POINTS of PRIDE: Panorama Community School District

Panorama Community Schools is led by Superintendent Kathy Elliot, a person who has provided a solid foundation upon which this district can move learning forward.  In her words, "Panorama staff is determined to create an environment of academic challenge and growth; social and personal responsibility; artistic and athletic achievement."  All areas of focus to develop, in Ms. Elliot's words, "students as critical thinkers, independent learners, and productive citizens, fully prepared to face life's challenges." 

Panorama Schools serves the communities of Panora, Yale, Jamaica, Bagley and Linden, including the Lake Panorama area. Students enjoy a small classroom size and individual instruction while remaining close to DesMoines.

Demographics
Enrollment:     over 780 in grades PreK-12
Free & Reduced Lunch:     around 30%
Bussing:      Over 500 students are bussed in daily

AIW - Authentic Intellectual Work - provides a strong base for learning, especially at the secondary level.  Its power is in the sense of community it provides for educators.  AIW is a framework for analyzing instruction and student learning.  Outlined by the Center for Authentic Intellectual Work, AIW is based upon three defining criteria:  construction of knowledge (organizing, interpreting, evaluating, or synthesizing prior knowledge to solve new problems), disciplined inquiry (use of prior knowledge, in-depth understanding, expressing ideas and findings through elaborated communication), and value beyond school (real world applications).  Ms. Elliot described her staff as focused on doing what is best for students.  An example is that when they rolled out AIW, it was to be over a five year period.  In year one, eight teachers at the Middle School and High School piloted this process.  When teachers saw the impact, they all jumped on board, and by year three it was implemented with all teachers. It is now implemented in grades K-12.

Also a part of Panorama's  ongoing professional learning is instruction in CRISS - CReating Independence Through Student-Owned Strategies.  According to the Panorama website, CRISS provides a process of learning that allows students to attach new learning to prior learning, manipulate information in a variety of ways to make meaning, and focuses on teaching for understanding.  AIW coupled with CRISS provide a solid foundation for learning in Panorama Schools. 

Instructional Coach Dan Breyfogle

Panorama was one of the school districts selected for implementation of the TLC grants, Teacher Leadership and
Compensation.  All 14 teacher leaders are AIW trained along with two administrators.  The TLC grant has provided a full-time instructional coach in each building.  There are late start Wednesdays that provide an opportunity for professional development in teams led by a teacher leader.  Consistent meeting time helps to make professional learning more meaningful and credible as teachers help to direct the professional learning.  Conversations during team meetings are rich and have helped to change the culture of learning in the district.  Teachers bring videos of instruction in the hopes of receiving feedback for improvement.  For this to be effective, an atmosphere of trust had to be developed.  With the implementation of Iowa Core along with AIW, teaching is conceptual and backwards planning of instruction takes place - from the big picture to the daily lesson.

Panorama MS/HS has a auditorium that seats around 750.  They are proud of their numerous fine arts award winners.  Around 30% of their student population is involved in Speech and Drama along with around 50% participating in chorus.


FFA is also a source of pride for this district with ag instructor Evan Babcock.  Students are involved in refurbishing tractors and numerous activities that focus on developing leadership skills.

Elementary Principal Mary Breyfogle

Cafeteria with performance area

The elementary building is focused on using inquiry in the study of science and quality math instruction.  Most recently a backpack program was started to assure students have needed food for the weekend.  With an emphasis on literacy, reading a book has become the only homework.  They have an all natural preschool outdoor playground that serves as a non-traditional play space.  The elementary is appreciative of their incredibly supportive parents and community.

In the words of Principal Breyfogle, "We have a lovely building but the best part are the lovely people in it."  I would agree!  Panorama Community Schools is, in the words of their motto, "building tomorrow today!"

References:
WEBSITE - http://centerforaiw.com/aiw-framework-and-research
WEBSITE - http://www.panoramaschools.org

POINTS OF PRIDE: Perry Community School District

Superintendent Ubben

 "Each day holds a surprise.  But only if we expect it can we see, hear, or feel it when  it comes to us.  Let's not be afraid to receive each day's surprise, whether it comes to us as sorrow or as joy.  It will open a new place in our hearts, a place where we can welcome new friends and celebrate more fully our shared humanity."              

By Henri Nouwen

The day I visited Perry Community School District held a surprise - how very much I felt welcomed into the high school with its beautiful artwork and displays of photos.  It was a joy to visit Perry and reconnect with my own children's first principal, Lynn Ubben, who now serves as superintendent at Perry.  With a district nearly 50% diverse, Mrs. Ubben says, "Our students have learned to blend - seeing each other by friendships and not by race."  

The district experienced two very positive steps this year: taken off the ‘Watch’ list for reading and removed from being a ‘District in Need of Assistance’ (DINA) for mathematics. This is due to significant improvements in student achievement among the elementary, middle, and high school and real "points of pride" for this very diverse school district.  These strides are only made by dedicated teachers who are willing to put in the extra time to make student achievement a priority along with leaders who lead the charge.

Demographics:
FRL  72%

ELL  19.4%

Migrant 3.5%

Immigrants 3.2%

14 languages ranging from American sign language to Burmese, Karenni, Kurundi,        
     Russian, Swahili, Tigrinua and Vietnamese 

46% Hispanic

1:1 grades 3-12
Enrollment:  Approximately 1800

Middle School leaders

7th grade team

Visiting with grade level teams truly tells the heartbeat of a school and Perry is no exception.  Collaborative teams meet daily and Professional Learning Communities every two weeks.  This year's emphasis in on formative assessments and how to differentiate using the data. The Middle School Principal is proud of his staff and says, "The wide range of learners creates diverse teachers" who are well-trained in meeting the learning needs of their students.  

4th grade team

The 4th grade team says that the best part of Perry is the people with whom they work.  They believe it is fun to see the journey of both students and teachers.  In the words of one teacher, "Everyone is on a roller coaster, but it is great to see one another grow and learn from experiences."  There are two second year teachers on this team who feel that they don't just have one mentor - they have four. This all adds to the sense of teamwork that keeps Perry moving forward.

Rose with her loving and caring ways

It was great to be able to visit the ELL classroom of Rosemarie Navarro.  Rose has many stories to tell of her extensive work with a population from other countries.  She has worked with the "Lost Boys from the Sudan" to most recently, students who ran to a plane leaving El Salvador, avoiding bullets as they refused to join gangs.  She says this is the first year she is working with a student who was born and raised in a refugee camp.  Working by her side is Tony Alaya, a Perry graduate, with the dream of being a teacher.

Tony with his desire to teach

"Diversity is about all of us, and about us having to figure out how to walk through this world together."    - Jacquelyn Woodson

Perry is working towards developing positive ways for all students, no matter from where they come, instilling a desire to learn how to walk through this world together.  A beautiful and important aim being implemented by a beautiful school district.