Black Traditional Magnet Elementary School

Black Traditional Magnet was developed at the request of parents who wanted a more traditional, back-to-basics form of learning environment. Basic subjects of reading, composition, handwriting, math and social studies are emphasized. Standardized dress is required for students. The Traditional Magnet Program was developed by staff and parents and opened in 1999.

Classroom teachers provide core academic instruction that is aligned to the state and district standards, using the self-contained classroom philosophy. Specialized art, library, music, computer lab and physical education are provided. Fifth grade students may participate in a strings programs.

Black also provides all-day kindergarten, before and after-school programs, and two sessions of Pre-kindergarten, an a.m. and a p.m.

• 2009 Best Places to Work Finalist
• Wichita EDGE Mini-Grant: MP3: Making it Personal to the Power of Three
• 2008 State Standard of Excellence building-wide in Reading and Math
• 2007 State Standard of Excellence in 3rd grade Reading and 3rd grade Math
• Education Edge Grant in 2006 for Improving Learning Through Technology

Exit west Kellogg at West St. Go north on West St. past Zoo Blvd two blocks to Del Sienno. Go east on Del Sienno to High Street. Black Elementary is on south side of the street. See Maps for all USD 259 locations.

The mission of Black Traditional Magnet Elementary School, in partnership with parents and the community, is to provide all students an opportunity to achieve using rigorous, standards based curriculum.

In order to prepare our students for success in a constantly changing society, all students will be challenged in accordance with their ability in a safe, structured, disciplined and equitable environment, where diversity is valued.

1. Problem Solving - All students will build mathematical knowledge through the investigation of mathematical concepts and demonstrate mathematical reasoning to solve problems in a variety of contexts.
2. Number and Computation - All students will understand and apply number concepts, relations, systems, theory and math procedures in a variety of situations; understand meanings of operations and how they relate to one another; and be able to compute fluently.
3. Patterns, Relations, Functions, and Algebra - All students will represent and analyze patterns, relations and functions using mathematical models and algebraic concepts and skills.
4. Data Analysis and Probability - All students will use appropriate statistical methods to collect, organize, display, analyze and synthesize data; apply and evaluate concepts of probability.
5. Vocabulary - All students will determine the meaning of words or phrases by using context clues and word structure.
6. Text Structure - All students will comprehend a variety of texts (narrative, expository, persuasive, and technical).
7. Writing - All students will write effectively for a variety of audiences, purposes, and contexts (narrative, expository, persuasive, and technical).

Each school has a site council, which is a group of parents, community members, business representatives, teachers and other school staff. Site councils identify, consider and discuss educational problems and issues at the school. Councils provide advice and counsel for evaluating state, school district and school site performance goals and objectives. Councils may also recommend methods that may be employed at the school site to meet these goals and objectives.

Meeting Day: First Tuesday of each month in September, November, February and April or as needed.
Time: 5 p.m.
Location: Black Library
Chairperson: Officers elected each fall. Currently this position is vacant.

Reading and writing instruction utilizes the Four-Blocks framework. Four-Blocks consists of Guided Reading, Self-Selected Reading, Writing, and Working with Words. Daily instruction in all Four Blocks allows numerous and varied opportunities for all children to learn to read and write.

Math instruction emphasizes problem solving and computation skills.

Parents and teachers emphasize structure, discipline and a challenging curriculum. The school climate stresses courtesy, respect, manners and appropriate behavior. We have an atmosphere of cooperation between parents and teachers. This traditional magnet program was developed by staff and parents and opened in 1994.

Staff Development

All teachers participate in a Professional Learning Community model of staff development, which is facilitated by team members from grades K-1, 2-3, 4-5, and support teachers. Each team receives a half day release time each month to collaborate and participate in ongoing staff development to meet the targeted needs that have been identified through extensive data analysis of our students' performance on our state and benchmark assessments.

Dress Code and Student School Uniform

Parents and staff of Black Traditional Magnet believe that student dress influences student behavior. Clothing should be appropriate for an active day that includes physical education classes. Student dress should not distract student attention away from schoolwork. If student dress is detrimental to the learning process, parents will be notified. Black Traditional Magnet has adopted a student uniform that supports the structure and discipline that are a part of our traditional magnet mission. Various pieces of the adopted uniform are available at many local stores. No specific brand of clothing is required. Shirts are red, white and blue. Slacks, skirts, and jumpers are blue, black and khaki.
Contact the school office for assistance if you need help providing the uniform.

Kindergarten

Pre-Kindergarten Program: Two half day sessions - one a.m. and one p.m.
Half-Day Kindergarten: None
All-Day Kindergarten: 9 a.m. - 4:10 p.m.

• Art Club
• Circle of Friends
• DARE
• Safety Patrol
• Spring Talent Show
• Tech Team (made up of 4th & 5th graders). This team helps put together the year book.
  

Jessie Hunter Black Elementary School was built in 1954 to meet the needs of the rapidly expanding West Side and to serve an area that had formerly been a part of the OK district but had been annexed by the city. The school was completed in October of 1954 and was occupied immediately by the pupils and staff who had been holding classes on an afternoon shift at Field Elementary School.  Leaper and Gilbert were architects for the building.

Dedication services were held on the afternoon of Sunday, November 14, 1954, and were attended by members of the Board of Education, school administrators, staff and other important citizens of the community. At this time, a portrait of Mrs. Jessie Hunter Black, after whom the school was named, was presented to the school by a niece, Mrs. Knorr. Mrs. Black was credited with being the first public school teacher in Wichita, having taught several years as Miss Jessie Hunter.

The initial enrollment was 300. This rapidly increased, and a peak enrollment of 580 was reached in 1965. Through the years, 12 portable classroom units were placed on the school site to provide for expanded enrollment and special services. In 1968, two classrooms were combined to develop an adequate library facility.

The 1974 bond election included improvements for Black Elementary. After a year of planning, renovation and construction were begun. The kindergarten area was enlarged, and the office area was extended. The old library, teacher lounge and music room were converted into four classrooms. The new addition included five classrooms, a library media resource center with conference and instructional areas, instrumental music room, multipurpose room, restroom and inner courtyard. Renovation and construction were completed in November 1976 at a cost of $642,718. The building was occupied in December and the need for portables on the school site eliminated.

At the beginning of the 1988-89 year, sixth grade students were incorporated into the middle school program, leaving a K-5 enrollment of approximately 300 students.

In 1989, 16 ceiling fans were placed in eight classrooms and the remaining four classrooms without air conditioning received fans by December 1990. The project was financed by the Black Elementary PTA.

In 1993, the school board responded to community interest in a traditional magnet school and Black Traditional Elementary Magnet School was created.

In April 2000, the voters of the Wichita School District approved a $284.5 million bond issue. The projects began in the fall of 2000 and were completed over the next five years. The plan built 19 multipurpose rooms, upgraded science labs, replaced portable classrooms with permanent construction, improved handicap accessibility to all buildings, rebuilt five existing elementary schools, added a new elementary and middle school, expanded seven other elementary schools and provided nine new libraries as well as the expansion of nine others. Building infrastructure in 82 buildings was also upgraded, included the replacement of antiquated plumbing, updates and expansion of electrical systems, replacement of inefficient or broken windows and doors, upgrades of heating and cooling systems, and asbestos abatement when required.

The district entered contracts with architects Hanney & Associates and with Bauer and Son Construction to complete the Black and McLean remodel and addition projects.

The Black bond project was completed for the Fall of 2003, and the school held their bond celebration and dedication on September 2, 2003.