2019 Spring Five Star Journal

enrollment was down and school culture
was suffering.
“We were in our fifth year of Priority
Improvement (state performance rating)
and we had just received a recommendation
for closure,” said Miller, as she spoke to a
room of educators during the bright spot
visit, many of whom are in similar situations
at their own schools. “It was at that time that
we joined the Turnaround Network, which I
really feel was transformational and laid the
foundation for the changes that needed to
occur”.
It was in partnership with CDE that Betsy
and her staff were able to build systems
and structures to create opportunities for
significant student growth. As part of the
closure recommendation from the state, the
school developed a plan to rapidly change
its performance. The plan included three
major focus areas to improve outcomes for
students: Culture, Instructional Feedback and
Data. Each focus area was implemented,
tracked and reviewed to help the school
identify areas of growth and areas in need of
improvement.
Thornton Elementary created an environment
where all students felt welcomed and
motivated to succeed. They did so by building
consistent routines, creating community
meetings led by student leaders and
providing weekly enrichment opportunities
for students to pursue their passions.
Creating a positive culture was not limited to
students, creating a supportive and inclusive
Betsy and her staff were able to
build systems and structures to
create opportunities for significant
student growth. Thornton
Elementary created an environment
where all students felt welcomed
and motivated to succeed.
culture was also critical for school staff. They
established multiple committees to organize
group activities, class celebrations and even
wellness competitions to create a more positive
experience for everyone.
The increased focus on instructional observation
and data is rooted in the common
belief across all schools in the Five Star District
that every educator can improve their practice
each day.
The dedication to continuous improvement
allowed Betsy and her team to also collaborate
and ultimately focus on creating
opportunities for students to reach their
academic goals through more personalized
learning experiences and increased levels of
support. Thornton Elementary has officially
turned the tide for their students, parents
and community. •
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