210 Annapolis
Street
Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: 410-222-1635 Fax: 410-222-1654
School Hours: 8:15 am to 2:40 pm
Christine Stockett, Principal
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Welcome to West Annapolis Elementary School, home of the Chesapeake Bay Retrievers. We have an outstanding school, where caring, dedicated, knowledgeable and highly professional teachers provide a strong instructional program in a nurturing environment. An active PTA and an extensive group of volunteers support and enhance the school program. In 1999, West Annapolis was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School. This standard of excellence continues to be our focus. In 2008 West Annapolis was recertified as one of Maryland's Green Schools; a school where environmental education is integrated into the school curriculum. We take pride in our efforts to teach children about environmental issues. In the area of language arts, the Maryland Voluntary State Curriculum is taught using the the Open Court Reading Program providing instruction in phonics, word knowledge, comprehension, use of reading strategies, writing and language skills. In addition, students read novels and complete a variety of projects related to the themes found in Open Court. During the 2008-2009 school year we will implement the enVision Mathematics Program in kindergarten through grade five. This program focuses on interactive learning and problem solving. Science instruction includes hands-on activities where student observe and collect data on scientific concepts. Each year all grades participate in one school-wide expedition as a part of the Expeditionary Learning Outward Bound Program. Each spring, all students, kindergarten through grade five, investigate questions about the environment. Each grade level shares their projects during a showcase scheduled for early May. Our learning expeditions support our Green School award; each grade level plans a hands-on special project. To support social studies we have Geography Week with fourth and fifth grade students participating in the National Geographic Geography Bee. West Annapolis has a full-time talent development resource teacher on staff who is responsible for supporting teachers in planning differentiated instruction for the high ability student. In addition to planning collaboratively weekly with all teachers, she provides direct instruction to indentified students in grades two through five participating in the William and Mary Language Arts Program. In math, students in grades three through five participate in Hands-On-Equations program which teaches students algebraic concepts using a "game-like" approach. Our cultural arts team works closely with classroom teachers to integrate social studies and science concepts into art, music, physical education and library media classes. The chorus, band and string students present two concerts each year. A dance team participates in the county dance festival in early spring. Instrumental students participate in the Annapolis Music Festival in the spring while chorus students perform in many community events including a trip to Sunrise Assisted Living complex. Student art work is entered into many local art shows throughout the year. Students conduct the televised morning announcements in the roles of anchor and camera operator. Part of each morning show is dedicated to vocabulary enrichment activities. In weekly trips to the 30-station computer lab, students learn to use a wide variety of software programs. Through the use of this technology students gain important skills that are so important in our society today. Technology is an integral part of the instructional program; recently we added two SmartBoards and three document cameras to the school's educational tools. Our reading incentive program, "Master the Art of
Reading," encourages and recognizes students who select reading as a
recreational activity. In addition, each class is matched to another grade
level class to be their reading buddies. During recess, students can join the
Walking Club or just have fun with friends. The school counselor presents
lessons on student safety, bullying and developing positive interpersonal
relationship skills. Students participate in a variety of field trip experiences
including trips to Arlington Echo and Camp Woodlands outdoor education centers
to extend classroom learning. Throughout the year students also have the
opportunity to see a variety of cultural arts program. The PTA also provides
before and after school activities for students. This our third year for Chess
Club. To further enrich the instructional program, the school works with several community organizations. We are part of the Chesapeake Connections Program, using grant money from the Chesapeake Bay Trust to improve the school yard by planting gardens filled with native plants, creating a meadow to eliminate run-off from the playground, and raising baby terrapins which are released back into the Bay. Students grow bay grasses and plant them in the local waters surrounding the school. St. Johns College students and Naval Academy midshipmen volunteer at the school weekly. As a Professional Development Center for University of Maryland Baltimore County (UMBC), West Annapolis and the college collaborate to provide professional growth opportunities for the college students and school staff. Education students from Anne Arundel Community College are also involved in the school. With the help of the PTA and local businesses, West Annapolis hosted a successful 5K/Family Fun Run, "Trek For Tech," on September 27, 2008 to raise funds to purchase technology tools for each classroom. West Annapolis Elementary is an exciting, busy place. Teachers, school staff, and parents work together to help students become competent learners, readers, writers, speakers, creative thinkers, mathematicians, scientists, environmentalists, problem solvers and to respect and care for one another. ~~Christine
Stockett
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