Jefferson Elementary School
Welcome to Jefferson Elementary School!
We welcome Port Angeles kindergarten through sixth graders to Jefferson Elementary School, 218 East Twelfth Street. If you have any questions, please call (360) 457-4231.
Our Mission
Jefferson...a community where all students, staff, and families feel successful, valued, and connected by the joy of learning.
| Jefferson Statistics | 2008-09 | 2007-08 |
| Enrollment | 318 | 345 |
| Smallest Class | 19 | 14 |
| Largest Class | 27 | 28 |
| Average Class Size | 22 | 23 |
| Classroom Teachers | 16 | 16.5 |
| Support Staff | 2 | 1.9 |
| Administrators | 1 | 1 |
| Secretaries | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Paraeducators | 12 | 12 |
| Custodians | 1.5 | 1.5 |
| Food Services | 3 | 3 |
| Volunteers | 85 | 52 |
| Avg. Annual Attendance | 95% | 94.7% |
| Suspended | 17 | 53 |
| Expelled | 0 | 0 |
| Students Promoted | 99 | 99.1% |
| Free/Reduced Lunch | 63.64% | 54% |
| Title I/Lap | school-wide | school-Wide |
| Special Education | 42 | 41 |
| Bilingual | 11 | 2 |
Reflections on the 2008-09 School Year
At Jefferson Elementary School, we are a community where all students, staff and families are successful, valued and connected by the joy of learning. We seek to improve student achievement as measured by the WASL. This past year, our students’ WASL scores demonstrated the following achievements:
- Reading: 3rd grade 100%; 4th grade, 7/11 special education students met standard; 5th grade 86% at standard; Sixth grade: 77.5% at standard, 37% at level 4
- Math: 3rd grade: Overall increase from 81.3% to 87.2%, 46.2% at level 4 (increase of 17%); 5th grade, 74.4% met standard, 20% increase at level 4; 6th grade, 61.5% at standard (increase of 15.8%), no gender gap
In addition, our survey data received from parents showed 89% approval for high standards and expectations and an 89% score for effective school leadership.
Plans for the 2009-10 School Year
Student Learning. Our Continuous School Improvement Plan (CSIP) will be used to guide our school-wide decision-making. Our plan strives to meet the needs of individual students by personalizing and differentiating instruction so that all students meet standard. The staff and instructional team will use this document to monitor our progress as measured by “No Child Left Behind” guidelines. The plan will be reviewed each spring to create an updated plan for the following school year. Our action plans for the 2009-10 school year include the following:
Reading. We will continue the RTI (Response to Intervention) model school wide. This model efficiently aligns resources to support learners with scientifically based programs that are frequently monitored to document progress and guide next steps of instruction. It provides early and timely intervention for struggling students. This component will help us to have more special education students be successful as measured by the MSP. Additionally, all teachers will continue to use the Houghton Mifflin Core reading program with an emphasis on comprehension strategies, vocabulary and grammar. All classrooms will use the National Geographic Magazine along with WASL stem questions to further student understanding of informational text. The comprehension strategies will be a monthly school wide focus for instruction and collaboration.
Writing. COS (content, organization, style) is an area of focus. All teachers will continue to use best instructional writing practices i.e., adopted curriculum, anchor charts, review and use of WASL released items, OSPI modules will be used in 3rd-5th grades to provide more focused instruction on elaboration and brain storming. The students in grades 3rd -6th will begin using a CBM (curriculum based measurement) to better identify students struggling with writing. Data from the assessment will help guide instruction and intervention.
Math. Teachers are in the third year of a math adoption. New math standards will be implemented this year and shared with parents/students. Teacher collaboration time will be used to identify what concepts struggling students need, as well as to begin designing best interventions. 4th /5th grade teams will pilot RTI math interventions.
Science. Teachers will continue to use the FOSS science kits and follow the district assessment schedule. The science notebook strategy will continue in all classrooms as a way for students to communicate their thinking.
Professional Development. Professional development for teachers will be guided by our CSIP. Building professional development will focus on our Response to Intervention reading pilot program, its assessment tool DIBELS, the use of data to design interventions, and additional training on math and writing interventions.
School Climate. The core belief and goal of the Jefferson CSIP is that “all Jefferson students, families, and staff will be successful.” We recognize that achieving this goal requires a partnership between our school and families. Communication is the key to building trusting relationships, so Jefferson staff will continue to create many opportunities to meet with parents about their children. Parent involvement is a key part of student success; activities will continue to be designed to promote parents supporting learning both in and out of school. Another continued focus this year is to increase daily attendance. We know that students cannot learn if they are not at school.
How You Can Help
Every child deserves the opportunity to succeed. But not all children learn in the same way at the same time. The parents, friends of Jefferson students and our community are all instrumental in providing the additional support that makes learning at Jefferson motivating and rewarding. We need your support to continue our rich history of an elementary school that cares for kids and celebrates success. Please call us at 360.457.4231 if you would like more information about volunteer opportunities.
Use and Condition of Building
Jefferson, which was completely renovated, re-opened in 2003. The facility supports kindergarten through grade six classrooms, as well as outdoor fields for district and community recreation. The physical evaluation of this educational facility is rated 90% based on a January 7, 2008 study and survey by BLRB Architects. Facility Use and Conditions Report available at the Port Angeles School District office.
Jefferson Elementary School 4th Grade WASL Trend 2006-2009
For more information on Port Angeles School District's Report Card go to: reportcard.ospi.k12.wa.us.