Oconto Falls Elementary School is one of eight public elementary schools nominated for the National Blue Ribbon Schools Program by State Superintendent Tony Evers. To be considered for the program, schools must be among the top schools in the state for overall achievement on statewide assessments or closing achievement gaps between student groups.
“These elementary schools are working every day to provide their students with a safe learning environment where young people can build a foundation for future academic and life success,” Evers said. “I wish these nominees well in the next phase of the Blue Ribbon School process.”
Oconto Falls Elementary was nominated for closing achievement gaps for two groups of students: those with disabilities and those who are economically disadvantaged. Of the 550 students at OFES, 15.5 percent have disabilities and 44 percent are eligible for free and reduced lunch.
Reading specialist Crystal Beaman credited the Title I teachers, who work with students one-on-one or in small groups, for trying new assessments and interventions to improve students learning outcomes. Some students transition out of the Title I program within a year or year and a half, after catching up to their classmates.
“They’re making the gains they need,” she said.
Beaman works with the Title I staff and the students’ classroom teachers to pinpoint the students’ learning needs and determine the best way to provide extra support. From there, a rigorous schedule is set in which students meet with interventionists as often as 30 to 45 minutes, five days a week.
“We have a very intensive Title I program as compared to what I’ve seen in other schools,” Title I teacher and coordinator Jennifer Szprejda said. She said the daily meetings are resulting in great growth for students.
Title I is a federal program that provides funding to school districts with high numbers of children who are disadvantaged. The Title I staff at OFES includes Szprejda, Sherry Jagiello, Linda Gremban and Marissa DeMoulin. Their focus is reading and math, with writing secondary.
The Blue Ribbon nomination was based on assessment scores from the Badger Exam taken in April 2015 by students in third through fifth grades and the Wisconsin Knowledge and Concepts Examination taken previous years. A total of 212 students were tested in 2015.
Schools nominated to the program must complete the Blue Ribbon Schools application and undergo the national review process. Awards, presented to Exemplary High Performing and Exemplary Achievement Gap Closing schools, are typically announced in early September.
The Blue Ribbon Schools Program has recognized more than 8,000 of America’s schools since it began in 1982.
The other schools nominated in 2016 were Addison Elementary School in Hartford, Slinger School District; Halmstad Elementary School, Chippewa Falls Area Unified School District; Marengo Valley Elementary School, Ashland School District; Muskego Elementary School, Muskego-Norway School District; Swallow Elementary School in Hartland, Swallow School District; Wilson Elementary School, Beaver Dam Unified School District; and Woodland Elementary School, Barron Area School District.
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