A Place For All Elementary by Regina Russo https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw en-us 2020-10-26 00:45:41 UTC 2023-04-29 17:12:33 UTC hello@padlet.com https://101clipart.com/wp-content/uploads/09/Cute%20School%20Clipart%20Free%2029.png Our Mission Statement rrusso2001 https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860099540 A Place For All Elementary strives to create an engaging, comfortable, collaborative safe space for all students.  While providing exemplary education in core subjects to all scholars, our advanced social emotional learning (SEL) school focuses in on appreciating each others differences and being kind to all.  Our goal is to ensure all scholars are comfortable coming to school everyday and have the ability to take part in meaningful collaboration with their peers.  Our school is taking the step to create peace among cultures by showing our scholars this action everyday.  ]]> 2020-10-26 00:50:13 UTC https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860099540 Curricular Overview rrusso2001 https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860101403 The curriculum of APA Elementary emulates that of all elementary schools.  Core subjects (Math, ELA, Science, Social Studies) are taught everyday as aligned with the Common Core Standards.  We set ourselves apart by focusing in on SEL learning and emphasizing culture appreciation.  

SEL stands for social emotion learning.  SEL is the process through which children and adults acquire and effectively apply the knowledge, attitudes, and skills necessary to understand and manage emotions, set and achieve positive goals, feel and show empathy for others, establish and maintain positive relationships, and make responsible decisions.  Through this, our educators are teaching scholars how to identify their emotions and manage them properly.  SEL is done through relationship building activities, model situations, and goal setting.  (Casel, 2020)

Our school is made up of very diverse students so our educators take the time to appreciate the culture of each and every child.  In doing this, children learn about different backgrounds and ethnicities.  This creates a culturally responsive environment where all students are free to be themselves.  ]]> 2020-10-26 00:51:30 UTC https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860101403 Supporting All Learners rrusso2001 https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860101783 As explained in our mission statement and identified in our school name, APA Elementary was founded on the principle of supporting all students.  Our daily schedule incorporates SEL, culture appreciation, and academic intervention services (AIS) in core subjects.  For scholars who are handicapped, one on one aides will be assigned to help the scholar as needed.  All of our entry ways and floors are made accessible to scholars who are wheelchair bound or short statured.  Additionally, for scholars with an individualized education plan (IEP), APA Elementary has a strong team of certified SPED teachers and student/family advocates to ensure the scholar with a learning disability has an equal opportunity to learn as all others.  Lastly, for scholars who have been affected by trauma, excessive stress, or emotional disability, APA Elementary has another strong team of crisis intervention specialists, trauma coaches, school psychologists, and SEL directors to guide students through their hardships and ensure academic, social, and emotional success. ]]> 2020-10-26 00:51:47 UTC https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860101783 Technology Integration rrusso2001 https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860102019 APA Elementary believes strongly in the use of technology to turn our scholars into literate and responsible digital citizens.   We provide our students with a Chromebook free of cost for in school and at home educational use.  APA Elementary uses G-Suite for education which is a Google work space of cloud computing, productivity and collaboration tools, software and products developed and marketed by Google.  This software includes several key features which has allowed our school to integrate technology in a successful manner.  These key features of G-Suite for Education include:

  • The ability to co-edit documents, spreadsheets, and presentations in real time.
  • Educators can connect their classroom with email, chat, and video.
  • Google Classroom allows educators to create classes, make assignments, give quizzes, and save time grading.  This is very user-friendly for students. 
  • Scholars and educators can build to-do lists, create task reminders, and schedule meetings.
  • Technology administrators can manage students, devices, and security so data stays safe.
  • Google SSO (single sign on) to other connected resources such as Newsela, IXL, Lexia, and MyOn which allows students easy access to content providers
(EDU Google, 2020)

]]> 2020-10-26 00:51:57 UTC https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860102019 Family and Community Engagement rrusso2001 https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860102253 The staff and administrators at APA Elementary value our community members and the families of our students by making efforts everyday to keep them involved and engaged.  When making decisions for scholars and our school, community and family voices are heard through surveys, community representatives, and open mic meetings. An in depth version of our curriculum is available on our website as well as resources to support our scholars at home. Once a month, we have a scholar show-off which all community members and families are invited to see all of our students hard work. ]]> 2020-10-26 00:52:07 UTC https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860102253 Community Impact rrusso2001 https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860102771 APA Elementary's mission and goal for all students ultimately impacts the community in which we are set.  Since our community is so diverse and our students each have their own unique needs, we make every effort to truly build our school to be 'A Place For All'.  Through our unique curriculum and programs, our scholars become more and more culturally responsive and respectful everyday, allowing them to truly understand the background of those in the community in which we live.  APA Elementary scholars leave this school with the knowledge, resources, and mentality necessary to be active and productive members of our community.  ]]> 2020-10-26 00:52:29 UTC https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860102771 APA Elementary Wants To Hear Your Voice! rrusso2001 https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860104646 As stated before, community and family voices are salient to the administrators and educators at APA Elementary.  Please, speak up and make your ideas, questions, or comments heard by using the attached google form.]]> 2020-10-26 00:53:56 UTC https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860104646 Self Reflection rrusso2001 https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860105631 As I look back on the all of the material I have had the opportunity to learn over the past six weeks and on this final project, I feel so happy to have had this experience.  The ideas of culturally responsiveness and technology integration are topics that really hit home for me, which is why A Place For All Elementary was built on these core concepts.  America is already such a diverse country and by 2044, America is predicted to be a majority-minority country, which is wonderful but will only be peaceful if we all learn to appreciate our differences and be responsive.  I wholeheartedly believe our country can make a complete 180 through education.  It's amazing to think that if schools took the time to really educate students on how to be culturally responsive, an entire generations mindset would change.  
Additionally, the use of technology is another piece that can make such a drastic impact on a learning environment.  Technology is used almost every day by the majority of Americans.  Incorporating technology in the classroom to teach students to be responsible digital citizens and use technology to their advantage is not only important but very beneficial to educators and scholars.]]> 2020-10-26 00:54:39 UTC https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860105631 References rrusso2001 https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860105750 Casel. (2020). Overview of SEL. Www.Casel.Org. https://casel.org/overview-sel/#:%7E:text=Social%20and%20emotional%20learning%20(SEL,maintain%20positive%20relationships%2C%20and%20make

Edu Google. (2020). G Suite for Education. Google for Education. https://edu.google.com/products/gsuite-for-education/?modal_active=none

Wade, M. (2016, March 29). Visualizing 21st-Century Classroom Design. Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/blog/visualizing-21st-century-classroom-design-mary-wade]]> 2020-10-26 00:54:45 UTC https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860105750 Our Motto rrusso2001 https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860122871 2020-10-26 01:06:26 UTC https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/860122871 A Place For All Elementary rrusso2001 https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/870229847 A Place For All Elementary is just what our name says!  APA Elementary is an environment that is engaging, welcoming, and inviting to ALL scholars.  This school was founded on the principle that all students are entitled to an  education in an environment where they feel seen, heard, and valued.  APA Elementary emphasizes the difference between inclusivity and accessibility and notes that we are both a fully inclusive and accessible school.  Accessibility simply means making all materials, concepts, and learning spaces available to students.  Inclusivity is making all scholars feel apart of the whole after making everything accessible.  (Wade, 2016)  APA Elementary administrator can assure you that when taking a step into our school, you will feel the inclusivity.  ]]> 2020-10-28 16:00:01 UTC https://padlet.com/rrusso2001/vdi4ujy9thr3mviw/wish/870229847