#OurStoriesCRCSD - Taylor
SCHOOL YEAR - 2018-19
Taylor Elementary is up next for #OurStoriesCRCSD. Some exciting news ahead for this school and how it plans to make an impact on students.
First Graders lift off with the Design Process
“We spend time with the professors at the University of Iowa to build rockets to learn about the engineering design process. So the students learned about drawing out and planning before you build and then they built and then they had to think about how their rocket needed to be better so they went back and they made modifications to their rocket and made their designs better so that they were able to fly further and stay up in the air longer."
The students were so excited they had so much fun they said it was the best day ever and they wished they could do that every day so they really loved doing it they liked having professionals come in they liked being able to build with their hands and make modifications to their rockets.
So first grades learn about the engineering design process that is the engineering standard for first grade.
- Taylor Wagner - 1st Grade Teacher
MEET TAYLOR'S STAFF
Name -
Olivia Farley,
School Secretary
Years at Taylor?
2 years with the District
What she loves about her job?
"I love working at Taylor because every day is fast-paced and something new! It is such a joy getting to know the kids and watch them learn and grow into respectful, responsible little humans."
Engineering Club
During the last hour of the school day, students in grades 3, 4, and 5 who don't need intervention or partial intervention time can take part in the Engineering club. In the past students have built, cup towers and paper airplanes. We got to witness students during one engineering exercise.
"Today the students are going to create boats using different found materials and the idea is to keep the boat afloat as long as possible while we add pennies as a weight. Today, the goal is actually just kind of go through the design process of planning, thinking through the strategy and designing and creating and then rethinking oh this works this doesn’t work how do I re-ask the question and how do I re-engineer whatever it is that I have created so it is just kind of teaching them the design process and engineering thinking and giving them a way to practice some of those strategies that are important for any aspect in life because we all have to do that in everything we do."
Robyn Davis - Media Specialist
It’s only November and over 85,000 points have been given for Taylor Elementary’s positive behavior intervention supports (PBIS). Piloted over the summer with Kids on Course University, this new electronic system, PBIS Rewards app is achieving the school’s mission of sustainability.
Meet Asia, she likes the PBIS rewards system. “I save them and I am good. I have over 642 points. Somedays I get 5, 10 or 15. Sometimes I spend points on gum and technology passes.”
School Year - 2017-18
Hear from Andrea Scott, principal of Taylor Elementary School, about how the community is rallying around the school and what she loves about her job!
Taylor Elementary has several community partnerships that assist with all aspects of helping students. But one partnership with a local university is putting college students in the classrooms to help them get a first hand look at their future career.
Taylor Elementary houses several preschool to fifth grade special education programs for CRCSD. The staff works with these students to successfully connect with every learner. It's a total team effort!
Meet Taylor's Staff
Name -
Erin Weide,
Special Education Teacher
Years at Taylor?
11 years with the District
What she loves about her job?
"Just making a difference every day because our students with disabilities deserve the same education as our students without disabilities. And our paras are rockstars!"
Meet Tashara, a fifth grader at Taylor Elementary. She explains how one of her teachers set an example of what she wants as a future career!
MEET Taylor'S STAFF
Name -
Chris Stumpff, Engagement Specialist
Years at Taylor?
Started December, 2016
What he loves about his job?
"Everyday is a new day and no two are the same. I'm looking forward to watching kids grow between kindergarten and 5th grade."
Jenna Buhr is a first grade teacher at Taylor Elementary. A change of major in college and some inspirational words from a friend helped get into the teaching profession.