• Category 2

    Selected in 2013

  • Grades: 1 - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 31,998
    Student Enrollment: 441
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 17.4%
    White/Caucasian: 60.4%
    Hispanic: 18.6%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1.7%
    Native American: 0.2%
    Other: 1.7%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:14
    % Reduced Lunch: 46%
    % ELL Learners: 6.8%
    Founded: 1968
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Margaret Mason
  • CONTACT:
    300 St Regis Dr
    Newark, DE 19711
    302-454-2142 ext. 44233
    sheltonc1@christina.k12.de.us
R. Elisabeth Maclary Elementary School
Newark, DE
Data is used to guide instruction and form flex and intervention instructional groups. We examine trends in academics, attendance, and behaviour in order to understand the whole child.
Describe specific programs in place to ensure that families are involved in the success of your school and students.
Our communication plan and network are necessary to ensuring that families are involved in the success of Maclary's students.
Describe the most successful activity your school has initiated to strengthen ties to your community.
During the past 6 years, Maclary staff and parents have developed an all inclusive annual monthly activity calendar. The activities are academic and Social; take place during the school days or evenings; and are designed for Family and community participation. Activities include: Back to School Ice Cream Social, Fall Festival, Movie Night, Lego Night, Math Games Night, International Night, classroom parties, Reflections Celebration (state PTA Art contest), Shamrock Hop, Muffins for Moms, Donuts for Dads, Book Fairs, Bullying Assemblies, Field Day and end of year Family Picnic. Attendance is awesome!
We provide meeting space for Civic Associations, Brownie and Girl Scout troops, Mad Science, Soccer Team practices, Political groups, etc.
Describe your philosophy of school change or improvement.
School communities must adapt to mandated changes in curriculum. Methods, strategies, techniques to achieve change are not "one size fits all". Implementation should be a coordinated effort by district administrators, principals and instructional staff based on the individual needs of each school community.
What are your school’s top two goals for the next year?
Our Goals for this year include:
Strengthening of our newly formed Whole Child Team which should result in disruption free instructional time.
Focusing on our upward trend in academic successes thus continuing reduction in achievement gaps among the disaggregated groups of students.

What is the single most important factor in the success of your school that others could replicate?
Maclary staff, parents and students are a TEAM! We are all responsible for the education of all children in our school.
Describe the program or initiative that has had the greatest positive effect on student achievement, including closing achievement or opportunity gaps, if applicable.
Grade level and cross grade level PLCs(Professional Learning Communities) have been the catalyst for improving student achievement. In addition to daily planning period, teaching staff are provided one 90 minute uninterrupted block of time every week. PLCs have been scheduled to accommodate individual and cross grade level collaboration. Discussions are student and curriculum focused and structured for maximum effectiveness.
Explain how Title I funds are used to support your improvement efforts.
Maclary's Title I funds are used to provide instructional support staff for classroom teachers during flex and intervention group times. We hire retired teachers and/or newly graduated teachers who are willing to work for reported time 3 to 6 hours a day for 3 to 5 days a week. Our Title I moneys are used to fund "being there" field trips prior to introducing specific curriculum topics. These trips provide background/exeriential knowledge for students. Our Title I funds support assemblies such as: Franklin Institute Presentations, Ashland Nature Center, University of Delaware Agriculture, Junior Achievement, International Night presentations, and more. We use funds to bring in hatcheries for chicks and shad. These add to the excitement of new life for the children. Title I moneys fund several family activities: Field Day, Fun in the Sun(PBS celebration), end of year Family Picnic, Reflections Celebration (State PTA Art Contest), International Night, and 5th grade Promotion Ceremony.
Identify the critical professional development activities you use to improve teaching and student learning.
Professional Development is provided by the state or School District usually on a "Train the Trainer" system. Currently the focus is the Common Core. Maclary has teams of teachers who attend curriculum specific workshops. These teams return to school, and present to staff during PLCs or after school PD. Grade level teams are required to develop and present lessons to staff. Presenting across grade levels stimulates discussions and understanding of the necessary scadffolding and depth of instruction necessary for student understanding.
Describe how data is used to improve student achievement and inform decision making.
Data is used to guide instruction and form flex and intervention instructional groups. We examine trends in academics, attendance, and behaviour in order to understand the whole child.
Describe your school culture and explain changes you’ve taken to improve it.
Per our Kindergarten and First grade teachers: "Our school has a family feeling among student's, staff and parents. All parties work together to better the school community. You never feel alone in dealing with a difficult situation. Help and advice are given willingly. Grade level and cross grade level PLCs have been instituted to give us a chance to collaborate."
We strive to provide a welcoming environment to new staff, students and parents. Open Door policy reigns! Parents, guardians, grandparents, community are welcomed and encouraged to volunteer. Currently we have a base of 200+ volunteers who give us weekly or daily time in our classrooms. We have a dedicated table in the cafeteria for families to lunch with their student(s). We provide student guided tours for new community and prospective families. Notice the words "student guided". Families enjoy the interactions with the children and the honesty in their responses to questions before they speak with the principal.


Stats
  • Category 2

    Selected in 2013

  • Grades: 1 - 5
    School Setting: suburban
    Town Population: 31,998
    Student Enrollment: 441
    Student Demographics:

    Black/African American: 17.4%
    White/Caucasian: 60.4%
    Hispanic: 18.6%
    Hawaiian/Pacific Islander: 0%
    Asian: 1.7%
    Native American: 0.2%
    Other: 1.7%

    Teacher/Student Ratio: 1:14
    % Reduced Lunch: 46%
    % ELL Learners: 6.8%
    Founded: 1968
  • PRINCIPAL:
    Margaret Mason
  • CONTACT:
    300 St Regis Dr
    Newark, DE 19711
    302-454-2142 ext. 44233
    sheltonc1@christina.k12.de.us