• Category 1

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: 2 - 4
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 3,689
    Student Enrollment: 281
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0.4%
    White/Caucasian: 81.2%
    Hispanic: 5.4%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 1.8%
    Other: 11.2%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:20
    % Reduced Lunch: 41%
    % ELL Learners: 0.5%
    Founded: 1998
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Jodi Bennett
  • CONTACT:
    810 N Highway D
    Webb City, MO 64870
    417-673-6085
    jbennett@wcr7.org
Harry S Truman Elementary School
Webb City, MO
"We recognize the importance of meeting the needs of the whole student."
1. Tell us about your school’s success.
Harry S Truman focuses on the importance of parent involvement and fostering positive relationships within our families and the community. We know that active listening skills and open communication bridges the gap between home and school which provides an opportunity for positive communication. Throughout the year we offer multiple activities which are highly attended by parents and community members. Open House, Grandparents Day, Title I Parent Involvement Event, school parties, and our end of year Fireworks Night celebration are just a few events that are incorporated to help build and strengthen our positive relationships with families.

Our Title 1 Parent Involvement event allows students and parents the opportunity to engage in a variety of hands-on-learning opportunities, while providing parents with additional educational resources to use at home. Our end of the year fireworks night is our largest community event that celebrates our students and families accomplishments.
2. Talk about the greatest contributing factor(s) that promoted positive change in your school.
The success at Harry S Truman can be attributed to our high level of expectations along with the ability to build and foster positive and lasting relationships. Our staff have the privilege to serve students in grade 2-4, which allows us to strengthen relationships with our families through multiple years.

Staff have created a solid multi-tiered intervention support system built within the daily schedule to allow students the opportunity to find success at their level. Once success is achieved, students will continue to move through the progression of becoming a more confident and successful student.

Our entire staff, along with our parents and community, share in the dedication and belief that all children can learn and be successful. We strive at making our school the best by providing our students an environment where they feel loved, valued and are presented with many opportunities to experience success. This aligns with our District’s motto “Every Cardinal, Every Day.”
3. How has ESEA funding supported the school's success?
ESEA funding is a crucial factor in the implementation of our Title and STEM programs and in the success of our students, while preparing them for post-secondary education and careers. Our Title I focus is helping students master skills in both reading and math through small group instruction using research based intervention strategies. Utilizing the four C’s, collaborative activities help students be innovative thinkers and provide opportunities to explore future possibilities.

Through ESEA funding, our district provides parents, students and teachers with the necessary support needed to hold our students accountable, and our building with multiple opportunities which help build and foster positive relationships with our students and parents. These relationships are vital to the success of our program and academic student achievement. We are fortunate that our district values the importance of this funding and its contribution to our building and overall district success.
4. What professional development activities were used to improve teaching and learning?
Our district provides multiple Professional Development days intended to provide teachers the opportunity to improve and expand their craft. Our district administrators and instructional coaches met to collaborate and plan activities geared towards the improvement of student engagement and achievement.

In addition, our district has invested in positive student/teacher relationships through BIST training for our whole staff with a monthly BIST consultant to ensure program fidelity.

Elementary educators have had the opportunity to participate in LETRS training based on the Science of Reading, which is tied to the successful implementation of reading and writing in the classroom, our Title 1 program, and SPED program.

Our Title I Instructional Coach has participated in various STEM-based professional development opportunities, which has been shared collaboratively with our faculty and staff.
5. Talk about the cultural shift leading up to your school's success.
During the Covid pandemic, we had to start thinking outside the box in order to meet the needs of all students. Our district rose to the challenge and realized the importance of meeting the needs of ALL students by offering in-person learning, as well as a virtual platform. As a result, we had a paradigm shift in our thinking about how students connect and are held accountable to their learning while also considering the social emotional impact of trauma some students and adults experience. As we continue to learn and grow professionally, we become better at recognizing and meeting the needs of the whole student.
6. How has community involvement strengthened your success?
Our district focuses on the importance of parent involvement and fostering positive relationships with our families and community. Our building offers multiple opportunities and activities, which are highly attended by both parents and community members alike.
Support within the district and community has always been steeped in tradition. Community involvement includes programs such as our Webb City CARES (Community and Resources Embracing Schools), which provide services for students who face challenges daily beyond their control. Our School Board sets an example of support for the staff, students and community when it comes to accomplishing goals with the student in mind.
Our Title 1 Week has proven to be our most successful event when looking at parent participation and family engagement. During this week, families are provided with several hands-on learning activities, allowing students an opportunity for growth while providing parents educational resources to be used in the home.
Stats
  • Category 1

    Selected in 2022

  • Grades: 2 - 4
    School Setting: rural
    Town Population: 3,689
    Student Enrollment: 281
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 0.4%
    White/Caucasian: 81.2%
    Hispanic: 5.4%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 0%
    Native American: 1.8%
    Other: 11.2%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:20
    % Reduced Lunch: 41%
    % ELL Learners: 0.5%
    Founded: 1998
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Jodi Bennett
  • CONTACT:
    810 N Highway D
    Webb City, MO 64870
    417-673-6085
    jbennett@wcr7.org