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Lake Forest principal describes Blue Ribbon, arts and social‑emotional programs at trustees meeting
Summary
Lake Forest Elementary Principal Dr. Millott presented programs and school highlights, including the school's National Blue Ribbon recognition, expanded arts under Prop 28, full‑time counseling coverage, interventions, and community events.
Lake Forest Elementary Principal Dr. Millott told the Rescue Union Elementary School District Board of Trustees about school programs and student supports, highlighting the school's 2024 National Blue Ribbon recognition for closing the achievement gap and being high performing.
"We're 1 big team who consists of about 430 students and many adults who work together as a team to give our students the best possible educational experience," Dr. Millott said, describing the campus theme "Sticking Together, Noticing Everyone's Extraordinary."
Dr. Millott described a range of programs and staffing at Lake Forest: a two‑person counseling team (one counselor four days and an additional counselor one day per week), math and literacy intervention specialists, a robust arts program supported by Prop 28 funding including an art teacher who visits every other week, band instruction for fourth and fifth graders, music instruction, a six‑week dance residency, and expanded garden and volunteer programs. She said the school uses Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS) under the local label iSWIM and has classroom guidance using CharacterStrong materials.
Dr. Millott described experiential programs such as "Touch of Understanding," a fourth‑grade inclusive activity that gives students simulated experiences of sensory or mobility differences to build empathy. She also noted a recent visit from 34 exchange students from China, hosted by Lake Forest families, and described school events including Veterans Day assemblies, STEM day and family engagement activities.
The principal said staff use observational and survey data to refine instruction'—teachers at Lake Forest hold monthly recognition practices ("noticing your extraordinary" cards) that are mailed to families, and staff have increased collaboration between general and special education.
Dr. Millott outlined student supports including two math intervention specialists and two literacy intervention specialists who provide pull‑out and push‑in small‑group instruction and assessment strategies such as test‑taking supports. She described plans and spirit activities including an upcoming "I Love Reading Week" reading challenge and a yet‑to‑be‑announced school reward tied to a districtwide reading goal.
Trustees praised the presentation and asked questions about International Women's Day programming, student outcomes and the literacy monitoring tool EasyCBM that the school and district are using to track progress. Dr. Millott and district staff explained how progress monitoring informs referral and assessment decisions for special education and intervention placement.
The board expressed support for Lake Forest's community engagement, arts offerings and social‑emotional learning programs.
