|
School Summary
First opened in 1952, Westlawn Elementary School has experienced a variety of changes including three major additions, an address change, and the incorporation of the entire student population of Walnut Hill Elementary. Westlawn maintains a central focus in the community with a reputation for caring professionals committed to providing an excellent education for all students.
Westlawn's instructional program addresses the needs of a diverse community of learners and promotes high academic expectations for our students. Teachers implement a wide range of high yield strategies to accommodate all learning styles. Teachers and specialists work closely together to provide an inclusive education for all students. Collaboration across programs provides resources and programs for all students.
Westlawn operates as a professional learning community (PLC). Weekly team planning allows teachers to coordinate ideas and activities with grade-level teachers and other professionals. Staff members pursue professional growth opportunities and generously share their expertise with each other. Teacher inquiry drives best practices in instruction designed to impact student learning. Westlawn’s Teacher Research program is one of the most developed in the county with teachers actively pursuing research questions that change their classroom practices. Technology is an integral part of instruction and is closely linked to the school plan. Westlawn is working to implement the use of technologies that support visual strategies to increase academic background knowledge. Vertical planning ensures dialogue among teachers from preschool to grade six.
Students are engaged in numerous hands-on activities to support and enrich the Program of Studies. Student recognition within each classroom and in the school is ongoing throughout each day and through the school year. SCA and safety patrols assume a very active leadership role in the school.
Westlawn is committed to acknowledging individual worth, instilling daily the values of responsibility and mutual respect. Outreach to the community includes a PTA-sponsored tutoring program, weekly newsletters, Spanish and Vietnamese parent liaisons, and parent and child learning opportunities such as Partners in Print, Family Math Night, Family Reading Night, Learning Fair, and Rising Stars. Currently PTA and Westlawn staff are working collaboratively to build an outdoor classroom for science exploration.
Last Updated: 2006-07-11
|
