December, 1994
This is Soleado Elementary Schools sixth annual report to the community. Once again, our purpose is to inform you about important aspects of our school program and to share with you the progress we are making toward reaching our goals as well as to describe some of the obstacles we face. The mission of Soleado Elementary School is (1) to educate all students to the fullest extent possible, (2) to promote positive self-esteem, (3) and to prepare responsible and productive citizens for a culturally and technologically changing society. The staff, students, and community are working together to make this vision a reality at Soleado.
Soleado is located in the city of Rancho Palos Verdes. It is one of eight elementary schools within the Palos Verdes Peninsula Unified School District. Soleado reflects all aspects and elements of life on the Palos Verdes Peninsula and represents every economic and ethnic background.
Soleado prides itself on being the most unique site within the district with its "open classroom" structure as well as being the most culturally diverse. Of the 424 students currently enrolled, over 30 percent are foreign-born. Students coming from various cultural backgrounds add to the special richness and diversity found at Soleado.
Parent involvement in school activities continues to be an important factor in promoting student achievement. Soleado is very fortunate to have extremely supportive parents. The PTA is actively involved in the school providing field trips, cultural enrichment assemblies, special programs, and a variety of other services for the students and staff. Many parents volunteer in the classrooms and are always there to lend a helping hand. We are proud of our school. It is a warm, friendly, and caring place.
Our number one priority is our students.
Richard Roletta
Principal
School Improvement Program (SIP). Our School Site Council (five parents and five staff members) assists in evaluating programs and setting goals for the coming year. Every three years the State Program Quality Review (PQR) team, composed of teachers and administrators from other districts, also reviews our program. During the last review, the visiting committee noted the following strengths:
During this same review, recommendations were made, including suggestions for improving the reading program. As a result, the following changes have been made:
Instructional Materials and Technology
In the near future, a cable installation will allow us to receive Educational Television Network (ETN) transmissions in our media center via satellite. The satellite dish is located at Peninsula High School and will enable us to receive instructional programming as well as staff development and parent education programs.
Regular Curriculum Review. District committees, which include several teachers from this school, review and revise each curriculum area on a seven-year cycle. The review includes creation or revision of courses of study, selection of textbooks and computer software, and plans for teacher inservice. The state frameworks, model curriculum guides, and the State Department of Educations Program Quality Review Criteria Guide provide guidelines for curriculum revision.
The most recent curriculum revision and materials adoptions are in science and social studies. We use our in-service days to involve teachers in workshops on 1) Project Read, 2) Portfolio assessment, 3) "hands-on" science experimentation, 4) review of state curriculum frameworks, and 5) technology in-service. Primary teachers also have received updated training in the BABES program; a series of lessons on self-esteem, decision-making, coping skills, and facts about alcohol. The health curriculum in grades 4-5 also includes a substance abuse prevention component.
The Soleado Science Center, funded and fully supported by Soleado PTA, has provided an additional avenue for exploration within the realm of science. "Hands-on" activities and experiments have become an integral part of the science curriculum through experiences taking place in the Science Center and in the classroom.
Independent Study. Independent study agreements worked out between the students/parents and teacher(s) and approved by the principal are available for students who will be involved in a planned, educational experience or part of family travel. This voluntary program must be approved in advance of the proposed out-of-school experience.
Preparing Students for the Future. We believe that Soleado students receive a strong educational foundation which will enable them to be successful in future academic and vocational endeavors. Our educational program offers a balanced curriculum which stresses critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, communication skills and values, as well as physical and emotional well-being. As a result, our students are well prepared to become productive and caring citizens who are well-equipped to meet the demands of the twenty-first century.
Teachers. The staff works to meet the needs of all students. Staff includes 15 classroom teachers, one special education teachers, one reading specialist, and one English-as-a-Second Language (ESL) specialist. The average class size is 30.
Our Students. On the Iowa Test of Basic Skills (ITBS), the Soleado fourth grade students scored better than 62% of the students in the nation in reading and better than 88% of the students in the nation in mathematics.
The California Learning Assessment System (CLAS) test was administered to fourth graders and the results were that a majority of our students scored in level 3 in math, level 4 in reading, and level 4 in writing. There are 6 levels for the CLAS test with level 6 being the highest. Scores from the spring, 1994 administration of the CLAS test had not been available, by the state, at the time of the preparation of this publication.
1993 CLAS TEST RESULTS
Percentage of Students Scoring at Performance Levels 6-1, Grade 4
Soleado LA County State Level Rdg Wrt Mth Rdg Wrt Mth Rdg Wrt Mth
STUDENT RECOGNITION
Average Class Size per Grade Level
Support Staff. Additional staff includes the principal, secretary, office clerk, custodian, cafeteria staff, library, computer, ESL, special education, and instructional aides. We also receive support from the community through classroom volunteer programs.
A psychologist, nurse, speech and language specialist, and an adaptive physical education teacher are available to support students. All teachers hold valid California credentials and are assigned within their credential authorization.
Special Education Population
Limited English (ESL) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .140
Special Education (RSP & SDC) . . . . . . .14
Ethnic Information
Substitutes. The districts policy is to hire the highest quality substitutes available. All substitute teachers hold at least a bachelors degree, a valid California teaching credential, and have recent teaching experience, or have passed the California Basic Educational Skills Test (CBEST).
State Funding Based on Attendance. Average daily attendance is the basis of all school funding. The state provides $3,200 per pupil for students attending school or who had an excused absence due to illness. When attendance is high, the district receives more money for its educational programs. Last year, our attendance rate was very high, with few unexcused absences. School success is built upon the skills and knowledge emphasized daily; parents are encouraged to limit vacations to those periods when school is not in session.
Teacher Evaluation. A well-planned and systematic program of teacher evaluation is in place. The principal, non-tenured teachers, and non-teaching staff are evaluated annually. Tenured teachers are observed yearly and formally evaluated at least once every two years. Goals and objectives are developed cooperatively between each teacher and the principal, and all teachers experience observations through a collaborative process of clinical supervision.
Mid-year preliminary review conferences between principal and teacher assess progress toward the completion of the goals and objectives, and an evaluation summary is completed at the end of the school year. Evaluation areas include: adherence to curricular objectives, classroom management practices, and professional development plans.
Staff Development. The district offers professional improvement opportunities to all staff. This year, professional development opportunities have included the following:
District Mentor teachers provide support to new teachers and assist others in implementing new curriculum. Some mentor teacher workshops at Soleado have included an orientation in the whole language approach to learning, "hands-on" science experiments and experiences, the development of a physical education skills continuum across all grade levels, and the creation of a fitness course.
School Climate and Quality. Our goal is to provide a positive climate for learning for all students. This includes promoting positive self-esteem, opportunities to explore talents and interests, a challenging curriculum and recognition of student achievements. The school mission is to ensure that all students, regardless of special need, have access to the entire curriculum.
Students are expected to maintain appropriate behavior and respect the rights of others in the classroom and on the playground. Each student receives a school handbook and behavior code containing such items as school rules and procedures which are discussed at school on a regular basis. Other programs support a productive learning environment.
Safety. As part of our commitment to a safe and orderly campus, we routinely hold emergency drills for earthquakes and fires. Our disaster preparedness plan is on file in the school office, and we maintain emergency supplies such as bottled water, space blankets, and dried food in sufficient quantities that all students may be taken care of for up to 72 hours.
The schools playgrounds are supervised by campus aides and teachers. Campus safety is monitored by school staff, the district, and the school site council so that potential safety concerns may be immediately corrected by the District Maintenance Office. Improvements to grounds and plant are numerous and on-going. Soleado has experienced only three vandalism incidents this year, which is considerably below the state average.
Facilities and Safety Measures. We have 20 classrooms housing 424 students. Our custodial staff consists of one full-time daytime custodian, one part-time evening custodian, and one groundsman working two days per week. Classrooms are repainted on an as needed basis. The state funds exterior painting every ten years. Soleado was last painted in 1988.
Number of Instructional Days - 1994-95
K-5 Level: 180 - 6 staff development/conference days
Number of Minimum Days: 4
Funding for Special Programs. In addition, the state provides partial funding for special programs for special education, Gifted and Talented Education, and Limited English Proficient students. This year Soleado received $38,885 in School Improvement Funds, which are used for instructional aides, conference attendance, instructional supplies, and consultant fees.
Additional Funds. The $3,200 per student base funding provided by the state is considerably below the $4,198 it costs to educate a student in this district. While part of the differential is made up by special program funds, the generous donations from the community, PTA, and Peninsula Education Foundation make up the difference between what we receive and the cost of maintaining high quality instructional programs.
Soleado Enrollment by Grade Level