Jefferson Elementary

The vision for the Jefferson faculty is to implement research-based, student-centered instruction.  As a result, students will become highly engaged in authentic learning.

Jefferson is an integrated, neighborhood school with resources that include pre-kindergarten, all-day kindergarten and a before- and after-school program. Jefferson uses Study Island for State Reading and Mathematics Lab Applications, Reading Adventure, and English for Speakers of Other Languages. A full-time Instructional Coach, librarian, social worker and a parent resource center are also a part of Jefferson’s success. Additional programs involving our students, parents and community include Community in Schools, lunch buddies, and tutoring.

The Jefferson staff is active in the community, serving on various committees and attending meetings. The school has a walking track and new playground equipment for families in the neighborhood to enjoy. The community police officer has a constant presence as he teaches safety, assists in problem solving and provides a positive role model for the students.

Jefferson has implemented the BIST behavior program that encourages students to be responsible for their own behavior, giving them skills to monitor and assess their moods and make better behavior choices.

Jefferson is a diverse school and reflects the neighborhood it is a part of. The student population is almost equally divided between boys and girls. As an ELL and Newcomers school, many of our families speak languages other than English at home. Jefferson attempts to ensure that services such as interpreters and translated materials are available to aid in eliminating any barriers that may limit communication and parent engagement of all of our families' academic success and behavior at school. Jefferson Elementary seeks to engage all families in the education of their child by providing a welcoming environment; honoring the contributions they make to the success of their child; and pursuing ways to strengthen the connection between school and home.

Jefferson strongly encourages every family to take an active part in supporting and encouraging students to succeed.

Academic achievement is the basis of all we do at Jefferson. The teaching staff receives building and district training on research based best practices. Students know that they are expected to do their best in everything they do.

Instruction is differentiated to address multiple learning styles and learning levels. The curriculum allows for struggling students, students on grade level, and those that are excelling to be taught in their home classroom. Intervention to improve academic achievement is a part of every day.

The Jefferson staff strives to link all school activities to learning by integrating academic skills with life skills and everyday fun. Family nights have dual purposes, to entertain and educate, while helping students achieve academic success and give parents the opportunity to experience what their child is learning.


Parent Engagement

Research shows that students that have families that are involved in their education positively impact their student's academic success and behavior at school. Jefferson Elementary seeks to engage all families in the education of their child by providing a welcoming environment; honoring the contributions they make to the success of their child; and pursuing ways to strengthen the connection between school and the home.

Jefferson staff begins the year by taking time to welcome all families to our school during our annual porch visits. Throughout the year, there are opportunities to visit classrooms, learn about the curriculum, participate in parent organizations and have fun at school.

Jefferson strongly encourages every family to take an active part in supporting and encouraging students to succeed.

Exit east Kellogg at Oliver. Go south on Oliver to Orme. Jefferson is on the corner. See Maps for all USD 259 locations.

Jefferson is a school where everyone demonstrates respect, responsibility and makes the right...

Courteous
Honest
On task
 In control
Cooperative
Everyone learns

Focus Area: Reading
Focus Area Goal #1: All Jefferson students will increase their reading comprehension skills across the curriculum as measured by multiple state, district and building level assessments.

Focus Area: Writing
Focus Area Goal #2: All Jefferson students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate through written language.

Focus Area: Problem Solving
Focus Area Goal #3: All Jefferson students will demonstrate gains in math problem solving.

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.

Site Council Meeting Day: Quarterly, First meeting will be Sept. 16, 2009
Time: 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Location: Jefferson Elementary Library
Chairperson: Stephanie Cousin

Parent Teacher Organization

Meeting Day: 2nd Wednesday of the month
Time: 4:30 - 5:30 p.m.
Location: Jefferson Elementary Art Room
Chairperson:

• The Wichita Comprehensive Reading Model is used by all regular education classroom teachers as their main research-based reading instruction tool.
• Extended day kindergarten incorporates appropriate activities into an all-day experience.
• A pre-kindergarten program provides early intervention with developmentally appropriate activities in a half-day learning experience.
• A Parent Resource Center involves parents in activities to help their children.
• A Parent Involvement Worker contacts and coordinates parent involvement in school activities.
• Jefferson provides a before- and after-school program during the school year and during the summer.
• Jefferson/Hilltop Association provides support for students and families.
• Reading is Fundamental (RIF) program provides literacy opportunities for all students.
• English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) supports students with English as a second language.
• Communities in Schools (CIS) support students and families to improve attendance.
• Family University which is to bring in resources for families
• Family literacy night
• Family Assessment nights
• Parent Center with access to the internet and books to check out
• Community partnership with Kansas Surgery and Recovery

Kindergarten

Pre-Kindergarten Program: 9 - 11:50 a.m. and 1:20 - 4 p.m.
All-Day Kindergarten

After School Program (3rd - 5th grade students)

• St. James Church program focusing on music and art
• Soccer Club
• YMCA Stars Program
• Tutoring
• Community Service Group
• Art Club

Lunch Groups

• Life Skills (4th and 5th grades)
• Girl Power (4th and 5th grades)
• Lunch Bunch Art Group (Kindergarten)
• Social Skills (1st and 2nd grades)
• Science and Earth Awareness Group (3rd grade)
• Mentors (recommended students)

• Family University which is to bring in resources for families
• Family literacy night
• Family math nights
• Parent Center with access to computers and books to check out
• Community partnership with Kansas Surgery and Recovery

When the Hilltop Manor housing addition was opened to accommodate the growth of the aircraft industry in Wichita, a school was needed to supply educational facilities for the children moving into the area. To solve this problem, Thomas Jefferson Elementary School was established.

The site was bought by the Board of Education for $4,900 in June 1938. In 1941, the site was deeded to the federal government for $1 with the agreement the government would build a school on the land and then lease the property to the school district of Wichita for operating a school. The option was given to the Board of Education to buy the property if they wished to do so. The building, when completed in 1942, cost $133,358.06. The government furnished equipment for the building costing $5,861. The Board of Education furnished additional equipment totaling about $600.

On March 1, 1949, the Board of Education re-acquired the deed to the land and purchased the building for $65,000. Also in 1949, additional ground was purchased for $9,000, which nearly doubled the original site.

School first opened September 8, 1942 with an enrollment of about 640 pupils and a staff of 14 teachers. The building could not accommodate all of the children, so several classes were housed in other buildings in the area.

The beginning enrollment on September 3, 1946 of 755 was the largest of any elementary school in Kansas at that time. In 1947-48, 916 students were enrolled and classes had to be held in shifts. Caldwell, Fabrique and Munger Elementary schools were built in 1950 and 1951 to relieve the overcrowded conditions in the Jefferson School area.

Jefferson School has had a gradually declining enrollment from 638 pupils in 1952 to stabilize at approximately 250 in the 90s. In 1975-76, two Learning Disabilities rooms were added and students were transported to the school to achieve racial balance. In 1987, the office was remodeled.

At the beginning of the 1988-89 year, sixth grade students were incorporated into the middle school program, leaving a PK-5 enrollment of around 250.

In 1990, Jefferson became naturally integrated with neighborhood children. The need to bus children for racial balance was ended.

In 1995, Jefferson shared a principal with Sunnyside.

On April 5, 1999, a tornado caused an estimated $300,000 damage to three portable buildings, the roof of the main building, and destroyed numerous supply and content items. Jefferson received a multipurpose room, which provided a "storm safer area" and the building's extension was divided into classrooms. In August 1999, the Board authorized PBA Architects to prepare the construction drawings and to obtain bids for the addition. In January 2000, the Board authorized a construction contract in the total amount of $586,296 with Descon, Inc. to construct the multi-purpose addition. On January 24, 2001, the safe room/multipurpose room was officially dedicated.

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, including 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 authorized work with PBA Architects, P.A. and Walz Harman Huffman Construction Co., Inc. With this, Jefferson received a new addition including a library and eight classrooms.

The renovations were completed and the dedication ceremony was held September 26, 2002.