 | MESPA Home > Honors > Minnesota Schools of Excellence > 2011-2012 Validations > Bendix Elementary | | | Bendix Elementary | | 2011-2012 MESPA
MN School of Excellence,
Annandale Schools,
ISD #876
“The School of Excellence validation is a symbol of the quality learning
environment our students experience each day. It is a compilation of
best practice instruction, supportive parents, and a strong community.”
Dr. Tracy Reimer is the principal of Bendix Elementary School located in Annandale, a community of 3,000 in central Minnesota. The school serves just over 600 students in kindergarten through grade 4 and is committed, as its mission states: “to a rich and challenging tradition of excellence, where every decision is made with the students’ best interest in mind. With a partnership of parents, staff, and students, we are dedicated to making a positive and dynamic impact on our world. At Bendix Elementary, all students are empowered to achieve success.”
“Bendix Elementary has a ‘no excuse’ approach to each student meeting grade level expectations and making academic growth throughout a school year,” said Reimer. “Students are viewed as ‘our students,’ not belonging to a specific teacher, but to the school community.”
In 2008, Bendix Elementary was awarded the MAEF (Minnesota Academic Excellence Foundation) School Spotlight Award for demonstrating academic excellence and evidence of significant gains in student achievement. Data driven decision making, research based strategies, and differentiated instruction are not merely trendy terms used in conversation at Bendix; they are the core principles of pedagogy evident in each classroom.
The Bendix school community regularly engages in data gathering and analysis. Data gathering begins in August before the start of the school year, when primary grade students have a 30-minute one-to-one assessment. The data gathered during August Assessments allows teachers to know their students from “day one” of the school year. From August through June, data collection includes reading accuracy, fluency and comprehension, sight word reading and writing, curriculum skill measurements, algorithm accuracy, and fact speed and accuracy. In addition, data is collected from fall, winter, and spring reading and math MAP testing and spring MCA testing. Predetermined time is designated for staff members to analyze data – including setting benchmarks and reviewing data to differentiate classroom instruction.
Positive family-school relationships are integral to the success of Bendix students. Each year a parent/family survey is conducted, with results used as a measure of school effectiveness, identifying areas the school can work to improve. An example of a unified effort is the school’s Razzle Dazzle Reading program. School staff designate a specific amount of at-home reading that students at each grade level should complete. The weekly expectations start at 10 books per week in Kindergarten and increases to 90 minutes per week in fourth grade. Parents are asked to document the amount of at-home reading each night. The school goal is that 80% of the elementary students will meet their at-home reading expectation. During the 2010-2011 school year, the goal was met and exceeded every month!
Dr. Reimer believes, “The School of Excellence validation is a symbol of the quality learning environment our students experience each day. It is a compilation of best practice instruction, supportive parents, and a strong community.”
|
Image Gallery:
Bendix Celebration
Minnesota School of Excellence celebration at Bendix Elementary, Annandale: April 12, 2012
   See all 7 images.
|
| |
| | To visit Bendix Elementary (via Web), click on the Minnesota School of Excellence logo.
|
| Dr. Tracy Reimer | Principal
Bendix Elementary
|
| Celebrate April 12 | School celebrations will take place in Annandale at Bendix Elementary on April 12, 2012:
8:15 a.m. for students
5-7 p.m. for the community
|
| | To view a photo montage of the Bendix celebration, scroll down.
|
|
|
