Suntree Elementary School

 

School Information

School Name: Suntree Elementary School
School Address: 900 Jordan Blass Drive, Melbourne, FL 32940
School Phone: 321.242.6480
School Fax: 321.242.6485
Principal: Mecheall Giombetti
Principal email: Giombetti.Mecheall@brevardschools.org
Web Address: http://www.suntree.brevard.k12.fl.us/

 

Demographics

Number of Students:  827
Number Eligible for Free and Reduced Lunch:  7%
Percent of Limited English Proficient:  0.72%
Percent of Special Education:  17.04%
Racial/Ethnic Percentages:

- White:  83%
- Black:  2%
- Hispanic:  4%
- Asian/Pacific Island:  7%
- Other:  5%

 

Student Achievement Data:

FCAT Reading and Math Mean Scale Score

Grade: 3	Math (School/State/District)	Reading (School/State/District)
2004-05	375/317/333	356/305/322
2005-06	375/324/337	356/313/324
2006-07	384/328/340	363/309/324
2007-08	397/333/345	369/313/326
2008-09	410/337/346	368/313/325
2009-10	397/337/342	375/314/325

FCAT Reading and Math Mean Scale Score/FCAT Writing Mean Essay Score

Grade: 4	Math (School/State/District)	Reading (School/State/District)	Writing (School/State/District)
2004-05	365/312/325	360/319/333	4.3/3.7/3.8
2005-06	382/318/333	360/314/327	4.4/3.9/4.0
2006-07	378/319/331	367/316/329	4.4/3.9/3.9
2007-08	385/324/338	364/319/334	4.2/3.8/3.9
2008-09	381/330/340	369/324/337	4.6/4.0/4.1
2009-10	389/330/339	370/323/335	4.5/3.8/3.8

FCAT Reading and Math, and Science Mean Scale Score

Grade: 5	Math (School/State/District)	Reading (School/State/District)	Writing (School/State/District)
2004-05	350/329/337	337/303/320	337/296/322
2005-06	364/329/339	348/304/320	354/299/329
2006-07	377/332/345	360/310/325	373/306/336
2007-08	371/333/344	354/305/320	364/310/334
2008-09	382/335/344	352/311/324	363/314/334
2009-10	376/336/344	357/310/324	369/318/338

FCAT Reading and Math Mean Scale Score

Grade: 6	Math (School/State/District)	Reading (School/State/District)
2004-05	336/305/333	348/299/325
2005-06	362/312/336	354/311/329
2006-07	364/307/334	358/306/328
2007-08	374/313/341	371/310/333
2008-09	366/316/341	363/313/334
2009-10	377/319/345	367/315/337

 

Please comment on any aspect of the data that you believe is particularly significant.

Suntree consistently exceeds state and district mean scale scores in Reading, Math, Science, and Writing.  Continuous data analysis enables teachers to collaborate, research, and implement strategies to drive instruction and differentiate lessons to meet the needs of all Suntree students.

 

Please present additional information that indicates your efforts to build a professional learning community have had a positive impact on students and/or teachers.

The high percentage of National Board Certified Teachers/Leaders/Mentors in our school, and strong administrator support, have complimented our professional learning community at Suntree.  Reading, Math, Writing, and Science small groups meet constantly to analyze data, research current practices, and share information gained with all teachers.  Teachers are able to work in their “specialty” area(s).   These teachers also created programs to air on our SunNews (TV, Closed-Circuit Broadcast) to reinforce these skills.  In addition, our Reading PLC have analyzed and set goals for timed oral reading fluency results in grades k-6.  We are utilizing parent volunteers to create literacy centers for each grade level, while teachers reevaluate and implement best practices in reading instruction.  Furthermore, a small group of teachers meet monthly to research and discuss current best practices in instruction targeting our school goals.  Teachers sent to district, state, or other out-of-area seminars, immediately disseminate  resources/ strategies to other teachers in our school through PLCs to implement with their students.  Some of these topics include:  Student-Centered Mathematics, Multi-Sensory Phonemic Awareness, Math Games & Activities, Action-Based Learning & Brain Gym, Exploring Reading Websites, Managing Challenging Student Behaviors & Routines and Behaviors, Writing & Book Binding, and CRISS (CReating Independence through Student-owned Strategies) Refresher Strategies.

In addition to continuing the above practices this year, our school has truly expanded our professional learning communities. Suntree sent a team of teachers and administrators to a literacy leadership conference hosted by FLARE in June, 2008. During this conference our team was able to learn new PLC models and plan our goals for 2008-2009. Teachers are participating in monthly professional discussions of current educational topics in a casual atmosphere. A local vendor is sponsoring the refreshments for our “Mocha Mondays” PLC. The LLT is also supporting classroom observations by covering one teacher’s class so that teacher may observe another teacher model a strategy or lesson.

Grade level PLCs have been formed this school year to collaborate on several undertakings. Grade level teams are planning and implementing learning projects for each grade level that specifically address 21st Century Learning Skills. Grade level teams are also meeting weekly to monitor student progress through our Response to Intervention process. Based on the data discussed teams are currently planning “walk to” intervention and enrichment groups to meet all students’ needs: enrichment, tier 2, or tier 3 instruction. In alignment with RtI, these interventions take place in addition to the 90 minute reading block.

Suntree Elementary was recently selected to represent Brevard Public Schools at the Leadership and Learning Center Data Teams Summit in Clearwater, Florida this February, 2011.

 

Please elaborate strategies you have found to be effective in the following areas:

1. Monitoring student learning on a timely basis.
Continuous data analysis of state, district, and school assessments is the most effective strategy for monitoring student learning on a timely basis at Suntree.  Goals are set and strategies are put in place to support students, with frequent checks, until there is mastery of concepts.

2. Creating systems of intervention, through the Response to Intervention process, to provide students with additional time and support for learning.
Classroom teachers, administrators, guidance counselors, speech teachers, support personnel, exceptional education staff, the gifted instructor, activity teachers, etc. all take ownership of student progress by working together to meet the needs of our students.  Through our continuous data analysis of on-going assessments, goals are set for students to support their learning.

3. Building teacher capacity to work as membersof high performing collaborative teams that focus efforts on improved learning for all students.
Time has been provided for teams to meet during building inservice days and at faculty meetings.  Additionally, teachers meet during their planning times and after school as time permits.  Administration has provided substitute teachers to cover classes to enable small groups of teachers to meet for special projects.  Suntree’s School Advisory Council (SAC) and administration have funded an ample amount of professional development for all subject areas as noted in our annual goals.  SAC has also purchased materials, such as informational resources.

List awards and recognitions your school has achieved:

- 2007 National Blue Ribbon School Award
- Golden School Award (volunteer hours) (14 consecutive years)
- 5 Star Award
- A+ School (Governor’s Award)
- 2009 Florida Association for Staff Development
- Literacy Leadership Team Recognition
- 2009 Reading Teacher of the Year for Brevard County Public Schools –Karla Ritchie
- 2009 Florida Power Media Award Recipient
- 2010 Attain award
- 2010 Gold Key after school care award
- 2010 Star cafeteria award