Principal's report: Key updates for Central Elementary families

A positive start to the school year

Central has had an especially positive start to the year. Students are responding well to school routines and expectations, and the overall atmosphere in the building feels welcoming and positive.

Teachers are also focusing on making learning more engaging, active, and hands-on. The goal is to create a school experience that keeps students excited to return each day.

Student survey results

Although student participation in the survey was lower than desired, the results were positive and have continued to trend upward.

• Central's overall student rating was 4.08 out of 5.
• The Portage Public Schools average was 3.87.
• Students reported that they believe their learning is important.
• Students feel they have opportunities to be successful.
• Students believe their teachers care about them.

The school will work to increase participation in future surveys so the results represent more students.

Areas identified for continued improvement included:

• Helping students show kindness and respect toward one another
• Helping students feel excited about coming to school
• Encouraging students to take responsibility for keeping the school clean

Family survey results

Only 41 people completed the family survey, so the results represent a relatively small portion of Central families. Increasing family participation will be an important goal for future surveys.

Among those who responded:

• Central received an overall family rating of 4.22 out of 5.
• The district-wide average was 4.12.
• Families described the school as clean and well maintained.
• Families felt comfortable communicating with the principal.
• Families felt that teachers, staff, and administrators genuinely care about their children.
• Families felt they were treated respectfully.

Families identified several areas where they would like continued improvement:

• More feedback about how their children are learning
• More positive phone calls, emails, and notes from school
• Greater consistency in how school rules are enforced
• Continued attention to behavior, safety, and recess supervision
• More opportunities for movement and play
• Thoughtful use of technology and reduced screen time when appropriate
• Better understanding of social-emotional and student support services
• Continued improvement to traffic flow, parking, and pedestrian safety

Many families did not identify any specific areas of concern and indicated that they felt the school was doing well overall.

Building connections between students

Central plans to introduce a more organized classroom buddy program, pairing older and younger classrooms.

Buddy classrooms may read together, participate in activities, or simply spend time getting to know one another. One of the goals is for students to recognize more children throughout the school, learn one another's names, and feel connected to the larger Central community.

The school is also providing short weekly connection groups for nearly 30 students who are new to Central this year. These groups give new students an opportunity to ask questions, share feedback, and become more comfortable with the school.

Behavior expectations and school rules

Central uses the research-based Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports—or PBIS—model. Students are taught to “Run with the HERD”:

• Help
• Engage
• Respect
• Do what's right

The school emphasizes teaching students the correct behavior rather than relying only on punishment. Consequences are still provided when appropriate, but the student's age, understanding, and circumstances are considered.

Central follows the principle of “praise in public and correct in private.” Because student discipline is confidential, families may not always see the action taken following an incident. However, the school continues to follow its code of conduct and address concerns privately with the students involved.

Communication with families

Improving communication about learning and student progress remains a priority. Families should receive information through several channels:

• Parent-teacher conferences
• Academic testing reports three times per year
• Progress reports four times per year
• Classroom newsletters at least twice per month
• School-wide and classroom updates through ClassDojo

Classroom newsletters should include information about what students are learning, not only reminders and classroom logistics.

Central is also introducing “Happy Mail.” Families should receive positive messages several times during the year highlighting something specific about their child's academic progress, character, behavior, or social-emotional growth.

Recess, safety, and supervision

Central now has a fully staffed recess and lunch supervision team of seven people. The normal arrangement allows for:

• Three supervisors outside
• Three supervisors inside
• One floating team member who can assist wherever needed

Having additional supervision may also allow students to use areas such as the larger soccer field more frequently.

Parent volunteers may be able to assist with specific recess activities. The school's approach is to provide volunteers with a clear and purposeful role.

Central has already held one safe-school and anti-bullying assembly. Another PTO-supported assembly is scheduled for the end of September and will connect with the school's existing expectations, including Stop, Walk and Talk, the Eight Keys of Excellence, and HERD expectations.

Movement, play, and screen time

The school recognizes families' interest in giving students more opportunities for recess, movement, and active learning.

Teachers are finding creative ways to incorporate movement into lessons, including indoor relay activities, exploring the school to identify natural and man-made materials, and other hands-on learning experiences.

The school is also reconsidering how technology is used. Staff will look for opportunities to reduce unnecessary screen time, particularly the use of screen time as a classroom reward, while continuing to use technology when it provides a meaningful educational benefit.

Arrival and dismissal

Families are asked to continue following the established pickup traffic pattern:

• Pull forward as space becomes available.
• Continue moving through the pickup line.
• Staff will help students reach their vehicles safely.

The school has also simplified dismissal procedures by discontinuing the use of side entrances.

Attendance matters

Central's attendance rate was approximately 92% last year. While that rate compares well nationally, it was among the lower attendance rates within Portage Public Schools.

The school's attendance message this year is:

Save it for sick—you belong here.

Children who are sick should stay home. At the same time, regular attendance, arriving on time, and remaining at school for the full day are important because learning continues throughout the day.

If a student misses three days within a week and the school has not heard from the family, someone from Central will personally reach out to make sure the family is okay and determine whether support is needed. The school will also monitor frequent late arrivals and early dismissals.

The goal is not to make students or families feel bad about an absence. The goal is to make sure students know they are wanted at school and to help remove any barriers that may be keeping them from attending.

Central's school improvement priorities

Central's “Plan on a Page” organizes the school's improvement work around four district pillars:

• Student Success
• People and Culture
• Service Excellence
• Stewardship

One important focus is collaborative teaching. The new building allows teachers to regroup students and use different learning spaces based on whether a student needs a lesson repeated, is ready to work independently, or would benefit from additional coaching.

Service excellence includes strengthening partnerships and communication with families. Central will soon invite parents to participate in the school's Parent Advisory Council, which is separate from the PTO. The council gives parents an opportunity to provide feedback on school programs and practices.

Stewardship includes caring for the new building, using school resources responsibly, making thoughtful spending decisions, and maintaining a strong partnership between the school and PTO.

Questions or concerns

Families are encouraged to contact Principal Sara Wagenaar whenever they have questions, need clarification, or would like to discuss a concern. Open communication and partnership with families remain important priorities for Central Elementary.