Atlanta Independent School District Region VIII Atlanta, Texas

1. Atlanta Elementary School • Atlanta Independent School District • Region VIII • Atlanta, Texas

2. Atlanta Elementary School Vision Our vision is to create and nurture a systemic district-wide 21stcentury classroom environment that enables our learners to be successful in a global society. • Mission Statement • Our mission is to provide an exceptional education for all our students in a safe learning environment that encourages them to become productive citizens no matter their destination after graduation. Campus Demographics: Total Population: 363 Caucasian: 56% African American: 35% Hispanic: 7% Economically Disadvantage: 61%

3. Belief Statement Atlanta Elementary believes that our students have a right to an education that prepares them for the world of work and citizenry, that every funding resource should be utilized to provide our students with instruction where technology has been infused, and that students with special needs should be provided with appropriate instructional strategies.

4. Key Campus Personnel: Principal: Dianne Whatley Counselor: Amy Holland Specialists: Liz Booth- Math Loree Saffel-Reading Other Personnel: Interventionists Para-professionals Support Staff Highly Qualified Classroom Teachers

5. Effectiveness of Curriculum and Instruction Collaborative Effort: • Content Area Planning • Curriculum Maps • OnCourse TEKS Data Bank • Peer Coaching • Professional Learning Communities • Support Personnel Planning • Individual Student Data • Teacher Lesson Plans

6. Effectiveness of Curriculum and Instruction Lesson Design: • For All Learners • Varied Learning Styles • Differentiated Instruction • Appropriate Accommodations/Modifications • Targeted Data Driven Instruction • Formative Assessments • Summative Assessments • Immediate Feedback • Remediation

7. Effectiveness of Curriculum and Instruction Monitor and Review: • Hyper-monitoring Class Visits and Observations • Authentic Student Engagement • Instructional Rigor • High Yield Practices • Data Review • Content Data Meetings • Data Boards • Teacher Insight • D-Mac Disaggregation • Class Performance • Individual Student Performance

8. Effectiveness of Providing Opportunities for All Students to Achieve Campus Climate: • Safety Preparedness • Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports • Character Programs • Knight Vision • Rachel’s Challenge • 15 Days of Kindness • Character Counts • AES Anti-Bullying Program • Love and Logic Philosophy

9. Effectiveness of Providing Opportunities for All Students to Achieve Differentiated Instruction: • Tier 1 Differentiated Curriculum • 504/Special Education Accommodations • Advisory Groups • Tier 2 and Tier 3 • Dyslexia • Special Education Services • ESL Services

10. Effectiveness of Providing Opportunities for All Students to Achieve Differentiated Instruction: • Enrichment Groups • TAGS • Book Clubs • UIL • Reading Buddies • Fine Arts • Robotics • SciTech Instruction • STEM Camp • Camp Invention Starry Night

11. Effectiveness of Providing Opportunities for All Students to Achieve Project Based Learning: • Science Fair • Time Travelers Biographies • Medieval Times • Starry, Starry Night • Astronomy • Fine Arts • Texas History Night • “Seussville” Literacy Night Medieval Times Feast

12. Effectiveness of Coordination of the Title 1 Program with Other Programs School Day Program Coordination: • Advisory Period • ESL • Special Education Services • Health Services • 504 Services/Dyslexia • Talented and Gifted

13. Effectiveness of Coordination of the Title 1 Program with Other Programs Technology Assisted Instruction: • SciTech • Robotics • Technology • Creative Education Institute • SuccessMaker • Waterford • Study Island • Education City • Texas Success • Brain Pop SciTech

14. Effectiveness of Coordination of the Title 1 Program with Other Programs Extended Day Program Coordination: • ACE/After School Program • Homework Help • Tutoring • Thematic Units • Junior Master Gardener • UIL • Summer School • Optional Flexible School Year • STEM Camp-Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math Camp

15. Effectiveness of Professional Development Needs Assessment: • Student Data • Teacher Surveys • Effective Teaching Strategies and Best Practices • Professional Learning Communities

16. Effectiveness of Professional Development Monitor Application: • Lesson Plans • Formal and Informal Observations Methods of Delivery: • Staff In-Service • Professional Learning Communities • Online Webinars • Book Studies • Professional Conferences

17. Effectiveness of Partnerships with Parents, Families, and Community Shared Stakeholders in our Community: You are responsible for your own actions. • Students • Student Ownership • Community Service Projects • Character Contracts • Community Partnerships • Student Showcases • Good Citizen Recognition

18. Effectiveness of Partnerships with Parents, Families, and Community Shared Stakeholders in our Community: • Parents/Family/Guardian • STAR Volunteers • Parent Partnerships • Collaboration with Teachers • Participation in Parent Events • College/Career Share • Reading Buddies • Teacher Appreciation • Site Based Committee Representatives STAR Officers

19. Effectiveness of Partnerships with Parents, Families, and Community Shared Stakeholders in our Community: • Staff • Positive Parent Contacts • Fine Art Productions • Parent Information/Family Nights • Communication • K-12 Alert • Newsletters • District Website • Online Grade Book • Site Based Committee Representatives Author of Hank the Cow Dog

20. Effectiveness of Partnerships with Parents, Families, and Community Shared Stakeholders in our Community: • Businesses/Benefactors • Read Across Atlanta • Career Fair • Shadow Program • Site Based Committee Representatives • E-Z Mart Grant • ExxonMobil Grant • KTBS – One Class at a Time Grant

21. Effectiveness of Partnerships with Parents, Families, and Community Shared Stakeholders in our Community: • Organizations/Clubs • Honor Hometown Heroes • Rotary Club • American Legion • Atlanta Woman’s Club • Knight Vision • Atlanta ISD Education Foundation Grants

22. Effectiveness of Partnerships with Parents, Families, and Community Shared Stakeholders in our Community: • Hometown Heroes • Law Enforcement • Firefighters • First Responders • Military Personnel • Veterans

23. Summary of Strengths • Principal’s High Expectations for all Staff and all Students • Flexible RtI Levels of Support • Dynamic Collaborative Staff • Data Driven Instruction • Caring Staff that uses the Love and Logic Philosophy • Safe and Orderly Learning Environment • Staff Motivated by the Love of Teaching Children

24. Evidence of Achievement Closing the Gap 2009-2010

25. Evidence of Achievement Closing the Gap 2010-2011

26. Evidence of Achievement Closing the Gap

27. Awards • TEA Exemplary Rating • 2011-2012 ESC 8 –Distinguished Progress Award 25th Consecutive District UIL Champions 2010-11 Academic Excellence Indicator System 2010 Accountability Rating: Exemplary Gold Performance Acknowledgments: Commended on Reading/ELA Commended on Science 2009-10 Academic Excellence Indicator System 2010 Accountability Rating: Recognized Gold Performance Acknowledgments: Commended on Writing

28. Quotes “Because of her leadership skills, Elementary Principal Dianne Whatley has developed an atmosphere of academic excellence that is truly admirable.  Her mantra, "All students can learn and excel," is exemplified in every classroom.  Through the hard work and diligence of her staff she has managed to close the achievement gap between all student groups and the subpopulations on her campus.  Mrs. Whatley is skillful in bringing out the best in all staff members by having high expectations and ongoing staff development opportunities.  She believes in a strong connection between the home and school.  Atlanta ISD is very fortunate to have an elementary principal of Dianne Whatley's caliber. “ Superintendent, Roger Hailey “AES prides itself on its ability to utilize all personnel to give students every opportunity to continuously achieve.” AES Counselor, Amy Holland We are honored to share in the development of the children we are entrusted with. Math Specialist, Liz Booth “Friday is not a good morning because I don’t get to come to school on Saturday and Sunday.” Student, Tyler Vandevender

29. Quotes “I am a very proud parent of a 3rd grade student who attends Atlanta Elementary School.  I feel that our son is getting an excellent education this school year.  I have observed many “extra” programs offered that supplement the “standard education” we expected to receive. Our homeroom teacher’s communication about our son’s school year since the beginning of the school year is impressive and we are very thankful for that.  The educational program is well rounded: while it focuses on the importance of academics it also is balanced with a blend of arts, technology, outdoor and physical activity. Overall we couldn’t be happier anywhere other than at Atlanta Elementary School.” Parent: Mrs. Terre Gaston “As parents, we like that AES makes an investment to increase our child’s awareness and interest in science and problem solving.” Parents: Chris and Jennifer Black “AES projects excite students - This is the first time in a long time my child woke me up to get ready for school.” Parent:Ms. Yolanda Winders “We want to thank AES for teaching our children patriotism and about how our veterans have fought to protect the freedoms of the United States of America.” VFW Post 5870 Quartermaster Charles Boone and Commander Bill Brockett

30. A Creative Blast AESstudents describe their school… Great Amazing Adventurous Inspiring Incredible Fantastic Eye-opening Teamwork Exciting Valuable Engaging Stimulating Awesome Challenging Inventive Fun School is Cool