in small groups to practice phonics, writing, and reading.  The goal is to achieve early success in these skills and positive attitude toward learning.  

Parent Volunteers are utilized in several classrooms.  Teachers have trained volunteers on reading strategies and have weekly schedules for parents to assist in the classroom.

Safenet is available part time in each of the elementary schools.  The Safenet worker is instrumental in helping our students to deal with external issues (bullying, divorce, death, emotions, etc.  They work with them on a weekly basis or in crisis situations.  An important component of this program is the family involvement.

Big Brothers Big Sisters is offered for K-5 students.  Rachel Krolczyk is the coordinator for all 3 elementary schools.  This is a school based program where the mentors meet with the students weekly, most often during the lunch hour.

Kids Hope is offered for K-5 students.  Volunteers mentor students that are referred on a weekly basis.

Title I Summer Literacy Program is offered for Grades 1-5.  Students participate in a theme based summer program emphasizing reading and writing skills.  This is a 6 week program from 8:00 -12:30 held at Jefferson Elementary.  Free breakfast and lunch is served to all students.  Transportation is also provided free of charge.