Finally, it's spring! 4th graders join Servant Year member Emily Jones in celebrating warm weather with a hula hoop contest.
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4th Grade: Mapping to Success! |
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At St. James School, we don't use the "T" word: test. Principal Dave McDonough says that word "stresses some students and sometimes impacts performance." Instead, we call our assessments "mapping."
- MAP stands for Measure of Academic Progress.
- MAP is taken online, individualized, and untimed
- MAP is administered in September, January, and June
- Subjects include reading, math, language, and science
- A raw score can be translated into an approximate grade level
- Due to many of our 4th graders starting two to three grade levels behind, the goal is for every student to grow 1.5 grade levels or more each academic year and to graduate from St. James with a 9.0 or higher grade level in reading and math
Despite our hybrid schedule and the continuing effects of COVID-19, which several times caused us to voluntarily go fully remote, we have seen overall growth in math and reading scores at all grade levels.
In 4th grade, Teacher Steph Padilla sees a marked improvement in results from September to January. "Most of the 4th grade class is reading on or above grade level, with five or six students who are about 1.5 years below grade level. This is the biggest growth we've seen in the 4th grade." She highlights two students: Sidora has increased her reading level from 4th grade to 8th. Ayden started at 7.5 in reading and increased to 9th. The January math MAP results showed half the class at grade level or above, and only a few significantly below grade level. Ayden is also a standout in math, improving from a 4.5 to a 6.5 grade level since September.
Asked why they are doing so well, Sidora shares, "I read books at home." She plans to continue working hard so she can become a psychologist because "I like to help people." Ayden explains, "I tried my best and I tried to go past my limits." He plans to become an architect, but adds a caveat: "If I don't like being an architect after I try it, then I might want to become an author and illustrator. I have been working on a book and I'm celebrating my 40th page."
Their teacher attributes the 4th grade's progress to a few factors. St. James instituted a new ELA curriculum called "Wit & Wisdom" this year. Ms. Padilla observes, "The rigor is much higher. When I opened the first module, I was a little concerned for our students, but they have risen to the occasion." Ten of her 15 students receive tutoring after school. And all have benefitted from the support of classroom volunteer Mary Hopkins and Servant Year member Emily Jones, who assists in teaching.
"I'm really excited to watch this class grow," Steph exclaims. "This group is unique, really fun. They have insightful questions." As hoped, MAP results indicate starting at St. James in 4th grade is providing the early foundation that sets up students for greater success in middle school and beyond.
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Teacher Steph Padilla and her 4th graders feeding the campus chickens. |
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Volunteers Springing and Zooming into Action |
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Creativity was stirring as we thought about ways to bring our volunteers back to campus this school year in a safe, fun, meaningful way. Students and staff had been missing the presence of our extended volunteer community when COVID-19 restrictions kept them off campus. Prior to March 2020, St. James School had 25 volunteers helping out in classrooms, at the front desk, chaperoning field trips, helping in the kitchen, tutoring after school, and other hands-on activities. Apparently the volunteers were missing us, too. They kept asking, “What more can we do!?” |
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Volunteers getting raised garden beds ready for spring planting. |
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Springing into action
Donna Stone, a weekly volunteer for many years, came to our head of school with an idea: Let’s get more hands to help with the many gardens on campus. She knew this could be done socially distanced, and of course outdoors! A Garden Committee was officially created in September and volunteers have been coming to our campus each day to weed, rake, plant, trim, compost, and more! Volunteers of all abilities and experience have helped to beautify our campus. School staff, students, and guests love the welcoming grounds and greenery. We're excited to see what springs up next!
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Zoom Tutor Karl Schoettle and 5th grader Anthony meeting online. |
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Zooming into action
St. James School has always relied on volunteers to provide in-person, after-school enrichment, especially tutoring and study hall. COVID-19 put all that on pause. Thanks to Zoom, after-school tutoring resumed in time for the second marking period. Our committed classroom volunteers adapted to digital whiteboards to teach quadratic formulas to 8th graders studying algebra, sharing screens and annotating readings with 4th and 5th graders in ELA, and playing “cool math games” to teach multiplication tables. Unexpected bonus: Virtual tutoring opportunities have attracted more college and high school volunteers!
Are you interested in volunteering?
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In Honor of Our 10th year …
We're Breaking New Ground
This summer, with your help, we begin construction on a new building to expand our campus and our programs! Learn more at a Virtual Briefing on the New Building and the Reach & Sustain Campaign that is supporting our exciting growth!
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Save the Date! Thursday, June 3rd Will Be Our 10th Anniversary Virtual Benefit
Expect surprises when our annual spring benefit becomes our first decade’s grand finale
NBC News’ Kristen Welker will join us as Master of Ceremonies.
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Celebrate Your Special Day with St. James School! |
Ask friends and family to make a gift on your birthday to a cause you really care about: St. James School!
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St. James School is a faith-based Philadelphia middle school in the Episcopal tradition, committed to educating students from an under-resourced neighborhood within a nurturing environment. The school is a community that provides a challenging academic program and encourages the development of the moral, spiritual, intellectual, physical and creative gifts in its students. |
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