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Eli Terry Elementary School South Windsor CT 06074

MISSION:  To provide a safe, caring community where a challenging curriculum motivates children to realize their potential as active, life-long learners.

Eli Terry Elementary School is a PK-5 school with 430 students, housing the Pre-School Outreach Program for the entire district.  They have 3-4 classes per grade level allowing for systematic, grade level collaboration on a daily basis. The sophistication of their current six day rotation schedule incorporates weekly professional development for teachers as well as time to meet as data teams to discuss student progress.  Additionally, this new schedule allows for uniform times for core content such as reading, writing and math at each grade level. Most importantly, these uniform times ensure that children, who are struggling in reading, participate in the entire classroom reading block and an ADDITIONAL reading group. The structure of the schedule makes it possible to address students’ needs on a consistent, daily basis and provides teachers with the support that they need to ensure high quality instruction. Additionally, all students participate in art, music, physical education and library on a weekly basis. Orchestra and Band are offered to fourth and fifth grade students as well as small group instrumental lessons.

All teachers at Eli Terry Elementary School have been trained in the Tribes Learning Communities process by Jeanne Gibbs.  Through this process, teachers and students learn to be sensitive to individual differences.  It gives the students of South Windsor the tools to create a safe, collaborative learning environment within the classroom in preparation to become productive citizens of the 21^st century.  From the first day of school, classroom communities are formed and collaborative work environments are being nurtured.

Parent communication is very important to the Eli Terry community.  On the first day of school, all children in grades 2-5 receive planner/journals where parents and teachers communicate celebrations, concerns and expectations on a daily basis.  Additionally, teachers communicate through websites, email, telephone and newsletters.

The PTO is a very active organization that offers many family activities throughout the year. They fund our Cultural Arts programs and support grade level field trips. They also sponsor our “Read at Home” program, book fairs, and service learning projects. The Parent Advisory Council at Eli Terry meets monthly prior to PTO meetings.  It is an opportunity for parents to discuss school goals and issues within an informal setting. 

Students have numerous opportunities to take on leadership roles at Eli Terry Elementary School.  Peer Mediators are trained and provide a forum for discussing and resolving disputes among students.  Flag attendants learn about flag protocols and are responsible for taking care of raising and lowering our flags daily.  The student technology team set up equipment and is in charge of organization in the computer lab.