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McTeachers’ Night a sizzling success

Kay Vasilakis

The Second Annual McTeachers’ Night at the Rifle McDonald’s on Thursday, Nov. 14, was an exemplary lesson in school-community relationships and a treat to observe. The event was created to involve community members in a project to help out one of the local schools. McDonald’s employees helped educate Esma Lewis Elementary School teachers and staff members in the art of fast food service. School staff members tried hard to learn burger-and-fries finesse and the special language of the cash register. Esma Lewis Elementary students happily brought their parents, grandparents and siblings to the restaurant, and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves.Mutual appreciation abounded as Esma Lewis staff members found a new sensitivity for fast food workers, and McDonald’s employees enjoyed the students bringing their families in to be served by the Esma Lewis staff. Kids relished being recognized by their teachers behind the counter. Goodwill such as this cannot be bought and will be long remembered.A portion of the proceeds during McTeachers’ Night will be given to the Esma Lewis Elementary parent-teacher organization. Way to go, Rifle McDonald’s, Esma Lewis staff members, and parents and students!The Second Annual Raising Readers event at Kathryn Senor Elementary School, on Friday, Nov. 15, brought a crowd of interested and involved parents to the school to find out more about the Success For All (SFA) reading program. Parents packed the cafeteria and were spilling out into the hallway. The principal estimated at least 200 parents participated in SFA with their students. This program is helping the school’s students raise their reading test scores impressively. Principal Bill Zambelli showed graphs and explained the data to the parents. The school has a right to be proud of its unrelenting efforts and dedication to the improvement of student achievement. Every action in the program has been researched and proven to result in the desired outcome. High-quality instruction and early intervention, including daily tutoring of 20 percent of the current student population, creates an environment of increased achievement.The goal of Kathryn Senor Elementary is to have at least 80 percent of third graders reading at or above grade level. During the 2001-02 school year, KSE second graders had a 25 percent gain in reading at or above grade level. By May 2002, 87 percent of third graders were reading at or above grade level. This data provides evidence that SFA is having a positive effect on KSE students. It is particularly important to note that these statistics include all students at the school, and that as the year progresses, the standard increases for reading on grade level. This means students are expected to be more proficient at the end of the year.Principal Zambelli told the parents that the Re-2 School Board is very supportive of Kathryn Senor Elementary’s SFA program, and will continue that support even though the grant funding the program has been exhausted.


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