Sheridan Elementary showcases reading gains, reduced chronic absenteeism

Sheridan Elementary teachers and students presented the school's "educate, encourage, engage" approach and data showing notable improvements in reading and attendance.

Teacher presenters described targeted interventions including AVID strategies, PBIS behavior supports and a schoolwide "Eagle effort" intervention block that groups students by skill level and reassesses every six weeks. "We were able to decrease [students in the red] from 26% to 10%" in reading and similarly reported math red-category declines, a presenter said, adding that DIBELS fluency gains for individual classes have been substantial.

Teacher Brenda James described classroom practices used in kindergarten and first grade: protected intervention time three to four days a week, small-group instruction and digital tools such as Seesaw to record student reading. She said one student rose from 4 words per minute in January to 55 WPM with greatly improved accuracy; another rose from 5 WPM to 53 WPM.

Student leaders also described schoolwide character work and community events. "SOAR stands for safety first, outstanding effort, arrive ready, respect self and others," said student Charlie, noting posters and morning reminders help younger students follow expectations.

Administrators framed the spotlight as part of district goals to support whole-child development and to reduce chronic absenteeism. The presenters said incentives and parent conversations helped cut the school's chronic absenteeism to about 5.36% this year from higher levels in prior years.

The board thanked the students and staff for the presentation and moved on to the evening's action items.