Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Meadows Spotlight topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Meadows Elementary spotlighted for literacy, multilingual and community programs
Summary
Principal Julie Constantino presented the school's yearlong "Growing Together" theme and LCAP-related work including literacy interventions, PBIS collaboration, multilingual supports and family engagement.
The Millbrae City School District Board of Trustees heard a presentation on Meadows Elementary School's yearlong theme and classroom programs during the board meeting on March 1, 2025. Principal Julie Constantino summarized the site's work on the district Local Control and Accountability Plan (LCAP) goals, including literacy, grade-level mastery, inclusive learning and multilingual supports.
The presentation focused first on literacy work at Meadows. Principal Julie Constantino credited a full-time reading specialist, Susan Black, with leading tier 2 intervention work and described a pilot of Hegarty phonemic-awareness routines in some kindergarten and first-grade classes. Teachers use local assessments to guide instruction, provide take-home books for early grades and run novel studies in upper grades to build reading stamina. Constantino described a classroom practice called dialogic reading used by Kelsey Moore: repeated readings with props and prompts that encourage children to be the storyteller rather than passive listeners.
"I have loved being a part of the PBIS district team this year. We have been lucky to work with Chad Slife from the San Mateo County Office of Education Access and Engagement Center," Emma Olfingren, Meadows teacher representative, told the board. Olfingren said the PBIS work centers on positive behavior interventions, restorative practices and supporting teachers to deliver tier 1 instruction with fidelity.
Constantino described collaborative faculty work on math and English language arts: defining grade-level essential standards by trimester, analyzing ELA and math data, and conducting student-work analysis to refine tier 1 supports. She noted classroom features such as a "book nook," weekly classroom visits, and novel-study practices used to nurture student reading joy.
The presentation also highlighted family and volunteer engagement. Natalie Petrago, representing the school's PTO, spoke about volunteer roles that support the school day and special events. Constantino said the school runs student taste tests with the district Child Nutrition Services; she thanked Director Rachel and Chef Aaron for involving students in menu feedback.
Meadows emphasized outdoor learning and student voice. Fifth-graders Griffin and Claire addressed the board about their outdoor-education trip. Griffin said, "It was even better than I hoped," and described hiking, seeing deer and learning about nature. Claire said she had enjoyed night hikes and learning outside the classroom.
The presentation closed with Constantino's recognition of support staff, counselors, nurses and paraeducators. Trustees praised Constantino's leadership and the school community's collaborative culture.
Looking ahead, Constantino told the board Meadows has completed much of the LPAC testing window for English learners and will continue multilingual supports in classrooms. No board action was required on the presentation.
