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Santa Margarita principal highlights graduate-profile program, math gains and PBIS/Leader in Me work
Summary
Principal Marshawn Potter told the Atascadero Unified board on April 22 that Santa Margarita Elementary has tied monthly projects to the district graduate profile, increased math proficiency in early grades, and expanded PBIS and Leader in Me practices to support behavior and leadership.
Marshawn Potter, principal of Santa Margarita Elementary School, presented the site’s approach to promoting the district graduate profile and shared student achievement data and programs at the Atascadero Unified School District board meeting on April 22.
Potter outlined a monthly project model that connects classroom activities to the district’s graduate-profile competencies — examples include teamwork, self-direction, responsible citizenship, effective communication and college- and career-readiness. "We usually start off with teamwork because it's a good set for the beginning of the school year," Potter said.
Why it matters: The principal linked instructional programming and school culture work to measurable outcomes. Potter reported Winter FastBridge benchmark results that showed strong early-grade proficiency in many classes — for example, kindergarten readiness at about 85% and math proficiency ranges above 75% in several early grades — and noted a dip in fourth-grade literacy that staff are addressing with targeted interventions.
What the school is doing: Potter described a suite of interventions and strategies: an intervention coordinator and an intervention teacher who run small-group instruction ("Mustang Mix Up"), daily workshop time with 30–45 minutes of push-in support from instructional aides, progress monitoring every six weeks, and family support meetings when students require additional interventions. Potter also described PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) and Leader in Me lessons taught districtwide each morning, posters setting clear behavior expectations across campus, and a Mustang Bucks token system that students spend on experiences.
Partnerships and enrichment: Potter credited an active PTA and programs such as LADO (Learning Among the Oaks) and a Cal Poly partnership that brings college students into makerspace and engineering activities. She said the PTA funds field trips, assemblies, after-school clubs and yearbooks.
Principal Potter invited trustees to visit the campus and highlighted upcoming events, including an engineering night and family engagement activities. She emphasized the staff’s role in executing programs and singled out intervention staff and the counselor for their contributions.
Ending: Potter closed by thanking the board and the school community and encouraging trustee visits to see programs in action. The presentation was followed by board members’ praise and recognition of the school’s staff and student accomplishments.
