Meherrin Elementary School 28600 Grays Shop Road Newsoms, Virginia 23874-2904

Mrs. Syretha C. Wright, Principal

Mrs. Rosalind R. Holland, ITRT

School Facts

Meherrin Elementary School is located in rural Southampton County, Virginia. This school serves pre-k through fifth grade students with an enrollment of 310 students. This school serves students from several districts, Boykins, Branchville,Newsoms, Courtland, Capron and Franklin. There are several mobile home parks and a public housing apartment complex. Adequate housing continues to be one of the communities’ major concerns. Most of the families live in single-family dwelling.

Meherrin Elementary is a Title I school that has 62% of its school population receiving free and reduced meals. This school does provide a breakfast program. Minorities account for the 58% of the schools population.

Staff Characteristics

Staff of highly qualified teachers

All classes incorporate special ed. Inclusion in Pre-K –5

Teachers in grades 3-5 teach in content areas of strength

Math resource teacher for students in grades 3-5

Title 1 school with 2 full-time reading specialists that serves all students in grades K-5 (school-wide)

Assessments

Students in grades 1-5 are administered benchmark tests each grading period

Flanagan Checkpoint tests are given throughout the year to check for mastery of objectives

State Released tests are administered to students in grades 3-5 prior to State testing in the spring

Standards of Learning Tests (SOL) are administered each spring to students in grades 3-5 in core content areas

What Are S.O.L.s?

Virginia Standards of Learning

An end-of-year assessment

Required by the state

Review of what has been taught

Takes strategy

Using Assessments Results:

Drives the instruction

Differentiate instruction

Align our district’s curriculum and assessment practices

Reports sent to parents

Results used to assist in School Improvement Plan

S.O.L. Extravaganza

First one held in 2004 to get more parental involvement

Parents and students from Grade 3-5, school board members, Title 1 Parent Liaison, School staff

Parents received packet of information

PowerPoint of test-taking strategies

Skit by students

Virginia Dept. of Ed. Website

Door prizes

Dinner

Grade 3 – Reading

In 2005-06, 97% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

In 2004-05, 94% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

In 2003-04, 56% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

In 2002-03, 66% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

In 2001-02, 55% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

Grade 3 – Math

In 2005-06, 96% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

In 2004-05, 86% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

In 2003-04, 93% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

In 2002-03, 66% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

In 2001-02, 46% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

Grade 5 – Reading

In 2005-06, 100% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

In 2004-05, 83% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

In 2003-04, 86% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

In 2002-03, 69% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

In 2001-02, 54% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

Grade 5 – Math

In 2005-06, 97% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

In 2004-05, 93% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

In 2003-04, 97% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

In 2002-03, 67% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

In 2001-02, 37% “met” or “exceeded” state standards.

Summary Points

Must make parents a part of the school team

Make sure that parents understand testing process and feel comfortable working at home with students

Make sure that ALL parents receive packets

Keep lines of communication open with parents through weekly newsletters, papers sent home

Celebrate success!!

CHALLENGES STILL AHEAD

Even though we have performed very well in recent years on our state standards, as well as having met national standards, we continue to strive toward exceeding the set standards and improve instruction for our students. As the “bar” rises each year to reach the ultimate goal of 100% success for all students, keeping all of the team players actively involved in the process will be the biggest challenge.