Evidence of a safe, consistently structured and enjoyable environment will be demonstrated through:

Safety

• Emergency evacuation, fire drill, and lock down procedures in place and repeatedly practiced.
• Bus safety programs include adult monitors on buses, regularly practiced escape plans, and consistent expectations.
• Building is secured and office personnel sign in visitors.
• Medical readiness includes first responders with Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation, C.P.R., and first aid training and staff access to health issues (i.e. allergies, asthma, medication, etc.)
• School-wide behavior plan established.
• Safe ratio of adults to children, including chaperones when needed.

Consistently Structured

• First 21 days encompasses character development through our code of ethics (i.e. respect, responsibility, honesty, and caring).
• Teachers use a system of logical consequences and positive rewards.
• Clearly defined guidelines for hallways, cafeteria, recess, assemblies, etc. with consistent adult monitoring.
• Block scheduling minimizes interruptions to instructional time.
• Local curricula aligned to the Maine Learning Results.
• Gradequick program is utilized to record attendance, develop lesson plans, link lessons to the Maine Learning Results, and locate assessments.
• Reading First/Literacy Frameworks provides foundational basis for Pre-K-3 students. Enjoyable

Enjoyable

• A warm, caring environment cultivates social acceptance and support of all students.
• The first part of every day is devoted to cohesion-building through school-wide Pledge of Allegiance, birthday recognition, and morning meetings in each classroom.
• Children’s learning styles are valued through offering various ways for children to learn.
• Educational events enrich their learning (i.e. field trips, concerts, assemblies, cultural/character experiences, etc.).
• End-of-day summary of events creates awareness of daily performance.

Evidence of mastery of academic skills will be demonstrated through:

Informal Assessment

• Formative assessments provide monitoring of students’ academic progress.
• Word wall words, spelling words, grade level assessments, and beginning and end of year assessments (grades K-5)
• Peabody Picture Vocabulary (Kindergarten)
• Reading inventories (Developmental Reading Assessment, D.R.A.– grades K-3; Basic Reading Inventory, B.R.I. – grades 4-5)
• Concepts of print (grades K-1)
• Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills, D.I.B.E.L.S., running records, and benchmark books (grades K-3).

Formal Assessment

• Summative assessments aligned with Maine Learning Results through standards based assessments (i.e. Local Assessment Design, L.A.D. and Maine Assessment Portfolio, M.A.P. activities, Schools and Technology for Assessment and Reflection, S.T.A.R. assessments, Maine Educational Assessment, M.E.A.’s, scored writing samples, etc.).
• Alternative assessments are available (i.e. Woodcock Reading mastery, Personalized Alternate Assessment Portfolio, .PA.P.E., etc.).

Project Tasks

• Project tasks provide meaningful learning through encouragement of diverse learning styles (i.e. projects, presentations, theater productions, concerts, technological applications, etc.).

Reporting

• Reporting is aligned with state and federal requirements via GradeQuick, EDMIN, and D.I.B.E.L.S.
• Child’s progress is monitored (i.e. cumulative folders, portfolio assessments, meeting goals and objectives of Individualized Education Plan, I.E.P.’s in Special Education, etc.).
• Parents are informed of child’s progress on a regular basis (i.e. mid-quarter reports, quarterly progress reports, informal communications, etc.).

Evidence of productive citizenship will be demonstrated through:

Self

• Encouraging respect, responsibility, caring, and honesty in individuals.
• Following behavioral expectations.
• Empowering students to use conflict resolution.
• Appreciating and understanding the diversity of others.

School

• Modeling and instructive practices (i.e. Responsive Classroom).
• Students assisting staff with tasks (i.e. peer tutors, fifth grade library aides, helper of the day, etc.).
• Students participate in fundraising for school/program improvement.
• Beautification of the school effort shows student and staff pride.

Community

• Community volunteers provide experiential opportunities for our students (i.e. our parent/teacher organization, Supporters of Education at Livermore/Livermore Falls, S.E.L.F., Big Brother/Big Sister program, veterans, Junior Achievement, etc.)
• Students provide community service through food drives, visiting nursing homes, Pennies for Patients, etc.
• School facilities are used for extracurricular activities.
• Home school coordinator facilitates communication to parents and offers support to students.

Evidence of life-long learning will be demonstrated through:

Self Actualization

• Passion for literacy based activities extends beyond the classroom (i.e. journals, visiting the library, researching topics of interest, study and research skills, etc.).
• Positive attitudes promote student enthusiasm, encourage goals and aspirations, and foster pride in personal achievement.
• Artistic expression is supported through technology, art, music, band, theatrical productions, etc.).
• Students develop an awareness of physical and emotional needs and how to address them (i.e. coping skills, School-Home Coordinator, school nurse, etc.).
• Knowledge and skills are transferred into real life applications (i.e. college, trade school, work force, military, etc.).
• Team work and proof of professional growth is valued by the staff through best educational practices, i.e., technological endeavors, literacy, curriculum/assessment, pursuit of learning opportunities beyond the realm of regular duties.

Interactive Skills

• Cooperative learning is valued and used as a tool to share knowledge and build unity (i.e. reading buddies, peer helpers, etc.).
• Technology enhances learning (i.e. computer applications in lab, multimedia functions, communications, etc.).
• Summer educational opportunities are available (i.e. summer school, summer library program, etc.).

Cultural Enrichment

• Appreciation of others, tolerance, and diversity builds global citizenship (i.e. ethnicity, traditions, language, etc.).