Wincoat Elementary principal says school ‘strong,’ highlights PBIS gains and expanded supports

Wincoat Elementary Principal Jim Taylor told the Cheltenham School District board Jan. 14 that the “state of Wincoat is strong,” describing instructional and social‑emotional initiatives that he said have improved student supports.

Taylor said school staff re‑normed expectations for a daily intervention period and that 98% of teachers now use small, data‑driven group instruction. He described recent grade‑level work using FastBridge universal screening data to identify students at significant risk and to create individual MTSS plans: “We looked at every single child in every grade who came up as red or at significant risk in reading and math to ensure that there is a plan in place for each student,” he said.

Nut graf: Taylor framed the year’s work as both cultural and practical: stronger use of assessment data to guide intervention, expanded inclusion strategies, and new student experiences such as robotics and the sensory hallway.

Taylor highlighted two concrete developments: a sensory hallway that supports gross and fine motor skills and a Wincoat robotics team that earned a regional “motivation” award in its first competition. He described a “reverse inclusion” activity during a winter PBIS event that took ten students into the autism support classroom so students who use talking devices could participate in shared celebrations.

Taylor presented comparative PBIS referral data: his slides compared 2023–24 (green) and 2024–25 (blue) monthly referral counts and, he said, with the exception of September, data are “trending in the right direction by a significant margin.” He noted an expected spring uptick in referrals in previous years and said staff are planning supports now to mitigate that trend.

Ending: Taylor closed by thanking staff and students and urging continued community support; the district acknowledged the Wincoat presentation before moving to reports and business.