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William Green students showcase 'Green Rangers,' translators academy and GATE work at Lawndale board meeting
Summary
Teachers, counselors and students from William Green Elementary presented programs aimed at boosting attendance, peer leadership and bilingual supports, including a student-led Green Rangers peer-mediation program, an Eagle Translators Academy for bilingual student translators, and GATE enrichment activities.
William Green Elementary staff, students and a parent presented a spotlight to the Lawndale Elementary School District board on student programs intended to boost attendance, leadership and academic engagement.
The presentation, introduced by Laura Quang, principal of William Green, highlighted several school initiatives. Quang said the school is using iReady as both an assessment and differentiation tool and described local efforts to move beyond time-on-task to “the quality of time spent on the program.” She credited teachers for incentives used in classrooms and for holding data conversations with students to set goals.
School social worker Jessica Duarte outlined the Green Rangers program, a peer-support initiative for third- through fifth-grade students that trains participants in problem solving, conflict resolution and communication. "These students ultimately we want them to be role models in our school, adding to our school culture and then also solving their own problems," Duarte said. A third-grade student, Ethan, told the board: "In the Green Ranger program, I get to help my peers problem solve and follow school rules. For example, I can help students who are having trouble with each other at recess. It feels good to be in this program, and I enjoy helping others at my school."
Quang also described the Eagle Translators Academy, a lunch-time program that trains bilingual students on classroom support, tier-3 academic vocabulary in English and Spanish, and how to advocate if they no longer wish to serve as translators. "We survey teachers and ask them who they utilize in their classrooms as translators," Quang said, adding the academy began with students in grades one through five and includes Arabic and Spanish speakers.
Jane Simpson, a William Green teacher who leads the district GATE (Gifted and Talented Education) program, described enrichment activities such as escape-room style breakout challenges, novel studies and weekly meetings where students discuss deeper-level thinking. Fifth grader Aubrey told the board that her favorite GATE activity is "breakout because it's like figuring out a puzzle, and I enjoy the challenge. We have to work together to solve it, and Miss Simpson makes it a lot of fun."
Board members praised the student presentations and the programs’ focus on engagement. Trustee Morales said the spotlight reinforced the value of making school fun as a route to belonging and learning; Trustee Phillips and Clerk Rudolph also thanked staff and students for the presentation.
The school announced upcoming family events — a Valentine's lunch for loved ones on Feb. 13, a PS Arts Family Night on Feb. 19, a Black History Month Museum on Feb. 26 and a literacy night on March 6 — and encouraged community attendance.
The presentation concluded with board applause and a brief photo opportunity for students and staff.
