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Tiffany Elementary outlines SOAR reading intervention and celebrates 'number ninjas' competition
Summary
Tiffany Elementary told the Aberdeen School District board it launched a districtwide SOAR reading intervention (30 minutes daily for K–5) and hosted a 'number ninjas' math event with 135 student participants; staff said SPED and ESL students participate and groups are adjusted every six weeks based on assessments.
Tiffany Elementary Principal Ulberg reported to the Aberdeen School District 06-1 board on classroom programs and student supports, highlighting a new SOAR reading intervention and the return of the 'number ninjas' math program.
Ulberg told the board the SOAR program provides 30 minutes of leveled, differentiated reading instruction each school day for every student in kindergarten through fifth grade. Ulberg said students are grouped by skill level, use curricula (described in the transcript as UFLY and other materials), and receive weekly data tracking; the district uses assessments (including NWEA and UFLI‑style assessments) to move students between groups. Ulberg: "Every student gets to go to SOAR," and the program is designed so students can move groups mid‑cycle if progress warrants it.
Ulberg said Tiffany hosted the district’s first elementary 'number ninjas' math competition this fall and "we had a 135 mathletes at our school in the afternoon." She credited strong teacher buy‑in and noted Northern State University and STEM outreach programs are visiting the school twice a week. When board members asked whether special education and English‑learner students participate, Ulberg confirmed SPED and ESL students are included and can be placed in appropriate groups or the SPED classroom as needed.
On assessment cadence and logistics, Ulberg said teachers and specialists meet every six weeks to review progress monitoring and adjust group placement; daily timing is managed by classroom routines and timers to ensure transitions. Board members praised the programs and several said they attended the number ninjas event and observed enthusiastic student participation.
What happens next: Administration will continue six‑week progress meetings, maintain weekly data tracking for SOAR, and report on outcomes in future board meetings; staff said it may take several years to see longitudinal reading gains as cohorts move up grade levels.
