| MESPA Home > Honors > Minnesota Schools of Excellence > 2011-2012 Validations > Woodland Elementary |  | | MESPA Home > Honors > Minnesota Schools of Excellence > 2011-2012 Validations > Woodland Elementary | | | Woodland Elementary | | 2011-2012 MESPA
MN School of Excellence,
Osseo Schools,
MN ISD # 279
"We’ve done some amazing things over our school’s 10-year history, and we
are honored to be recognized as a Minnesota School of Excellence. More
importantly, the rigorous self-assessment process has given us insights
into how we can do even better to help all of our students achieve our
school district’s mission.”
Linda Perdaems is the principal of Woodland Elementary School, located in Brooklyn Park, MN, one of 17 elementary schools in the Osseo Area Schools. More than 1,000 PreK-Grade 6 students attend Woodland Elementary. The school reflects the demographic diversity of the local community: almost half of its enrollment consists of students of color; about 20% qualify for free or reduced lunch; and approximately 10% come from homes where more than 30 languages other than English are spoken.
The Woodland Elementary team that successfully sought MN School of Excellence validation included: Kris Blake, Toni Beckler, Rojanne Brown, Amy Goodrich, Jennifer Leslie, Sherrill Lindsey, Linda Perdaems, Kelly Stanton, and Jenny Tollefson.
As principal, Perdaems stated, “As part of the rigorous year-long self-assessment process, our team collected and analyzed a wide range of data, including student achievement results, feedback from parents and staff, and examples of successful practices at our school. We also identified areas where we can improve. The extensive review process involved staff, school leadership, and our entire school community. We’ve done some amazing things over our school’s 10-year history, and we are honored to be recognized as a Minnesota School of Excellence. More importantly, the rigorous self-assessment process has given us insights into how we can do even better to help all of our students achieve our school district’s mission.”
High expectations create a strong culture of achievement at Woodland. Teachers have deconstructed state standards and have prioritized standards to drive instruction. “I Can” statements are shared with students before instruction begins. Therefore, students know the expected outcome of the lesson. After instruction, students self-assess their knowledge of the “I Can” statement. This use of formative assessment enables the teacher to provide rigor and/or repeated practice to necessary individuals.
Students are empowered to be active leaders and learners. WDTV, a production created, produced, directed, and televised by student volunteers, broadcasts live each morning. A school-wide character education program builds on five pillars of good school citizenship.
Woodland actively reaches out to community partners. Choir students from grades 5 and 6 perform as musical ambassadors at school, at area nursing homes, and in the community. A partnership with General Mills includes an e-mail mentor for each sixth grade student. A partnership with Mathnasium, a local tutoring business, provides tutoring for students needing additional support.
“Woodland Elementary is proud of our entire school community that does whatever it takes to ensure that every child will Succeed, Outshine, Achieve at a high level, and Reach her/his full potential (SOAR),” Perdaems continued. “Our work at Woodland supports our district mission to inspire and prepare all students with the confidence, courage, and competence to achieve their dreams, contribute to community, and engage in a lifetime of learning.”
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Image Gallery:
Woodland Celebration
May 4, 2012
   See all 13 images.
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| | To visit Woodland Elementary (via Web), click on the Minnesota School of Excellence logo. And visit Principal Perdaems' Woodland Brag Blog.
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| MN School of Excellence Team | Front ( l-r): Amy Goodrich, Jennifer Leslie, Principal Linda Perdaems, Jenny Tollefson.
Back (l-r): Kris Blake, Toni Beckler, Kelly Stanton, Rojanne Brown.
Not pictured: Sherrill Lindsey
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| Linda Perdaems | Principal
Woodland Elementary
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| Celebrate May 4, 2:30 p.m. | Members of the Woodland Elementary MN School of Excellence committee plan their spring celebration.
On Friday, May 4th at 2:30 p.m.,
the Woodland community is invited to the
School of Excellence Celebration. The festivities will take place in
the gym and will be simultaneously broadcast into the cafeteria, so that
all can enjoy. District, local, and state dignitaries have been
invited to join the school as they celebrate their 10th year together and the
accomplishment that comes with being recognized as a Minnesota School of
Excellence.
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| For photos from the celebration, scroll left. | L-R: MESPA Executive Director P. Fred Storti, Woodland Principal Linda Perdaems, Woodland Assistant Principal Toni Beckler, Assistant Commissioner Jesse Montayo (MN Department of Education).
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