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Ferguson PreK–8 outlines progress on attendance, IXL diagnostics, PBIS and network supports
Summary
Ferguson PreK–8 principal Lisa Love reported improved attendance, high IXL participation in early grades, Tier‑1 PBIS fidelity recognition, staff coaching and Schools of Innovation network support during an Oct. 6 presentation.
Lisa Love, principal of Ferguson PreK–8, presented the school’s progress to the committee on Oct. 6, highlighting culture and climate work, instructional priorities and outside network supports.
Love summarized school demographics: 671 students total, with 326 Black/African American students, 262 Hispanic students, 50 White (non‑Hispanic), 29 multiracial, 3 Asian and 1 unknown. She said current student attendance was about 94%; the school’s chronic absenteeism list included 47 students, suspensions totaled 38 and expulsions were zero.
Love described three “big rocks” for the year: building teacher capacity through professional learning communities and job‑embedded professional development, increasing student proficiency in language arts and math via aligned instruction and targeted interventions, and enhancing family engagement through inclusive community events. She said roughly 400 parents had attended back‑to‑school night, open house and student‑of‑the‑month events so far.
On assessment tools and interventions, Love and school staff reported high participation in IXL diagnostics: several early grades reached 100% participation. Staff said they use IXL diagnostics, interim assessments and Acadience data to plan small‑group instruction and interventions. Love also explained the school’s First 10 implementation (an early‑childhood numeracy and literacy initiative) and noted the school had been recognized for PBIS Tier‑1 fidelity. She said the school is beginning PBIS subcommittees, restorative practice circles and the Capturing Kids’ Hearts approach to strengthen social‑emotional routines.
Ferguson’s presentation introduced members of the Schools of Innovation network supporting the building: Dr. Carter (network lead), special populations coach Angie Wetzel, talent management coach Miss Little and the Dream It Forward team. Dr. Carter told the committee the network works as a thought partner to help teachers and leaders with data digs, instructional feedback and classroom engagement strategies.
Love reported staffing details: four non‑tenured teachers at the time of the presentation, one science vacancy and a seventh‑grade math teacher beginning midweek. She also highlighted teacher attendance recognition and several student stories, including a student honored as “student of the month.”
Several teachers and coaches who work with the school spoke to the committee about relationship building, coaching and teacher receptivity to instructional partners; staff members said outside partners are being used as supportive, non‑evaluative thinking partners.
The presentation closed with board congratulations on improved climate and attendance, and no formal actions were taken.
