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Carter Lake Elementary touts attendance drive, reports lower behavior referrals and test gains
Summary
Principal Teresa Hamilton told the council the school has cut behavior referrals from 428 to 127, increased math achievement by about 40% and literacy by 7%, and is promoting an attendance campaign tied to incentives; she also explained a state law requires reporting students with low attendance to the county attorney.
Teresa Hamilton, principal of Carter Lake Elementary, told the council the school is promoting an attendance initiative tied to incentives and highlighted recent gains in behavior and academics.
Hamilton and school operations manager Jackie McLoud presented a short video and described programs designed to increase daily attendance and classroom engagement. Hamilton said behavior referrals have fallen to 127 in quarter two from 428 the previous year, that the building saw roughly a 40% increase in math achievement and a 7% rise in literacy, and that students and families are being incentivized with coupons and student rewards for meeting attendance targets.
Hamilton explained state law changes require schools to report students who fall below roughly 90% attendance to the county attorney, and she asked the community to help share positive stories about the school so that good news is visible alongside any negative accounts on social media. Jackie McLoud described classroom strategies, collaborative teacher planning, and a 500‑minute monthly reading club; volunteers assist with student reading and small groups after background checks are cleared.
Hamilton asked the council and residents to support the school by publicizing its successes and noted staff are working with the district to produce calendars and communications that make events and volunteer opportunities easier for residents to find.
