Elementary programs
The first six years of formal education are often called “the wonder years.” In Wake County, elementary
school programs are designed to capitalize on the natural curiosity or wonderment which children show
during this period. Developmentally appropriate activities and skills are stressed. Educational opportu
nities are planned to meet the instructional needs of each child.
An elementary program guide has been prepared for parents with a detailed description of all K-5
programs and services. Parents who have specific questions, or who would like to see the programs in
action, can call their child’s principal to discuss their interest or to schedule a visit.
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SPECIAL FEATURES OF THE 1989-90 ELEMENTARY PROGRAM INCLUDE:
* Piloting a program for four-year-olds at
three schools.
* Conducting personalized screening of
all kindergartners as part of the Early Pre
vention of School Failure (EPSF.) program.
* Expanding foreign language instruction
to include all students in kindergarten through
second grades.
* Extending student and teacher contact
with scientists and engineers in the class
room through a partnership with North
Carolina State University.
One of the most important skills
a child can learn is the love
of reading.
Community-school effort
Wake schools forge important partnerships
with the community. For example, Swift
Creek Elementary and a variety of com
munity groups are combining efforts to
help students and parents from Walnut
Terrace, a low-income housing project.
Students are tutored in a variety of subjects
by members of the Alpha Kappa Alpha So
rority. Funding for the project comes from
the United Church of Christ Association.
The Raleigh Housing Authority provides
the use of an apartment.
* Initiating the first phase of a compre
hensive writing guide which emphasizes
the process of writing and appropriate in
structional strategies.
* Introducing a new statewide test in
language arts and mathematics for first
and second graders.
* Continuing Volunteers in Visual Arts,
an art appreciation program staffed by
parent volunteers.
* Maintaining Family Math Nights at
selected schools to increase parent involve
ment.
* Launching a new academically gifted
resource curriculum based on a thematic
approach for students in third through fifth
grades.
* Implementing EXCEL, a program for
young gifted children in kindergarten
through second grades.
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Teachers adjust the curriculum to meet the needs of each child. Whatever a child’s
needs, the instruction provided is appropriate
for that child's level.
Children who last year completed a
year of tutoring were rewarded with a
dinner and awards ceremony at Shaw
University. Specific gains in student
performance have resulted from the part
nership.
Preschool handicapped program
Handicapped three- and four-year-old
children have a number of services avail
able to them, including:
★ hearing impaired services at Farming
ton Woods Elementary
★ autistic services at Millbrook and Adams
elementary schools
★ speech/language services at a number
of sites
Staff members are available to pro
vide family services and to help identify
eligible children.
School system programs are closely
coordinated with Wake County agencies
already serving preschool, handicapped
children. For further information contact
Jane Stikeleather at 790-2677.
Elementary Curriculum
Wake County elementary schools
serve students in grades K-5.
Students entering kindergarten
undergo a unique _
screening proc
ess known as
Early Prevention
of School Failure
(EPSF). The pro
gram indicates to teachers and
parents a child's strengths and
weaknesses so that instruction
can be geared accordingly.
Students
receive con
cent r a t e d
study in
mathematics,
language
arts, science, and social studies.
That basic education is then sup
plemented with instruction in
health, art, computer education,
and media.
Over the next few years the
system will be in
troducing dance,
drama, and Span
ish into all ele
mentary grades.
Kindergartners
through second
graders receive
Spanish instruction twice a week,
and fourth and fifth graders have
dance and drama instruction once
a week.
Special programs are avail
able for academically gifted stu
dents or those with physical,
emotional, or learning handicaps.