Golden Sun eXtra Your Local News Source, Mohave County, AZ

from John Warren

August 2nd Topock school staff welcomed back our wonderful students with the following great news: Our school has earned the label of “Performing Plus,” narrowly missing earning the label of “Highly Performing,” by a mere 6 one-hundredths of one point! We had 30 students exceed the standards on the AIMS Test compared to 21 in 2009. Those 30 students will become members of the Excellerators and will be granted the use of a Dell Lattitude 2100 laptop while at school. The laptops were made possible through generous grants from PG&E and the Legacy Foundation. Led by the reigning Mohave County Teacher of the year, Ms. Beverly James, the 2010 math AIMS scores of our 5th grade students were the highest in Mohave County. 83% of those students met or exceeded Arizona State Standards, topping Young Scholars Academy in Bullhead City who scored 81%.

Many thanks to Richard Caudillo for school supplies for our teachers and children! Every year without fail Mr. Caudillo shows up and without fanfare simply enriches the lives of many with his continued support and generosity!

Our opening day ceremonies included our traditional flag raising ceremony provided by members of the VFW and the Ladies Auxiliary and accompanied on the electronic guitar by Joaquin Ortero. Sadly absent from the Ladies Auxiliary was Topock School advocate and staunch supporter Jeannie LaFrance. Mrs. LaFrance was a wonderful parent and a tremendous patriot whose generous advice and words of wisdom I will miss.

This year we welcome aboard the newest member of the Topock School Family, Miss Jessica Sondgeroth who recently graduated from Northern Arizona University with a Bachelors Degree in Advertizing. She will be the Technology Instructor in our state of the art computer lab. We look for our students to achieve greatness in technology under the tutelage of Miss Sondgeroth!

more by Beverley James

As is always the case, our teachers attended workshops, seminars, conferences and classes over the summer to insure they are using the latest research-based teaching strategies in their classrooms. The summer of 2010 was the busiest ever in the history of this school. From MAC-Ro math training to Technology in the Classroom to Masters of Art in teaching to special needs training, our teachers were out there learning, either in classrooms or in cyberspace. One workshop all of our teachers attended was training with DIBELS, Dynamic Indicators of Basic Early Literacy Skills, classroom strategies. Mr. Warren explains, “The students are currently doing very well in math, writing, and science. So this year, our focus is on reading.” The first step is discovering the reading level of each student. That way, teachers can design lessons to meet the learning needs of each and every student. Mrs. Rae Massey will be heading up the program as the statistician and advisor. Mrs. Haver and Miss Margarita will assist her with data collection. Mr. Warren has put a terrific support staff into place to aide the teachers in this effort. We will again place some students into the Reading Rewards program which will provide those students with the reading strategies they need. Also, the Books on the Bus Program will be launched next week to keep the students engaged in reading.

To learn more about us and to meet our principal and teachers, see our Web page at topockazschool.com. Here you will see some of the students and teachers in action. You will also find a link to each classroom where information is posted on a weekly basis.

TEACHERS’ PLEDGE to Kids at Hope Students
As an adult and a Treasure Hunter
I am committed to search for all the talents, skills and intelligence that exist in all children and youth.

I believe all children are capable of success.
No exceptions!

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