Rose Avenue principal highlights reading gains, social‑emotional supports at school board meeting

Rose Avenue Elementary Principal Melissa Perez told the Oxnard School District Board on March 11 that the school has made measurable academic gains and is strengthening social‑emotional supports and family partnerships.

Perez said the school’s dashboard shows growth in English language arts, including a 10.2‑point gain in ELA performance compared with the prior year, and that English learners improved by 5.9 points. She reported that 35 percent of students are at or above benchmark on STAR reading and that the school’s STAAR math rate is 36 percent.

Perez described several strategies she said are tied to district strategic goals: fortnightly professional learning community meetings focused on essential standards and common formative assessments; frequent student monitoring conferences and tiered interventions; an ongoing social‑emotional curriculum delivered weekly; PBIS and CHAMPS protocols to support positive behavior; and restorative justice dialogues to address peer conflict.

She emphasized student voice and leadership: Rose Avenue runs a Puma Squad and a fifth‑grade student council; student groups help plan events such as spirit weeks and a planned academic banquet in March that Perez said will host about 175 guests.

Trustees praised the presentation and asked specific questions about survey methods, tutoring and electives. Trustee Salas confirmed that the Panorama climate survey Perez cited is given to third through fifth graders twice a year and is administered on tablets, and she thanked staff for sharing both successes and areas needing attention. Trustee Gonzalez asked how the school implements the Accelerated Reader program; Perez said teachers monitor progress with regular check‑ins, book talks and plentiful library selections.

Perez also highlighted family and community partnerships, including joint events with Del Sol High School and ongoing outreach such as literacy, math and science nights and a volunteer appreciation breakfast. She closed by inviting trustees and the public to upcoming events and by thanking students and staff for their work.

The board recognized the Rose Avenue students who presented and invited families and school staff to join a group photo. The presentation preceded an extensive budget and personnel discussion later in the meeting.