Principal's Message
~Continuing the Tradition of Excellence~
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. On September 2, 2009 Cindy Applegate, wsa recognized by the Board of Education as Volunteer of the Month. We are proud of Mrs. Applegate and all of our volunteers. 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 participate in literature groups each week, discussing novels read and complete a variety of inquiry projects related to the themes found in Open Court. At the conclusion of each project a Showcase of Learning is held where students have the oopportunity to share their learning with parents and other students.
During the 2008-2009 school year we implemented the county's new enVision Mathematics Program in kindergarten through grade five. This year our focus will be refining the program and expanding the use of its technology component. 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 in 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. In addition, the M3 Program is presented to high ability math students in grades 2 - 5.
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. Last year we held our first school "Dance Showcase." We are going to hold it again in March. Instrumental music 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 as well as being displayed in our hallways.
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, "Read More About It" book reviews, This Day in History, math problems and a spot light on students. 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 acquired three SmartBoards and seven Airliners for educational use. Every classrom is now also equipped with a document camera. The Trek for Tech 5K Fun Run, scheduled for September 14, will raise funds for additional technology.
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 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, learning styles 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 and our second year for the Spanish Club and the Knitting Club.
In our effort to continue to provide a safe and orderly learning environment where high achievement is the focus, we use the Cooperative Discipline Program. In the beginning of the year each class develops its own Code of Conduct. This code is used to help students develop a sense of responsibility for their own behavior. Our "PAW: Positive Actions Work" initiative positively reinforces and recognizes the desired behaviors.
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. We are also working on developing additional business partnerships.
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. Each day is exciting!
~~Christine Stockett
Principal,
West Annapolis Elementary School
