“It’s the most progressive step forward I’ve seen us take in any of my time here,” stated Stingel Elementary principal Mike Ream in respect to the newly implemented literary framework at Ontario Schools.
During Ontario School’s most recent board meeting, Stingel employee Carrie Wood shared a presentation on this kindergarten – eighth grade reading and writing program developed by Irene Fountas and Gay Su Pinnell. She explained, “This is the first time in many years that we’ve had a comprehensive literacy initiative for k-eight.”
The framework is made up of three blocks: language and word study, reading workshop, and writing workshop. Both workshops start with a mini lesson, which allows for explicit teaching with mentor texts, or “exemplar” texts.
There’s also space for independent study, in which students can practice reading and journaling about their chosen or guided book, and there’s time for group share. “The goal is to hit everybody once a week in an individual setting, two or three times a week in a small group setting on their level, and then [the students] also have independent time,” said Wood.
Wood also expressed how fitting the framework ties in with the new state standards. “It’s a structure that allows Common Core to happen.”
Teachers will be trained in order to pave the way for effective implementation of this framework in the classroom. “It ends up being good teaching pedagogy that we go through with every teacher,” said Wood. “And everybody’s on the same page.”
The presentation triggered a question from the audience by a member of the public: “Will this be enough to raise our gifted rating from an F to an A?”
Mike Ream responded, “It’ll help, but it’s hard to say with certainty that it’ll take it from one grade to the next.”
Referring to the status of the gifted program at Ontario Schools, board member Sam VanCura stated, “It’s been my concern forever. The state does mandate that we spend so much money at the bottom rather than at the top.”
“It’s troubling, but I don’t think we have the gifted program now because we don’t have the funds to do it. We’ve cut and cut and cut…[The framework] is going to help on the reading side, but I would love to have more higher-end courses,” added board member Andy Chalk.
Treasurer Randy Harvey then addressed the school’s financial situation in regard to the discussion on the gifted program, stating, “One thing about the state funding is that the state says that [the school] is entitled to $2.6 million, which is more than we currently receive. The state gave us $139,000 of that $2.6 million because they said we’re capped…without open enrollment right now we wouldn’t be able to function.”
He later mentioned that the school would prefer offering more gifted program options; however, the budget does not allow for it. “There has to be a balance,” he said.
In other news, the swimming pool boiler was approved to be replaced and was issued as an urgent necessity.
In the community substance abuse program report, Chalk announced an upcoming event, Robby’s Voice, which will be held on Sept. 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the auditorium. This free community event is hosted by the Ontario Substance Abuse Prevention Program and will provide information on drug prevention.
“One thing about the state funding is that the state says that [the school] is entitled to $2.6 million, which is more than we currently receive. The state gave us $139,000 of that $2.6 million because they said we’re capped…without open enrollment right now we wouldn’t be able to function,” stated treasurer Randy Harvey.
