Downeast School Highlights     2016-2017

Academic Excellence

MATH

• The Principal’s Challenge allows students the opportunity to move ahead of the class to master basic math facts. Math fluency is the ability to recall the answers to basic math facts quickly and accurately. To become a “Mathlete”, students must correctly solve a minimum number of problems in a specific time. This year 19 students met the challenge.
• The average End-of-Year Math Assessment was 81% for all students.
• The second year of enVisionmath was successfully implemented.
• Grade 2 students averages 86% on the end of year cumulative assessment.

LITERACY

• 82 students were above benchmark in reading.
• 71 students were advanced in reading.
• All kindergarten topic scores averaged 80% or higher in reading.
• 19 first grade students successfully completed the Reading Recovery program

 Professional Excellence

• 100% of teachers wrote SMART goals directly related to improving students’ literacy and mathematics skills.
• 7 teachers attended 11 workshops to further their skills.
• 12 teachers completed 24 college courses.
• Teachers participated in two PEAK nights focusing on Literacy and Mathematics.
• Learning targets are posted in all classrooms.
• Monthly grade level meetings focused on improving Literacy and Mathematics instruction.
• 3rd grade teachers successfully implemented STEMscope science lessons.

Quality Instructional Program 

• 100% of classroom teachers completed a coaching cycle with the literacy coach.
• The librarian developed long-term projects and monthly activities to promote reading and to support the curriculum.
• Third grade students have 1:1 technology (Chrome Books).
• ReadyGen was successfully implemented at all grade levels.
• The kindergarten field trip to the J. Franklin Witter Teaching & Research Center at the University of Maine supported a ReadyGen unit and made a connection with the University.
• Community members volunteered to read to students.

Environment for Success

• The average daily attendance was 93.5%. (Our goal is 95%)
• The after-school program supported the curriculum with reading groups, math activities, science and technology clubs, art clubs and athletics.
• The Walking School Bus program provided a safe and healthy way to school.
• The redesign of the traffic flow pattern created a safer and more efficient student drop-off routine.
• The school and PTO had numerous community events for parents & students (Volunteer training, PEAK nights, movie night, story night, pancake dinner, showcase, family dance, concert, Spring fair, open house, orientations, etc.).
• Several assemblies were held to honor veterans, recognize student performance, observe a performance (Bangor Ballet, Bangor Public Library) and to hold a flag ceremony.
• Students were connected to other Bangor schools by attending a football game, concerts at Bangor High School, a play at the James F. Doughty School, and a step-up day for grade 3 students at the Fairmount School. Other connections included BHS JROTC cadets reading to children, a strings demonstration by older students, and Bangor High School seniors attending a May assembly.
• Kindness Week was a huge success at the Downeast School.
• Bangor High School seniors visited in their caps and gowns and found time to discuss their future plans with the younger students.

 

Downeast School Highlights     2015-2016

Academic Excellence

MATH

• The Principal’s Challenge allows students the opportunity to move ahead of the class to master basic math facts. Math fluency is the ability to recall the answers to basic math facts quickly and accurately. To become a “Mathlete”, students must correctly solve a minimum number of problems in a specific time. This year 14 students met the challenge with 5 third grade students also meeting the grade 4 challenge!
• The average End-of-Year Math Assessment was an 86.
• enVisionmath was successfully implemented at all grade levels

LITERACY

• 44% of students were reading at the advanced level.
• 71% of students were reading at or above benchmark on the End-Of-Year reading assessment.
• Over the past 2 years, K-3 End-Of-Year Writing assessment scores have increased in all areas.

 

Professional Excellence

• 100% of teachers wrote SMART goals directly related to the Literacy & Mathematics.
• 10 teachers attended 22 workshops to further their skills.
• 16 teachers completed 28 college courses.
• Teachers participated in two PEAK nights focusing on Literacy and mathematics.
• Learning targets are posted in all classrooms.
• Monthly grade level meetings focused on improving Literacy and Mathematics instruction.

 

Quality Instructional Program 

• An updated math program (EnVisionmath) was implemented.
• 7 teachers made 18 professional development presentations to the faculty and staff.
• The librarian developed long-term projects and monthly activities to promote reading and to support the curriculum.
• Third grade students have 1:1 technology (Chrome Books).
• All teachers are differentiating instruction.

Environment for Success

• The average daily attendance was 94.22%
• The after-school program supported the curriculum with reading groups, math activities, science and technology clubs, art clubs and athletics.
• The Walking School Bus program provided a safe and healthy way to school.
• The redesign of the traffic flow pattern created a safer and more efficient student drop-off routine.
• The school and PTO had numerous community events for parents & students (Volunteer training, PEAK nights, movie night, story night, pancake dinner, showcase, family dance, concert, Spring fair, open house, orientations, etc.).
• Several assemblies were held to honor veterans, recognize student performance, observe a performance (Bangor Ballet, Bangor Public Library, Frogtown Puppeteers, FOODPLAY) and to hold a flag ceremony.
• Students were connected to other Bangor schools by attending a football game, concerts at Bangor High School, a play at the James F. Doughty School, BHS JROTC cadets reading to children, a strings demo older students, and seniors attending a May assembly.