Setting goals, writing research papers and creating placemats for retirement homes are some of the student efforts at Riley Elementary School. Principal Lisa Starr shared information about the academic programs and school improvement efforts Wednesday when Riley hosted the school board’s luncheon meeting.

Axel, a fourth-grader in Jessica Delgado’s classroom, joined the meeting and read his research paper on Titanoboa, a giant prehistoric snake that weighed more than a ton.

“The size was a little bit bigger than a bus,” he said. “It lived in the tropical forest. Just imagine how dangerous it was.”

He went on to say the apex predator became extinct because of climate and habitat changes. Its fossils were discovered in Colombia.

Board members asked Axel where he found his information. He said each student chose an animal, and he likes snakes.

“So first we read a book and we chose our animal, and then I went to the page where my animal was, and I searched all about it. Then I went to Google and searched more,” he said.

“Good job,” a board member said. “Did you type that all yourself?”

Axel said he did. Starr added that students wrote their papers in cursive before typing them.

Starr said the students were especially engaged in the project. “They absolutely loved it.”

Goal setting

“Another thing ... we’re really working on here at school is goal setting with students — getting the students to have ownership of their learning,” Starr said.

She explained that sitting down with virtually every student to set goals has led to dramatic improvements in skill levels. This was especially apparent among students preparing for the Kansas English Language Proficiency Assessment, an annual, state-mandated test that measures the English proficiency of K-12 English learners.

“Last year, every student met their goal that they set for themselves. They didn’t all become proficient, but every student met the goal that they were working on,” Starr said.

Community service

Placemats made by students decorated the tables at Wednesday’s noon meeting.

The fall-themed art projects featured whimsical turkeys.

“We did this project last year, and we continue to do it again this year,” Starr said.

Students from kindergarten through sixth grade make the placemats, which are delivered to local retirement homes as a community project. On days with early dismissal for parent-teacher conferences, the schedule includes core math and reading instruction, as well as a 30-minute service project.

Parent involvement

Another highlight at Riley was the recent round of parent-teacher conferences, which saw 96% attendance. Riley parents aren’t always interested in joining the PTO or making a yearlong commitment of that type, Starr said.

“But when it comes to wanting to know how their kids are doing, they are (involved).”

Grants and donations approved

The board approved the following grants and donations:

• The Patricia A. Schmidt Donor Advised Fund, through the Golden Belt Community Foundation, contributed $1,500 to Park Elementary School to support students’ greatest needs.
• The Great Bend Middle School Booster Club donated $1,028.75 to buy prizes for trivia contests and for Reality U.
• The Great Bend High School Robotics Club received $1,350 from DCCCA Inc. for participating in Seatbelts Are For Everyone, or SAFE, a student-led program that promotes traffic safety through peer-to-peer outreach.