Part: 1
PART 1: PROFILE
History
Little River Elementary School sits on a 35 acre tract nestled in a residential area of
Woodstock, Georgia, approximately 30 miles north of Atlanta. The original facility,
constructed of brick and cinder block, was designed with open pods to accommodate 650
students. Opening in 1977, Little River housed students in grades one through eight. An
unattached heated gymnasium was added in the spring of 1980. That fall, the opening of a
nearby middle school reduced the student body to kindergarten through sixth grade. A new
addition in the fall of 1994 brought an enlarged cafeteria and media center, along with 19
classrooms, new art and music rooms, and administration offices. With the new
construction in 1994, student capacity was increased to 1,000. In the fall of 1994, with
1,027 students, Little River was deemed over capacity. A neighboring elementary school
opened in the spring of 1996 relieving the overcrowding situation attributed to heavy
community growth. Since that date, pupil enrollment had remained stable at approximately
700 students each school year. New subdivisions have been developed in this school’s
district in the last several years and now Little River is seeing an increase in student
population. The average enrollment from August of 2004 through June of 2008 was 890.
Our present enrollment is 1,165.
The spring of 2008 brought many changes to Little River: Faculty and students moved to a
new school building, the 1977 building was razed, and the 1994 building was closed for
renovations.
The new Little River building is located immediately adjacent to the 1994 construction. The
2008 facility boasts 145,388 square feet of educational space able to serve 1,200 students in
74 separate instructional rooms. The new building also features two art rooms, two music
rooms, a greatly enlarged cafeteria with a stage, as well as an air conditioned gymnasium.
All educational spaces, including the gym, are accessible from within climate controlled
areas of the building.
Classrooms in the new school building are equipped with a Promethean Board, an InFocus
projector, 5 new Dell desktop computers, a laser printer, and a laptop docking station for
the new laptops issued to every certified faculty member. The instructional advantages of
the seamlessly networked technology were immediately recognized by the faculty and raised
the already high standards for teaching and learning at Little River to a new level.
Demolition of the 1977 construction began as soon as operations were transferred to the
new facility. While the community was sad to see the venerable old building go, they were
delighted to see it maintain school pride even as it fell. The photograph below shows a
mural of the school mascot flying proudly as the building was being leveled.
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School
Page 1
Part: 1
Clearing the 1997 site made way for expanded parking, separate bus and car travel lanes, as
well as new play and outdoor educational spaces.
Renovations to the 1994 construction heralded the birth of Mill Creek Middle School.
Ultimately destined for a nearby middle and high complex, Mill Creek opened its doors for
the 2008-2009 school year in the space that had previously housed Little River’s third
through sixth grade classrooms. Mill Creek’s seventh graders are poised to be the first
graduating class from the new high school, River Ridge. August of 2009, Mill Creek Middle
School moved into its new facility and left the vacant wing to house the Little River
Preschool. Since the 2010/2011 school year, Mill Creek Middle has served sixth grade
students who previously would have attended Little River Elementary.
School Configuration
Little River Elementary serves kindergarten through 5th grade students. The
administrative staff includes the principal, Mr. Christian Kirby, and assistant
principals, Ms. Abbey Philpot and Ms. Loraine Ward. There are nine kindergarten
classrooms, nine 1st grade classrooms, nine 2nd grade classrooms, eight 3rd grade
classrooms, six 4th grade classrooms, and six 5th grade classrooms. Little River
provides two self-contained Special Education units. The school draws from
predominately middle class families of moderate incomes.
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School
Page 2
Part: 1
DEMOGRAPHIC DATA
Ethnic Distribution of Students
Asian
Black 7%
9%
Multi-racial
4%
White
Hispanic
Hispanic
18%
Black
White
62%
Asian
Multi-racial
Gender Distribution of Students
Female
50%
Male
50%
Male
Female
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School
Page 3
Part: 1
Free/Reduced Lunches
As of August 2012, 25% of Little River’s student population is receiving free or
reduced lunches. (This percentage may decrease if there is a status change, after the
45-day grace period, for those students receiving temporary free/reduced lunch.)
CERTIFIED EMPLOYEES
Faculty and Staff: There are seventy-two full-time certified personnel at Little River:
three administrators, two counselors, one media specialist and sixty-five teachers.
Little River has one art teacher, one and a half music teachers, two and a half P.E.
teachers, an ESOL teacher, two EIP teachers, one Gifted teacher, plus one that
comes one and a half days a week. Two full-time, and one half-time Speech
Pathologists. Itinerant personnel include a school psychologist, a Special Education
facilitator, an occupational/physical therapist, an adaptive PE teacher, a music
therapist, and a technology specialist. Classified and support personnel include four
secretaries, ten paraprofessionals, ASP bookkeeper, a school nurse, an in-school
suspension monitor, four allocated lunchroom monitors, nine food service workers,
fifteen bus drivers, and seven custodians.
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School
Page 4
Part: 1
Degree Level of Certified Personnel for Little River Elementary
1%
31%
30%
Bachelors
Masters
Specialist
Doctorate
38%
Experience Level of Certified Personnel for Little River Elementary
4%
18%
1-3 Years
30%
4-9 Years
10-15 Years
20%
16-21 Years
22+ Years
28%
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School
Page 5
Part: 1
Trends that may impact the school in the next five years
It is possible to see several trends developing at Little River Elementary and in
Cherokee County regarding education:
 More emphasis on improving students’ test scores, on teacher/administrator
accountability, and on individual school performance;
 Adoption of Common Core Standards (national standards) as required by
Race to the Top (RT3);
 Increased numbers of non-English speaking students;
 Continued and expanded use of technology and it’s integration into
curriculum and instruction;
 Use of more inclusive models for serving special education students;
 Concerns about the safety of children and adults at school;
 Increased community involvement in sharing responsibility for educating
children in the school;
 Increase in maximum class size (and reduction in teacher allotments) due to
the economy and state budget shortfalls.
Some of these issues are common to students throughout the state and even
throughout the country, whereas others have particular significance for Little River
Elementary and for Cherokee County.
PART 1: PROFILE
Description of School Programs
ADVANCED ACADEMIC PROGRAMS
Gifted students at Little River Elementary School are served through cluster grouping and
resource class models. A gifted endorsed teacher serves identified gifted students through
cluster grouping at least two segments per day. Differentiated instruction, student
assessment and flexible grouping allow highly motivated and/or high achieving non-gifted
eligible students to participate in these advanced curriculum opportunities.
The gifted students are served through the resource class model, known as AIM classes,
meeting all day once a week. The curriculum is built upon an academic content foundation,
centered on interdisciplinary enrichment activities. The resource class focuses on developing
advanced skills in several areas: research, creative thinking, problem-solving, higher order
and critical thinking skills, and communication. One hundred and eight students have been
identified as gifted. The AIM program presently serves 10.5% of Little River’s student
population.
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School
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Part: 1
ESOL
The English to Speakers of Other Languages program is designed to help non-English
speaking students acquire English as a second language. The role of the ESOL teacher is to
diagnose the language skills of a student whose native language is not English. The program
is a total immersion program using the ESOL curriculum. Students are identified by taking
the W-Apt test, which allows the ESOL teacher to see where they fall in relation to their
understanding of the English language. The push-in/ pull-out model is used with students
who qualify as follows: K-2nd graders are seen 45 minutes per day, 3rd -5th graders are seen
50 minutes per day. Students work at their own level of proficiency, with computer
technology being part of the program. Instruction takes place in a small-class environment
where it is “safe” to make errors, be successful, receive recognition, make friends and be
challenged without pressure.
EARLY INTERVENTION PROGRAM (ES)
Various models of instruction are used at Little River and may vary from year to year,
depending on the needs of students at that grade level. In any given segment the teacher has
no more than 16 students. In kindergarten through fifth grade, students are being seen in a
pull out model or a collaborative augmented model. In the collaborative augmented model,
another certified teacher goes into a heterogeneous classroom and serves only EIP students
in the classroom. Students in K-3 are served 45 minutes per day while students in 4-5 are
served 50 minutes per day. EIP teachers may instruct in reading and/or math depending on
the needs of the individual student.
TEACHER MENTORING
As new faculty members are added, whether new to the profession or new to Cherokee
County, they are paired with an experienced teacher who acts as a mentor and provides
support throughout the school year. The mentor assists with procedural questions, resource
acquisition, formation of lesson plans, implementation of curriculum, and provides feedback
based on observations of teacher effectiveness.
SPECIAL EDUCATION
Students who have learning disabilities, emotional behavior disorders, mild intellectual
disabilities, other health impairments, etc. are offered a continuum of services varying from
placement in regular education classes (inclusion models) to placement in self-contained
classes. Resource classes are small and instruction is presented at appropriate levels using
a direct instruction approach. Collaborative/Co-taught models are designed to allow a
special education teacher to go into the regular education classroom to help develop learning
strategies and assist students with academic concerns.
Almost all of these students are served in the regular classroom for one to two periods per
day with appropriate support and modifications. In addition, they travel with their
designated homeroom to specials (i.e. Art, Music and P.E.). Two special education teachers
are servicing two MID/MOID units. Little River has five special education paraprofessionals.
Little River presently serves 8.6% of our student population in special education classes.
Functional behavior assessments and behavior intervention plans will be developed for
students whose behavior may affect their own learning and/or that of others and which
might be disruptive and unacceptable in the school environment. Little River Elementary
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School
Page 7
Part: 1
has very few students, with or without disabilities who are removed from school for
disciplinary reasons.
The eight special education teachers serving students in grades Kindergarten through five
are highly qualified and have in-field certification for their areas of exceptionality.
Little River also has two and a half Speech Pathologists presently serving students of our
student population.
Based on the data profile for Cherokee County Schools, the following goals have been
identified as needing improvement:
Decrease the percentage of students with disabilities who are removed from school for
disciplinary reasons. We will address this by reviewing behavior intervention plans for
effectiveness following any out-of-school suspension.
Increase the percentage of time students with disabilities receive instruction in the
general education setting with appropriate supports and accommodations (mandatory statewide goals). We will address this by offering segments of inclusion service to students who
are ready for regular class instruction/GPS objectives with modifications as the IEP
indicates.
Increase the percentage of “Highly Qualified” personnel who teach students with
disabilities. Currently, no teachers serve children who are out of field and all teachers are
properly certified.
504 PLANS
504 plans are developed through the SST process to provide accommodations and
modifications for students who experience a physical or mental impairment in one or more
of the major life activities (walking, seeing, hearing, breathing, speaking, learning, working,
care for one’s self, performing manual tasks) but who are not eligible for special education
services.
SCHOOL COUNCIL
The School Council addresses the major system priority of increasing parental and
community involvement through public engagement policies and practices that treat
parents, businesses, community based organizations and agencies, local institutions of
higher learning and other public entities as true partners in the educational process. At its
regular scheduled meetings throughout the school year, the School Council will provide
input on Little River’s 2012-2013 school budgets. They will help administrators to locate
sources of funding from the community. The School Council will discuss and approve the
funds designated for support of the four school objectives for the 2012-2013 School
Improvement Plan. The Council examines school testing results and is kept abreast of areas
in need of improvement to meet district and state goals for the upcoming year.
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School
Page 8
Part: 1
INSTRUCTIONAL PROGRAMS AND SERVICES
The media center is an integral part of the instructional program and is actively involved
in motivating students to read. Accelerated Reader, Read Across America, Book It, and
Six Flags’ Six-Hour Reading Club programs provide students the opportunity for
reading, thus encouraging reading for pleasure. The media specialist and teachers work
cooperatively to develop educational activities that correlate with instruction in the
classroom. The primary purpose of the media center is to encourage students to become
lifelong learners and to give them the skills to locate information in a changing world.
Recognizing that cooperative planning within grade levels and across departments (EIP.
gifted, ESOL, art, music, P.E., SPED etc.) is essential for providing continuity across the
curriculum, teachers are encouraged to collaborate with the media specialist for their
lessons.
COMMUNITY PROGRAMS AND SUPPORT
Students who attend Little River Elementary have access to a variety of activities
through PTA sponsored programs – basketball, soccer, and spirit squad. Students also
have the opportunity to participate in Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Daisies, Brownies, Girl
Scouts, YMCA sponsored programs and reading activities sponsored by public libraries.
Several local churches and hospitals conduct programs for youth in the community.
Many students participate in activities such as cheerleading, baseball, dance and music
lessons, Karate, gymnastics and football.
Children at Little River are also provided opportunities to serve those in need. Teachers
and student work together throughout the year to collect money and supplies for
different organizations and occasions. Each year students collect food for needy families
at Thanksgiving through a drive sponsored by our Student Council. Again at Christmas
we collect toys for families in need of assistance.
The Little River Parent Teacher Association (PTA) is an integral part of the school. Parent
volunteers are the cornerstone of an effective school. PTA has made possible the
purchase of physical education and playground equipment, additional software, clinic
supplies, and money for teachers to buy additional materials for their classrooms. The
PTA is active in the coordination and funding of Fall Festival, Chili Cook-Off, Cultural
Arts Day, fundraisers, Grandparent’s Day, Teacher Appreciation Week, Red Ribbon
Week, and much more. The Beak, the PTA newsletter, is published and distributed
monthly to all families and serves as a primary information source to advise parents of
activities and events occurring in the school community.
The Partners in Education Program, coordinated by the Cherokee Chamber of
Commerce, provides a variety of experiences as a result of partnerships between schools
and business organizations. Some of these partnerships provide our students with
incentives for improved academics and attendance. Target has awarded monetary
amounts which have been used to purchase AR books and testing discs to add to our
present collection. Publix commitment cards allow a percentage of money spent by LRES
families to be returned to the school.
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School
Page 9
Part: 1
Student Program Distribution
Student Population = 1236
Student Program Category
Enrollment
Special Education – All
Autism
SLD
SDD
MID/MOID
OHI
Speech
106
4
23
22
11
15
28
504 Plan
ESOL
Early Intervention (EIP)
Gifted (AIM)
0
69
118
130
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School
Percent of Total
Population
8.6%
5.6%
9.5%
10.5%
Page 10
Part: 1
STUDENT PERFORMANCE DATA
GCRCT Reading Scores
Percent of Students Meeting or Exceeding Standards
100
100
100
98
94
94
97 96
96
92
90
80
70
60
2010
2011
50
2012
40
30
20
10
0
3rd Grade
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School
4th Grade
5th Grade
Page 11
Part: 1
GCRCT Language Arts Scores
Percent of Students Meeting or Exceeding Standards
97
100
97
93
96
92
98
94
93
94
90
80
70
60
2010
50
2011
2012
40
30
20
10
0
3rd Grade
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School
4th Grade
5th Grade
Page 12
Part: 1
GCRCT Mathematics Scores
Percent of Students Meeting or Exceeding Standards
100
93
93
92
89
90
81
89
84
80
79
79
70
60
2010
50
2011
2012
40
30
20
10
0
3rd Grade
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School
4th Grade
5th Grade
Page 13
Part: 1
GCRCT Science Scores
Percent of Students Meeting or Exceeding Standards
100
93
90
93
85
92
88
90
87
85
88
80
70
60
2010
50
2011
2012
40
30
20
10
0
3rd Grade
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School
4th Grade
5th Grade
Page 14
Part: 1
PART 1: PROFILE
Stakeholder Input
In the development of the School Improvement Plan (SIP) for 2010-2011, what
opportunities were given for stakeholders (students, teachers, parents, business and
community partners, etc.) to provide input/feedback?
List chronologically all meetings or opportunities for stakeholder input. Topics of
discussion should be very short. Examples: Selecting objectives, preparing the action
plan, overview of the plan, how to obtain funds, ways to make partnerships more
productive.
Stakeholder Groups
Leadership and Data
Management/SIP
Committees
Dates
SIP-Related Topics of Discussion
Monthly
 Reviewed Successes from
08/12-05/13
2011/2012 SY
Faculty
Monthly
From Administrative Workshop:
08/12-05/13
 Reviewed “First Day Facts”
 Student Performance
Standards and Common
Core Curriculum
Update/Overview
 Possible RT3 implications
Administrators
7/23/12 –
8/12/12

Data Management
/SIP Committee
08/2012
09/2012




Faculty and
Curriculum
Committees
Monthly
meetings will
be held on
the 2nd and
3rd Tuesdays
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School


Data collected and reviewed
for Part 6 – Review of Goals
and Objectives SY 20112012
Analyze GCRCT scores and
identify SY 2011-2012 SIP
goals that were met/not met
Discuss Student
Performance Data by Grade
Level
Discuss AYP criteria
changes and critical
subgroups for SY 20122013
Revise/Revise SIP Goals for
SY 2012-2013
Discuss 2011-2012 SIP
Goals
Discuss ideas/strategies to
improve our areas of need
Page 15

9/14/12

Administrators
09/11/12


Administrators and
Clerical Staff
09/11/12

Administrators
09/11/12

Administrators /
Guidance Counselor
09/11/12

SIP Peer Review Team
9/25/12

Administrators
10/01/12

School Council
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School
Part: 1
Review/Revise SIP Action
Plan for 2011-2012 SY
Reviewed Part 6 – Progress
Report on SIP goals and Test
Results
SIP Goals SY 2011-2012
Review/Revise Part1 –
School Profile
Gathering Staff and
Demographic Data to revise
Part 1
Update SIP Goals,
Objectives, and Action Plan
based on committee input
Review/Revise Part 7:
Locally Required Plans
Review/Discuss Part 3, 4, 5,
and 6 of each school’s SIP to
allow for collaboration
between schools and make
revisions in the areas
needed
Make any additions or
revisions based on feedback
from Peer Review
Page 16
Part: 1
PART 1: PROFILE
Business and Community Partners
Company/Organization
Address
Canyon’s Burger Company
355 Chambers St.
Woodstock, GA
30188
9728 Hwy 92
Woodstock, Ga
30188
12186 Hwy 92
Suite 110
Woodstock, GA
30188
12195 Hwy 92 S128
Woodstock, Ga
30188
6244 Old Highway 5
Woodstock, GA
30188
12050 Hwy 92
Woodstock, GA
30188
12165 Hwy 92
Woodstock, GA
30188
10020 Hwy 92
Woodstock, GA
30188
12172 Hwy 92
Woodstock, Ga
30188
12182 Hwy 92
Woodstock, GA
30188
Chick-fil-A
CiCi’s Pizza
Domino’s Pizza
Huntington Learning
Center
Kroger
Publix
Stevi B’s Pizza
Wachovia Bank
Walmart
2012-2013 School Improvement Plan
Little River Elementary School
Phone
Number
770
880-6903
Robert “Bud”
Dees
Continuing
770
591-4575
Rachel
Kozloff
Continuing
770
592-6885
Adam Baker
Continuing
404
229-1920
Contact
Lisa Dick
New/
Continued
Continuing
678
445-4746
Reid Trego
Continuing
770
591-2890
Donald Davis
Continuing
770
517-1600
Rick Harden
Continuing
770
591-0010
Stacie Parkes
Continuing
678
388-7112
Mary Mullaney
Continuing
770
516-4719
Tracy Collins
Continuing
Page 17