Principals present school improvement plans emphasizing attendance, small-group instruction and family engagement

Principals from three Aurora East USD 131 elementary schools presented their 2025–26 school improvement plans to the curriculum committee on March 16, outlining strategies to boost attendance and raise literacy and math performance.

The most immediate goal across the three presentations was attendance: Brady reported a 93.2% average daily attendance rate and said targeted outreach and peer attendance buddies helped raise rates; Hermes reported a 91.9% average daily attendance and cited home visits, lunch groups and second-step social-emotional learning as primary tactics. Rosie Krug described targeted interventions including peer mentors and an after-school "Krug success club," and said office discipline referrals have fallen as attendance rose.

Why it matters: District staff told the committee that student presence and engagement are foundational to reaching academic targets. School leaders linked improved attendance to stronger outcomes on local MAP and reading checks and said classroom-level strategies are being aligned to state and district standards.

School-by-school highlights: Claire Lansford, principal of Rosie Krug Elementary School, said Krug has shifted to flexible, differentiated small-group instruction and is using HMH and I-Ready data to identify students for targeted support. "We showed a 55% growth of our students from fall to winter math reading assessment," Lansford said, noting the school has expanded tutoring and in-house PD for teacher assistants and specialists.

At Hermes Elementary, principal Kelly Hills described a 7% increase in MAP math data and said the school is pursuing a 5% gain in literacy by focusing on fidelity of HMH implementation and monthly professional development. "How do we ensure every student at Hermes has the opportunity to learn, grow, and thrive?" Hills said, framing the school's plan around access and belonging.

Brady Elementary principal Elizabeth Ibanco and assistant principal David Ontiveros highlighted growth in students showing both high growth and high achievement, and described PBIS rotations, relationship mapping and staff-focused strategies intended to build belonging. "At Brady, students matter. Their attendance matters because when they're here, they make a difference," Ontiveros said, noting a rise in students meeting MAP goals and an ADA of 93.2%.

Classroom practice and supports: Committee members pressed for concrete classroom examples. Krug explained the number talk routine — a short student-centered math discussion where pupils share strategies while teachers record and guide the conversation — and Hermes described K–2 foundational skills work using decodable texts and targeted small groups.

District context: A district staff member reported current enrollment as of March 6 was 11,726 students and said registration for next year is ahead of prior years, with a districtwide registration completion rate exceeding 68% at this point in the year.

What’s next: The presentations were informational. Committee members praised the detailed, school-specific plans and encouraged continued focus on the intersection of attendance, belonging and standards-aligned instruction. The committee adjourned; the next meeting is scheduled for April 20 at 6 p.m. at the Admin Center.