West Valley City » Keeping their eyes on the prize helps motivate many people do good work. For Monroe Elementary, the prize is just a bonus for an already dedicated faculty and staff.
The school was one of two in Utah to be named a National Distinguished Title I School for Closing the Achievement Gap for this school year, and was recognized by the Utah State Office of Education as the 2009 Utah High Achieving Title I School.
Both awards are based on students reaching benchmark scores in Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) and Criterion-Reference Tests (CRT) in language arts and math. The National Distinguished Title I School award focused particularly on Monroe's end-of-year tests which revealed smaller gaps between scores of different ethnic groups.
Principal Launa Harvey says additional tutoring and activities are among the reasons students are showing progress in their school work. And while the awards are encouraging, she says it is ancillary to the reward of helping students and seeing them improve.
"It's not easy. We're continually trying to offer more support for these kids, families and the community," Harvey said. "But my goal, and the goal of everyone here, is make life better for these kids."
PTA president Mamie Kynaston has been with Monroe for nine years and says she has seen great student improvement from the added activities.
"I'm grateful for those teachers who are willing to stay after school and share their talents," said Kynaston, who has a first and a sixth grader at the school. "Some of these parents couldn't do without these extra activities. I know some parents who have to work two and three jobs just to make ends meet, so all this is a real life saver for them."
Teachers hold a 40-minute tutoring session after school every day. Many also volunteer to lead extra enrichment activities such as lacrosse, art, guitar lessons, dance and more. The school also offers free English and computer classes to parents in the community several days a week.
Sixth grade teacher Melissa Trujillo, who leads a podcasting class after school, says the extra time with teachers helps students build positive relationships with adults.
"The students see [teachers] as a role model, and it's important to be good example in [their lives]," she said. "If they have someone to look up to who is invested in their progress, it makes them feel more connected to the school and being successful."
Harvey says of the 715 students in kindergarten through sixth grade, at least 470 participate in tutoring and after school activities.
"Because so many of these kids don't have as much stimulating support at home, we continually have to find ways to introduce their world to them," said Harvey, citing crucial life tools such as learning English, computer programs and social skills and taking pride in their academic work.
Within the school, there are signs everywhere of a caring faculty and community. Eager hands rise during lectures, student art decorates the school walls, and intricate bulletin boards chart the progress of every student.
"These kids aren't exposed to all the perks you normally see in wealthier neighborhoods," said first grade teacher Marc Record, who has been at Monroe for 35 years. "For me, the most rewarding thing is when you see a student have an 'Aha!' moment. It makes all the extra work and time completely worth it."
