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Leadership
Team
Curriculum
Community and Parental Involvement
 Washington Elementary School (WES) is a small, country school
in residential Washington, New Hampshire. As a part of S.A.U.
#34, it is its own school district providing public education
for students from pre-kindergarten to fifth grade. The school
is currently located a mile from the center of historic Washington,
where its predecessor, the Center School, served as the principal
school house in Washington for more than a hundred years.
In the year 2000 eighty-six percent of the residents of Washington
voted in favor of a $1.2 million dollar addition to the elementary
school. The current school facility provides a caring environment
where students and visitors experience the benefits of a family
atmosphere where children feel safe, secure and loved.
Washington, a rural hill town in southern New Hampshire, was
first settled in 1768, and was incorporated and named in honor
of General George Washington in December of 1776.
According to the first census taken in 1773 the population
of the town was 132. More recent census figures show Washington
as the second fastest growing town in NH between 1990 and
2000 with a population of 895.
Leadership Team
WES employs a unique leadership model where three of the
teachers share the role of principal and divide the responsibilities
while continuing to teach. This approach results in a school
where all teachers work together and share in the decision-making
process. WES staff is a small close-knit group of educators
who value each other’s opinions,
build on their respective strengths and work productively
as an integrated team.
Curriculum
WES provides a complete
and challenging educational program for its students. Every
class receives instruction in literacy, science, social studies,
mathematics, Art, technology, physical education and music.
WES has adopted a balanced literacy program based on a commitment
to spend significant time on reading, writing and phonics
daily. Student performance has improved since the school implemented
the Saxon Phonics Program, principles from Mosaic of Thought
and Four Blocks Literacy.
In order to meet the needs of all students, teams of teachers
are assigned to each class during their reading periods. The
teams include the classroom teacher, Title One teacher, Special
Education Instructor and the paraprofessional. This model
allows each child to be actively engaging in the reading process
and promotes student input and attention. Reading groups typically
include four to six students and last for approximately 45
minutes.
Early Learning Program Classes
are offered twice a week for preschoolers who are 4 by September
30th. Parents are invited to participate in this successful
program designed to prepare children for a smooth transition
to kindergarten. Time: 12:30-2:30 on Tuesdays
and Thursdays.
Technology Technology is
integrated throughout the WES curriculum. In each grade teachers
make use of digital tools to help students conduct research,
organize information, create projects and document their learning.
With a school-wide local area network and computers, Alpha
Smarts and SmartBoards in grades one through five, students
are encouraged to use digital resources to enhance the learning
process. In addition to learning basic computer skills, students
e-mail pen pals, publish hardcover books and learn word processing,
keyboarding and internet searches.
Goal Setting WES teachers
and staff encourage reflective and responsible behavior. Students
have an active part in the grading process and reflect on
their own academic and behavioral
performance. Individual goals are taped to the desks of older
students, while the younger students launch their goals on
balloons. As the year progresses, goals are reviewed and adjusted.
Community and Parental Involvement
Community and parental involvement is evidenced in all aspects
of the WES educational process. The school and community connection
promotes excellent communications as well as academics.
WES sends bi-monthly newsletters to each student’s family
as well as the community at large. In addition, the school
distributes a parent/community handbook and holds regular
report card conferences.
A sampling of the other wonderful and exciting ways that parents
and community members work with WES includes the following:
Writing Buddies
Community volunteers exchange monthly letters, giving the
children a sense of purpose for their writing. An end-of-year
tea provides students with the opportunity to meet their “writing-buddies”
and present them with a special book the child has created.
The success of this program was touted at one of the NHATE
Spring Conferences.
Enrichment Clubs January
and February enrichment clubs are held for children who do
not join the ski program. This innovative program matches
seniors in the community with groups of students to explore
and learn new skills, crafts, sports or hobbies.
GrandPal’s
Day On Friday, October
20th at 11:30, the school sponsored a GrandPal’s day
where students are teamed up with either their own grandparents
or adopted ones for the day. Every student was paired with
one or more GrandPals for this special day where the students
put on a program and shared lunch and classroom activities.
Pals went home with pictures of their students and themselves.
Bookmobile
Programs During the school
year the local librarian brings books to school once a month
for the children to check out and read. Recently, WES teachers
worked with community volunteers to acquire a bookmobile van
for the school. During the summer vacation, teachers volunteered
their time to visit student’s homes on a bi-weekly basis
to deliver books and cookies. This innovative program provided
a valuable school/student/home connection. Over 100 free books
were distributed, and the majority of participating students
maintained or improved their reading skills over the summer
months.
Duncan-Jenkins Charitable Trust
One of Washington’s
residents demonstrated her commitment to education and WES
by leaving the interest on five million dollars to be used
for teacher and student enrichment and scholarships. Each
year monies are designated for special school programs and
opportunities for teacher enrichment such as a recent trip
to Scotland where the WES leadership team attended the International
Reading Association Conference.
Classroom Volunteers Several
volunteers spend whole or partial days volunteering in the
classroom. Some of these volunteers are high school home-schoolers
who are considering teaching as a career option. Friends of
Washington The WES parent/community organization raises money
to bring special assemblies and programs to the school, prepares
refreshments for school programs and provides general support
for school activities.
Back
to School Night On September
21st, parents and friends are invited to WES where they are
treated to activities designed to make them feel a part of
the WES family. PTO sponsered a cookout at 5:30 followed by
an assembly at 6:30.
Citizen
of the Month Each month
3 students are recognized for outstanding citizenship. Washington’s
police chief takes the monthly award recipients for a special
lunch at the restaurant of their choice. Local citizens take
turns sponsoring the lunch outing.
Special Events
Holiday Program, Space Night, Travel Fair and a Night of Celebration
are examples of the evening programs that give the students
an opportunity to share activities with parents, grandparents
and friends. These events are attended by capacity crowds
who enjoy music, interactive learning activities for all ages
and an opportunity to see what the students are learning.
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