Northern Colorado Gazette

Story and photo

by Jack Minor

Story and photo

by Jack Minor

Scott Elementary School was singled out for recognition by the District 6 Greeley Evans board of education at a work session last week.
During the session, Dr. Dana Selzer reviewed a list of schools in the district based on state and federal accountability systems. According to the report, Scott, which has over 61 percent of students qualifying for free or reduced lunches and 24 percent English language learners, was in the top five just under Frontier Academy, Union Colony High School and Christa McAuliffe. The school was third among the elementary schools and every school above it had fewer than 6 percent English language learners.
Scott exceeded math expectations in the free or reduced lunch, minority and English language learner categories. This is significant, as Selzer pointed out that across the district “we have a lot to do in math.” Scott was the only school that excelled in all of these areas.
In reading, the school exceeded expectations in English language learners and catch up while meeting expectations in the other categories. Scott was also the only non-charter school that met expectations in all categories for writing.
Selzer noted Scott’s achievements saying, “Look at what they’ve done in terms of growth, they’ve exceeded growth… almost across the board in math and they “beat the odds” when one considers the high number of English language learner and free and reduced lunch students.”
Dr. Blakely Wallace, who is in her second year as principal at Scott, was elated over the scores as were teachers and staff saying the students have been really trying to do well. The school started a new program called the six pillars of character with emphasis on a different attribute each week. The attributes are trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring and citizenship. “It is designed to help the students become well-rounded,” Wallace said.
The board also began preliminary work on the school calendar for the 2011-2012 school year. Among the items being considered are changing the beginning dates of the school year to the week before Labor Day with the year ending in June.
School Superintendent Dr. Ranelle Lang said in the past there have been conflicts between graduation and the Colorado High School Activities Association regarding sporting events and students have felt they had to choose between the events and their graduation.
Board Superintendent Linda Trimberger said they could possibly start the middle of the week before Labor Day, then the following week being a short week would help students transition back into school.
Other suggestions included having the semester end before Christmas break so that students would not have homework over the break. Dr. Broderius said he has had parents express frustration over students having to study over the holiday instead of being able to enjoy their break.

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Tags: accountability, board, district, graduation, help, High, High School, Labor Day, language, lot, lunch, minority, percent, School, Scott, session, week, work, year