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Cortez Elementary students present behavior program, point to academic gains
Summary
Students from Cortez Elementary described a new PAWS behavior program and PAWS store and highlighted recent assessment gains: CAASPP average 84% overall, math 84%, English 85%, science 75%. Principal Darren McDonald introduced the student leaders.
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Students from Cortez Elementary told the Lammersville Joint Unified School District board about a new behavior-and-reward program and recent test-score gains at the board’s regularly scheduled meeting.
Darren McDonald, principal at Cortez Elementary, introduced student leaders Trisha Chatterjee and Sanvi Chaudhary and invited a student presenter to describe PAWS, the school’s positive behavior expectations program. “PAWS stands for practice kindness, act responsibly, work and play safely, and show respect,” the student said, and described a new PAWS store where students spend earned tickets on prizes.
The student presenter said the school saw assessment growth over the past year: the school average on CAASPP was 84% overall, with math at 84% (district average reported at 69%), English at 85% (district 74%) and science at 75% (district 61%). The presentation also emphasized MAP testing as a tool for placing students in interventions or electives based on individual results.
Board members praised the student speakers. “In my almost 10 years on the board, I don't think I've ever heard students champion MAP testing and why it's valuable,” a trustee said. The presentation concluded with an invitation for board members and the public to visit the school.

