Jenny Dean Elementary highlights ‘by-name, by-need’ strategy, expands staff-led small-group instruction

Principal Brian Coleman and assistant principal Kelly Huntley presented Jenny Dean Elementary’s efforts to identify every student’s needs and deliver small-group instruction to meet them.

Coleman said the school runs weekly data cycles that populate spreadsheets showing which students are passing, near passing or below grade level; teachers then form small instructional groups and administrators regularly teach or co-teach sessions. Coleman described the school’s approach as “by name and by need,” and said that the building staff participate in direct instruction, breakfasts and student greeting routines — he noted he greets students each morning and high-fives many of them.

Attendance had improved for students with more than 10% absence, dropping from nearly 19% in 2023–24 to just above 16% in January, Coleman said. The principal also noted student and staff morale programs such as monthly teacher celebrations and community engagement through arts programs.

Council members asked about breakfast provision and the importance of universal meals; Coleman said breakfast is “essential” and described daily routines of serving preschool and elementary students before class.

Council thanked Coleman and staff for the presentation and for hands-on leadership in classrooms and the community.