Principal's Message
South Elementary is a wonderful place to spend one’s days. The hallways and classrooms are filled with energetic, respectful, happy children interacting with caring, devoted, professional staff. Preliminary information released from the Ohio Department of Education indicates that South students performed better than ever on last year’s achievement tests. Six of eight indicators were earned and Adequate Yearly Progress and Value Added criteria were met. Once this information is finalized, we hope once again to be deemed “Effective”.
This continued success in meeting academic challenges has not happened by accident. Teacher-based-teams meet regularly to plan instruction, identify formative assessments that can be provided commonly across the grade level and analyze student work and progress. To ensure that all students learn and grow, specific intervention strategies target student weaknesses and challenging extensions are provided to those students who need it. Research-based instructional strategies are woven into lessons which propel instruction to its highest effectiveness.
Support staff works to ensure that the environment is clean and conducive to learning, that library books are available for check out and that computers are running efficiently, that nutritious breakfasts and lunches are served each day, that tender loving care is offered when illness or accidents strike and that a smile is given and assistance provided when students or visitors enter the office area.
Volunteers who range from parents to community members provided extra support to teachers and students each week. Big Brothers and Big Sisters are matched with students to serve as “lunch buddies.” Also, this year South Elementary is pleased to partner with the West Afterschool Program’s South Learning Community to provide after school learning opportunities to qualifying students.
Good work occurs every day at South Elementary, and I am privileged to be the principal of such a wonderful school.
Mrs. Robin Cathers
November, 2012
11/12/2012