2017 Five Star Journal Winter Issue

Much of Riverdale’s accomplishments can
be attributed to the school community’s
commitment to three primary improvement
strategies: utilizing student data, teacher
observations and feedback, and building
a culture of student achievement. These
strategies were supported by a number of
staff trainings and weekly collaborative work
sessions lead by the school’s administrative
team.
Executive Director of Schools Kari Cocozzella
took the opportunity to praise the leadership
team at Riverdale. “They are willing to do the
work,” she said. “They are in the trainings,
learning right alongside their teachers.”
Since 2015, the Riverdale staff has
participated in one-hour, school-wide
collaborative planning sessions each week.
Although planning time is not unique to any
of the schools in the Five Star District,
providing a time for teachers to work
shoulder-to-shoulder with their colleagues in
different grade levels has been a welcomed
addition at Riverdale. Over the last year,
digital learning teachers used this time to
help incorporate technology into the
classroom. Additionally, teachers serving
special populations such as gifted and
talented, special education and English
language learners, utilized the collaborative
sessions to work with their fellow teachers
to build more robust learning goals for the
students they serve.
Maintaining a school culture that is
conducive for student achievement is not
as easy as it sounds. In fact, Riverdale has
adopted a scoring rubric, purchased resources
and devoted professional development to
ensure the school culture remains positive
for all students. By conducting classroom
walkthroughs and providing the individual
feedback to teachers, the staff continues
to develop monthly goals to improve the
learning environment for students. The
feedback data is open to all teachers and the
top performers are acknowledged by their
colleagues.
According to Principal Golden, healthy
competition within the school from both
teachers and students was a motivating
factor over the last three years but more than
Principal Lori Bailey from Stukey Elementary and
Riverdale Elementary Principal Kristin Golden collaborate.
anything else, she attributed the school’s
successes to the staff’s work ethic.
“Overall, our staff is willing to do whatever it
takes to build the best learning environment
possible,” Golden said.
By sharing ideas, building a culture of
student achievement and embracing
friendly competition, it’s clear why the
Colorado Department of Education chose to
highlight the work taking place at Riverdale
Elementary. •
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