L'Ouverture Computer Technology Magnet Elementary

L’Ouverture Computer Technology Magnet prides itself on student achievement. L’Ouverture is a nationally recognized exemplary public school of choice and was awarded the Smithsonian Medallion for their contributions to technology in 1999. In February 2001, L’Ouverture was named a finalist in PC Magazine as one of America’s top 100 technology schools. L’Ouverture received the Challenge Award from the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task Force for our fourth grade state math assessment two years in a row, first in 2002.

L’Ouverture staff and students use an extensive computer network, internet, an in-house television station, cooperative learning and hypermedia as tools for learning. This exceptional learning environment has been featured in the Harvard Education Journal, WIRED Magazine, MultiMedia Schools and the Associated Press.

L’Ouverture television students have appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America,” and on MSNBC. The multicultural atmosphere and workgroup settings offer students a true view of the world in which they live.

• Winner "Better Schools of Kansas" award, 1996.
• Named "Models for Success" school by Computer Curriculum Corporation.
• Apple Computer Distinguished Program, 1996-97.
• Awarded Smithsonian Medallion for our contributions to technology 2000.
• Recognized by PC Family Magazine as one of America’s Top 100 Wired Schools, April 2001.
• Challenge Award 2002, 2003 for our fourth grade state math assessment from the Confidence in Kansas Public Education Task.
• Standard of excellence on our 4th grade State Math Assessment

Exit I-135 at 13th St. Go west on 13th St. to Wabash. Go north on Wabash past Barry Sanders Football Field to 15th St. L’Ouverture is on the corner. See Maps for all USD 259 locations.

L’Ouverture motivates and encourages responsible, life-long learners with the use of technology.

L’Ouverture Vision Statements:

• All students will be at the proficient level or above on the state assessments. 
• Shrink the achievement gaps between all groups, in all areas.  
• L'Ouverture Computer Technology Magnet will utilize technology as an appropriate tool to improve student learning.

L’Ouverture Value & Belief Statements:

• L’Ouverture Staff will differentiate instruction to facilitate learning to meet individual needs.
• L’Ouverture Staff will facilitate collaborative learning of curriculum, disciplines, instruction, and modes of learning.
• L’Ouverture Staff will promote adult and community learning, communication, and involvement.
• L’Ouverture Staff will have high expectations: All students can learn.
• We will set high goals and be relentless to achieve them.
• L’Ouverture Staff will develop and promote standards-based instruction.
• We will develop life-long learners by introducing technology in the learning process.
• L’Ouverture Staff will enrich learning through technology by integrating it in all areas of curriculum.
• L’Ouverture Staff will promote higher-level thinking skills to solve authentic problems.
• We will provide a safe, supporting, nurturing environment.
• We will respect the rich diversity of the school.
• We will make L’Ouverture an experience-rich environment.
• L’Ouverture school community will promote a collaborative effort between parents and the school to positively effect the education of all students.
• L’Ouverture Staff will develop positive lines of communication to keep everyone informed.

1. Students will demonstrate growth in reading comprehension and vocabulary skills;
2. Students will demonstrate growth in math computation and problem solving;
3. Students will demonstrate growth in the use of writing skills to increase communication.

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
Time:  6 p.m.
Location:  L’Ouverture Magnet Library

L’Ouverture Parent Teacher Organization (PTO)

Meeting Day: Third Tuesday of each month
Time:  6:30 p.m.
Location: L’Ouverture Library
President: Lucille Portley

L'Ouverture students produce a live TV show every morning at 9:05. They also produce TV shows for cable channel 20. All students in grades 3-5 create personal home pages on the Internet. All students grades 3-5 use PowerPoint to create multimedia presentations and utilize digital video and I-Movies to support research and projects. L'Ouverture Magnet's Internet address is http://louverture.usd259.org. A very detailed scope and sequence of technology skills for all levels and grades can be accessed at this site.

Kindergarten and first grade students all participate in the phonics-based Animated Literacy program. All students participate in the Accelerated reader program.

• Samba Band
• Junior Safety Patrol
• Reading Celebration
• Student Leadership Tech Team
• Book Talks with Mrs. Willome
• L’Ouverture Striders Walking Club
• Study-Book Buddies
• DARE
• LTV L’Ouverture Television

Under the principalship of Fred C. West, a 15-room school located at 13th and Mosley was established in 1912. The school was named after the famous French Negro General of Haiti, Roussaint L'Ouverture. Approximately 300 pupils were enrolled.

L'Ouverture district included black children in grades K-6 living north of 11th Street and west of Santa Fe and all black children in grades seven and eight. Children living a long distance from school were transported. In 1923 three additional rooms were built, and later a playroom in the basement was converted into two classrooms.

Upon Mr. West's retirement in 1937, Ferdinand L. Barnett was transferred from Dunbar to L'Ouverture as principal. Under his leadership, plans for a new L'Ouverture were formulated; however, his death in 1947 prevented Mr. Barnett from seeing his dream come true. The plans were realized in 1951 under John R. Carter, principal (1947-67), when the new L'Ouverture located at 1539 Ohio was completed. The building consisted of 17 classrooms, library, office, health room and other facilities. Included on the staff were the librarian, nurse, secretery and instrumental music teacher who served scheduled days at the school. Enrollment at the opening was 620 in grades K-6. The 1949-50 school year was the last year grades seven and eight were enrolled at L'Ouverture.

When Little School was opened in 1954, the east boundary became Hydraulic, and 19th Street became the boundary between Skinner and L'Ouverture. When Skinner School (21st and Hydraulic) was closed, the north boundary of L'Ouverture was moved from 19th to 27th Street. Peak enrollment of 658 was reached in 1953-54, and three portable units were added. Another peak of 500 in 1958-59 led to a boundary change of 11th to 12th Street between Dunbar and L'Ouverture. After that year, declining enrollments reflected the eastward movement of population and gradual industrialization of L'Ouverture district.

A program of voluntary integration was initiated at L'Ouverture in 1970-71. Sixty-three white families voluntarily participated in the experiment, and the school enrollment for the year was 28 percent white. In 1971-72 the school was integrated through the transportation of black children to schools outside the area and white children to L'Ouverture. The enrollment was stabilized at approximately 250-300 pupils with about 75 percent white children.

In 1992 L'Ouverture became L'Ouverture Computer Technology Magnet Elementary School. Enrollment rose to 375 students, 40 percent of those African-American. The building includes an extensive computer network, television station, and telecommunication connections.

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.

With the Bond issue, L'Ouverture received a new addition including six classrooms, a multipurpose room and a kitchen, and renovations to the student support area. To complete this projects, the district utilized the services of PBA Architects and Compton Construction Corp.