Michael Conway, principal, Wyoming Elementary

Michael Conway is the principal of Wyoming Elementary School, a suburban school with 638 grade K-6 students. “Wyoming Elementary provides a stimulating and challenging curriculum, develops a healthy self-concept in each person, and a positive attitude toward immediate and life-long learning,” said Conway.  “Together with community and family support we will encourage respect for others and personal responsibility.”

The school’s mission statement is posted in the main lobby to greet all who enter the school’s front doors.

For the well being of each student, the Wyoming elementary School staff continually strives in our mission to achieve the following:

• To develop a spirit of cooperative effort and effective communications between students, parents, teachers support staff and administration.
• To strive for the highest level of academic achievement.
• To foster growth in the development of a positive self-image.
• To develop self-discipline and responsibility for personal behavior.
• To promote the importance of learning as a life-long need.
• To instill respect for the rights of other people and their cultures.
• To develop skills necessary to become a contributing member of our democratic society.

In an effort to achieve our mission, we will monitor and evaluate the continual process of being an effective school.

As principal, Mike Conway, encourages and supports a strong learning community, and advocates for continual learning opportunities for staff, students, and families. He supports the implementation of The Daily 5 and Patricia Pavelka Guided Reading management systems, 6+1 Writing Traits, Fountas and Pinnell literacy assessment, a large Guided Reading library, Olweus Bullying Prevention Program, and the Peaceful School Bus Program. 21^st century skills are enhanced through technology integration such as SMARTBoards and SOS (Sharing Our Smarts), iPod Touches, Student Response Systems, and daily student-led live news broadcasts.

Wyoming offers differentiated instruction in classrooms, as well as strategies to meet the needs of diverse learners. Academic opportunities begin with two

Senator Amy Klobuchar (right) at the Wyoming Elementary MN School of Excellence celebration -- with Principal Mike Conway (center) and MESPA Executive Director P. Fred Storti (left).

Kindergarten options: an all-day, every-other day program; and a tuition-based all-day, every-day program (Kindergarten Plus). Before and after school programs include: Extended Day (for identified students), math power enrichment, Future Problem Solving, and community education classes such as Mad Scientist and Watch Me Draw. Wyoming is committed to having physical education experiences every day through either PE follow-up or with a PE specialist.

Wyoming Elementary has a core of very involved parents who help and support the school. An average of 40 parent and community volunteers visit Wyoming Elementary throughout each school day and provide additional academic support. Parents are involved in curriculum development at the district level. Parents are recruited to be members of curriculum committees.  When these opportunities arise, parents at Wyoming Elementary are encouraged to participate.

Wyoming Elementary is also connected to the community through experiences such as an Orchestra Hall partnership, Audubon, Lee and Rose Warner and Wargo Nature Centers, the Chisago County Water Expo, Wyoming local businesses, Fairview Lakes Regional Medical Center, First State Bank of Wyoming, Wyoming Fire and Police Departments, Forest Lake American Legion and DARE (Drug Alcohol Resistance Education). The school’s mentor program pairs adults in the community with students.

In an effort to create a partnership between school and home, Wyoming Elementary has implemented numerous academic supports and enrichment activities. Students and families are provided opportunities to extend learning beyond the school day with programs such as: Family Math Nights, Book Fair, Fun Run/Walk, Band, Orchestra and general music concerts, Mighty Multipliers, Math Power, Student Council, Math Masters of Minnesota and other courses offered through Forest Lake Community Education.

Conway noted: “Wyoming School is built on a solid foundation of brick and mortar but its heartbeat is the families and staff that make Wyoming Elementary what it is. The Wyoming staff thanks our school board, Superintendent Dr. Linda Madsen, and the community of Wyoming for all their support. A special thank you to our Staff Development team (Ann Bothun, Carol Geiger, Cheryl Runquist, Connie Glowacki, Karen Richards, Kathy Mc Morrow, Kathy Wright, Katie Edwards, and Chairperson Mary Gookins) for spearheading the MESPA Minnesota School of Excellence process. Wyoming Elementary is honored to be receiving this validation and will continue to strive for school improvement.”