Board+Reports

**Karen Long, Denver Place Elementary Principal Board Report**
Last year at this time: 581 This year: 642
 * Enrollment**

There are lots of changes and lots of healthy choices for our students this year in the Denver Place Elementary cafeteria. The Denver kitchen staff has been terrific in educating students on both the new choices and efficient procedures in selecting desirable choices. Students must select food from at least three different food groups and one must be either a fruit or a vegetable. Students are eating fresh apples, oranges, cherry tomatoes, along with Big Daddy's Cheese Pizza. And lines are running smoothly!
 * **Cafeteria** **

This summer we were able to use the services of Clinton County Youth who were required to complete community service hours as penance for their indiscretions. These young people were instrumental in cleaning up the Denver playground as they pulled weeds, spread mulch and painted playground equipment orange and black. As Denver students returned to school, they noticed the improvements made on the playground, signaling that this would be the best school year yet. School started with an extremely well attended Open House that filled the building with excitement that was electric. Several teachers reported that they had 100% of their students and their families there that night. We were able to provide donated school supplies to every student who needed them. Donations came from the following local businesses and agencies - Rent to Own; the Democratic Party; United Methodist Church; Timber Tech; and the Nike Center donated clothing to one of our students. Welcome back to Mary Zaycosky as the Denver Place secretary. Mary was instrumental in providing a facelift to the Denver main office. Student art hangs on the walls and Mary's own art pieces dot the office. Stop in and check it out! Also, welcome to Zach Yike, 4th grade math, and Allison Black, 5th grade math. Strong additions to the already excellent teaching staff at Denver Place.
 * **Summer Work** **
 * Open House **
 * New Staff Members at Denver **

· This summer, Jen Randolph, 1st grade teacher, received a grant to participate in Earth Expedition event in Belize, a study abroad program through the Cincinnati Zoo, Miami University, and Project Dragon Fly. This was Jen's second Earth Expedition. · Suzanne Gripenberg, Heather Harmon, Ashley Wolf and Jen Randolph successfully wrote WCS Foundation Grants that are fully funded for the 2012-13 school year. Look for updates about these projects throughout the year.
 * Staff & Student Accomplishments Over the Summer **

· Playground structures freshly painted orange and black · Weeded and new mulch on the playground · New mulch covering landscaping · Gym windows repaired after being the victim of vandalism · Empty classroom turned into a conference room · Empty classroom/storage room turned into a Multi-Purpose room utilized by Mental Health <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #868686; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">· Unusable sinks removed from classrooms <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #868686; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">· New carpet and fresh paint in a 4th grade classroom <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #868686; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">· Fresh paint in the principal’s office <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #868686; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">· New blinds in the music room to replace mold/mildew blinds in the music room <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #868686; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">We have completed assessments of our newly enrolled students. In addition, 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade teachers have administered the 4-Sight math and reading assessment. Teachers are ready to begin to use data from pre-assessments in all subjects to inform their planning and instruction. At Denver, teachers are working in teacher-based-teams to analyze and interpret student pre-assessment data to enrich lessons that challenge students and inform instruction so that students receive interventions that support and develop their deficiencies. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #868686; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">During our Waiver Day Professional Development Day, Denver teachers participated in district-wide professional development on the topic of Formative Instructional Practices (FIP). Teachers used technology (online learning modules from Battelle for Kids) to learn about how these important instructional practices would enhance their work on teacher-based-teams as they plan meaningful learning engagements for students. This professional development focused on the importance of communicating and understanding learning targets and the connection between teachers, students, and their families in student learning. Teachers used technology (Moodle) to communicate their understanding with teachers across the district participating in the same professional development. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #868686; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">We started the year looking at our building-wide goals of student acting safely, responsibly and respectfully in all settings, including dismissal and arrival, the cafeteria, hallways, and classrooms. Instead of posting rules and expectations, we engaged students in discussions to create specific expectations and then asked students to create posters for classrooms and hallways. They are posted and show student pride and ownership in creating a respectful and safe learning environment for our students. In addition, we looked at building discipline data from last year and made teachers aware of frequent offenders from last year in their classes this year. Teachers have made positive contact with all of these students and their families, encouraging positive behaviors throughout the school day. <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #868686; display: block; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">I hope to update you soon on how we are using technology to enhance student learning and their ability to create, communicate and collaborate with one another, as well as an update on 4th and 5th grade Singing Club at Denver. We are also busy planning quarterly family events that promote literacy and learning, funded by federal Title One funds. In addition, I hope to get an auto dialer call out regarding improvements to our dismissal procedures at Denver Place Elementary. We want students to always be safe as they make their way home in the afternoon. There is much to do to continue to grow the excellent academic environment that exists at Denver Place Elementary.
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #868686; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Improvements to the Denver Place Elementary Building **
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #868686; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Student Learning **
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #868686; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Teacher Professional Development **
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #868686; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Positive Behavior Supports **
 * <span style="background-color: #ffffff; color: #868686; font-family: Tahoma,Geneva,sans-serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">Goals **