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Atkinson
5800 SE DIVISIONPortland, OR 97206
View a map of the surrounding area
Phone: 503-916-6333
Fax: 503-916-2606
E-mail: cgutierr@pps.k12.or.us
School-created web pages: http://www.atkinson.pps.k12.or.us
School-brochure: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools-c/profiles/brochure/Atkinson.pdf
Grade levels: K-5
Principal: Chris J Gutierrez
Student Enrollment: 553
About:
Atkinson Elementary School students and their families have a wide range of cultural backgrounds. Atkinson features an admired language program; strong support for the arts, especially music; and a rapidly expanding curriculum that incorporates sustainability practices, such as a native plant garden, a multicultural food garden and an ecologically friendly outdoor classroom. At Atkinson, we value community, diversity, learning and having fun!
Pre School: No on-site preschool available.
Kindergarten: Full-day, bilingual (English and Spanish) kindergarten available.
Kindergarten Round-up: Call school at 503-916-6333 for registration dates, tours and general info.
Childcare: On-site childcare provided by the Vermont Hills Family Life Center(503 452-8633)
Before and after school programs
- ESL and Mandarin Chinese for adults; Big Brothers Big Sisters Program; basketball; tutoring and homework assistance; chess club; Mad Science; and many afterschool enrichment EXPLORE classes including Spanish, arts and crafts, drama, music, yearbook, LegoŽ physics and sewing. In addition, the Vermont Hills Family Life Center provides before and after school daycare. Contact them directly at 503-452-8633.
Community partnerships
- Starbucks at 18th and Hawthorne
- Portland State University, Warner Pacific University
- Volunteers from Franklin and Lincoln High Schools work with and tutor Atkinson students in English, Spanish, Chinese and Vietnamese.
- The community fully supports the SMART (Start Making A Reader Today) program. Volunteers read several times a week to students in need of reading assistance.
- Chess for Success
Student learning environment
- Second language learning comes alive at Atkinson. All K-5th grade students learn in two languages, and one-third of the students speak Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese or other languages at home.
- Buddy Class rooms allow for cross-age learning, resulting in a family atmosphere in the classroom and on the playground.
- Cooperative learning in the classroom encourages understanding differences and allows students to work in a real-world environment.
- Atkinson is dedicated to providing each student with the academic, social, emotional and physical skills necessary to succeed in the 21st century.
- Atkinson students learn to be leaders and of service to others through student council activities, peer helpers, community-service projects and school service opportunities.
- Atkinson values diversity and creates a learning environment of communication, caring cooperation and excellence where all feel valued, safe and successful.
- Wildlife Habitat Garden, planted in the fall of 2001, using native Pacific NW plants located under the two big Western Red Cedars just south of the main lobby.
- Multi-cultural Garden, located in the courtyard between two breezeways surrounding the world sculpture, planted in containers spring 2005. The goal of this garden is to actively celebrate the diversity of our community and work towards sustaining culture, languages, and the environment through kid and adult planning, growing, preparing, and eating what is produced.
- Outdoor Classroom, a permanent structure located east of the Wildlife Habitat Garden, built with recycled and environmentally sustainable materials including cob benches and a lab table built by students in May 2004, and a waddle and daub wall that students, parents and volunteers finished in June 2005. Swinerton Builders donated all materials and labor, framing this amazing structure, which holds an eco roof.
- Butterfly Garden, located at end of sidewalk going east to parking lot, includes numerous butterfly-friendly flowering perennials and artwork by Atkinson students.
Curriculum components
- All students receive language instruction in either Spanish or Mandarin Chinese for 30 minutes a day, 4 times a week. We value languages, culture and diversity at Atkinson!
- A daily block of time is devoted to literacy. Reading specialists and educational assistants enter the classroom to work with students in small groups at their developmental levels, lowering student to teacher ratios.
- Atkinson houses one of the district's largest bookrooms, with over 50,000 books available as teaching resources.
- Atkinson uses the PPS District-adapted Math Curriculum: Investigations in Data, Number and Space, Every Day Counts and the Problem Solver. These materials focus on the conceptual awareness of elementary mathematics, as well as the applications to everyday life. All areas identified by NCTM standards are addressed in this curriculum: algebraic, thinking, statistics, computation, number sense, geometry, measurement, fractions and decimals. Experienced staff members helps children and their parents bridge the gap between traditional skill-based practices and the more modern concept-based approaches.
- Technology is offered through our state-of-the-art computer lab.
- Field trips, artist-in-residence (one week per year for each class) and assemblies sponsored by PTA.
- Cooperative learning, Discipline Based Art Education (based on the study of great works of art), library and computer training are used at Atkinson.
- We believe in applied learning. Our teachers link together the curriculum basics of math, reading, writing, speaking, spelling, science, health, social studies, art, physical education and music. Unifying themes encourage children to use their skills in real-world settings.
Staff
- Our teachers plan, collaborate and work in classrooms by teams, closely coordinating instruction with grade-level teams. Support teachers team-teach in regular classrooms.
- 25 university practicum students supplement faculty each year.
- 40 percent of the instructional staff are bilingual or multilingual.
Parent and family support
- Atkinson provides learning opportunities for families to participate in evening classes designed and conducted by Atkinson staff and parents.
- Atkinson has a strong tradition of parent support and active involvement in the school. The Site Council, Local School Advisory Committee (LSAC)/ PTA, Parent/Teacher Planning Committees and "Atkinson Conversations with Parents" actively provide support to students and staff.
- Atkinson staff believe in shared decision-making. Before major program changes are made (such as mixed-age classrooms or Spanish immersion), input is taken from parents through surveys and PTA-sponsored conversations. Every effort is made to develop the school in ways that work for as many families as possible.
Special programs and features
- Two-Way Spanish Immersion Magnet Program provides Spanish and English instruction in content subjects to mixed groups of native English and Spanish speakers.
- Music instruction is taught through hands-on learning centers, drum group and a band.
- Self-contained PE program has an emphasis on fitness and wellness.
- The TAG (talented and gifted) program at Atkinson is thriving. Once a year, students who are advanced in reading, math or cognitive development are nominated, tested by the PPS TAG department, identified and possibly invited to join the TAG program. The school works hard to ensure each TAG student is challenged and working to reach his or her highest potential. In addition, Atkinson offers classes through Saturday Academy to provide enrichment classes in science, math and language arts.
- Child-development specialist provides group and individual counseling, supports and works in classrooms to build self-confidence, personal awareness, problem-solving skills and positive peer relationships.
- Student council members lead classroom representatives in spirit and school improvement projects.
- Peer Helpers Program teaches third, fourth and fifth graders to assist other students in problem solving and conflict management.
- Atkinson is recognized for its model programs in school improvement, second language learning, reading, parent participation and multicultural school environment.
Statistics and test scores
- Report cards and AYP Scores
Oregon Department of Education school report cards - School Enrollment and Program Data
- Standardized test scores
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