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Rossmore Elementary showcases instruction, inclusion and community supports at Los Alamitos Unified board meeting
Summary
Rossmore Elementary Principal Amy Colty and student speakers described classroom practices, assessment gains and community supports — including a house system, new special day class placements and more than $87,000 raised by the PTA — during a presentation to the Los Alamitos Unified School District board.
Rossmore Elementary School presented its student programs and results to the Los Alamitos Unified School District Board on the evening the board adopted its agenda and opened the meeting.
Principal Amy Colty told the board that the school is focusing this year on creating “more intentional time to talk and reflect on instruction,” using staff meeting and PLC (professional learning community) time for teacher teams to analyze data and plan tiered interventions. Colty said the school added two SDC (special day class) placements to strengthen inclusion and noted Rossmore was named a 2025 California Distinguished School.
Colty and student speakers described classroom practices intended to build critical thinking and engagement. Students summarized activities such as Socratic seminars, thinking maps and a timed math challenge dubbed “6 minutes of 6.” Colty said the school uses MAP growth benchmarks alongside CAST snapshots to track progress, and that students are performing ‘‘above state averages in both ELA and math,’’ which the principal presented as evidence of steady growth and targeted instructional work.
The presentation also highlighted school traditions and community service: an annual Veterans Day assembly, Walk to School Day, the Million Word Medal reading challenge and service events (a food drive and a Save the Beach clean-up) that organizers say help build school culture. Colty credited the PTA and Friends of Rossmore for funding programming and trips; she said the Apex Fun Run raised over $87,000 and that Friends of Rossmore covers the STEM lab teacher salary and supports STEM experiences such as a recent visit to the Tiger Woods Learning Lab.
Colty said routine safety upgrades — a new gate near the CDC/kindergarten playground and an imminent buzzer system for drop-off — are intended to smooth arrivals and departures for families. Board members and Superintendent Dr. Pulver offered praise for the school’s culture and instructional work, and multiple board members noted their personal connections to Rossmore.
The board did not take any policy votes related to Rossmore during the presentation; the item functioned as a district highlight and recognition of school staff, students and volunteers. The meeting moved into recess for photo opportunities following the presentation.
The Los Alamitos Unified School District board is scheduled to continue regularly noticed business items at this meeting after recess.
