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Bluffs Elementary principal highlights behavior system, PLCs and measurable student growth
Summary
The Bluffs Elementary presentation outlined three improvement goals—culture and climate, professional development through PLCs, and deeper learning—along with incentives, interventions and assessment gains (Fastbridge and YTO growth figures). The principal said the school will continue refining interventions and expand family engagement.
Rainey, presenting to the Laramie County School District #2 board, outlined Bluffs Elementary’s three school-improvement goals—maintain a safe and orderly climate, strengthen teacher collaboration through professional learning communities, and increase deeper learning through project-based assessments—and described programs and assessment results that staff cite as early evidence of progress.
Rainey detailed a positive-behavior support system called “buzzy bucks.” Students earn tickets for expected behavior; tickets are drawn for classroom and schoolwide rewards. She said office referrals have decreased overall, though playground referrals rose in January, prompting a coordinated “recess rodeo” to teach common expectations. To boost staff engagement she described a rotating recognition called “buzz the hornets,” modeled on a service-engagement program, with staff receiving small prizes and a designated parking spot during a recognition week.
On instruction and professional learning, Rainey said the school uses vertical PLC teams that analyze Fastbridge and classroom data and operate tiered interventions (short two-week cycles for tier 2; longer plans for tier 3). She said the school is focusing on project-based learning and the “four C’s” (critical thinking, communication, collaboration and creativity) and is developing cross‑grade projects tied to the CKLA curriculum.
Rainey presented assessment numbers: total Fastbridge growth across K–6 of 4,831 points in ELA and 3,232 points in math, equating to average per‑student gains of about 15.4 points in ELA and 13.8 points in math; subtest results showed between 66% and 87% of students above the 40th national percentile depending on the measure. For YTO screening (grades 3–6) she reported total growth of 1,251 ELA points and 1,976 math points—averaging 14.5 points in ELA and 23 points in math per student—and projected potential increases in proficiency percentages if current growth continues.
Rainey also described parent‑engagement efforts (grandparents day, conferences, PTO reboot), award ceremonies tied to growth, a home‑library campaign using a QR code and prize incentives, and rebuilding student council activities. She noted current Fort Friday attendance is about 68%, with a target of 75% next year.
“We really believe that if it’s worth learning, it’s worth celebrating,” Rainey told the board, underscoring the school’s focus on recognition as a lever for both student and staff engagement. The presentation drew applause and no formal board action was required.
The board asked no substantive follow-up motions; several improvement actions described will require continued staff monitoring and possible future reporting to the board.
