John Muir Elementary School
380 Webster Street, San Francisco, CA 94117
(415) 241-6335
Dr. Cecelia Wambach, Co-Principal
S.F.U.S.D.
School
Description
School
Priorities
1999-2000 School Accountability Report Card
Fall 1999
We are a Children's University! We were one of the first schools in the Bay Area to become a member of the
prestigious Hewlitt-Annenberg Bay Area School Reform Collaborative. We train new teachers at John Muir! We have
interns from S.F. State University's new MATE Program, who work with our teachers to provide individual attention to
each child every day. We have two principals! Both of our principals are professors at San Francisco State University.
Our technology program is state of the art! All classrooms are wired for the internet, and we have a computer lab and a
multi-media center. Children know how to research a topic on the computer, use a digital camera, and publish their
writing technologically.
We are small enough so that all children are known, loved, and cared about. We have both regular and Spanish
Bilingual classes. Our curriculum includes an early literacy emphasis, a strong literature/social studies based reading and
writing program, and mathematical thinking practices. All content areas are vehicles for literacy.
Our teachers are exceptional! Many of them give workshops and seminars in curriculum to other schools in the Bay
Area.
We have two after-school programs. Latchkey from S.F. Park and Rec. offers a recreational and arts program. The
ACE project of Wajumbe Center, offers an African based afterschool experience. All children participate in Performing
Arts Workshops weekly.
Our lastest innovation is the creation of our new Parent Education Center! Our Parent University will be in full
operation in January, 1997.
For each district goal (listed below), there are measurable objectives. Every school has developed a school site plan to
achieve each objective and has identified their individual school priorities:
A All teachers at all grades will implement a schoolwide literacy program aligned with the standards.
B All teachers at all grades will implement a complementary schoolwide system of assessment for literacy, aligned with
the curiculum and the standards.
C All teachers at all grades will participate in a schoolwide professional development program to support the literacy
program, Best Practices.
The mission of the San Francisco Unified School District is to provide each student with an equal opportunity to
succeed by promoting intellectual growth, creativity, self discipline, cultural and linguistic sensitivity, democratic
responsibility, economic competence and physical and mental health so that each student can achieve to his or her
maximum ability.
To achieve this mission, the Board of Education has adopted the following goals: 1) To improve teaching and learning
to enhance the academic achievement of all students; 2) To improve staff, parent and community participation in the
educational process; 3) To maintain school environments that are safe, secure and attractive; 4) To build a school
environment that is fully integrated in all its programs and activities and provides equal opportunity for all students;
5) To improve and expand the Early Childhood Education Program and integrate it into the K-12 Program; and 6) To
increase and expand inter-agency collaboration to better serve our students.
Philosophical In order to achieve these objectives, the Board has adopted the following set of philosophical tenets:
Tenets
* All individuals should learn to live and
* All individuals are entitled to be
* Teachers, administrators and
work in a world that is characterized by
treated with respect and dignity.
staff are partners with students
interdependence and cultural diversity.
* All individuals can learn.
in the learning process. If
* All individuals want to learn and to be
* All individuals learn in many
students fail, all partners should
recognized for their achievements.
different ways and at varying rates.
accept full responsibility for
* Learning is an interactive process that
* Each individual learns best in a
this failure and take action to
occurs when students understand and are
particular way.
ensure success.
able to communicate new concepts through * All individuals are both potential * Parents want their children to
carefully crafted and guided challenging
learners and potential teachers.
attain their fullest potential as
experiences defined by clear learning goals * Learning has both cognitive and
learners and to succeed
and rigorous performance standards.
affective dimensions.
academically.
310 LEP/NEP (ELL)1:
41%
K-5 Student Enrollment:
Grade Span:
53,500 Average Daily Attendance:
36.5%
Building (sq.ft.):
93.1 % EDY2:
49%
1928 Optional Enrollment Requests:
Year of Construction:
49.4% % of Points Met3:
Children Center/Childcare:
No
No Title I/State Pre-K Program:
Yes Student Uniforms:
District
Mission and
Goals
1
650 E - 01/00 Research, Planning & Evaluation
This document is prepared in compliance with Proposition 98 and Ed. Code 33126.
LEP/NEP(ELL): Limited English Proficient or Non English
Proficient (English Language Learner)
2
EDY: Educationally Disadvantaged Youth
3
% Met: Refers to the objectives to achieve SFUSD goals
Counseling and Student
Support Services
Student Attendance
and Dropout Rate
District general funds are not available for counseling services at the
elementary school level. However, some schools have added
support staff funded through special programs, projects, or grant
awards. At Muir, the home/school linkage is strengthened by the
services of a full-time counselor, elementary advisors and
community volunteers. Additional community resources available to
the school are, Youth Community Outreach, and San Francisco
School Volunteers Adopt-A-School program. A Student
Study/Health Team, which includes a Speech Therapist, Resource
Specialist, School Nurse, Comer School Psychologist and Social
Worker meet once a week to develop strategies for student success.
Parent Involvement efforts focus on parenting skills, awareness of
the educational programs and ideas for helping children succeed.
Dropout rate 1996-97 = 2.8% 1997-98 = 1.9% 1998-99 = 5.4%
The District's K-5 average attendance for 1998-99 was 95.1% and the
dropout rate was 1.7%. At Muir ES, attendance for the year was
93.1%, excused absences were 4.5%, unexcused absences were 2.4%,
and the dropout rate was 5.4%. An important District objective is to
further reduce dropout rates. Dropouts are defined as students who are
absent without reason for 45 days or more. The attendance of students
at John Muir is monitored closely with daily communication to parents
of absent students. School-wide attendance award assemblies are
conducted to promote self-esteem and encourage good attendance.
Student Achievement
*SAT9* (Spring 1998 & Spring 1999)
District K-5 Average National Percentiles
1998
1999
Reading
Math
43
52
Portions of the Stanford Achievement Test 9
(SAT9) are used by this District to measure
individual student progress and proficiency
standards.
44
54
*Unmatched performance data
SAT 9 - Mathematics
SAT 9 - Reading
70
51
50
40
30
30
20
17
19
23
21
15
1998
1999
19
10
National Percentiles
National Percentile
60
59
60
50
40
26
30
20
28
32
20
28
20
13
10
0
0
02
03
04
02
05
03
04
Grade
Grade
Ethnic Diversity
Ethnic Representation (Percents)
AA%
310 Students
39.0
22 Certificated
22.7
5 Classified
60.0
3 Paraprofessional 66.7
AI%
0.6
0.0
0.0
0.0
C%
2.3
9.1
20.0
0.0
F%
1.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
J%
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
K%
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
L%
43.2
13.6
20.0
33.3
ONW% OW%
7.4
6.5
0.0
54.5
0.0
0.0
0.0
0.0
05
1998
1999
Teacher Evaluation
Teacher Assignment
Administrators, probationary and long term substitute teachers,
and all classified personnel are evaluated by their supervisors
every year. Tenured teachers are evaluated every two years. The
evaluation processes are determined through contractual
agreements with the United Administrators of San Francisco, the
United Educators of San Francisco, and the Civil Service
Commission of the City and County of San Francisco.
Out of 3,984 teachers in the District, 388 are teaching with emergency
credentials and 53 with program waivers.
At John Muir, all teachers are teaching in the areas in which they are
credentialed. The staff includes six Spanish Bilingual Teachers, nine
English Language Development Teachers and two Reading Recovery
Teachers (one Spanish speaking). One third of our teachers have
advanced degrees and two have administrative credentials.
Student Behavior
Class Size
1996-97
1997-98
1998-99
Contract Contract
0%
0.0 %
.7%
Grade Ratios
Goals
.14%
.09%
.11%
K
**
20
In order to provide a healthy climate, we have regulations
01
**
20
consistent with the Student Behavior Handbook. Last year at
02
**
20
Muir ES, no student was suspended for violations of those
03
**
20
regulations. The following program(s) have been included in the 04
32.2
30
School Site Plan to achieve the District's objective to reduce the
05
32.2
30
number of suspensions: Conflict Managers, Cooperative
Learning, Cooperative Discipline, Student Council, PIP, sand
tray, recognition and awards for Student Of The Week, Counseling
and Leadership/Service Clubs.
School Suspension rates:
District Expulsion rates:
District
Averages
19.1
18.8
19.0
18.7
25.7
26.8
School Averages
1997
20.0
19.7
18.5
21.0
18.3
18.0
1998
19.7
19.3
17.7
20.0
20.0
21.0
1999
18.7
19.7
19.3
18.7
20.5
20.0
Minutes Per
Year*
43,200
50,400
50,400
50,400
54,000
54,000
* All schools offer and often exceed the minimum required number of instructional minutes per year. All
instructional minutes meet or exceed the state minimum requirement for instructional minutes.
** Grade K-3 class size goal of 20 determined by the District’s participation in the State’s Primary Grade Class-size
Reduction Program.
Teacher/Staff Professional Development, and Curriculum Improvement
Number of Staff Development Days: 1997-98 = 8 1998-99 = 8
1999-2000 = 3
Professional development is a part of every school site plan and a major component of instructional support departments. The district's
professional development program provides opportunities for teachers to implement the district's core curriculum for all students, update
subject area expertise, use data to plan instructional improvement strategies, and acquire new instructional strategies. Leadership development
across content areas is facilitated centrally, and multiple professional development institutes engage educators and parents in instructional
leadership development.
The School Leadership Team, which includes Classroom Teachers and Resource Teachers provide site professional development training.
Teachers selected as areas of training workshops in self-esteem, class- room management, multi-cultural learning styles, math, reading and
cooperative discipline. The John Muir staff have also been involved in AIMS, TESA, City Science, Math Their Way, the Bay Area Writing
workshop, TRIBES and Math Leadership.
The Comer School Development Program has provided additional opportunities for staff training in team building child-centered curriculum
and developmentally appropriate teaching practices. It has also provided a format by which the school easily moved into restructuring.
Quality of School Instruction and
Leadership
Average Salaries, Budget Percentages &
Expenditure per Student
Parents, teachers and classified staff work in collaboration with
the administrator on the School Planning Management Team
to identify needs, set standards, develop site instructional plans
and operational procedures. The interdisciplinary instructional
program includes an integrated language arts program
(decoding, writing and thinking as well as literature),
manipulatives in Math and hands-on Science programs.
Instruction is enhanced by the Computer Lab, Library-Media
Center, Eco-Literacy, Field Trips and multi-cultural activities.
Teachers have teamed together and written grants to further
enrich the instructional program.
1997-98 SALARY COMPARISON
* STATE
Beginning Teacher's Salary
$30,521
Mid-Range Teacher's Salary
$47,729
Highest Teacher's Salary
$57,429
Principal's Average Salary
$75,942
Superintendent's Salary
$129,993
Expenditure per Student
% of Budget for Teacher's Salaries
43.15%
% of Budget for Administrators
4.79%
Substitute Teachers
* Districts over 19,999 ADA
During the 1998-99 school year, the Muir ES teacher attendance rate was 97%.
SFUSD
$29,729
$46,982
$53,643
$66,605 **
$175,000
$4,190 **
42.08%
4.80%
**Elementary Schools Only
Textbooks and Instructional Materials
The review, selection, and purchase of textbooks and instructional materials are carried out in conjunction with the California eight-year
curriculum improvement cycle and District priorities. In 1997-98, there were district-wide adoptions of K-8 English Language Arts, K-5
Spanish Language Arts, 9-12 Spanish, economics, biology, biotechnology and physics instructional materials and in 1999-2000 there will
be K-8 History/Social Science adoption. Content and performance standards for English Language Arts, mathematics, and science are being
implemented.
The Consent Decree Program and Special Funded Programs have provided funds for John Muir to purchase a variety of supplemental
materials to meet the unique needs of the students. Such purchases support the planned school program with additional library books in a
variety of languages, computers and computer software, hands-on science and math manipulatives\visual\and tactile art supplies,
psychomotor materials and environmental studies programs which extend learning opportunities and provide instructions based upon student
need.
School Facilities and Safety
Current Conditions
Planned Improvements
New windows have been installed and
painted. Ground floor security wire mesh
was upgraded and painted. Window shades
were replaced at all windows. All restrooms
are remodeled with new fixtures and floors.
Parent Involvement
Parents participate on both advisory and decision-making
committees and are involved at every level of school activity.
Parents volunteer in classrooms, accompany classes on field
trips and support fund-raising activities. A parent worker has
been added to the school staff. She makes home visits and
encourages parents and guardians to become actively involved
in the school program.
The school will continue to recruit parent volunteers and
sponsor special programs. However, parents are encouraged to
visit the school at any time.
A director of Parent Education coordinates classes for parents.
Presently, there are ESL, Spanish and computer classes.
San Francisco Unified School District
555 Franklin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102
Attn: John Muir Elementary School
Needed Improvements
The exterior and interior of the building needs
painting. New plumbing and re-wiring are also
needed.