New Winona Elementary principal highlights family engagement, therapy dogs and social-emotional programming
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Summary
At the study session, Winona Elementary's new principal, Mikaela Bradshaw, described efforts to build belonging, cited strong parent turnout at a math and literacy night, described staffing additions and therapy dogs used to support student regulation.
Mikaela Bradshaw, introduced by Carmen Pulca (executive director of elementary schools), told the Thompson School District R-2J board Feb. 1 that in her first six months as Winona Elementary—hief she has seen "what makes Winona so special," citing strong staff pedagogy, family engagement and social-emotional supports.
Bradshaw described a recent math-and-literacy night that drew high parent participation and said families left with games and materials to extend learning at home. She cited an example of a third-grade student who was visibly tired but regained energy after a greeting and hug from staff, saying that small daily rituals make school feel like "a stable place that she gets to be at every" day.
Key points
- Staffing and supports: The school hired midyear staff and instructional aides to support a 1/2 combo class and to provide tiered intervention; the principal credited instructional coaches and aides for keeping instruction strong during data testing.
- Therapy dogs: Winona uses three therapy dogs (named Kaboo, Arrow and Roxy) to support students and staff during moments of dysregulation, including read-aloud activities and emotional regulation work.
- Character- and SEL-focused routines: The school switched monthly assemblies from PBIS awards to "Character Strong" awards and implemented a daily pledge to reinforce SEL attributes such as empathy, respect and perseverance.
Board feedback and next steps
Board members praised the presentation, asked who produced the slides and video (presentation credited to the instructional coach and Candra), and encouraged school visits. The board offered thanks for the presentation and delegated no formal action; the presentation was informational and intended to demonstrate school-level work aligned to district priorities.