McCornack Elementary School

The word is getting around that things are different at McCornack Elementary School since staff training at a Ruby Payne workshop on learning, poverty, and literacy. At a visit on September 9, 2005, principal Charlie Smith said, "It's not flashy... we don't have any great mural to see or anything...we just changed our practices." Wow. That's better than just a mural any day!

 

Awareness and action: • a few years ago, Free & Reduced Lunch counts were at 10% • now, Free & Reduced Lunch counts are at nearly 50% • 2 years ago, a staff team went to the Ruby Payne training focused on learning, poverty, and literacy • last year, the team attended the Ruby Payne training of trainers workshop	Secretary Sharon Reel greets all who enter the school with a smile and a willingness to help (here, Molly, their mascot, gets an appreciative pat).	The secretary says that the training has helped her to: • slow down, pay attention to people (parents and children) • not be so centered about getting from point A to point B • not make assumptions • put herself in their shoes, help them plan & find resources
Responses to parent and student needs: • literacy help • hiring of bi-lingual staff, people who are culturally competent, informed about at-risk families, are flexible and compassionate. • parent conferences scheduled by parent time availability (morning, afternoon, evening) • child care for PTO, conferences, school events • more home visits • computers on family long time loan	Molly is an equal opportunity receiver of hugs - especially welcome during hard times. Even teachers, like Ian Maver in the background, get attention from the dog.	Staff awarenesses: • not all families can read • Spanish speaking families may not be able to read in Spanish • students may not have their own room to study in (or even have their own bed) • home assignments are given with awareness of family limitations • cooks are sensitive to students who do not have money for lunch, and have options available
An example of bridging the gap: • the principal meets families at the door when they come for Student Services Team meetings, accompanies them to the meetings and sits beside them as their advocate, and walks back out with them • staff approach problem solving in collaboration with parents • the setting is homey and comfortable, with no one in "power suits"	Jolynn Cornell-Fabiano (Speech & Language Specialist) and Principal Charlie Smith plan a Student Services Team meeting to allay parent anxiety.	Ruby Payne Training done by McCornack team to date: • district administrators • regional Special Ed. staff • Kennedy staff • Instruction Department Upcoming: • Roosevelt staff • OASIS volunteers
Resource Clearing House: • clothing • school items • medical care options • information on community resources for various family needs	Michelle Bierman, the At-Risk Behavioral Specialist, congratulates Kayley about how she solved a problem during recess.	At-Risk Behavioral Specialist • works with at-risk families • helps students learn skills to resolve conflicts • the owner of Molly, the Newfoundland dog, resident mascot and supplier of love