Anna F. Doerfler

School Improvement Plan 09/10

We, at Anna F. Doerfler Community School, firmly believe that all children are fully capable of learning. It is the responsibility of the students, parents, staff, and community members to insure that each child entrusted to our care receives the very best education possible as they ascend the academic levels. The traditional curriculum enables students to develop a respect for life through integrated, project – based learning, cooperative grouping, problem solving and hands – on activities related to real life situations. Through a well – organized, multi-cultural program and a disciplined atmosphere, students develop responsible learning behaviors, wholesome self-images and positive attitudes, so that they will become productive, caring, and contributing members of society. The use of various modes of technology prepares students to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Anna F. Doerfler Community School is on the south side of Milwaukee in the Mitchell Park area. We are a community school that services approximately 757 students from K3 through the new expansion to 8th grade. Based on demographics Doerfler is designed as a K-8 Elementary Community School. We value our cultural diverse population and support it with a Bilingual Program for grades K4-5th. The expansion has allowed Doerfler to include an additional bilingual grade level each year to 5th grade. ESL instruction is provided to students with Limited English Proficiency levels.

Our school provides a traditional education program with special emphasis on teaching basic skills through the Comprehensive Literacy Model. Doerfler participates in the SAGE program which allows us to keep the class sizes in grade levels K5 through 3rd at a 15:1 student to teacher ratio.

Science Achievement: Since science has become one of the graduation requirements of the Milwaukee Public Schools, it is important that our students do well in this area. The staff has emphasized the scientific method by placing PHEOC (Problem, Hypothesis, Experiment, Observations, and Conclusion) posters in every classroom. Students work in small groups to conduct science experiments. Data has been collected, and recorded in graphs, charts, and tables. Theories and conclusions have been displayed in classrooms and hallways.

Reading/Language Arts Achievement: Reading has always been a priority at Doerfler. We continued our Accelerated Reading Program and now all grades, first through sixth, participate. Many of the intermediate students became reading buddies with primary classes during the school year. A very successful Family Reading Night, with many interesting reading activities, was held in April. A Scholastic Book fair was held in conjunction with a summer activity ideas and opportunities night. Drop Everything and Write (DEW), and portfolios were implemented throughout all grades (K4-8th).

Math Achievement: The students at Doerfler School will develop strategies consistent with the comprehensive math framework and the learning targets in order to understand and apply math concepts in the classroom and the real world. The fifth grades departmentalize for math and social studies instruction. Students use manipulatives as they solve problems. The math curriculum is reinforced through the use of small group instruction, computers, and peer tutoring. Once a week, students have the opportunity to deposit moneys in a savings account, with partnership Guardian Credit Union.

Special Education: Doerfler also provides a continuum of special education services. There are four special education teachers (1 bilingual), 3 speech/language pathologists (2 bilingual), and 1 bilingual paraprofessional. Itinerant staff includes a diagnostic teacher, social worker and a bilingual psychologist. Special education teachers also provide support to staff members by suggesting techniques and instructional strategies to assist with regular education students who may have academic difficulties.

Staff Development: Several staff members have taken advantage of classes in the areas of math and science. Many attended inservices and workshops in the area of reading, science, math and special education. A total of 233 staff development activities have been taken by teachers, and 44 by educational assistants.

Family Involvement: Parents play an important role in the success of their children, and we have made an extra effort to involve them and the community in the school. Many parent/community events have taken place this year. Our Open House kicked off the school year, followed in October with our annual Halloween Parade led by the Band, and a Scholastic Book Fair. November brought Skate Night and a school-wide food drive. In December, many parents attended our annual Winter Concert. In February, families attended our Black History Program as well as the Piñata Program. In March there was Parent/Teacher Conference night. In April, Skate Night and an extremely popular Family Reading Night. A Neighborhood Clean Up, a Vocabulary Parade Program, a National Geographic Bee, and a Hispanic Program took place in May. A Scholastic Book Fair and ideas for summer activities was held in June. Safe Place is a before and after school program that services the parents and students of the Doerfler Community throughout the school year.

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