Walnut Grove believes that student well-being improves students’ academic performance, social integration, and satisfaction. In addition, staff well-being improves teachers’ ability to interact with students, teach concepts, face challenges, and avoid burnout. This year, Walnut Grove enters year two of continuous improvement, prioritizing well-being and the social, emotional, and mental health of our students, faculty, and staff. 

1. Teachers will be provided training on the district-approved Social Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons to engage students and elevate our awareness of how students are doing socially and emotionally and how this could have an impact on their learning. 
2. Faculty and staff will be trained on our Positive Behavior Intervention Support (PBIS) matrix. Staff will teach our students the behavioral expectations to support positive student behavior.

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) lessons will be updated and revised for this school year. The counselors, the SEL committee, and the administration team will monitor the implementation of SEL lessons in classrooms and provide feedback for continuous growth. To support SEL implementation, allotted time for daily SEL lessons has been added to the master schedule. In addition, professional learning will continue to be provided to support effective teaching practices and implementation of SEL lessons to develop student self-awareness, self-control, and interpersonal skills that are vital for school, work, and life success.

Staff and student well-being is supported through the Positive Behavior Interventions and Supports (PBIS) System. Our school will have two counselors, one PBIS Coach, PBIS committee, Early Intervention Teacher, and administrators who will collaborate and work to learn, build, and implement PBIS with fidelity. A Behavioral Intervention Flow Chart will be presented to faculty and staff to ensure students are supported using the Multi-Tiered Systems of Support Model. Professional learning will be provided throughout the school year to support teachers in the implementation of PBIS. Positive behavior will be celebrated in a variety of ways, such as a preplanned schedule of events and the implementation of an incentive-based PBIS store.

Students and staff will be recognized and honored for achievements through positive affirmations across various mediums, such as staff meetings, announcements, marquee, and hallway displays. Publicly sharing social and academic achievements will support student and staff belonging and highlight individual strengths.

Student Survey Question: I can calm myself down when I am excited or upset.

Staff Survey Question:  When there is a problem in my school, we talk about how to solve it.

Family Survey Question:  Walnut Grove provides a caring, supportive environment for my student.

Walnut Grove will continue to use the Multi-tiered System of Supports as a data-driven prevention framework that uses screening and progress monitoring tools to identify and predict students who exceed or fail to meet expected academic progress or who experience connectedness, wellbeing needs, and/or behavioral concerns that impact learning.  

1. Teachers will have follow-up training on the multi-tiered system of support framework and tiered intervention support for academic and behavior concerns to ensure each and every student is provided the support they need when they need it.
2. Universal academic screeners will be given to determine student intervention and enrichment needs for language arts and math.
3. Universal wellbeing screeners will be given to identify students who may need support for learning.
4. Staffing and schedule adjustments will be made to ensure students receive intervention and enrichment based on individual needs.
5. Counselors will hold student attendance review committee meetings to address attendance concerns and provide multi-tiered support to students to provide early intervention.

Staffing and schedule adjustments have been made to support academic and behavioral interventions and enrichment. We have a Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS) Coordinator, two counselors, an Early Intervention Program (EIP) teacher, an instructional coach, and a PBIS Coordinator. A Behavior Intervention Flow Chart has been created, and staff will receive training on restorative practices to ensure students and staff are supported academically, behaviorally, and emotionally. Staff will receive follow-up training on the processes and procedures of MTSS.

Universal screeners will be administered and used to identify the needs of students. Staff will use data to drive academic and behavioral interventions and enrichment support for students. Academic interventions will be provided during the instructional block and Eagle Learning Time. Educational Effectiveness Surveys (EES) will be used to identify leveled tiers of support for student well-being.

Counselors will continue to encourage and celebrate good attendance, support student well-being by developing positive relationships, and provide classroom guidance lessons, small group interventions, individualized support, and restorative circles to provide early intervention and additional help in both academic and non-academic areas. Students and staff will provide voice and choice in implementing programs and activities to build positive morale. School leaders will welcome and encourage participation, involvement and collaboration of all students, families, staff, and stakeholders to nurture a shared commitment to equity through multiple platforms, such as school council, school leadership team, student council, safety patrol, operations team, and Parent Teacher Association (PTA).

Student Survey Question:  My teachers find other ways for me to learn things I find difficult.

Staff Survey Question:  Walnut Grove has effective equity strategies for all.

Family Survey Question:  Actions of school leaders promote a shared commitment for equity. 

Family Survey Question:  Struggling students receive early intervention and additional help at Walnut Grove. 

Percent of eligible students universally screened for math and language arts.

Percent of eligible students universally screened for wellbeing.

Walnut Grove recognizes the importance of implementing a variety of instructional methods, educational services, and school resources to support students to aid in the acceleration of learning progress, catch up with peers, meet learning standards, and succeed in school. The creation of students services will stimulate personal, social, cultural, and cognitive development. Opportunities will be provided for students to engage in high-quality and relevant coursework, including STEM, Computer Science, and visual and performing arts. 

1. The Instructional Leadership Team will continuously review the master schedule to determine any revisions needed to ensure support is provided for every student.
2. Training will be provided for all teachers to review effective small-group instruction to support each and every student.
3. Teachers will provide personalized instruction to review, practice, and accelerate learning.

Collaborative Learning Teams (CLT) will meet weekly to analyze instructional practices and assessments to monitor student achievement. Teachers will continuously analyze data to form small-group instruction in EL Education (Language Arts) and Mathematics. Administration and instructional coaches will monitor the transfer of work during CLT into the classroom as we focus on equity by providing each and every student with what they need to be successful.

Faculty and staff will continue to participate in professional learning opportunities focused on structured literacy practices including the science of reading and effective mathematical practices. Teachers will implement instructional practices that address individual student needs to review, practice, or accelerate learning. Teachers will observe model classrooms and will be provided the opportunity to lead professional learning and school-wide events.

New faculty and staff will be provided with a mentor. Professional learning will be differentiated based on needs, such as, new teachers and levels of experience.

The master schedule will be a fluid document that may be revised to maximize instruction and student support. Early learning education will expand to two Play 2 Learn sessions weekly and numerous sessions of Little Learners Academy throughout the year.

Students and families will receive support through the CARE Closet, Care Team, Hearts Against Hunger, Off To A Great Start, and Kids Hope to help meet the needs of all students, including those struggling with financial difficulties, food insecurity, and school supply needs, as well as mentorship.

All students will be provided the opportunity to participate in a variety of specials (Art, Music, Physical Education, STEM, Computer Science, Health) and student clubs that are aligned with student interests and goals to foster curiosity in a wide variety of hobbies and careers.

We will provide a multi-tiered level of support to teach positive behavior so that students develop healthy emotional regulations and peer interactions through restorative practices and social-emotional learning in order to support every student and reduce disruptions to learning.

Staff Survey Question:  Instruction is personalized to meet the needs of each student.

Family Survey Question:  My student is challenged with a rigorous course of study at Walnut Grove.

Family Survey Question:  Teachers accommodate my student's individual needs by adjusting instruction.

Student Survey Question:  My teachers find other ways for me to learn things I find difficult.

Student Survey Question:  My teachers provide activities and lessons that challenge me to learn.

Increase the school-wide percentage of students identified as gifted.

Play2Learn program participants.

Walnut Grove will review various metrics / assessments that focus on school improvement and student growth in order to make data driven decisions that target instruction to support every learner. 

1. Review assessments and benchmarks to determine actions for student academic support.
2. Individual student growth goals will be set based on iReady screener data for math and language arts.
3. Teachers (4th and 5th) will review GMAS data as a summative student growth measure to reflect and make adjustments as needed for student support.

As we prepare for the 2023-2024 school year, teachers will be trained on iReady, the GCPS universal screener.  Teachers will set RBES goals based on iReady data.  Teachers will also review the GMAS results to determine any student support adjustments that may be needed to begin the school year.

Math- Our goal is to increase the percentage of students scoring at the Proficient and Distinguished levels on the Georgia Milestones Assessment.

English/Language Arts- Our goal is to increase the percentage of students scoring at the Proficient and Distinguished levels on the Georgia Milestones Assessment.

Multiple avenues of two-way communication, engagement, and outreach will enhance the connection between the school, families, and community stakeholders. Enhancing our communication practices will further engage all families more effectively.

1. Faculty and staff will ensure news is communicated in families' preferred language.
2. Encourage parents to provide feedback and have a voice across a variety of platforms that include school council, parent-teacher conferences, electronic correspondence and school and district surveys.

Faculty and staff will engage in ongoing professional learning to increase communication skills and customer service relations. School leaders and staff will ensure that information is relevant, timely, and effectively communicated in applicable languages. The Media Committee will strategically use social media and digital communication to connect with stakeholders.

Our Schoolwide Events Committee will plan multiple opportunities for families to strengthen involvement and foster positive relationships.

Family Survey Question:  Walnut Grove communicates effectively with my family.

Family Survey Question:  Walnut Grove communicates with me about my student's progress.

Family Survey Question:  Communication / materials I receive from Walnut Grove is in a language I can understand.

Family Survey Question: I feel welcome at Walnut Grove.