Grand Avenue principal reports reading gains, highlights Altrusa book donation and attendance push

Grand Avenue Elementary Principal Gretchen (surname not provided in the transcript) told the Board of Education the school made measurable gains in reading and math over the school year, ended the year fully staffed and received a summer bridge book donation from the Altrusa Club of Chickasha.

Gretchen said the school started the year facing a difficult teacher-hiring environment but finished the year with a full roster of teachers and several midyear hires who produced strong student growth. “She came in at Christmas and took a class that had had multiple people in there… and she made significant growth,” the principal said of one midyear hire.

On attendance, the school reported 436 full-academic-year students; 68 were chronically absent, giving a chronic-absence rate of 16 percent and an overall “good attendance” rate of 84.4 percent. The principal said the school had increased focus on medical exemptions for absences and had 10 pending exemption analyses that could change reported attendance rates if approved.

Gretchen described a range of interventions and incentives used to improve attendance, including rewards, tracking sheets and community partnerships. Volunteers and community groups—PTO, Chickasha High School interns, HSI, Rotary and Altrusa—were credited for support with reading programs, math competitions, events and student incentives.

The principal praised the Altrusa donation of heavy-duty summer bridge books, noting materials include laminated pull-out cards and stickers and that the books helped reinforce skills over the summer. “We just can't say thank you enough. We appreciate you very, very much,” she said.

The board and superintendent acknowledged the reports and thanked staff and volunteers. The principal said literacy would be a continued district focus next year, with a district literacy plan and time protected for reading instruction.