Elementary School Highlights
2003-2004
December 13, 2004
Curriculum Activity Highlights
ìLiteracyî remains a focus for the students and staff at Seward Elementary. We are committed to be a ìschool of readersî with all students reading at the proficient level. Since the 2001-2002 school year, the Macmillan/McGraw-Hill reading series has been used for the reading instruction in grades one through four. The series is designed to meet individual student needs based on an integrated approach. The subjects of reading, phonics, language, and spelling are incorporated within the series. This integrated approach establishes meaning with the reading material and the study of the skills necessary for effective reading.
The Letter People continues to be the language arts program implemented in the kindergarten classrooms. The Letter People program balances skills instruction with good literature. It also promotes oral language development.
The literacy committee continues to serve our school in an advisory capacity. As its name implies, the committee is dedicated to the literacy efforts of our school. The committee is composed of one teacher from each grade level, the special areas of resource and Title I, and the principal.
Seward Elementary maintains a Title I reading program that relies upon the collaboration between the classroom teachers and the Title I teacher. The Title I teacher reinforces skills and concepts taught in the regular classroom. The Title I program is a supplemental pull-out program that does not replace the regular classroom reading and writing instruction.
The math program, Everyday Mathematics, continues to be highly successful. This series relies upon verbal interactions, the extensive use of manipulatives, and the on-going use and development of problem solving skills to meet the established outcomes of the math curriculum that has been aligned to the state standards. The home/school connection remains an essential part of the math program as well. Parents and students have the opportunity to work together on a math concept through Home Link activities.
A number of other curriculum enrichment activities were scheduled throughout the school year:
- Red Ribbon Week was celebrated during October to emphasize the importance of a drug-free lifestyle for students.
- The Senior High School Key Club sponsored a multi-cultural fair for all elementary students.
- An elementary science/math fair was held in May.
- Preschool, kindergarten, and first grade students visited the FFA petting zoo at Seward High School.
- ëReading Rocksí was the 2003 - 2004 schoolwide theme selected to further promote reaching achievement and literacy throughout the school. A rock concert was held in May to celebrate student achievement and success! Seward High School ërock starsí provided the entertainment.
- A ìGood Touch, Bad Touch, Secret Touchî program was presented to all first grade students in an effort to teach them to be assertive and independent regarding someone who may want to hurt them.
- The Character Counts program continued to highlight the importance of building good character traits --- trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship.
- ëFriday Friendsí is a schoolwide reading activity to further support the schoolís literacy efforts. Each student is paired with another student from a different classroom and/grade level to read together for a small amount of time. This activity is scheduled on the last Friday of each moth.
Parental Involvement
- The Seward Elementary students were able to enjoy their new playground with its completion in September. The playground became a reality based on PTO fundraising activities combined with generous community support.
- The Seward Elementary PTO sponsored a very successful Clubís Choice food products fundraising event in November.
- The PTO sponsored the annual Fun Fair in April.
- Many parents joined their children for lunch during National School Lunch Week in October.
- The PTO volunteers assisted with the annual health screenings and provided evening meals for the elementary teaching staff during the parent/teacher conferences.
- The PTO sponsored the Scholastic Book Fair in October.
Student Events
- Each grade level presented a musical performance.
- Elementary students participated in two competitive events: the Seward County Spelling Contest and the Seward County Reading classic.
- Each grade level held parent meetings at the beginning of the 2003 ñ2004 school year.
- Seward Elementary hosted a ëGrandparents/Grandfriendsí Day on April 29.
- Students participated in a Walk-A-Thon under the direction of the High School Key Club.
- The FCCLA sponsored a ëlunch buddyí program for first grade students. High school FCCLA students were paired with a first grader and together, they became ëlunch buddiesí. Once a week the ëlunch buddiesí ate lunch together.
