Myrtle Avenue Elementary ranked in top 5 % of Title I schools in Pennsylvania
Keystone Oaks ’ Myrtle Avenue Elementary School has been recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Education for being in the top five percent of Title I schools in the Commonwealth for the third consecutive year .
This year , the Department of Education ’ s Division of Federal Programs recognized Myrtle Elementary as a “ Reward : High Achievement ” school , meaning that the school
•
: Ranks amongst the highest 5 % of Title I schools , based on aggregate mathematics and reading proficiency for the PSSA
• exams for the 2015-2016 school year . Has met all four Annual Measurable Objectives for the 2015-2016 academic year , which are : n Test participation in the Mathematics / Reading PSSA ( all students ) n Attendance Rate ( all students ) n Closing the Achievement Gap on the Mathematics / Reading PSSA ( all students ) n Closing the Achievement Gap on the Mathematics / Reading PSSA ( historically underperforming students )
“ The commitment of the teachers and support staff to ensuring that students are meeting and exceeding performance and growth standards is truly commendable ,” said Dr . Shannon Varley , Director of Curriculum , Instruction , Assessment & Staff Development . “ To be able to receive
this designation three years in a row is a true testament to the dedication of the educational staff at Myrtle Elementary .” eystone Oaks
SCHOOL DISTRICT NEWS
Investors Donate More Than $ 2,000 to Build Lego Walls at Keystone Oaks Elementary Schools
In the first semester of the 2016-2017 school year , Keystone Oaks ’ two new elementary STEAM teachers successfully raised more than $ 2,200 in both monetary and in-kind donations to build an 80 " x 80 " Lego wall in the STEAM classroom at each of the three elementary schools . More than 860 students in kindergarten through fifth grade will be able to utilize the Lego walls and will reap the benefits of block play for young children .
Miss Jennie Martin , the STEAM teacher at Dormont and Myrtle Avenue elementary schools , and Mr . Aaron Colf , Aiken Elementary School ’ s STEAM teacher , utilized the crowdfunding website Pledgecents . com to raise funds for two of the Lego walls . The third Lego wall was built with proceeds from the teachers ’ participation in the South Hills Village Barnes & Noble ’ s Mini Maker Faire in November , where the elementary STEAM program received a portion of all purchases . Plywood , and other supplies to construct the base of the Lego walls , was donated by local Home Depot stores .
“ The response from the community far exceeded our expectations ,” Miss Martin said . “ We are extremely thankful for their support of the new elementary STEAM program and for their contributions towards the Lego walls . To be able to raise more than $ 2,000 in a few short weeks is truly astounding ,” she added .
According to the National Association for the Education of Young Children , through playing with blocks children learn problem solving , imagination , self-expression , mathematics , continuity and permanence , creativity , science , self-esteem , and social and emotional growth .
The Lego walls will allow Miss Martin and Mr . Colf to engage students in a number of hands-on projects , including designing a marble drop with bricks , solving fractions , telling and creating stories , playing , and more . Students will also have the opportunity to exercise creativity , spatial thinking , fine motor skills , and mathematical reasoning – all of which are areas of focus in the new elementary STEAM class .
“ We are excited to incorporate the Lego walls into our curriculum and to also give students the opportunity to build and play freely and creatively ,” Mr . Colf said .
Lego donations are being accepted on an ongoing basis and can be dropped off at the main office in each elementary school during normal office hours .
Keystone Oaks | Spring 2017 | icmags . com 27