POINTS OF PRIDE: Mid-Prairie's Kalona Elementary

Across the state of Iowa, there is a strong emphasis on assessment  - standardized, formative, and summative.  With the Iowa TIER, the FAST Assessment is making its way through Iowa  elementary.  Districts are being ranked by Iowa Assessment data in reading, making literacy instruction serious business.  So it was a delight to visit Kalona Elementary and see the love of literacy alive and well during their week of celebrating literacy.  I was greeted by Principal Teresa Beenblossom dressed as a clown and excited about a week in the "big top," celebrating a love of reading.  This was an exciting week made possible by the hard work of the literacy committee who decorated the school with a circus theme.  The week was peppered with Mystery Readers, community members going into classrooms to read, a Family Literacy Night complete with a meal, book give aways, guest speakers on how to share literacy with your child, face painting, and a circus-themed photo booth.  With the

theme of "reading rocks" guest readers sat in a rocking chair sharing story time with kids throughout the day.  Drop Everything and Read as well as a Read and Feed topped off the week.  I witnessed a passionate read by a "mystery reader" (pictured above), and I could almost hear the students giggle as they tried to figure out who the reader was.  All of these activities worked to take the seriousness of literacy and transform it into a love of literacy. 

"He that loves reading has everything in his reach." (Godwin)

Principal Beenblossom may have been dressed as a clown but there
is no clowning around when it comes to learning.  Both Chinese and Spanish are taught in grades K-5 to this building of 275 students.  The PBIS program (in its first year) sets high expectations for behaviors and assemblies celebrate those positive behaviors for both students and staff. Learning in the classroom does only reach throughout the building but also extends into the community with service projects.  In fifth grade, the students took part in the Linus Project through the creation of 77 blankets for Iowa City Children's Hospital.
 

Benchmark Literacy is a strong initiative.  This program contains a great deal of teacher modeling followed by a gradual release of responsibility to the students using scaffolding and supports.  To view a video of their Benchmark Literacy program, check it out at: 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cno0rjarxWo#t=140 

The strength in the Mid-Prairie School District is the collaboration between administrators.  There is a balcony view not by individual buildings but as an entire district.  In the words of Beenblossom, "Our school district has amazing, dedicated teachers who go above and beyond."