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Developing competent student writers and spellers, raising the level of reading comprehension and creating a school environment that promotes respect is the focus for students and staff at Silver Springs Elementary School. The staff at Silver Springs identifies instructional interventions that are implemented in all classrooms. Assessment instruments documenting student growth are identified, administered and analyzed.
At Silver Springs, a variety of experiences provide students with opportunities to learn and achieve in ways that best suit their individual needs. For the past two years, fifth graders have had an opportunity to interview World War II veterans – both pilots and soldiers – in conjunction with their reading of the World War II-era novel, Number the Stars. Second graders perform in the Radio Reader’s Theater practicing fluency and comprehension by reading scripts.
The school’s goals of developing competent student writers and better readers reaches a fever pitch during March is Reading Month. Last year, the school celebrated the 100th birthday of Dr. Seuss with students dressing up like Seuss characters and reading their favorite Dr. Seuss stories. Other activities during March is Reading Month included a school-wide treasure chest theme emphasizing that Silver Springs student “unlocked the treasure of reading.”
Parents play an integral role in the learning experience at Silver Springs. Ninety-nine percent of Silver Springs’ families attended parent-teacher conferences last year. Through the PTA-sponsored Junior Enrichment Series, Silver Springs’ students enjoyed the talents of storyteller Laura Pershin and a visit from Michigan Chillers author Jonathan Rand, who gave a presentation to upper elementary students followed by a lunch with teachers. The lunch with Jonathan Rand provided Silver Springs’ teachers with an opportunity to share ideas about writing as part of the school’s ongoing efforts to develop competent students writers.
The Gift of Reading marked last year’s school-wide community service initiative with third grade students participating in the Classrooms Care project initiated by Scholastic, Inc. The program challenged classrooms across the nation to read 100 books. Once a classroom achieved this goal, Scholastic donated books to needy children through various charities. All three Silver Springs third grade classrooms exceeded the goal. Two local partners – Remerica Hometown Realty and McDonald Ford — stepped forward to bring the learning project closer to home by providing funds to donate books to local children in need. On December 15, students assembled to give their wrapped books to two boys from an area shelter supported by Wolverine Human Services. This provided students the opportunity to meet some of the children they worked so hard to help.
Silver Springs serves 435 students in kindergarten through fifth grade. In addition to 20 classroom teachers, there are special area teachers for physical education, media, music, art and foreign language. Professional support comes from a learning consultant, resource room teachers, a speech and language specialist, psychologist and social worker.
Dr. Ken Pawlowski, who served as principal of Silver Springs for 21 years, retired at the close of the 2003-04 school year. Scott Snyder is the new principal at Silver Springs. |
