Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Early Literacy topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Westview Elementary students perform as principal and teachers outline push to boost early reading
Summary
Westview Elementary principal Eric Ambler presented school enrollment and facility updates while teacher Kelly Agu described the school's participation in Indiana Literacy Cadre 3 and plans — including coaching, learning walks and intervention kits — aimed at improving third-grade reading proficiency toward a district goal by 2027.
Eric Ambler, principal at Westview Elementary, opened the board meeting with an overview of the school’s enrollment and operations, telling the Muncie Community Schools board that Westview serves about 540 students and recently welcomed roughly 121 new students in grades 1–5. Ambler said the school reported about a 97% attendance rate and roughly 90% teacher retention, and noted an approximately $11.4 million building addition completed in December 2023 that restored capacity.
Ambler introduced a student performance and turned the meeting to literacy initiatives. "We have Laura Zanka as our literacy coach from the Cadre and she has been invaluable to helping West View get caught up," said Kelly Agu, who described Westview’s return to Indiana Literacy Cadre 3 after a gap and outlined the school’s approach to early reading. Agu said the Cadre provides intensive professional learning sessions, coaching and curriculum-aligned materials; she said the school recently received about $3,000 in kits for reading-group interventions.
"Reading is like the biggest tool that we can give our kids to put in that suitcase," Agu said, urging focus on foundational skills to support students across subjects. She described weekly professional learning communities (which Westview calls "Hooray days"), upcoming peer learning walks so teachers can observe implementation across classrooms, and a multi-year view for curriculum adoption and teacher development. Agu cautioned that progress will take time after multiple recent curriculum changes and said staff want continued district support and professional development to adapt materials and differentiate instruction for students who are behind grade level.
Students from Westview’s third-grade dual-language class presented a short reader’s-theater on ancient Rome. Pupils introduced themselves to the board after the performance and received applause; Ambler and board members encouraged continued classroom presentations to the board.
The presentation closed with Ambler and Agu thanking district staff for support and asking board members to remain engaged as the school implements Cadre-driven literacy practices. Board members responded with praise for the students and staff and encouraged follow-up reports as the literacy work continues.
