Chatfield Elementary
2011-2012 MESPA
MN School of Excellence,
Belle Plaine Public Schools,
ISD #716

“Staff members at Chatfield are committed to excellence by keeping the whole student at the center of all decisions...We are proud to boast such dedication.”




Bill Adams is the principal of Chatfield Elementary School, located in Belle Plaine, MN. The school transitioned to a K-2 facility in the 2007-2008 school year, due to the building of a new grade 3-6 elementary school. Currently Chatfield serves around 390 students, with 25 percent meeting the requirements of free/reduced lunch, and 12 percent in special education.

Chatfield Elementary’s School of Excellence Team that conducted the application process involved the following leaders: Ariana Wright – Music, Beth Satterlund – Special Education, Melanie Fogarty – Kindergarten, Stephanie Moore – Kindergarten, Shawn Carlson – First Grade, Janel Eischens – Second Grade, and Bill Adams – Principal.

As principal, Adams believes that: “staff members at Chatfield are committed to excellence by keeping the whole student at the center of all decisions. When new programming is researched by and presented by staff, such as Response to Intervention, Daily-5, Responsive Classroom, Character Education, Simulating Maturity through Accelerated Reading Training (S.M.A.R.T.), Reading Corps, others, they learn, plan, implement, and monitor progress. There are meaningful conversations that take place to ensure successful implementation. We are proud to boast such dedication.”

Staff actions hold true to the school’s mission statement: “We will work together as a unified community with mutual respect to achieve academic and co-curricular excellence, develop lifelong learners and productive citizens in a safe and supportive environment.”

Chatfield Elementary embodies a culture of shared leadership that builds on the alignment of varied leadership styles, skill, and experience. All staff members are involved in one or more schoolwide committees: Building Leadership Team, Problem Solving Team, Child Study Team, School Spirit Committee, Curriculum Teams, Responsive Classroom Team. According to Adams, “The team approach to problem solving allows us to share insights, experience, and variety of perspectives as we develop an intervention plan to best meet the needs of the child.”

In addition to teacher and student learning culture, Chatfield Elementary teacher leaders implemented a parent/student learning integration program at the Kindergarten level. The PEAK (Parents Educating All Kids) program invites parents to learn with their child in the school setting for a one-hour session offered during the day and in the evening. Through this program, parents engage in the learning culture at Chatfield Elementary by completing a project with their students. They are also provided a home project to use as a bridge to further learning.


Image Gallery: Chatfield Celebration
MN School of Excellence community celebration at Chatfield Elementary, Belle Plaine, MN: April 20, 2012. PHOTOS BY LIFETOUCH
l-r: Belle Plain Superintendent Kelly Smith; Chatfield Principal Bill Adams; MESPA Executive Director P. Fred Storti The Twins Mascot T.C. and Chatfield students. Chatfield Principal Bill Adams leads students in a song. See all 7 images.





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To visit Chatfield Elementary (via Web), click on the Minnesota School of Excellence logo.


Bill Adams
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Principal
Chatfield Elementary


Celebration video!
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To view video from the Chatfield April 20 School of Excellence celebration, click here.

For a photo montage, scroll down.


Celebrate April 20
Chatfield
Members of the Chatfield Elementary MN School of Excellence committee plan their spring celebration.

A community celebration will take place in the Belle Plaine High School gymnasium on:
April 20, 2012
1:45 p.m.




Mission: The Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association is dedicated to promoting and improving education for children and youth, strengthening the role as educational leader for elementary and middle level principals, and collaborating with partners in education to assist in achieving these goals.

Leading schools toward excellence through the MESPA vision to be the premiere resource for preparing today's principals for tomorrow and a strong leading voice for public education.

Minnesota Elementary School Principals' Association
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