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School Updates - Forest Park Elementary
The Clay Community Schools Board of Trustees adjusted Thursday night’s agenda.
Jackson Township Elementary Principal Brad Ennen was scheduled to inaugurate a series of school updates during the board meetings this year but could not attend.
Forest Park Elementary School Principal Dustin Jorgenson rose to the challenge of speaking before the board.
“I am going to do like I do every school day because up until 3 o’clock, I still say ‘good morning,’” said Jorgenson, who added a report about this year consists of only one day so far. “So getting back to school and seeing those smiling faces is always exciting.”
Jorgenson explained that Forest Park Elementary consists of many special education students and students who need special needs, which are “near and dear” to the teachers and staff.
Jorgenson shared information about Forest Park being ranked 30th in Indiana by the Indiana Department of Education.
“ We take special education very seriously,” he said.
iReady is an assessment process taken three times yearly to show a student’s progress.
Test 1 is early in the school year, Test 2 is at the midpoint, and Test 3 is at the end of the school year. The results are placed on a red, yellow, and green color-coded chart.
“We want to get as many students out of the below grade level red portion and into the green,” Jorgenson said. “That’s what we want, to see a steady progression to achieve state standards and grade level in math and reading.”
For students who need help, Jorgenson said the staff can use the data to provide proper assistance, study groups, and intervention.
Although many students are still dealing with the learning loss from COVID-19, Jorgenson said he was proud to say, “We are above the state average. So we are really proud of that.”
He credited the staff when the board thanked Jorgenson for the elementary school’s presentation.
“They’re so caring and dedicated to their craft and work so well together,” Jorgenson said. “Our teachers are certainly doing a great job.”
Many years ago, former mayor Kenny Crabb was proclaimed Mr. Forest Park by Art Teacher Mr. Penry in a drawing. Crabb was a supporting voice of in-house special education at the time.
The Crabb family presented the drawing to Forest Park Elementary after Crabb’s death, and Jorgenson agrees there is no better place than on display in the principal’s office.
In other business, the board approved Equitable Education Solutions to improve the corporation’s current strategic plan.
EES will compile school data, talk with parents and students, and then suggest three areas to focus on.
As an added benefit, Rayle confirmed that EES will also provide branding information for the corporation.