An Overview
JULIA LATHROP ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
School Support Visit
January 21, 2014
Penny El-Azhari, Principal
Thanks to Jennifer Wood for her contribution with regards to PLCs at Lathrop
Thanks to Jesus Medrano for photography
Mission
“Our mission is to provide the best opportunities for academic success and
social achievement for our diverse student population in a 21st Century
learning environment.”
Demographics of Students at Lathrop
% of students
Black/A-A
Hisp/Latino
White
2+races
TOTAL NUMBER OF
STUDENTS: 402
Bilingual: 11 classes
Monolingual: 8 classes
Bilingual program: 227 students
Monolingual: 175 students
Average class size: 24
Students mobility: 17%
Bilingual
Monolingual
COLLABORATION
PLCs meet officially every two weeks for the purpose of data analysis and
planning. Grade level teams meet on a weekly basis to discuss instructional
strategies, resources, etc. PLCs also meet for an entire day, once every 8
weeks, to plan instruction.
Ensuring students learn:
A Culture of Collaboration
Focus on results
Celebrating
Taking charge from the beginning!
The Planning Cycle
The Planning Cycle incorporating :
CCS alignment with curriculum maps and pacing guides
Data - now truly driving instruction
Bridging
Technology
Professional Development
Student progress monitoring
ESA/DEA Data – 2013/14
Example of cohort growth
ISAT data
70
60
50
Reading =
40
Math -1
30
Science +11
Overall -1
20
10
0
2012
2013
DISCIPLINE
Lathrop is a well-established PBIS school. This is reflected in the discipline data. The
Universal (Tier 1) and Secondary (Tier 2) PBIS Teams meet monthly. All tiers of
behavior interventions are offered at Lathrop through RtI and PST.
Graph showing Average Number of Referrals per Day for 2014 compared with 2013
2
1.8
1.6
1.4
1.2
1
2013
0.8
2014
0.6
0.4
0.2
0
Sept
Oct
Nov
Dec
RtI and PST
Lathrop offers all three Tiers of RtI in English and Spanish. There are 4 HQ
tutors who provide interventions to small groups of students, on a daily basis,
for Reading and Math. Our PST is fluid and involves the appropriate members
of staff needed to address the needs of an individual student.
Specialists
Lathrop recognizes the importance of the Arts and Physical Education in the
development of the whole child. Students are encouraged to excel in Music,
Art, and P.E.. Lathrop offers opportunities for students to participate in extra
curricular activities in all three areas including REBA, Cheerleading, Choir, and
a variety of community Art competitions and exhibitions.
Technology
Lathrop is fortunate to have wall-to-wall iPads. We have made enormous strides
when it comes to incorporating technology into our lesson planning. We not only
utilize DE, but our teachers are gradually becoming more and more accomplished at
finding appropriate apps and primary sources to enhance instruction.
Professional Development
PD is now embedded into the PLC culture at Lathrop. Professional
development is determined from data collected during PLC s, and Instructional
Rounds. PD is offered twice a month and addresses Reading, Math, and
technology, as well as other topics such as Student-Led Conferencing, CPR, etc.
Teachers also receive in-classroom coaching from the Literacy Leader and DE
Coach.
Reflection and Accountability
The principal is held accountable. She meets with here supervisor once a month to reflect on
all aspects of Lathrop’s progress.
The Literacy Leader reflects and plans with the principal weekly.
Teachers are held accountable. They are evaluated as per contract and the principal conducts
Instructional Rounds regularly. All observations and Instructional Rounds are followed by a
reflection meeting.
Family Involvement
Lathrop is fortunate to have a steady number of parent volunteers who help
out at lunch times and to fundraise.
Family Nights are embedded in the school’s calendar. Each month, Lathrop
organizes a Reading or Math Night for families. These events are well
attended. The principal holds a Coffee Morning once a month for parents, and
we also enjoy Family Fun Nights such as Skate Night, McTeachers’ Night, etc.
Community Involvement
Lathrop has partnered with 2 churches, Pilgrim Baptist and , more recently,
Providence Missionary Baptist.
Students receive mentoring from community members and volunteers from
Rockford Reads, and United Way’s I READ program.
All-school events
Lathrop students and staff celebrate the great behavior at Lathrop once every
trimester with an all-school PBIS celebration.
We also celebrate special occasions such as Veterans’ Day (above) and
fundraising successes.
Building improvements at
Julia Lathrop Elementary School
Lathrop School held an Open House on January 15th, 2014. Members of
the community were invited to tour our new cafeteria and resource
room, as well as the updated office area. Lathrop has also had new locks
installed on classroom doors and a new security system installed at the
main entrance. We are very grateful for these improvements.