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William Foster Elementary reports midyear academic gains, chronic absenteeism down to 13.7% so far
Summary
Principal Jade Woodson told the Garfield Heights City School District board that William Foster Elementary has shown early literacy and math gains this year and that chronic absenteeism has fallen from 44.9% last year to 13.7% so far; staff described interventions including PBIS revamp, coaching supports and multiple community partnerships.
Jade Woodson, principal of William Foster Elementary School, told the Garfield Heights City School District Board of Education on Feb. 18 that the school’s 2023–24 report card shows a 2.5-star rating and that several early-year measures have improved.
Woodson said kindergarten students showed a roughly 5% increase in “on track” early-literacy measures compared with last year’s winter results, and winter math screening showed about a 12% increase in students “on track” compared with the prior year. She said first-grade results have held steady and that staff see “gains” but acknowledge “there’s work to do.”
The presentation emphasized steps the school is taking to support instruction: teacher-based teams; model classrooms and instructional rounds for coaching; weekly coaching “cafés” for teachers; and use of morning SEL lessons. Woodson said the school also revamped its PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports) program, introduced conscious-discipline strategies to reduce out-of-class removals, and created schoolwide, student-facing recognition systems such as a “Bulldog Shop” and monthly PBIS events.
Woodson reported a marked drop in chronic absenteeism. She said the school ended last year with a 44.9% chronic-absence rate and that “for half of the year” the rate is 13.7% so far this school year. Board member Miss Thomas asked whether 13.7% represented a drop from 44.9%; Woodson confirmed the 13.7% figure and described campus attendance incentives, including partnerships with the Cleveland Browns and awards for students who miss few days of school.
The principal listed community partners that support student services and events, naming the Cleveland Public Library, Kids’ Book Bank, a mobile medical clinic and mobile dental provider, and seasonal donations from the Browns. Woodson also described family and community events held this year, such as literacy night and a winter dance, and noted forthcoming activities including a Cultural Immersion event tied to Black History Month and an elementary concert schedule.
Superintendent Doctor Reynolds and several board members praised the school’s work and asked follow-up questions about staff supports and plans to share upcoming events across the district. Reynolds and Woodson said staff will circulate event information to other elementary buildings and the community.
The presentation concluded with a request to continue the school’s instructional and attendance supports and with an invitation for the board and community to attend upcoming William Foster programs.
