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Laurelhurst
840 NE 41stPortland, OR 97232
View a map of the surrounding area
Phone: 503-916-6210
Fax: 503-916-2649
E-mail: dcorilss@pps.k12.or.us
School-created web pages: http://www.laurelhurstschool.com
School-brochure: http://www.pps.k12.or.us/schools-c/profiles/brochure/Laurelhurst.pdf
Grade levels: K-8
Principal: Dawn Corliss
Student Enrollment: 710
About:
Laurelhurst K-8 School offers a welcoming and caring learning environment that celebrates and encourages parent and community participation. The experienced and professional teaching staff focuses on academic excellence and growth for every child. Laurelhurst has been rated an exceptional school every year since 2002-03. Laurelhurst focuses on engaging and relevant academic learning experiences with an emphasis on developing individual student strengths. A strongly integrated literacy, math, science and social studies curriculum is aligned with state benchmarks and is articulated across grade levels. Laurelhurst is an Arts for Learning school. In addition to Young Audiences Assemblies and artists-in-residence, K-5 students learn about the arts through Visual Thinking Strategies while practicing critical thinking. Music, physical education and library add significant value to each child’s weekly educational experience. Older students practice technology, mentoring and steps to respect curriculum. The media center, with an emphasis on information literacy and research, is the heart of the school. Computers for student use are located in the media center, technology lab and classrooms. Information literacy benchmarks guide students to grow in their ability to use technology as a tool for continued learning and productivity. We are excited to guide our K-8 students toward becoming knowledgeable, self-directed, respectful, responsible and thoughtful future citizens.
Pre School: No on-site preschool available.
Kindergarten: Half-day and full-day kindergarten options.
Kindergarten Round-up: February 24, 2010 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.
Childcare: Monday–Friday, 6 AM–6 PM provided by YMCA. Also late start mornings and summer.
Focus options: Emphasis on Art, Science and Technology feeding to Grant High School's programs.
Information Sessions: Monday, March 1st at 6:30 p.m. for current students entering mid level in the fall.
Testimonials
- As a parent who attended private school from Kindergarten
through 12th grade, I was very impressed when I first
visited Laurelhurst school. I appreciated the sense of
community, history, the positive energy that flows through
the halls, the friendliness that exists between parents,
teachers and students alike, and the pride with which the
faculty and staff conduct themselves. Six years later,
with two children still at the school, my first impressions
were surpassed by the actual experience, and I am thrilled
for my children and myself to be part of the Laurelhurst
education.
Tod Breslau, Parent - Laurelhurst is an incredibly warm and welcoming school. The
community works together to create the best possible
learning opportunities for all of our kids, and this
camaraderie makes Laurelhurst feel like a second home for my
family.
Laurie Lopez, Parent - Laurelhurst is a fabulous school. The support for the PE
program is terrific. The kids have great hearts, are
cooperative and fun to teach.
Sharon Fitz, PE Teacher - I wake up in the morning looking forward to coming to work.
The Laurelhurst students are ready to learn and the parents
are supportive.
Cassandra Wilson, 4th Grade Teacher
- Students are guaranteed rich exposure to curriculum
integrating Literacy, Math, Science and the Arts beginning
in kindergarten.
Cynthia McAdams, Kindergarten Teacher - It\'s incredible to work with such an intellectually
stimulating staff.
Judy Roumpf, 6th Grade Math Teacher
Before and after school programs
- YMCA on-site day care, Early bird Chorus, after school language and science classes, Lego Robotics Team, Destination Imagination Team, Homework Club, art classes, Chess Club, Maypole Dance Team.
Community partnerships
- Young Audiences, YMCA, Portland Schools Foundation, George Fox University, Concordia College, Portland State University, Parent/Teacher Association, Comedy Sports.
Student learning environment
- Laurelhurst students learn to be safe, respectful,responsible and cooperative young citizens. The school community holds students to high expectations for academic achievement, respectful and positive behavior.
- Laurelhurst has a strong instructional program. Student strengths are emphasized. Creative project-based learning combined with a solid foundation of basic skills make learning rigorous, relevant and meaningful for all students.
- Students are taught PE and playground rules to encourage fair play, self-management, safety and respect for self and others.
- Laurelhurst places a strong emphasis on art education. The school strives to develop students\' abilities in the visual and performing arts.
- Parents actively support and are involved in all aspects of the school program. Parent volunteers work to supports students in writing, reading and in classrooms to attain high academic standards.
Curriculum components
- Literacy: Laurelhurst places a great emphasis on ensuring all students read at or above benchmark by grade 3. Vocabulary development is emphasized in all grades. 9n 2008-09, 94% of 3rd-8th graders met or exceeded reading benchmarks. To ensure continuation of student growth and academic goals, staff participates in ongoing development. Currently, the focus is on the district\'s K-5 Writing Initiative and differentiating instruction to meet the needs of every learner. Monthly professional development trainings focus on K-8 writing and use of technology for learning. In 2008-09, 70% 4th and 7th graders met or exceeded the writing benchmarks.
- Emphasis is placed on developing strong math skills using district math curriculum and Problem Solving strategies taught throughout the grades. In 2008-09, 91% of 3rd-8th graders met or exceeded math benchmarks. The school provides 6th-8th grade math offerings that meet the intellectual and academic needs of students and ensure preparation for high school mathematics.
- Dedicated science labs for 6th-8th graders allows students to investigate and inquire in the areas of biology, ecology, physical and earth K-8 sciences. District science kits are used as part of district curriculum and materials for experiential, inquiry-based, hands-on learning. In 2008-09, 88% of 5th graders met or exceeded science benchmarks.
- Social studies curriculum topics are often a springboard for students to practice reading, writing and speaking. Topics integrate well with other curriculum areas to create meaningful and engaging learning opportunities. Social studies curriculum includes learning geography, history, cultural studies and civics. Many field trips are related to social studies content.
- The Media Center focuses on students\' learning information technology and how to apply research skills. A technology plan guides the school to articulate what\'s important for students to know and be able to do by the time they leave Laurelhurst.
- A full-time PE specialist provides students with opportunities to learn movement, character development, fitness and safety.
- Staff use differentiated instructional strategies to meet the varying learning styles and abilities of all students. These include flexible grouping, questioning strategies, applying critical thinking, tiered assignments and compacting.
Focusing on students\' strengths is a priority at Laurelhurst. - In addition to classroom and \"Specials\" teachers, some students have access to a special education teacher and/or an English as a Second Language teacher. A Building TAG plan addresses TAG students\' rate and level of learning through enrichment and differentiation strategies within classrooms.
Staff
- 26 classroom teachers, 1.0 PE, 1.0 Spanish, 1.0 music, 1.5 media/technology specialist, 1.0 counselor, 2.0 ERC teachers, 1.0 speech and language, .1 ESL Instructor, .5 school psychologist, 2.0 administors, 2.0 office staff.
- Staff development focuses on improving student writing and adding to staff technology skills this year. Following two years of training, we practice integrating differentiated strategies into classroom instruction.
Laurelhurst staff uses student data to look at where to focus our professional development around student-centered problems and how to enhance teacher\'s instructional practice.
Parent and family support
- Active PTA, Foundation and Site Council. Parent involvement is welcomed and needed at Laurelhurst. This year parent are being trained to assist writing instruction in the classroom. They are also being trained to teach Jr. Great Books groups as an enrichment option for advanced readers.
Parent Coffees are held monthly with the principal hosting. Parents bring the agenda and time for dialogue is provided both at 9 a.m. and at 6 p.m.
A Before/After School Parent Advisory meets each trimester with the principal and the YMCA supervisor. - The Laurelhurst Foundation sponsors the springtime Laurelhurt Auction, which helps to fund staffing and keep class size in check at Laurelhurst.
- PTA-sponsored events include carnival, gift wrap sale, Sock Hop, Women in History, Run for the Arts, Butterfly Garden, teacher professional support, Field Day, Homework Club, Bookfairs, Spirit wear, Scrip, Passport Club, Rose Show, Safety Patrol, Library, Technology, Counseling and PE materials support.
Special programs and features
- Science laboratory for hands-on, inquiry-based science.
The Annual Science and Arts Fair celebrates students\' science and arts accomplishments while bringing community together. - Starbase Aerospace program for 5th graders every other year.
- Laurelhurst\'s student government builds school spirit, involves students in helping to make Laurelhurst the best it can be, increases student involvement, promotes civic responsibility and school connectedness.
Points of Pride Honor\'s Program recognizes and celebrates student\'s achievement and success. - In the computer lab and library, students learn research and information technology skills, with a media specialist.
- Run for the Arts allows Laurelhurst to be an Arts for Learning school with a yearly emphasis on either visual or performing arts. Partnership with Young Audiences provides artist-in-residence along with student performances yearly. The addition of Visual Thinking Strategies allows students to study pieces of art work through the lens of critical thinking and inquiry.
- Student \"STAR of the WEEK\" invites every K-4th grade student to be honored one time a year as the classroom star.
- Women in History Celebration.
- Participation in Rose Festival activities.
- Grandparents Day is an annual event.
Statistics and test scores
- Report cards and AYP Scores
Oregon Department of Education school report cards - School Enrollment and Program Data
- Standardized test scores
Course syllabus
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