 | | MESPA Home > Honors > Minnesota Schools of Excellence > 2008-2009 Validations > Washburn Elementary |  | | MESPA Home > Honors > Minnesota Schools of Excellence > 2008-2009 Validations > Washburn Elementary | | | Washburn Elementary School | |  | | Jon Millerhagen, principal, Washburn Elementary School |
2008-2009 MESPA Minnesota School of Excellence
Bloomington Public Schools, ISD #271
“We now have an entire staff, PTA, and community working toward the
common goal of providing quality opportunities for all students while
answering the question ‘Is it best for kids?’"
The school’s mission states that: In cooperation with families, students, staff, and the surrounding community, Washburn Elementary is committed to providing an enriched educational environment. The school embraces diversity and believes in the importance of respectful attitudes to create a safe and positive learning atmosphere. High standards for learning and behavior promote success and opportunities for lifelong learning. Washburn is renewing its 2002 MN SOE validation—the endorsement stays in effect for seven years.
In Millerhagen’s words, “Is it best for kids?" is the first question asked in regard to every decision made about Washburn’s programs, staffing, and operation. All programs operated in Washburn must be able to answer this question in the affirmative. "Through this questioning process we changed our schedule for prep classes and pull-out services to better serve our students and provide a more consistent school schedule,” said Millerhagen. “We now have an entire staff, PTA, and community working toward the common goal of providing quality opportunities for all students while answering the question ‘Is it best for kids?’”
Washburn staff members believe strongly in community involvement, and the school has a high level of community participation. The PTA (Parent Teacher Association) sponsors many programs such as lyceums, book fairs, the spring carnival, Family Fun Nights, BRAVO (music appreciation lessons), Art Masterpiece (art appreciation lessons), and the Washburn Review newsletter. The Parent/Community Committee organized a gift drive for the past seven years during the holiday season. And the PTA just completed a three-year $15,000 pledge to purchase Guided Reading materials. The PTA also finances a Parent Involvement Coordinator who assists with volunteer organization. Volunteers are part of A.C.T. (Assisting Children and Teachers) and provide over 12,000 hours of service annually.
Over the past five years Washburn has gained many allies who help supply students with the materials they need to be successful. The school’s business partners at Office Depot in Bloomington and the Northwestern Health Sciences University are major contributors. Annually, NWHSU hosts the Back-to-School Picnic, at which they serve enough food to feed all of the Washburn families who come to see their class lists and meet their new teachers. Employees from MetLife and Embassy Suites donate similar items.
Community members who are not typically active in the educational process are encouraged to participate in many ways. While dads are crucial to each child’s life, they often do not volunteer in schools. Washburn’s PTA hosts “Donuts with Dad” to bring these important men into the school building. At this annual morning social event fathers bring their children in for a donut treat and learn about ways to become involved at Washburn. One such opportunity is a volunteer corps of dads and grandfathers called “Papa Bears” who help staff monitor the morning drop-off procedure in our parking lot (as featured on Fox9 News on May 3, 2007). The PTA also hosts “Family Fun Nights,” “Movie Nights,” “Muffins with Mom,” and “Grandperson’s Day.” In addition, the PTA organizes “Art Masterpiece,” art appreciation education; “BRAVO,” music appreciation education; and ACT (Assisting Children and Teacher) through which parents volunteer help classroom teachers..
Washburn has a Youth and Family Center that works to organize and provide services for students, parents, and community members. This center is responsible for a number of programs including Violence Prevention, Youth Service Learning, Camp Washburn (an Alternative Learning Center after- school program serving 190 students) and KIDS’ SAFARI, a school-aged child care program available before and after school hours, most school vacation days, as well as during the summer.
Washburn teachers are professional educators dedicated to success, both self-motivated and self-reflective. First and foremost, according to Millerhagen, teachers at Washburn love children and strive to build meaningful relationships with the students and families in their care. When students know their teachers are life-long learners, as demonstrated by participation in staff development and training, summer workshops, discussion of their love of knowledge, and graduate degrees, they are much more likely to internalize the significance of the quality education possible at Washburn. Over 40 percent of the teaching staff holds a Masters Degree or is currently enrolled in a program.
Washburn utilizes information from multiple sources to measure and evaluate the effectiveness of its programming, including: Minnesota Comprehensive Assessment II, Bloomington’s Computerized Achievement Levels Test, Developmental Reading Assessment, Alternative State Assessment, Early Literacy/Kindergarten Testing, and report card data. In addition to the standardized tests teachers incorporate results from STAR Reading tests, Accelerated Reader results, and Math Facts in a Flash. All of this data is reviewed with parents throughout the year. With this information Washburn teachers reinforce their curricula when necessary to meet the needs of students through differentiated instruction.
Washburn Elementary Minnesota School of Excellence Celebration:
date to be scheduled
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Washburn_Excellence.pdf
media release
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| 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.
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