Southside Elementary School

PRE-KINDERGARTEN FOR FOUR-YEAR-OLDS is a full day pre-kindergarten program.  There are two classes with a limited enrollment of sixteen students per class.  The classes are taught by teachers who are certified in Early Childhood Education and each teacher is assigned a full-time tutor.  Developmental appropriate instruction is used which is based on strategies of "High Scope".

LAND OF THE LETTER PEOPLE is a balanced thematic curriculum designed to develop early literacy skills for kindergarten.

READING RECOVERYwas initiated during the 1997-98 school session.  It is a program designed to reduce reading failure through early intervention and to help children become independent readers.  A well-trained Reading Recovery teacher provides identified first grade students with additional reading instruction.

PROJECT READ is a mainstream language arts program for students who need a systematic learning experience with direct teaching of concepts and skills through multisensory techniques.  The three curriculum strands:  decoding, reading comprehension, and written expression are utilized.  The strands are integrated at all grade levels, but specific strands are emphasized at certain grade levels. The regular education classroom teachers have undergone extensive training in each strand of Project Read.

COMPUTER ASSISTED INSTRUCTION is provided both in the classroom and in a Computer Lab.  Each classroom utilizes computers that are connected to the Internet.  The Computer Lab provides excellent reinforcement and self-paced practice.  It has built in assessment for each pupil and proper correlation between in-class instruction and computer lab exercises.  The Lab is also Internet accessible.  Students in grades three-five are provided instruction in the Lab at least four times each week with the classroom teacher and a computer proctor.

INCLUSION OF STUDENTS with SPECIAL NEEDS was initiated during the 1998-99 school session. Students from Special Education Classes were scheduled for instructional classes with regular education students. The number of hours of inclusion was determined by the Special Education teacher in collaboration with the Regular Education teacher. Both full inclusion were utilized. A full time Tutor was trained and employed to work with the "Inclusion" students. The Special Education teacher and the Regular Education teacher met and collaborated/coordinated their efforts.

EXTENDED SCHOOL DAY PROGRAM is provided for second and third grade students. The program is limited to fifteen students per grade taught by a regular second and third grade teacher. The classes meet twice a week and skills are taught to enhance classroom performance and to strengthen test-taking skills.

STRUCTURED PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT PROGRAM
The success of any school is contingent upon continued parental involvement/support. Therefore, Southside Elementary School has initiated a monthly program, which is referred to as "Family Learning Night". Activities are planned/conducted for parents and students in all grades. The activities are designed to provide parents an opportunity to work with their children in a classroom setting. Further, parents and students acquire information, materials, and practice with skills that will enhance test performance.

In addition to our monthly meeting for parents, an on-going invitation is extended to all parents to visit at anytime during the regular school day as well as on special occasions.

CHARACTER COUNTS PROGRAM (Click to see Power Point Presentation)

STUDENT INCENTIVES
Students are rewarded for a variety of reasons. Teachers in individual classrooms as well as the school reward students for academic excellence, attendance, adherence to rules, academic improvement, etc. Students are rewarded with certificates, trophies, educational materials, parties, and a special "Awards Day Program".

Additionally, a special incentive program is in place to recognize students for any progress made in Reading. At the end of each six weeks those students who maintained an "A" in reading or bring the reading grade up to the next level are recognized. These students receive ribbons and their names are displayed on the "ACE" or "BUG" roll.

OTHERS
  ADOPT-A-SCHOOL
The First United Methodist Church of Lake Providence, LA is Southside Elementary School's adopter. This group provides material resources as well as human resources. Each week two members are scheduled to "read" to students in the various grades. This weekly activity enhances the reading program and encourages students to do more reading.

  BOOK-IT
Students participate in this "incentive reading" program which is sponsored by Pizza Hut. The students are rewarded for meeting/exceeding a pre-determined reading goal.