1. Provide a brief overview of the Title I Schoolwide Narrative and Budget Plan:
History
Jackson Elementary was reopened as a neighborhood school in August 1999. It had been closed in 1986 as a neighborhood school. From 1986 to 1999 it served the Omaha Public Schools as Title 1 offices, as a preschool for the handicapped and as an alternative center.
Demographics
Currently Jackson has 285 students enrolled in grades PreK -6 for the 2009-2010 school year with 86.5% of the students qualifying for the free/reduced lunch program. A breakfast program feeds about 220 students each morning. Our attendance rate is 96.14%. We are a majority-minority school. Our largest population of students is Hispanic; followed by Anglo, African American, Karen and Native Americans. All of our communication is put out in both English and Spanish. A large number of the families are non-English speakers, with Spanish being the predominant language.
Special Services
Of the 285 students served at Jackson, 75.18% qualify as ESL students, another 12.41% for Special Education. Jackson is a Title 1 school, with 86.5% of students qualifying for free or reduced lunch. Jackson's ESL program is an inclusion model, with the exception of "newcomer" students, who receive one hour of language instruction with an ESL teacher.
When a student is not meeting grade level expectations, a SAT (Student Assistance Team) meeting takes place. At this meeting, current interventions are discussed, as well as other possible interventions. Depending on the specific needs of the student, the team members might include: school counselor, school nurse, District psychologist, external resources such as caseworkers or District resources, such as ESL teacher trainers. Parents are invited to SAT meetings. One possible intervention includes an after school tutoring program. This program is designed to add instructional time for at-risk students. Certified teachers staff each grade level session in grades 3-6 focusing on critical standards. Saturday school is also held for 7 weeks during the second semester to add instructional time to the students' school week.
Pre-Kindergarten Classes
Jackson Elementary offers two sessions of half-day pre-kindergarten classes. The curriculum focuses on creative play that enables the students to explore their world and make connections while developing language and social skills.
Extended Learning Opportunities
Several extended learning opportunities are provided through the school year. After school Title 1 tutoring sessions are held for grades 3-6 twice a week from October through April. Saturday School occurs in the morning for seven weeks in February and March for grades 3-6. Students in grades K-3 attend the Migrant After School program twice a week. Individual staff tutors students before and after school based upon selected academic needs. During the summer students may participate in the District Summer School Session and the Title 1 Extended Learning Program.
Bilingual Liaison
Our Bilingual Liaison is an active member of the school community. The Liaison has worked closely with families for several years and has built a trusting relationship with them. The Liaison translates documents, newsletters, IEP reports, and teacher communications that are sent home. The Bilingual Liaison is instrumental in recruiting translators for parent teacher conferences that are held in the fall and spring. The Liaison also works with the Mexican Consulate helping families with various needs. The Liaison works closely with the principal to plan monthly parent meetings and invites the guest speakers for each meeting.
Adult ESL Classes
Adult ESL classes are held three times a week in the Family Room for parents and community members who would like to learn English.
Family Room
The Family Room is used for a variety of purposes throughout the day. Parents can come to the room to read books, play games with their children, or check out materials to use at home. Parent meetings and adult ESL classes are also held in the Family Room.
Monthly Parent Meetings
Monthly morning coffee meetings are held for parents. A variety of topics are covered including; major developmental milestones for children, how to build readiness skills for school, how to support academic growth once children are in school, health issues for women, prenatal care, community resources and job readiness skills. These meetings have been well received by the parents.
Community Partnerships
Winner's Circle, All Our Kids and Teammates are all involved with the students at Jackson Elementary. Students benefit from the mentoring these programs provide. The Leavenworth Neighborhood Association, National Association of Jewish Women and Embrace Teachers are supportive groups that donate time and resources to the staff and students. Other agencies, churches and volunteer groups include: First Lutheran Church, Greek Orthodox Church, Outdoor Sports Unlimited, Patti's Pantry, Picotte Elementary, Heart Ministries, King Solomon Baptist Church, Portal Elementary and PAL (police athletic league).
Pearson Learning Teams
The staff participates in the Pearson Learning Teams program. Staff analyzes student data and develops quality lessons that support academic growth.
Health Services
Our school nurse takes an active role in providing health services for our students. All students are given vision, hearing, dental, height and weight screenings. Sixth grade girls are given a scoliosis screening. Based upon these screenings, children are then referred to various agencies for health assistance. Sealing Smiles and the Ronald McDonald Dental Van comes to Jackson Elementary to serve the students. During the 2008-2009 school year, 10% of the students received dental services from the Ronald McDonald Dental Van. The nurse also provides routine services such as medication distribution to students, asthma education, Human Growth and Development classes and ensures that exclusion guidelines are being followed.
2. Provide an explanation of what schoolwide services are being provided to all students:
Jackson is a school where all students are provided inclusive opportunities and support for learning. Because Jackson in an area of high poverty and serves a high percentage of ESL students, much of our focus must be on providing field trip experiences for our students on which to base further learning and language development. We also provide guest speakers and assemblies as supplemental learning opportunities. We also need to provide computers and software experiences (i.e. Imagine Learning; FasttMath) as few of our families have these resources at home. It is our effort to help "level the playing field." Currently Jackson has two mobile computer carts. We need more computers and improved connectivity. We also provide tutoring, Saturday School and summer school opportunities. Read Right is a reading intervention which is available. Three staff members are part of the Title 1 budget; the Instructional Facilitator, one classroom paraprofessional and one classroom teacher. These three staff, as well as the rest of the teaching staff, provided differentiated, inclusive services to the students. Ongoing professional development to support differentiation and inclusive practices is provided for the staff.
3. Describe Professional Development activities:
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Title of PD
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Provider
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Participants
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# of Sessions
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Dates/Location
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Indication of Success
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Cost
|
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Larry Bell
12 Powerful Words
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OPS
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21 staff members
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1
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11/24/2010
NW High
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Use of strategies in the classroom
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210.00
|
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Professional Development (staff choice)
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TBD
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Staff
|
TBD
|
TBD
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Use of learned objectives in the school setting
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$5,000.00
|
|
Professional Learning Teams
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Title 1
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Staff
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3
sessions per month
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Monthly at Jackson Elementary
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Implementation of lesson goals and objectives
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$2,300.00
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4. Review and provide examples of the plan for Parental Involvement including:
a. District parent policy
b. School parent policy
c. School compact
d. Strategies to increase parental involvement
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Strategies
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Person Responsible
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Dates/Times
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Indicator of Success
|
Cost
|
|
Quarterly Family Nights
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Principal
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9-21-10
11-16-10
2-1-11
4-5-11
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Family Attendance
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$1,600.00 (snacks)
|
|
Monthly Parent Coffee
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Principal
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9/23, 10/28, 11/18, 12/16, 1/20, 2/17, 3/18, 4/15, 5/19
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Attendance level of parents
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$360.00 (snacks, coffee)
|
|
Safe Walk to School
|
Principal
|
8-12-10
|
Attendance level of parents
|
$250.00
|
|
Open House
|
Principal
|
9-17-09
|
Attendance of Parents
|
$300.00 (cookies)
|
|
Parent-Teacher Conferences
|
Principal
|
10-20-10, 10-21-10, 3-9-11, 3-10-11
|
Attendance of parents
|
|
|
6th Grade Transition/ Celebration Night
|
Principal
6th Grade Staff
|
May 2011
|
Attendance of parents
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$1,000.00
|
|
Kindergarten Round-up/ Transition
|
Principal
Kindergarten Staff
|
May 2011
|
Attendance of parents
|
$50.00
|
|
Pre-Kindergarten Round-up/ Transition
|
Principal
Pre-K Staff
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May 2011
|
Attendance of parents
|
$20.00
|
|
Kindergarten Parent Curriculum Session
|
Principal Kindergarten Staff
|
May 2011
|
Attendance of parents
|
$20.00
|
|
Holiday Program
|
Principal
Music Staff
|
12/15/10
|
Attendance of parents
|
400.00
|
|
Cinco de Mayo Family Celebration
|
Principal
|
May 2011
|
Attendance of parents
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$600.00 (entertainment) $500.00 (snacks)
|
|
Red Ribbon Week
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Staff
|
October 2010
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Student awareness
|
|
|
Daily School to Home communication through use of the Green Book
|
Staff
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Daily, Year long
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Daily use of Green Books
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$2,000.00 (already included in the P & P budget below)
|
5. Describe the Materials, Resources, and/or Curriculum that are proposed purchases. (All requisitions for curriculum, materials and resources must be approved by Curriculum and Learning/Title I.)
Since Jackson Elementary serves students in a high poverty area, and with many students being second language learners, we are focused on providing a variety of resources, materials and curriculum to support our students. Students are given multiple opportunities to attend activities that extend their school day and year; including after school tutoring, Saturday School and Summer School. Jackson also provides inclusive opportunities and support for all of our students. Technology skills and use of computers continues to be a focus for our students as we prepare them to be 21st century learners. Reading materials are provided to reach all student reading levels. Math manipulatives and activities are used to enhance and extend the learning process. Field trips provide our students with experiences they might not otherwise receive. Lessons focus on language development and vocabulary skills to increase reading comprehension skills.
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Item Description
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Cost
|
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After School Tutoring (materials)
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$3,000.00
|
|
After School Tutoring (stipends)
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$10,000.00
|
|
Saturday School (materials)
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$2,000.00
|
|
Saturday School (stipends)
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$10,000.00
|
|
Summer School (materials)
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$3,000.00
|
|
Summer School (Field trips)
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$4,000.00
|
|
Imagine Learning (license)
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$4,500.00
|
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Field Trips
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$10,000.00
|
|
Technology, Computers and Software (Computers, Mobile Learning Labs, Software, Licenses)
|
TBD
|
|
Assemblies and Guest Speakers
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TBD
|
|
Classroom Materials (Miscellaneous, including bags for “take home books”, math games, flash cards, classroom magazines, comprehension cubes)
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$2,000.00
|
|
DVD players, CD players (in support of reading/listening goals and standards)
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TBD
|
|
Printing and Publication Services for materials
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$20,000.00
|
6. Explain how federal, state, and district services will be coordinated and integrated:
Funds received from the English as a Second Language program have been set aside to pay for paraprofessionals and to purchase supplemental reading materials. Migrant funds are used to support Imagine Learning and an after school program for grades K-3.
The majority of our Title 1 budget is allocated for staffing. Title 1 pays for an Instructional Facilitator, Classroom Teacher and part of a paraprofessional position FTE. The remainder of our Title 1 budget allows us to purchase additional materials, curriculum, supplies, computers, software, field trips and buses, extended learning opportunities for our students including after school tutoring, Saturday school and summer school, and professional development to provide the best educational experiences for our students.
In order to coordinate and integrate all services, our staff provides instruction in an inclusive setting with differentiated lessons to meet the needs of all our students.
One percent of our total Title 1 budget is allocated for family involvement activities and opportunities. We use this allocation to fund our Family Night activities which promote lifelong learning.
7. Describe the Transition Plan for assisting preschool students in the transition from early childhood programs:
Jackson Elementary provides Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten Round Up for parents and students in the Spring. The program provides necessary information for parents to enroll their students in the school. Incoming students spend time in the classroom participating in activities to help them feel welcome in the school.
Jackson Elementary staff is sensitive to the varied needs and accommodations that various cultures present. Our bilingual liaison works closely with all families working hard to bridge the gap between language and cultures in the community and school.