school improvement plan ox bow elementary€¦ · o our plan has been created and supported by...

2016-17 School Improvement Plan

Ox Bow Elementary 23525 County Road 45

Elkhart, IN 46516

(574) 875-8538

Ox Bow Elementary 2016-17

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Contents Introduction .................................................................................................................................................. 4

Planning and Reporting ................................................................................................................................. 4

School Information ....................................................................................................................................... 5

Mission Statement ........................................................................................................................................ 6

Demographic Profile Report ......................................................................................................................... 7

Poverty Over Time .................................................................................................................................... 7

Attendance .................................................................................................................................................... 8

School Grade History .................................................................................................................................... 8

Performance Data ......................................................................................................................................... 8

Comprehensive Needs Assessment & Root Cause Analysis ....................................................................... 10

Action & Monitoring Plan ........................................................................................................................... 11

Goal 1: Increase Vocabulary ................................................................................................................... 11

Building-Level Problem of Practice (POP) ........................................................................................... 11

SMART Goal ........................................................................................................................................ 11

Student Group ..................................................................................................................................... 11

Grade Level(s) ..................................................................................................................................... 12

Strategies-in-Action ............................................................................................................................ 12

Goal 2: Hands-On Math .......................................................................................................................... 12


SMART Goal ........................................................................................................................................ 12

Theory(ies) of Action ........................................................................................................................... 12

Student Group ..................................................................................................................................... 13

Grade Level(s) ..................................................................................................................................... 13


Goal 3: Student Tardies ........................................................................................................................... 13


SMART Goal ........................................................................................................................................ 14


Student Group ..................................................................................................................................... 14

Grade Level(s) ..................................................................................................................................... 14


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Goal 4: Partnership with Ox Bow County Park ....................................................................................... 15


SMART Goal ........................................................................................................................................ 15


Student Group ..................................................................................................................................... 15

Grade Level(s) ..................................................................................................................................... 15


Professional Development Plan .................................................................................................................. 16

Technology Infusion .................................................................................................................................... 17

Parent Participation .................................................................................................................................... 17

Safety .......................................................................................................................................................... 17

Rules and Statutes To Be Waived ............................................................................................................... 18

Curriculum Description and Location ......................................................................................................... 18

Cultural Competence .................................................................................................................................. 18

Principal Reflections & Recommendations ................................................................................................. 18


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Introduction The ultimate goal of this plan is to support the following Concord Community Schools’ Long-Range

Strategic Goals:

● To ensure the continuous growth of student academic achievement for all

● To ensure each school exemplifies a safe, secure, and effective teaching and learning

environment

● To ensure parents, business, and community members are actively engaged in the educational

process

● To ensure district-wide fiscal responsibility

Planning and Reporting This plan was prepared with attention to the following details:

● Is this plan congruent and compatible with celebrations and support already in place in the

district?

o Supporting and celebrating the successes of students and staff is critical in fostering the

desire to improve. Ox Bow recognizes students for exceeding grade level standards as

well as those showing improvement in their academic effort. Students scoring a perfect

score on IREAD-3 are recognized for their achievement. Quarterly, students and

classrooms are recognized for high levels of attendance, reading level achievement, and

classroom goals. Finally, there are district-wide, school-wide and classroom supports

that celebrate students’ ability to meet their goals in reading, math, and other curricular

areas. Accelerated Reader goal attainment and an honor roll are just some of these

academic celebrations.

● Does this plan respect diversity by including multiple measures of student achievement?

o We not only hope to respect diversity at Ox Bow, we celebrate it. We have several

different populations of students at Ox Bow including a large group of English Language

learners, students that are Deaf/Hard of Hearing, and students with physical and mental

disabilities. Our goal as shown in our Cultural Competency Section of this plan includes

ways to support students, their families, and educate others about how to celebrate and

support the diversity they bring to our school.

● Is the plan accurate? Does it provide appropriately used measures and reflect alternative

evidence rather than only test scores?

o Student test data will certainly exist as part of the measure to reflect growth, but

additional student and teacher data will be used to provide evidence of our goals.

● Does the plan delineate clear and specific ideas of what is expected and what must be done to

help students achieve?

o As we work to improve student achievement, teachers, parents, and students are

expected to perform and improve in certain areas. Specific ideas are detailed within

each goal so all stakeholders know exactly what to do as we work to improve the

academic achievement of our students.


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● Does the plan allow for both formative and summative feedback for continuous improvement?

Are the results expected to be used to make informed decisions?

o Parents and staff are encouraged to constantly review our practices and provide

feedback as we work to improve each program and goal.

● Is there universal accountability – not only for students, but also for parents/guardians,

teachers, and school administrators?

o Within each goal is a section detailing what adults must do to support the growth of our

students, keeping all adults accountable in our children’s education.

● Is the plan fair – structured so that everyone knows the rules and applies them consistently?

o Our plan has been created and supported by teachers, parents, and community

members. It will be used within staff development so that all are working towards the

improvement of the goal. The plan will also be available in our office.

This school improvement plan was prepared during the 2015-16 school year for the 2016-17 school year

and included representation from the following stakeholder groups:

● School Administration

● School Teachers

o Concord Teacher Association is represented within the teachers on the team

● Parents/Community Members (Not on staff)

Name Role

Julie Dawson Assistant Principal

Marcia Hershberger Teacher

Deb Haffner Teacher

Juli Meyer Parent

Kent Myers Principal, School Improvement Team Chair

Jewel Yoder Parent

School Information Ox Bow Elementary is one of four K-4 elementary buildings in Concord Community Schools. Most of our

450 students live in residential Elkhart County between the cities of Goshen and Elkhart. Ox Bow

student population also includes students that have transferred from other Concord Elementary

Schools, as well as neighboring school corporations. The school is situated on the southeast side of

Concord Community School boundaries with our physical property bordering Ox Bow County Park. The

Ox Bow community supports and values the education of their children.


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Mission Statement At Ox Bow Elementary we

Engage in our learning.

Encourage each other as leaders.

Explore our potential.

Beyond that, we believe that all students have significant opportunities to grow and make a difference.

In order to tap into each student’s potential we strive to provide opportunities to create, communicate,

experience, think critically, and lead as they begin their academic lives.


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Demographic Profile Report

Poverty Over Time

39%

34% 33%

38%35%

12% 11% 11% 12%15%

49%

55% 56%

50% 50%

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016

Free

Reduced

Paid

1.7%

2.5%

21.4%

5.4%

64.9%

Ethnicity

Asian

Black

Hispanic

Multiracial

White

49.8%

15.1%

35.1%

Poverty

Paid Lunch

ReducedLunch

Free Lunch


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Attendance

School Grade History

Performance Data Performance data includes numerous pieces of information:

ISTEP – As anticipated with a new, more rigorous test, Ox Bow’s scores were lower during the 2014-15

year compared to 2013-14. While lower, the state averaged 15% points lower per school while our

average drop of 8% was far less. 2015-16 ISTEP scores are not final at this time.

95.8% 96.0%95.5%

96.7%96.3%

96.6%

94.5%95.0%95.5%96.0%96.5%97.0%

2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015 2015-2016

Attendance Rate

Attendance Rate

012345

2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2012-2013 2013-2014 2014-2015

School Grade History

D

A

75%

85% 85%90%

78%

50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Math ISTEP - Grade 4

Ox Bow

ConcordAverageStateAverageLinear (OxBow)

70%

81%87%

83%

92%

72%

50%60%70%80%90%

100%

20

09

-20

10

20

10

-20

11

20

11

-20

12

20

12

-20

13

20

13

-20

14

20

14

-20

15

ELA ISTEP - Grade 4

Ox Bow

ConcordAverage

StateAverage

C

[

T

y

p

e

a

q

u

o

t

e

f

r

o

m

t

h

e

d

o

c

u

m

e

n

t

o

r

t

A

B

AA


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IREAD-3 – Ox Bow students have shown the ability to read with 94% passing IREAD-3 in 2015-16. Eight

students did not pass IREAD-3 in 2015-16. Of the eight students, six students received exemptions due

to a learning disability or English as a second language impacting their ability to read. Both of the two

students that didn’t pass were retained in 3rd grade. Ox Bow attributes growth to a focused effort at the

beginning of 3rd grade to identify students in jeopardy of failing IREAD-3. Those students were placed in

Tier 2 interventions so they could receive support. Staff focused with students on taking their time,

believing in their ability, returning to the text for answers, as well as continuing to practice a variety of

reading comprehension strategies that were specific to each student’s needs. Our literacy intervention

teacher and counselor were very involved in supporting our 3rd graders as they learned the skills

necessary for reading and work to overcome the anxiety and fear they experienced with taking such a

high stakes test.

Reading Levels – Concord Schools has developed expectations including a variety of information

detailing student reading levels for each grade. Reading levels are found by teachers giving a one-on-

one running record, student scores on STAR Reader, and teacher observation/dialogue with students.

The graphs below indicate the percentage of students concluding the grade while reading on grade

level. Students in Kindergarten, 1st, 2nd, and 4th compared closely with reading levels of students from

last year in the same grade. In 3rd grade we saw a significant decrease in students reading on grade level

according to this assessment.

75%

83% 85%80%

74%

50%60%70%80%90%

100%

Math ISTEP - Grade 3

Ox Bow

ConcordAverage

StateAverage

80%

87%

80%85%

88%82%

50%60%70%80%90%

100%

20

09

-20

10

20

10

-20

11

20

11

-20

12

20

12

-20

13

20

13

-20

14

20

14

-20

15

ELA ISTEP - Grade 3

Ox Bow

ConcordAverage

StateAverage

89%96% 94% 93% 94%

60%

70%

80%

90%

100%

IREAD-3

Ox Bow

ConcordAverage

StateAverage


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Comprehensive Needs Assessment & Root Cause Analysis At Ox Bow Elementary we expect our students to leave Ox Bow as readers that think and ask questions

about what they are reading. As we review the data from 2015-2016, we see that reading levels

remained consistent in 4 of the 5 grade levels. When looking at STAR data we see that students showed

a lower percentage of students reading on grade level in 2nd and 4th grade. IREAD continues to show a

high level of students passing the test.

81%

93% 91%87% 89%

75%80%85%90%95%

End of Year Running Records -Kindergarten

Ox Bow

Linear (OxBow)

73% 70% 79% 86% 83%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

End of Year Running Records -1st Grade

Ox Bow

Linear (OxBow)

83%

86%87%

83%85%

80%82%84%86%88%

End of Year Running Records -2nd Grade

Ox Bow

Linear (OxBow)

81% 82%

72%

85%

73%

65%70%75%80%85%90%

End of Year Running Records -3rd Grade

Ox Bow

Linear (OxBow)

89% 90%74% 83% 84%

0%20%40%60%80%

100%

End of Year Running Records -4th Grade

Ox Bow

Linear (OxBow)


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STAR Reader STAR Math

2014-15 2015-16 2014-15 2015-16

1st Grade 76% 82% 1st Grade 72% 83%

2nd Grade 77% 71% 2nd Grade 74% 73%

3rd Grade 63% 77% 3rd Grade 82% 83%

4th Grade 76% 63% 4th Grade 83% 83%

*colored boxes indicate the same cohort of students from one year to the next.

STAR Math however showed a very consistent level of achievement. We attribute this achievement to

our implementation and support of Guided Math. In 2016-17 we have added new curriculum maps and

a new math resource as we use Everyday Math. Staff have already had opportunity to be trained to use

the resources included with the Everyday Math series.

Our focus on student attendance resulted in an increase in student attendance during the 2015-16

school year.

As we consider how to improve what we do, we have decided to make sure our basic levels of

instruction and assessment are consistent and clear in every room. We believe this level of focus,

communication, clarity, and information gathering will support our student learning at a higher level.

Also through much discussion, we want our students to leave our school with high character traits and

learn to set goals for their life. These reflections and discussions have led us to create four important

action steps.

Action & Monitoring Plan

Goal 1: Instruction based on high yield state standards.

Building-Level Problem of Practice (POP)

When students clearly understand the objective and focus of a lesson, there are greater opportunities

for learning at a mastery level.

SMART Goal

When planning and giving instruction of specific standards, 100% of teachers will verbalize and show

visually the specific standards-based focus for each lesson.

Theory(ies) of Action

Professional development indicating how to unwrap a standard will be provided early in the year

Teachers will work during collaboration time to identify important, “check plus” standards and

unwrap the skills and concepts needed for students to master the overall standard

Teachers will create objectives based on the unwrapping of the standards and put words into

student friendly terms with the expectation for students to internalize the goal and know the

objective

Student Group

All Students


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Grade Level(s)

All Students

Strategies-in-Action (IF, THEN) Statements

Intervention/

Implementation

Strategies

IF the adults… (insert your

1-2 measurable

strategies)

Student Results

Indicators

THEN we expect to see

an increase in the percent

of students “Proficient” or

higher from ___ to ___

on…

(Insert your student

assessment and the

targets you identified.)

Desired Results

(What will the adults do

differently when you are

successful at this goal?

What will the students do


successful at this goal?)

Sources of Data to

Monitor

(Insert what data sources

will be used for progress

monitoring throughout the

goal period, not just at the

end.)

1) Unwrap the critical

standards….

2) Share focus/objective

in student friendly “I

can…” statements…

3) Have professional

development and

collaboration

opportunities…

1) Instruction will be

focused during each

lesson giving more

time to the standards

that are critical.

2) Students will know

the focus of their

learning helping to set

goals for mastery.

Provide clear objectives vocally and visually before each lesson.

Students will be able to identify what they are learning and the goal for them at the end of each lesson.

Standard Unwrapping

document

Informal walk-through

observation data

Formal observation

data

Student mastery

assessments

STAR Reading (1st-

4th)

STAR Math (1st-4th)

Goal 2: Assessing Student Mastery to Direct Instruction/Re-teaching


Teachers feel a pressure to teach many different standards so that students have access to all content,

but the speed at which content is delivered may not allow students to mastery important standards.

SMART Goal

With specific focus of lessons created, 100% teachers will evaluate and assess student mastery of

lesson objectives.


Based on the level of student mastery, teachers will reteach to students that are working towards

mastery and provide enrichment for students that have already mastered the standard.

Teachers will identify daily checks to determine student understanding in order to drive instruction

for subsequent days/lessons


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Teachers will assess student mastery of important, “check plus” standards before moving on to the

next lesson

Students that have not shown mastery will receive additional instruction from the teacher

Students that have shown mastery will have opportunities to strengthen and advance their

understanding of the standard

Celebration of student growth will occur in each classroom

Student Group

All Students.

Grade Level(s)

Kindergarten – 4th Grade.


Intervention/

Implementation

Strategies


1-2 measurable

strategies)

Student Results

Indicators





on…


assessment and the


Desired Results







Sources of Data to

Monitor





end.)

1) Assess student

mastery of a standard

based on short

checks/

assessments…

2) Provide re-teaching

opportunities to

students that haven’t

yet mastered a

standard or provide

enrichment for those

that have a standard

mastered….

1) Teachers will know

student understand to

allow information to

support instruction.

2) Students will have

opportunities to learn

at the level that is best

for them while the

teacher supports all

working towards

mastery of the

standards.

Adults will know which students have mastered a standard

Adults will know which students need re-teaching or enrichment opportunities

Students will be able to get a second (or more) opportunity to learn

Students will have access to higher level learning.

Informal walk-through

observation data

Formal observation

data

Student mastery

assessments

Collaboration notes

STAR Reading (1st-

4th)

STAR Math (1st-4th)

Goal 3: Increase Student Motivation and Effort


Student motivation and effort affects the rate at which learning occurs.


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SMART Goal

Students and staff will work together to learn and apply Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective

People while offering students leadership opportunities. As everyone applies the habits, office

referrals will reduce 10% while creating 100 opportunities for student school leadership.


Professional development will support Ox Bow staff to understand the habits

Staff will directly and indirectly teach habits to students

Students will be taught and expected to provide leadership in daily and special events throughout

the year

Staff will have opportunities to serve as leaders throughout the school as they also work to apply the

habits in our lives

Communicate and encourage similar language with parents

Student Group

All

Grade Level(s)

K-4 students.


Intervention/

Implementation

Strategies


1-2 measurable

strategies)

Student Results

Indicators





on…


assessment and the


Desired Results







Sources of Data to

Monitor





end.)

1) If adults teach and

expect students to use

the 7 Habits in their

daily life…

2) If students have

opportunities to

provide leadership in

the classroom and

school…

1) The number of office

referrals will decrease

10%.

2) Provide in class

leadership

opportunities with at

least 100 school

leadership

opportunities.

Staff will provide direct instruction of the 7 habits each day.

Staff will model and expect students to model behavior consistent with the 7 habits.

Adults will provide leadership opportunities for students throughout the school.

INOW student data

system detailing office

referrals.

List of students in

leadership including

student name,

classroom, and role.


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Students will be decision makers and look to create leadership opportunities for themselves to lead.

Goal 4: Increase partnership with area businesses in an effort to teach our

students necessary work skills and impact student thinking regarding careers.


Students are leaving school without the necessary life skills to be successful in their next stage in life.

SMART Goal

Ox Bow will form partnerships with at least three business or community groups so that students

benefit from the resources and knowledge of our community and our community can make an impact of

the future employees of the county.


Partnerships will be formed to bring in outside business or organizations to focus on the type of

skills needed to for jobs

We will host a career day for 3rd and 4th grade students with the opportunity for them to hear and

visit with professionals about a wide variety of jobs

Groups/community members (specifically police and fire departments) will be asked to eat lunch

with students to create long term relationships and understanding

Partnership will continue with Ox Bow Park

Student Group

All Students.

Grade Level(s)

All Students.


Intervention/

Implementation

Strategies


1-2 measurable strategies)

Student Results

Indicators

THEN we expect to see an

increase in the percent of

students “Proficient” or


on…

(Insert the student

assessment and the

identified targets.)

Desired Results







Sources of Data to

Monitor





end.)


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1) Work with area

businesses/

organization to provide

expanded opportunities

for learning…

2) Listen and learn from

business/ organization

leaders…

1) Students will create

habits in the areas

needed for the next

year and establish

skills needed for life.

Students will internalize and develop skills needed to be productive students and citizens in our community and the world.

Partnership plans/

notes with area

businesses.

Number of

opportunities for

students to access

learning from

businesses/

organizations

throughout the year.

Professional Development Plan Professional

Development Description

Adults To Be Trained

Timeline

Unwrapping the Standards

Teachers will be taught how to unwrap the standards and create focused statements to guide daily lessons. Weekly collaboration time will be used to unwrap and identify student-friendly statements for instruction. There will be a uniform way to organize this information to use from year to year.

All Certified Staff

Initial Training, Ongoing

collaboration/ creation

Technology

Flipped instruction with short videos followed by focused guidance regarding the focus. Short afterschool session learning new apps for education, how to use the Google platform, Smart Board technology, and utilizing iPads in the room will be planned to support technology advancement. Math and Literacy Coaches will support and provide the inclusion of technology (when applicable) in their individual work/conversations with teachers.

Certified and Classified Staff

Ongoing support

throughout year

Mastery Learning/

Re-teaching

Once complete with unwrapping the standards, professional development will shift to support the creation of short assessments identifying student mastery. This PD will also include how to enact re-teaching and enrichment opportunities for students.

Certified Staff Ongoing support

throughout year

Seven Habits/ Leadership

During the summer and then throughout the year, staff will work with certified trainers in learning and implementing Stephen Covey’s 7 Habits of Highly Effective People.

Certified and Classified Staff

During the summer and

throughout the year


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Technology Infusion Students live in a digital age and are capable of accessing information through technology in ways we

have not seen before. Ox Bow is committed to further developing and accessing instructional options

available in technology. We have a technology team at the school and district level. We have

interactive boards in all instructional rooms, student computes in each room and at least 5 iPads per

each K-4 classroom.

Students Staff Parents

Computer Labs Personal Computers Access to Child’s Grades through INOW

Student Computers in Classrooms

Interactive White Boards in all rooms.

Programs/Practice to utilize through our School Web site for both parents and students

iPads for use in All Classrooms iPads for use in All Classrooms for Data Tracking/Instruction

Communication Tools through Classroom Dojo, Phone, Email Messaging Systems

Interactive White Boards in all rooms

Training from in-house coaches and district tech coach for using the Google platform or other educational software.

Social Media accounts and interactivity on the new school web site

iPods to be used for student skill practice

At home access to RAZ kids, Moby Max, and other programs help to motivate student learning

Parent Participation Optimal education can only occur if parents and schools work to support and encourage students as

they learn. Therefore, it is imperative that parents not only have a voice, but have avenues and support

in how they can best support their child. A monthly newsletter, Facebook/Twitter/Instagram accounts,

phone messages to all parents, an active PTO, open communication between teachers and parents,

access to student data through INOW (online grading program), and opportunities for family events at

school help to strengthen and support parents as they participate in the growth and education of their

child.

Safety Safety is critical for staff and students to teach and learn. While there are many aspects of a student’s

education that are necessary for the student to grow, none is more important for the student’s ability to

feel safe at Ox Bow Elementary. Therefore, we have developed clear expectations and plans for adults

and students to follow in the case of a fire, storm, natural disaster, intruder, or other safety needs. This

year there is a more intentional move to align our safety procedures across the corporation. Ox Bow


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staff work to remain consistent in following each plan so that students are best supported in keeping the

school environment safe.

Rules and Statutes To Be Waived None.

Curriculum Description and Location The Indiana Academic Standards serve as the foundation of the curriculum at Ox Bow Elementary

School. A copy of the grade-level standards and curriculum for each grade level are available at the

Concord Community District Web Site at www.concord.k12.in.us (District, Curriculum Maps). Printed

copies are also available on request in the principal’s office for public inspection. Each classroom teacher

also has a copy of the curriculum.

Cultural Competence Ox Bow has a variety of students with different cultural backgrounds. Students also have a wide variety

of needs and we work daily to support the differences in our students. When English is not a child’s

primary language, Ox Bow provides opportunities for the child to be supported in and out of the

classroom through specific instruction. That includes support for classroom teachers and parents so

that communication can continue through phone and email so that students continue to be supported

throughout their lives regardless of their primary language. Ox Bow is also dedicated to supporting all

students and provides specific education through the Elkhart County Special Education Cooperative for

students with severe mental and physical impairments. Ox Bow is the home school for our primary

deaf/hard of hearing students in the county. Students with and without disabilities at Ox Bow are

educated in how to best learn from each other’s differences through school and classroom activities so

that all students feel supported and part of our school community.

Principal Reflections & Recommendations Throughout the 2015-16 year we focused on identifying a school mission statement, agree to teach

character skills through teaching Stephen Covey’s Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and focus on

math instruction.

Utilizing the data, we have indicated previously along with the STAR data below, we see a pattern of

lower student achievement.

As I compare our reading information from running records, IREAD-3, and STAR Reading with ISTEP,

there are signs that instructional practice needs to change. The same is true for math when comparing

STAR Math and performance on ISTEP.

http://www.concord.k12.in.us/


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At Ox Bow we have very knowledgeable, experienced teachers with creative instruction to reach

students. As we focus our instruction based on the standards, and check for mastery, student

understanding will increase.

school improvement plan ox bow elementary€¦ · o our plan has been created and supported by...

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