Seymour Elementary and Ralston High present improvement plans emphasizing literacy, interventions and attendance

Two schools — Seymour Elementary and Ralston High School — presented their school improvement plans to the Ralston board on April 13, outlining goals and concrete interventions to boost literacy and reduce chronic absenteeism.

Miss Felson presented Seymour Elementary’s two primary goals: raise ELA proficiency to meet or exceed state thresholds and increase average daily attendance while reducing chronic absenteeism. The school is using MAP, NSCAS and FastBridge data to guide action steps, with interventions that include PLC-driven instruction, Anita Archer engagement strategies, UFLI interventions and IXL practice. Attendance actions include targeted family meetings, welcome kits for new students supported by a MoACC grant, and incentives such as 'hot ticket' rewards and a GOAT-themed behavioral incentive tied to meeting goals.

RHS principal Ruben Cano reported on two schoolwide goals: improve reading proficiency (FastBridge and preACT metrics were cited) and reduce chronic absenteeism with a target of a 3% improvement year over year. Counselors and deans track failing grades and progress; the high school uses weekly RTI meetings, WIN-time interventions, IXL for targeted practice, department 9‑week planning and a tardy‑station system to reduce late arrivals. Cano described partnerships (including the D2 center) to reengage disengaged students and noted declines in chronic absenteeism and referrals compared with prior years.

Both presentations included data-driven action steps and commitments to continue monitoring results and returning to the board with updated metrics.