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McKinley Elementary highlights coaching, phonics and project‑based learning to boost literacy
Summary
Principal Daniella Weiner told the board McKinley has added a full‑time instructional coach funded by Title I, implemented designated ELD across grade levels with Benchmark Express, adopted UFLI Foundations for K–2 phonics, expanded PLCs, and delivered before/after school reading interventions serving about 38 students (~10% of enrollment). The site was named to the 2025 California Honor Roll.
Daniella Weiner, principal of McKinley Elementary, told the board that one of the most impactful changes this year was using Title I funds to hire a full‑time instructional coach to work side‑by‑side with teachers. “This investment has been transformative,” Weiner said, describing classroom coaching, aligned designated English Language Development blocks, and increased adult support across grade‑level groupings.
Weiner outlined several specific implementation changes: district adoption of Benchmark Express to support designated ELD; a grade‑aligned ‘what I need’ block that lets teachers flexibly group multilingual learners; district‑wide use of UFLI Foundations for K–2 phonics; strengthened weekly professional learning communities; and a volunteer reading intervention that served 38 students this semester — roughly 10% of the school’s population. She also noted McKinley was one of four district elementary schools named to the 2025 California Honor Roll.
Weiner highlighted project‑based learning and community partnerships — including a Safe Clean Water LA grant for watershed projects — that will feed into the school’s new building and outdoor discovery classrooms. She and the board said the new Elementary Education Administration building is expected to be ready for beneficial occupancy on March 30, and teachers may choose when to move to minimize disruption during state testing.
