• Our Work

    At Wahitis Elementary, we have many effective practices and instructional strategies that we are intentionally implementing to focus on helping all students reach or exceed grade-level standards.

    We use our specific and focused data to identify student learning needs and address them in a fluid and timely manner, monitoring closely the progress individuals are making, maximizing staff and resources to address areas of concern. Our goal is to implement interventions and support prior to evidence of failure.

    Use of Data

    Assessment data is used by grade-level teams to identify areas of strength and areas of need. Data may consist of any or all of the following:

    • Smarter Balanced Assessments
    • Dibels
    • Really Good Reading
    • Star 360
    • Classroom-Based Assessments
    • SWIS Data (Discipline Information)
    • Attendance Rate

    Grade level teams set SMART Goals for growth in Reading and Math. These focused, specific, and measurable goals guide the team in their work.  Additionally, teachers set individual SMART goals for their classroom. These goals are monitored every six weeks using one or more of the data points listed above. Please feel free to contact your child’s teacher to discuss your child’s progress.

    How We Use the Data to Inform Instruction:

    Weekly Professional Learning Community Meetings (PLC)

    Our teachers work together to analyze and improve classroom practice. They work in teams, engaging in an ongoing cycle of questions that promote deep learning. This process, in turn, leads to higher levels of student achievement. Teams focus on the four powerful questions for instruction and learning:  

    1. What is it students need to learn? (Setting the intentional learning target or goal.)
    2. How will we know when each student has learned it? (What assessment will be used to determine knowledge and/or skill acquisition? How will we differentiate assessment?)
    3. How do we respond when a student has difficulty in learning?
    4. How do we respond when a student demonstrates mastery?

    Management and Student Behavior

    Wahitis Elementary staff will continue to participate in PBIS (Positive Behavior Intervention Support) training. Our team has identified behaviors and expectations in all common areas of our school. Every student is taken through specific positive training around these expectations. As well as using our House System, rewarding students with house points, every time they show GRIT.

    We have implemented a process to teach, practice, review and celebrate evidence of all positive expectations. A PBIS video is currently being created and will feature students modeling the appropriate behavior within our school. The video will focus on the identified expectations and will be available to all staff members. Teachers will review, teach, and practice the behavior expectations with students throughout the year.

    We hold GRIT Award Assemblies to honor students who display GRIT, or who have a positive ‘I can’ attitude in school. Each teacher identifies students from their classroom who deserve to be recognized. Specialists also honor exemplary behaviors they notice during music, PE, technology, and library. These assemblies have been very well attended and we hope to see you at our next GRIT Assembly.

    If you have any questions about the work being done at Wahitis, please feel free to call the office. We are happy to answer your questions and look forward to a wonderful year of collaboration.