South Whittier School District held their monthly board meeting Tuesday, February 18, at the district office. Board members and administrators heard a presentation from a group of Loma Vista 5th graders, pitches from 4 of the Carmela Elementary School Invention Competition winners, and a presentation about Los Altos Elementary’s academic achievements.
New Furniture Presentation By Loma Vista 5th Grade Students
A group of Loma Vista 5th graders did a presentation for the school board regarding new furniture for their classroom. The students put together a powerpoint presentation and spoke to the board about the furniture they wanted, the need for the furniture and how it can benefit their learning.
The furniture requested included alternative seating options such as bean bag chairs. Students even put together a budget and item list that included the quantity and price of each item to ensure seating for 35 people.
Carmela Elementary School Invention Competition Winner Recognitions
Carmela Elementary School held a school-wide Invention Competition. With over 250 entries, the top 4 winners of the competition attended the board meeting to give the administration and school board a one minute pitch of their invention. The administration and board later took a vote for the winner of the grand prize, which is seventy-five dollars cash.
Each student gave a powerpoint presentation about their invention and the positive impacts it would have in the classroom. Students even brought in prototypes of their products. Inventions included a virtual learning application, a smart desk, pouch desk, and a robotic kuala that can help when a teacher is out sick and can also aid in classroom safety.
Los Altos Elementary School’s Academic Achievement
Los Altos principal, Genevieve Silebi, gave a presentation that showed the growth in academics from her students as well as her site’s instructional focus and strategies that have been implemented to achieve growth and success for all students.
Ms. Silebi shared that on the SBAC there was an almost a 20% increase in student scores in English Language Arts and 13% growth in math. Los Altos also has been able to reclassify 30% of EL students as of February 2019.
Los Altos’ instructional focus for this academic school year has been English Language development and academic language, rigor in math, and writing in all content areas. Silebi then shared their school action plan in both math and writing and the resources they utilize to help all students achieve at high levels.
The next board meeting will be held on Tuesday, March 12, at 6 PM at the district office.