Mission & Core Beliefs

Mission Statement:   Innovate - Adapt - Excel
Core Beliefs
As a high quality school:

• We believe a POSITIVE CLIMATE AND COHESIVE CULTURE supports an engaging atmosphere to enhance learning for all students.
• We believe the PRINCIPAL creates opportunities for SHARED LEADERSHIP among staff, students, parents and community members to improve school performance.
• We believe the staff delivers a STANDARDS-FOCUSED CURRICULUM that enriches the unique qualities of each learner in a global society.
• We believe the physical, social, emotional and academic well-being of every STUDENT is met through the use of school, FAMILY and COMMUNITY resources.
• We believe PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT through self-reflection, collaboration, communication and evaluation is vital to impact student learning.
• We believe EFFICIENT AND EFFECTIVE MANAGEMENT of resources is an integral component of student learning.
• We believe SYSTEMATIC IMPROVEMENT as a professional learning community will improve student achievement.

Activities

George Ward Elementary Offers many opportunities for students to extend their learning day and participate in many fun activities.

• Student Council - Students in 3rd, 4th and 5th grades have the opportunity to participate in Student Council.  Students learn about leadership and participate in projects to help improve the school, playground and increase student involvement.
• A cross-age tutoring program will be implemented during the mornings before classroom instruction begins. The program will pair third, fourth and fifth grade students with targeted at-risk students in grades Pre-K, Kindergarten, First, and Second.
• All third, fourth and fifth grade tutors will receive initial training followed by ongoing weekly meetings. Meetings will allow students to reflect on tutoring sessions, ask questions, and receive feedback from the supervising teacher.
• Tutors will meet with their "reading buddy" each morning for fifteen - twenty minutes. The sessions will allow for sight word practice, oral reading practice, story retelling, spelling, and writing. A check-off list will provide the tutors with direction on the skills to address each.

Local School Improvement Council

What does the Local School Improvement Council Do??
The purpose of the George Ward Elementary Local School Improvement Council is to involve community members, parents, teachers and service personnel in the discussion of goals, wants and needs of our school. The members work together to develop and implement plans for improving our school and student achievement. Our Local School Improvement Council is  an excellent example of the school and community working together for the good or our children.  Local School Improvment Council (L.S.I.C.) meets four times annually to review the many aspects of school operations and to assist in the decision-making process at school.  Members of the council are elected each fall and consist of parents, teachers, service personnel, community leaders, and the principal.  Additional information about our Council and how you may become a member, can be obtained from the office.  All meetings are open to the public.  See the activity calendar for dates and times.

Parent Involvement

Research, experience, and just plain ol' common sense tell us that parent involvement invites success for your child.  It helps create a friendly environment in our school and makes our children feel important.  That is why we strongly urge all parents to become an active participant in their child's education.  Listed below are some of the organized groups of parents and supporters dedicated to making sure our students find George Ward Elementary inviting, exciting, and a great place to learn.
Parent Volunteer Program serves as an example of how parents (or grandparents) make a difference at George Ward Elementary.  Volunteers provide vital services to our teachers, students, in a number of ways, all of which allow us to focus on what we do best---educating your child.
 
P.T.O supports our school goals, promotes home-school connections and raises funds for school projects.  Each year we plan fun events, fund raising activities, and school spirit projects. 
 
The Foster Grandparent Program is an important program at our school.  It is part of the Federal Senior Corps Program.  It allows people over the age of fifty-five to share their love, and life experience to help students in the classrooms. They serve as role models, mentors, and friends. They help children learn to read, provide one-on-one tutoring, and guide children at a critical time in their lives. Put simply, they give the kind of comfort and love that sets a child on the path toward a successful future.