Greenwood Giants have spent the first part of the school year getting to know their teachers and classmates, learning classroom and school routines and engaging in active learning. There are about 237 students enrolled at Greenwood this school year.
Principal Dr. Madi Koenig said the school has two main goals for the 25-26 school year.
Goal #1
The first goal is to improve math achievement for students in all grade levels. Koenig said this will include in-house professional development for school staff, partnering with Eastern Oregon University on some district-wide support and continuing Impact Teams with IMESD’s Regional Educator Network (REN). “All of those extra professional development times are working well together,” she said.
The measurable goal for math achievement is median growth of 100% in each grade, measured through iReady scores.
Goal #2
The second Greenwood Elementary goal is improved school communications with parents. Greenwood asked parents to complete a survey in August about communication they receive from the school, including asking their preferred mode of communication, barriers to communication, how comfortable parents feel communicating with their child’s teacher and more. She said parents indicated they want weekly messaging from the school, which will be sent out via Facebook, alerts, through ClassDojo and in Friday folders. Koenig said they will repeat the survey mid year and end of year.
Greenwood is focusing on posting positive news about the school on their Facebook page throughout the year, as well as timely, accurate information on a regular basis.
Goal #3
The third Greenwood goal this year is to reduce the amount of student behavior referrals during and up to one hour after lunch and lunch recess. Koenig said to support students who really don’t want to go outside during that recess, the school is offering three different options at that time. Students can have traditional outdoor recess in the courtyard or the field or visit the Library or Music Room. Science and art activities are offered in the library and life skills are offered in the music room. This increases the number of adults who are supervising and supporting students during this time, which Koenig hopes will help.
What is Principal Koenig looking forward to this year? “I am most excited to have all classroom teachers return for the 25-26 and the opportunity that offers to continue the momentum on our school-wide goals and culture.”
