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Setting Description
Setting Description
Music
Ocean Knoll Elementary School opened in Encinitas, California in 1959. It is one of nine elementary schools in the Encinitas Union School District. Ocean Knoll is in its final year of candidacy status as an International Baccalaureate World School. It is a Kindergarten through sixth grade elementary school with approximately 470 students. Our school is one of three Title I schools in the district. It is situated in the northern coastal town of Encinitas. The school sits on a hill overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Its considered a west side school, meaning that it is located west of El Camino Real. The three west side schools in our district are similar in demographics in that the student populations are made up of 50% English Language Learners and 50% English Only students. The east side schools serve a more affluent population with a much lower percentage of English Language Learners. These schools are all located east of El Camino Real and west of the privileged Rancho Santa Fe community. Ocean Knolls student population is culturally diverse and mirrors the schools surrounding
Team Time
Wellness Program
community. As you drive down the streets you see large beautiful homes with million dollar price tags and just around the corner crowded duplexes and apartment buildings, many with two or three families sharing a small space. Our school is a natural gathering place where these two distinct groups meet. We have very active parent volunteers who work together with staff and students to ensure our school based programs are successful. Ocean Knoll has been the recipient of several generous grants that have allowed us to offer students many new programs this school year.
Demographics
Family Income and Education
Family Factors Low Income Indicator (Free and Reduced Lunch) Parents with Some College Parents with a College Degree Our School County Average State Average
The majority of Hispanic or Latino students at Ocean Knoll are English Learners and receive free or reduced lunch. Conversely, the majority of students that speak English as their first language do not receive free or reduced lunch. In addition, a large number of English Learners at our school have parents who have not completed college. The difference between these two socioeconomic groups and the inequity it presents in standardized testing has been the focus of many effective changes. Over the past five years, many of the school wide programs previously mentioned have helped increase student achievement.
Student Ethnicity
Ethnicity African American Asian American/ Pacific Islander Hispanic/Latino White/European American or Other Our County State School Average Average
1% 2% 54% 43%
The rotations include science lab, garden/nutrition, and music. Kindergarten, 5th and 6th graders also receive a 4th rotation of PE. While the students participate in these enrichment classes, grade level teams meet to plan and collaborate regarding student goals, assessments, IB units, etc. TLP is made possible by the support from the PTA and the Sage Garden Grant who fund the TLP staff. All grade levels will receive two 30 minute yoga sessions a week in addition to TLP.
The Ocean Knoll Wellness Program was started two years ago to encourage parents and students to make healthy choices. Students and parents can come daily from 7:308:00 am to run or jog the track before the start of school. On Mondays students can take a martial arts class, or Yoga on Tuesday and Thursdays. This is a program that would not be possible if it were not for our parent volunteers and PTA.
Classroom Setting
I am joining the Third Grade Team this year in a job share contract. My partner will begin the first half of the school year, and I will teach the second half of the year. The Third Grade Team is made up of 4 teachers, all with different expertise, but everyone with valuable insights to offer. Collaboration occurs every Wednesday while students are involved with TLP, and because of all the regrouping across the grade level, many more meaningful conversations happen throughout Students move between all three classrooms and are regrouped for Team Time, for intense LA intervention and instruction, as well as for Math. Although students are regrouped, all students are working towards grade level academic goals. Students move between all three classrooms and are regrouped for Team Time, for intense LA intervention and instruction, as well as for Math. Although students are regrouped, all students are working towards grade level academic goals.
Technology as a Tool
Ocean Knoll greatly encourages and supports all students use of 21st Century Skills. One of those skills is computer literacy and using technology as a vital resource. In addition to three days in the computer lab for 30minute sessions, students have access to computers, iPads and an interactive whiteboard while in the classroom. Our third grade class is also participating in a district wide implementation of individual student iPads. Every student throughout our district, from third to sixth grade, will begin the school year with a brand new iPad. This is an exciting and innovative year for the district as a whole! My experience with technology is that it has greatly enhanced student motivation, attention and enthusiasm for learning. We hope the device will increase curiosity and creativity amongst the kids and support individual student interests and abilities. Students will also be able to take the iPads home, closing a technology gap that weve struggled with for many years.
IB Display
Themes will be consistent throughout K-6, but the central idea and lines of inquiry will differ depending on grade level. All IB Attitudes are present throughout each classroom school wide.