Taylor Nicholas1/30/14

EDU 541 Seminar

SOUTH PORTLAND

Demographics South Portland is a city in Cumberland

County. It is the fourth-largest city in the state of

Maine. It was founded in 1895. As of 2010, the city population was

25,002.

Demographics

Points of interest: Portland Breakwater Light, Spring Point Ledge Light, Willard Beach

Colleges and Universities: Southern Maine Community College, Kaplan University, South Portland, Intercoast Career Institute

South Portland School DepartmentRegular Schools (Public)

Name Level

Arthur R. Gould Sch—Lcydc High

Daniel F. Mahoney Middle School Middle

Dora L. Small Elementary School Primary

Dyer Elementary School Primary

Frank I. Brown Elementary School Primary

James Otis Kaler Elementary School

Primary

Memorial Middle School Middle

South Portland High School High

Waldo T. Skillin Elementary School Primary

Regular Schools (Private)Name Level

Greater Portland Christian School

Mixed Grades

Holy Cross School Elementary

Montessori Schools

Name Level

Casco Bay Montessori School

Elementary

***Note: A Montessori School is characterized by an emphasis on independence, freedom within limits, and respect for a child’s natural psychological, physical, and social development. • Mixed age classrooms• Student choice of activity within a range of options• A constructivist model, where students learn concepts from

working with materials, rather than by direct instruction• Freedom of movement within the classroom• A trained Montessori teacher

Mission Statement“Enriching lives through quality learning for all”

Kaler Elementary School165 South Kelsey St.

South Portland, ME 04106

Demographics

Grade or Race Total #

Kindergarten 40

1st Grade 38

2nd Grade 50

3rd Grade 38

4th Grade 46

5th Grade 29

Total number of students 241

American Indian/Alaska Native 5

Asian/Hawaiian Native/Pacific Island

12

Hispanic 2

Black, non-Hispanic 11

White, non-Hispanic 211

Kaler Elementary School

Level: Primary/Elementary school

Lowest Grade Offered: Kindergarten

Highest Grade Offered: 5th grade

Full-time-equivalent classroom teachers: 20.5

Student to Teacher ratio: 11.76

Title I eligible school? Yes

School-wide Title I? Yes

Locale Classification: City, Small Territory inside anurbanized area and inside a principle city with a population less than 100,000.

Reduced-Lunch ProgramSouth Portland

(2013)

School Enrollment

Free

% Free

Reduced

% Reduc

ed

Eligible

% Eligib

le

Mahoney Middle School

307 91 29.64

23 7.49 114 37.13

Small Elementary School

329 71 21.58

21 6.38 92 27.96

Dyer Elementary School

269 47 17.47

9 3.35 56 20.82

Brown Elementary School

301 85 28.24

7 2.33 92 30.56

Kaler Elementary School

229 128

55.9

15 6.55 143 62.45

Memorial Middle School

418 138 33.01

21 5.02 159 38.04

South Portland High School

852 263 30.87

46 5.4 309 36.27

Skillin Elementary School

398 191 47.99

22 5.53 213 53.52

Based on the results of the reduced lunch program….

Kaler Elementary had some of the highest numbers in that table. Seeing these numbers, you would assume that most of the children come from low-income families and some not so supportive homes…

But that is entirely false based on not only facts but personal observation as well…Area Estimated Income per

family

Maine $46,033

Portland $43,788

South Portland $51,723Based on these 2011 results, the estimated income per family in South Portland was higher than the average estimated rate of income of Maine as a whole. These statistics prove my assumptions wrong.

By participating in Parent Conferences and witnessing direct parent involvement in the classroom (a different parent comes in to run a center each day), it is also very clear that these children DO come from supportive homes and families!

Breakfast at Kaler ElementaryKaler Elementary provides free breakfast every day to all students. Each day, students begin by having breakfast with their classmates, teachers, and other adults in their homeroom where they share the adventures of the previous night, discuss good books they are reading, the news of the day, etc. This allows children to check in with an adult and prepares them to have a wonderful day of learning. Students are ENCOURAGED to arrive at Kaler in time for breakfast each day.

The importance and excitement of breakfast time really gives me the impression that interaction with your students is so crucial and important here at Kaler Elementary. This opportunity allows for such an easier way, timely and environmentally, to get to know each individual student.

“The school district has a strong relationship with Opportunity Alliance which is based in the Brickhill neighborhood. Opportunity Alliance provides a multitude of services to the public. The school works closely with Opportunity Alliance and the families it serves. It also houses one of the district’s pre-school programs at its site”

–Interview with Kathy Germani (Assistant Superintendent)

50 Monument Square, 6th FloorPortland, ME 04101

Mission: The Opportunity Alliance works withpeople to build better lives and strongercommunities. We provide advocacy, leadership,and support to identify the goals and address theneeds of individuals, families, and communities.

Early Childhood Education ProgramOur Early Childhood Education programs strive to provide all children with a safe, nurturing, engaging, enjoyabke, and secure learning environment, in order to help them gain awareness, skills, and the confidence necessary to succeed in their present environment, and to deal with later responsibilities in school and in life. Each child is treated as an individual in an inclusive community that values, respects, and responds to diversity.

Programs: Early Head Start, Head Start, Public PreK Partnerships, Child Care, Maine Families

ProgramsBefore and After School Care (Brown, Dyer, Skillin, Small, Kaler)In the Y-Care program, kids build self-esteem, values, and positive relationships with their peers and the YMCA staff. You’ll know your children are growing and exploring their potential while having fun!

Vacation CampHave your child spend their school vacation days at the Y with its caring and qualified staff! They will have fun meeting your new friends, staying active, and playing games. Activities include swimming, crafts, games, and outside play. Parents need to send lunch, snack, drinks, a bathing suit, towel, and weather appropriate clothing. $50/day

Family Prime Time (Family and SAF Membership Required)At the YMCA we recognize that the time families spend together is precious and that for some families, it is becoming harder and harder to find quality time and activities. The YMCA is proud to provide a program that will make it easy for families to enjoy the Y together. Our free drop-off child care allows parents to utilize our facility while giving children a place where “kids can be kids”.

Mission: Our YMCA is committed to building strong kids, individuals, families, and communities through programs and services that promote a healthy spirit, mind, and body for all, regardless of ability to pay.

70 Forest AvePortland, ME 04101

169 Broadway StreetSouth Portland, Maine

Mission: “Our mission is to inspire and enable all young people, particularly those who need us most, to realize their full potential as responsible, productive and caring citizens.”

Our nationally recognized programs and activities impact youth in three essential ways: Academic Success, Healthy Lifestyles and Good Character & Citizenship.

Programs Project Learn

Money Matters: Make It Count Torch Clubs

Keystone Clubs National Fine Arts Exhibit

ImageMakers Club Tech Digital Arts Suite and

Festivals Music Makers SMART Girls

Passport to Manhood Triple Play

Healthy Habits Physical Fitness

Social Recreation Organized Sports Leagues

South Portland Community Center(Recreation Department)

Mission: The mission of the South Portland Parks and Recreation Department is to provide, maintain and develop recreational facilities, open space and leisure opportunities which will enhance the well being of the citizens of the community.

“As a city South Portland has a vibrant recreation department that offers programming for all ages. In the summer the recreation department programs are housed in the schools and we work collaboratively on transportation, Extended Year Services, and summer school programming.”

-Interview with Kathy Germani

(Assistant Superintendent)

Mission: The South Portland Historical Society is dedicated to collecting, preserving, and exhibiting items of historical significance, providing local history educational programming to school children through seniors, and illustrating the significant role that South Portland has played within the broader context of Maine and American History.

“The city has a historical society with volunteers that are frequently asked to participate in the school activities. Jane Eberle and Molly Aldrich also are wonderful at networking to find people for the schools. In addition we have wonderful PTAs at our schools that assist us.”

-Interview with Kathy Germani

(Assistant Superintendent)

The historical society collects and preserves items of historical significance, offers educational programming, and operates a museum and research center

Interview with Diane Lang

Position: Proud principal of Kaler Elementary School

Duration: 7 years

Best part of the day: When I am able to join classrooms and talk to students about their learning.What kinds of knowledge and skills are valued in the community? Do community members value what is taught in schools? How do you know?The community really values project based learning. It makes learning relevant and engaging to children. Children who have those core values of being courageous, honest, trustworthy etc., are the kinds of people that the community will want to hire in the future.

What do adults in the community say to children about school?Parent wise, they are very connected and trustworthy of our schools. They inform their children that it is important to come to school and the larger community is doing the same.

Interview with Kathy Germani(Assistant Superintendent of South Portland)

How does news travel within the community?The city has an electronic newsletter that is sent out every month. The Recreation Department sends out electronic and print materials on programming. The district has a website with links to all of the school websites. Messages from the schools can be sent either electronically or via totes at the elementary schools

What kinds of knowledge and skills are valued in the community? Do community members value what is taught in schools? How do you know?The community was involved in our re-write of the strategic plan. They were invited to be part of the conversation both in person as well as through our on-line surveys. A big piece of their support can be seen in the construction within the district. We receive little in the way of State funding for education or construction. As a community the tax payers have funded the construction and renovation of the 5 elementary schools and most recently the high school. This points to the value that the community places on the schools. 

Interview cont’d…

How do community members feel about school? What do adults in the community say to children about school? Do they have faith that schools will serve their children well? What suggestions do they have for improving schools?Overall feelings about the schools are positive. This can be seen in the support for the budget (voted on yearly) as well as the support for building projects. Parent input is always valued.

Who from the community is represented on the school board and on committees or task forces that deal with school-related issues? Are students' parents/guardians and other community members active in schools in other capacities?The School Board is an elected body that is representative of the different districts in the city. All of the members are presently or were previously parents in the district. School Board meetings are open to the public and an audience of citizens happens twice in every meeting. In addition, the Board and the City Council have frequent workshops where they present information and take public comment. All of the schools have PTAs, PTOs, or booster organizations that support the schools. The building committees over time have had 100+ members with most being community members.

After getting to know South Portland,

the first word that comes to mind is

COMMUNITY

Everything in the area and what is stands for screams, “togetherness” and “support” and

stresses the importance of interaction among the community.

Togetherness….

Support….

…and Interaction!!

Sources

• https://portal.maine.gov/sfsr/sfsrdev.ed534.ed534_parameters

• http://www.southportland.org/files/5213/5991/1721/Annual_Report_2011-2012.pdf

• http://www.southportland.org/our-city/historical-society/about-us/

• http://www.southportland.org/departments/parks-recreation-aquaticspool/recreation-department/

• http://www.bgcmaine.org/sopo.aspx• http://www.ymcaofsouthernmaine.org/portland-ymca• http://www.opportunityalliance.org• Interview with Diane Lang (Principle of Kaler

Elementary School)• Interview with Kathy Germani (South Portland

Assistant Superintendent)