Elementary School

It is amazing to walk into first and second grade classrooms throughout the district and observe learners in action. Reading advances as students read a wide variety of stories, books, and award-winning literature. Children are surrounded by books and are also expected to read books beyond the school day. Reading instruction builds on important comprehension skills to help children experience the fact that reading is not just saying the words, but understanding what they read. Phonics, spelling, and word-building skills progress as students apply these skills when they read and write. Students write often throughout the day, choosing their own topics and writing for different purposes and audiences. Looking at pieces of writing from the beginning of the school year to the end of the school year in these grades show how ideas develop and organization and convention skills improve.

The math and science programs focus on hands-on learning to help students apply scientific and math reasoning skills. Concrete math models and manipulatives help students learn to solve problems used each day in real-life situations. Math skills develop rapidly as students increase their abilities to compute, estimate, and analyze. Regardless of the scientific concept studied in the classroom, a hands-on approach involves students in observing, exploring, classifying, recording, and communicating understanding of the concepts.

The Library Media Center excites students and keeps interests peaked in the vast array of choices of books and topics for investigation through technology.   

Children love the time they spend in music, physical education, and art instruction. Active learning of the goals and objectives in each curricular area enrich learning for all students and promote an emphasis on the development of the whole child.

Third and fourth graders transition to increased independent application of skills and strategies they are learning. Third grade is a year of firsts — Kansas reading and math assessment, district writing assessment, and computer keyboarding instruction. Fourth graders also participate in the Kansas reading and math assessment and the district writing assessment.

Reading instruction continues to be a priority. The district goal is for all students to be successful readers by the end of third grade. Future academic success is connected to this important goal of successful reading. Reading instruction helps students grow in their comprehension of a wide variety of text they read. Third- and fourth- graders throughout the district write often and produce different types of writing (narrative, expository, and technical in third grade with persuasive added at fourth grade). Students build an understanding of the criteria for effective writing through instruction in the 6 + 1 Writing Traits. Specific lessons focus on the traits of Ideas and Content, Organization, Voice, Word Choice, Conventions, and Presentation. The Library Media Center is the hub of activity as students use information to develop areas of interest and enhance curriculum concepts.   

Math skills at third and fourth grade need to be firmly in place to support increased expectations with problem-solving strategies, number sense, measurement, and geometry. Students delve deeper into the scientific investigation process and study exciting topics such as the solar system, insects, water, and recycling in third grade and electricity, magnetism, and the environment in fourth grade.

Social studies learning prepares students for their future by increasing understanding of their roles as informed citizens. Third graders learn about the past and present of local communities and fourth graders emphasize regions of the United States.

Physical education, music, and art learning experiences continue to focus on wellness, development, and enrichment of the whole child.

Cold-Related Conditions

Outdoor recess will be held if:

• Outside air temperature and/or wind chill is 20° (F) or greater
• There is no falling precipitation

Limited outdoor recess will be held if:

• Outside air temperature and/or wind chill is between 10° and 19° (F)
• There is no falling precipitation

Indoor recess will be held if:

• Outside air temperature and/or wind chill is lower than 10° (F) or there is falling precipitation

Heat-Related Conditions

Regular recess:

• If the outside temperature or heat index is less than 95° (F)

Limited outdoor recess:

• Students may go out for a portion of their normal recess during the school day using the following guidelines for students and staff when the temperature or heat index is between 95° and 102° (F)
• Limit (as practical) outdoor recess, physical education classes and other activity.
• Make sure abundant water is available and frequent breaks are given.
• Consider allowing students to use water bottles in order to pre-hydrate.
• Watch for signs of heat cramps, heat exhaustion or heat strokes.

Indoor recess:

• It is recommended that students and staff remain inside when the temperature or heat index is 103° (F) or greater.

Caution for students with asthma, allergies and other health-related respiratory conditions:

• Students with identified health-related issues will follow their individual health plans. When an orange or red skycast is given, the air quality is such that people who suffer from asthma, allergies and other health-related respiratory conditions are at a greater risk.
• Identify students (check with nurse) who have asthmatic conditions.
• Closely watch students for respiratory distress symptoms.
• Limit (as needed) outdoor activities for these students.
• If respiratory symptoms present themselves, have available a physician's prescribed medication or obtain medical treatment.