Central Grade School reports MAP gains, details RTI interventions and school programs

Aaron Spicer, Central Grade School principal, and assistant principal Lauren Pals presented school programs and winter benchmark results to the board, reporting math at 85.49% and reading at 83.52% for grades 3–5 on the winter NWEA MAP.

Spicer described school initiatives including "Umbrellas for Peace" paired with an everyday speech curriculum to support social-emotional goals, PTO-funded activities (readathon, field trips, rewards) and periodic celebrations that recognize students meeting behavioral goals. He said the school increased the frequency of celebrations and that nearly 30 students are involved in cross-country and other athletics.

On assessment, presenters explained that NWEA updated norms since 2020; with the new norms the district saw gains in percentiles across many grades. Spicer walked through grade-level trends and noted examples: third-grade math at 91.19% and fifth-grade reading at 82.24%. He said teachers use targeted RTI time and interventions — including Lexia for reading and IXL for math — along with small-group instruction, interventionists and specials teachers supporting intervention time.

Board members asked how STEM activities are funded and whether transportation is provided for junior-high sports; presenters said PTO funds materials and transportation arrangements are coordinated with junior-high staff.