Kelly Liberal Arts Academy

Our Vision
In order to ensure appropriate interventions are in place, we must become;

• Flexible with time and learning sequences
• Collaborative with our colleagues (vertically & horizontally)
• Well organized and consistent
• More open-minded, to always be learning new strategies and become skilled facilitators
• Experts about each kid, by building relationships with them. Knowledgeable about interventions of where to go and get them by being reliant on others (staff, families). Understanding of student work by communicating with students.
• Open to learning mew ideas
• United by organizing and preparing for success
• Data driven by frequent monitoring of student's progress in order to guide future instruction.

In order to work together to educate all students, we must become

• Collaborative, knowledgeable and flexible individuals (continually using new research-based instruction)
• Unified as a staff, able to see the vision
• Active listeners and promote positive intentions
• An inclusive and welcoming community
• Excited about our learning environment by being encouraging and open-minded towards students and staff
• A cooperative community willing to come together for the greater good of the student

In order to provide a safe, nurturing environment, we must become  

• Aware of our students' individual needs/strengths
• Aware, connected and involved with students in all aspects of their school environment
• Aware of our surroundings
• Harmonious-by showing unconditional positive regard for all
• One united community
• A trusted and caring staff fully aware of student needs
• A community with a positive, caring attitude and strive to make each student, parent and staff member feel that this is their school-home (ownership)
• Fluent and consistent with our BIST procedures

Our Values

Curriculum and Instruction

• We will be flexible and creative by using standards, data, pacing guides and team ideas to ensure all students will succeed.
• We will strive to make sure that our Curriculum and Instruction is engaging and provides real life connections for all children in an open-minded setting.

Assessment 

• Use frequent assessment for the teachers and students to monitor progress, set new goals, change strategies and celebrate successes.
• Utilize assessments frequently and regularly that give timely feedback and are easily administered (easily graded).

Environment

• We can set children up for success by having a structured consistent environment that is positive by utilizing common procedures and expectations.
• To ensure a safe, nurturing atmosphere, we will model and provide a consistent, structured and respectful learning environment.

Achievement Highlights

Exit west Kellogg at Seneca. Go south on Seneca to 31^st Street. Go west on 31^st St. to Kelly. See Maps for all USD 259 locations.

The staff and families at Kelly Elementary will work together educating students to meet the academic and social standards in a safe nurturing environment. Student progress will be frequently monitored ensuring appropriate interventions are in place so each child can be successful.

Campus Improvement Program

• Math Goal: The percentage of Kelly students scoring proficient or higher in math will increase  to 77.8% by the end of the 2008-2009 school year.  
• Reading Goal: The percentage of Kelly students scoring proficient or higher in reading will increase  to 79.7% by the end of the 2008-2009 school year. 
• Writing Goal: The percentage of Kelly students scoring proficient or higher in writing will increase from 78% to 85% by the end of the 2008-2009 school year.

AYP Goals for 2008-2009

•  Meet or exceed the state objective of 79.7% proficient in reading.
•  Meet or exceed the state objective of 77.8% proficient in math.

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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.

• PTA
• Family Curriculum Activity Events
• Parent Workshops
• Parent Involvement Program
• Academic Awards
• Music and P.E. Programs
• Volunteer Opportunities
• Tutoring
• Mentoring
• Site Council
• Before and after-school latchkey program
• Use of technology across the curriculum
• Team Teaching
• Power of 2
• All day kindergarten
• Half day Pre-Kindergarten Program
• Physical Education, Vocal Music, Art, Strings and Computer Lab
• Community Partnerships
• Technology Integration--SMARTBoards in every classroom, clickers, palms

• Music and P.E. Programs
• Academic Awards
• After school programs sponsored by local church groups
• Monthly PTA sponsored skating parties

Mary Kelly Elementary School came into existence in 1954 as a result of the growth of Wichita in the southwest area of the city. From 1954 to 1957 the school operated completely with the use of portables. In these three years the enrollment jumped from a bare beginning of 183 students to 700 students. At one time 21 portables constituted Kelly School.

In 1957 the first permanent classrooms were constructed. The new building was dedicated November 10, 1957 during American Education Week. The building consisted of 14 classrooms and, with the use of existing portables, enrollment climbed to a high of 961 in 1962.

With enrollment trends increasing, a permanent addition was added in 1962. The addition was a uniquely new concept of construction for Wichita Public Schools. The 14 new classrooms were contained in a circular building which was heated electrically. Another new concept was the four-unit library located in the hub of the 22,000 square foot wheel. The addition was opened for the 1962-63 school year and, due to boundary changes in the area, enrollment leveled off to average around the 900 level. As the area has grown older and the sixth graders moved to middle school, the enrollment averages around 350.

The school was named for Mary Kelly, the sister of J.C. Kelly of the Wheeler-Kelly-Hagny Investment Company of Wichita. Mary Kelly taught mathematics in Wichita Public Schools for 47 years. Her first assignment in 1892 was at Irving Elementary School where she taught for nine years. She then spent one year at the old high school, now WATC Central Campus, before becoming head of the mathematics department at the new Wichita High School East where she remained until retirement in 1939.

At the beginning of the 1988-89 year, sixth grade students were incorporated into the middle school program, leaving a K-5 enrollment of around 350.

On February 12, 1996 the Board of Education unanimously approved changing the name of Kelly Elementary School to Kelly Elementary Liberal Arts Academy.

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.

In January 2001, FEMA announced a grant providing $444,762 to help construct safe rooms at Kelly and various schools throughout the district.

The district worked with architectural firm Gossen Livingston Associates, Inc. to design the addition and renovations. Construction company Simpson and Associates completed the Bond project. Kelly received a new addition including a multipurpose room, kitchen and five classrooms. Renovations were also made to the library, computer and student support areas.

The Bond project dedication ceremony was held April 16, 2003.