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A. WCS PRINCIPLES
OF EDUCATION
The Woodlawn Community School
will bring PRIDE to Woodlawn Children
PURPOSE: Children will begin at an early age to discover
a sense of their purpose in life that fosters dignity, and achievement.
RESPECT: Children will grow to respect themselves, each
other, their community, the earth and humanity in a generally caring circle
that heightens expectations and nurtures a sense of shared ownership and
responsibility.
INTELLIGENCE: Teachers will understand and cultivate the
various kinds of intelligence; social, emotional, academic, creative, spatial,
artistic and kinesthetic.
DISCOVERY: Children through hands-on activities will make
discoveries about themselves, their community, and the world.
EFFECTIVENESS: Compelling guided learning will engage
both individuals and groups. Teachers will enable children to become fulfilled
persons, caring community members, and effective participants in a rapidly
changing world.
And the Children will bring
PRIDE to Woodlawn
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II. DEVELOPMENT OF COMMUNITY IN THE CLASSROOM
From the beginning, the WCS steering committee recognized
the importance of a sense of community in the classroom. This group knew
that children learn best when they feel welcomed and understood by the
teacher and their classmates. Members of the committee also knew that classroom
activities which develop a strong sense of belonging, a respect for one's
self and others, and responsibility for one's actions in the group add
to a child's ability to achieve academically.
Therefore, the committee was excited when they found a
consultant group, which helped them implement these goals. Through a private
foundation grant, The Woodlawn Development Associates (WDA) financed staff
development by consultants from the Northeast Foundation for Children in
a program called The Responsive Classroom.
The Responsive Classroom approach to learning integrates
the teaching of academic and social skills as part of everyday school life.
Implemented by many public schools over the last fifteen years, The Responsive
Classroom has six components. Through summer workshops and consultation
in the classroom during the school year, teachers are developing strategies
to combine academic and social learning.
The following is a summary of this program:
1. Classroom Organization provides active interest areas
for students and space for an appropriate mix of whole class, group, and
individual instruction.
2. Morning Meeting gives children daily opportunities
to practice greetings, conversation, sharing, and problem solving, motivating
them to meet the day's academic challenges.
3. Rules and Logical Consequences that are generated,
modeled, and role-played with the children, become the cornerstone of classroom
life.
4. Choice Time for all children each day allows children
to take control of their learning in some meaningful way, both individually
and cooperatively.
5. Guided Discovery of learning materials, room areas,
curriculum content, and ways of behaving, deliberately and carefully introduces
children to each new experience. There is no assumption that children
already know how to do something before they begin.
6. Assessment and Reporting to parents that is an evolving
process of mutual communication and understanding.
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III. The Virtues Of Ma'at
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IV. SCHOOL RULES AND POLICY
A. STUDENT RIGHTS
Students have the right to:
1. Learn and develop to their maximum potential as whole
human beings
2. Have a safe, secure environment for learning
3. Be accepted by teachers, staff and other students
4. Have their achievement and competence acknowledged
5. Be challenged to explore, inquire, discover, and to
make choices and
6. Develop creativity, and learn to enjoy the arts.
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B. STUDENT
RESPONSIBILITIES
1. Arrive on time. School begins at 8:50 a.m.
and ends at 2:45 p.m. Those desiring to eat breakfast should arrive
at 8:15 a.m.
2. Adhere to the school dress code adopted by parents.
The basic colors are a combination of burgundy-maroon or tan which can
be worn either burgundy on the top and tan on the bottom or the reverse.
In addition, students must wear black or brown non-athletic shoes (NO SNEAKERS)
Monday through Friday. On Gym Day each Thursday, Friday and every other
Wednesday, students may wear sneakers along with burgundy sweats, shorts,
or shirts.
3. Take full advantage of the opportunities made available
for learning.
4. Help each other to learn and to become members of
a caring community.
5. Act in a manner that does not hinder or prevent the
learning of other students.
6. Help take care of the classroom.
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C. STUDENT EVALUATION
1. A student's social, behavioral, and academic performance
will be evaluated separately. Academic grades will not be given on the
basis of a student's classroom conduct.
2. The child's teacher and parent will periodically discuss
progress and-or problems, and will enter into a true partnership in helping
the child to realize higher potential, both academically and socially.
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D. PARENTAL
RESPONSIBILITIES
WCS believes firmly in parental involvement in the education
of their children. In other words, it is felt that success in the classroom
greatly hinges upon the degree to which parents in particular, and the
community in general, involve themselves in the education process. Hence,
parents are urged to:
1. Assure your child's prompt and regular attendance.
2. Send a written excuse from parents or guardians when
your child is absent or tardy.
3. Review your child's homework nightly.
4. Read out loud to your child for at least 20 minutes
a night;
5. Attend WCS's Parent-Teacher Organization meetings
regularly. Parents unable to attend on a regular basis may volunteer their
time assisting in other activities as needed.
6. Provide resource experiences during the year (inquire
about resources list).
7. Participate in forming teacher-parent partnerships
by attending conferences with the teacher
8. Become as active as possible in the life of the school
by volunteering in the classroom, tutoring, helping on trips, etc. (inquire
about these activities).
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E. FACULTY/STAFF
RESPONSIBILITIES
Teachers will participate in forming partnerships with
students, parents, staff and other interested members of the community
for the benefit of the students' academic and emotional development.
Accordingly, instructors will:
1. Teach and insure the keeping of school rules courteously,
consistently, and fairly, and deal with misconduct quickly, firmly, and
impartially.
2. Partner with parents in discussions on the academic
progress and conduct of children on a regular basis;
3. Demonstrate by attitude and actions genuine concern
and respect for each student.
4. Plan and conduct a program of instruction that captures
the interest and meets the needs of each student.
5. Manage classroom routines to contribute to the program
or instruction and the development of civic responsibility.
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F. TRANSPORTATION
TO AND FROM SCHOOL
Bus services are not available to families needing transportation
for their students.
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VI. LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL AND PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION
A. LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL
The Local School Council sets school policy and approves
the budget. The Council meets the first Wednesday of each month at 6:00
p.m. (unless otherwise noted) in the school library to discuss and vote
on policies affecting the school. Meetings are open to the public.
Members
| Kweku Embil |
Principal |
773-535-0801 |
| Pleshette M. Hamb |
LSC Chair |
|
| Ms. Charlene Raickett |
LSC Vice Chair |
|
| Anita Larkin |
LSC Secretary |
|
| Mr. Willie Cochran |
Community Member |
|
| Ms. Lorne Love |
Community Member |
|
| Mr. Trinity Washington |
Parent Representative |
|
| Ms. Ava Martin |
Parent Representative |
|
| Ms. Danita Williams |
Teacher |
773-535-0801 |
B. PARENT-TEACHER ORGANIZATION
The Parent -Teacher Organization meets the second Wednesday
of every month, at 6:00 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
Membership is open to all parents, and all parents are encouraged to participate.
This organization is vitally important because it provides an opportunity
for parents to help shape school policy and school-community events.
Members
| Ms. Charlene Raickett |
PTO President |
|
| Ms. DeLore Evans |
PTO Vice President |
|
| Ms. Iris Jones |
PTO Secretary |
|
Ms. Naima
Normand |
PTO Treasurer |
|
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VII. 2004 - 2005
EARLY DISMISSAL
SCHOOL ENDS AT 12:15 P.M.
| September 28, 2004 |
October 21, 2004 |
| November 19, 2004 |
December 15, 2004 |
| January 21, 2005 |
February 15, 2005 |
| March 11, 2005 |
April 11, 2005 |
| May 5, 2005 |
May 25, 2005 |
| |
|
|
|
PTO MEETINGS
FROM: 6:00 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.
EVERY SECOND WEDNESDAY:
| September 8, 2004 |
October 13, 2004 |
| November 10, 2004 |
December 15, 2004 |
| January 19, 2005 |
February 16, 2005 |
| March 16, 2005 |
April 20, 2005 |
| May 18, 2005 |
June 15, 2005 |
LOCAL SCHOOL COUNCIL MEETINGS
FROM 6:30 P.M. TO 8:00 P.M.
EVERY FIRST WEDNESDAY OF THE MONTH
| September 1, 2004 |
October 6, 2004 |
| November 3, 2004 |
December 1, 2004 |
| January 5, 2005 |
February 2, 2005 |
| March 2, 2005 |
April 6, 2005 |
| May 4, 2005 |
June 1, 2005 |
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NO SCHOOL DAYS
