Maya Angelou Elementary School reports improved student climate, despite most students behind on benchmarks

Most Maya Angelou Elementary School students lag behind state grade benchmarks, but students are slowly making improvements this academic year. 

Across all grade levels, most students lag behind state-benchmarked grade level standards for both math and reading at Maya Angelou Elementary School. At the beginning of the school year, 54 percent of fourth grade students ranked 3 or more grade levels below benchmark in reading, according to a presentation principal Julia Mahorney gave at the Harvey School District 152 board meeting, March 17.

By middle-of-year testing, however, just under 40 percent were performing under grade levels. In the same class, 8 percent of students tested above grade level in reading, but none in math. 

Mahorney credits the decrease in students far below grade level to utilizing teacher coaching programs like Eureka Math and 95 Phonics, two online programs designed to provide new math and reading teaching strategies. 

“We are also starting to work in small group instruction because that will help us to target individual students and be able to raise those levels even better,” Mahorney said. 

Angelou has adopted the “CHAMPS” model of classroom management and discipline to create a more positive classroom environment. “CHAMPS” — an acronym for conversation, help, activity, movement, participation and success — clearly defines each aspect of a classroom assignment for students, often in the form of a visual aid. 

“Our overall strength is that Maya Angelou is moving toward a more positive climate, as shown by our CHAMPS walkthrough,” Mahorney said.

Official business

According to district business manager Dana Nichols, the district’s revenue exceeded its expenditures by about two million dollars last quarter. “We are close to ending the third quarter of the fiscal year and our budget still remains balanced,” Nichols said. 

The board approved summer school plans, including plans to focus on hands-on learning this year, which includes the district ordering STEM kits and journals for enrolled students. Similar to last summer, students from kindergarten to third grade will be at Angelou while fourth through seventh grades will be at Bryant Elementary School. 

Gloria Trejo, head of the curriculum committee, stressed the importance of school attendance in forging a pathway to college for students in the district. “It’s never too early to work with our students on creating that pathway,” Trejo said. 

In light of a contract mix-up unveiled at November’s board meeting, where Alltown was overcharging the district, the district’s board decided to open a bid for transportation services for the district. The bid is for 15 routes, including some special education and outside the district.