Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Education Schools topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Hamilton Elementary emphasizes attendance, SEL and community supports in school update
Summary
Hamilton Elementary Principal Kelly Michaels told the Wayne-Westland board that the school serves about 460 students, has invested Title I funds in reading interventionists and behavioral supports, and has boosted attendance through targeted outreach and PBIS incentives.
Kelly Michaels, principal of Hamilton Elementary School, told the Wayne-Westland Community School District board that Hamilton enrolls about 460 students and allocates Title I dollars to two reading interventionists, a behavior coordinator and an attendance secretary.
"We serve about 460 students every day, and about 19% of our students are receiving special ed services," Michaels said during the Dec. 16 meeting. She said 3% of students receive multilingual services and that school staff have a combined 567 years of teaching experience.
Michaels described multiple strategies to improve attendance and student well-being: an attendance secretary who conducts outreach, monthly PBIS (Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports) assemblies, a school pantry stocked with food and hygiene items, and partnerships with local donors and Gleaners. She said 85% of students attend at least 85% of school days and that 13 students had perfect attendance so far this year.
On academic data, Michaels said the school has seen a 10% or greater gain in LETRS (phonics) measures since September and uses NWEA data to identify strengths and grade-level deficits. She cautioned trustees that grade-level declines in subjects such as math are often driven by literacy gaps and student transience: "If you're a 4th grader but you're reading at a 1st grade level, you still have to read the questions on that test. So that can be a major impact."
Trustees asked how the school balances test preparation and student stress; Michaels said staff work to normalize testing as part of the day. Board members also requested copies of the student-produced Star News and praised the school's family engagement and staff longevity.
The presentation ended with Michaels describing student-led service projects (a toys-for-tots drive and hygiene drives run by the student council) and the school's use of a password-protected ClassDojo system to communicate regularly with families.
Next steps: The board heard questions about specific achievement metrics and requested copies of school publications; no formal action was taken on this presentation.
