Recently, we showed our #CPSDPride by giving a #SuperSchoolShoutout to Park Lodge Elementary School with reading interventionist Cassandra Bieker and fifth grader Erick Alcantara.
Bieker began her teaching journey at Park Lodge in kindergarten before shifting to reading intervention. “Reading has always been my favorite part of teaching and I felt that I became an even stronger reading teacher when I was in kindergarten,” she said.
Bieker works with students individually and knows that building a trusting, supportive relationship is the key to a flourishing learning environment. “These students come into our class in a vulnerable state,” she said. “They’re here to work hard on something that is very challenging for them so they may have their guard up.”
Bieker excels as an educator because she believes she and her students are on a similar journey of perseverance. “We all come to class and work through our challenges,” she said. “I watch them overcome obstacles at the same time as I am learning and growing as a teacher.”
Erick is a multilingual learner (MLL) and is recognized by administrators and teachers, including Cassandra, for all the work that he has done to become a standout student. “I always raise my hand in class, I help my teacher and try my best to do my job,” he said.
Erick decided that he would take 15 minutes from his lunch each day to help fourth grade MLL students improve their English skills. This was an idea he came up with by himself and has been a fantastic resource for teachers and the many students who look up to him.
This year, Erick is a whiz at math and is proud to have improved his writing skills. He is kind and is always looking for an opportunity to help other students and teachers. “When I grow up, I want to become a firefighter,” he said. “I like that they help people who are in need and when they walk in the room you can tell they’re heroes.”
Go Dolphins!
Park Lodge Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lakewood, Washington, serving 357 students in grades PK-5 as part of the Clover Park School District. Despite its diverse student population, the school consistently ranks in the bottom 10% of Washington elementary schools and struggles with significantly below-average academic performance on standardized tests.
Park Lodge Elementary’s academic challenges are evident across the board. In the 2023-2024 school year, only 29.56% of students were proficient or better in English Language Arts, compared to 52.63% statewide and 38.13% in the Clover Park School District. In math, the proficiency rate was just 22.01%, compared to 41.68% statewide and 26.6% in the district. The school’s performance on the Washington Comprehensive Assessment of Science (WCAS) is also below state and district averages, with only 33.96% of students proficient or better. These poor academic outcomes are particularly concerning given the school’s high percentage of students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds, with 91.04% qualifying for free or reduced-price lunch.
Comparisons to nearby schools within the Clover Park School District, such as Oakbrook Elementary and Lake Louise Elementary, highlight the potential for improvement at Park Lodge Elementary. These schools consistently outperform Park Lodge on standardized tests, suggesting that the school may need to implement targeted interventions and support systems to address the unique needs of its diverse student population and reverse the concerning trend of declining academic performance over time.
https://www.schooldigger.com/go/WA/schools/0141002581/school.aspx
WOW! A positive piece about a child and teacher and you couldn’t let them take pleasure in being honored. Talk about grinch behavior. There is a time and a place, but why attach your comment to this article? SMH…..
When would be a “good time” for Lakewood CARES to address Park Lodge’s academic performance? When would it be a “good time” for CPSD to address Park Lodge’s academic performance?
Valerie you might have missed these CARES articles and responses to CPSD community relations articles. I give credit academically where and when credit is due and the opportunity arises. I also take to task schools that are failing academically where and when the opportunity arises. CARES doesn’t need to be a “cheerleader” for CPSD: they already have one in their community relations department. What is needed is a factually based critique of CPSD’s academic performance which isn’t coming from CPSD. So who else then other than CARES?
https://thesubtimes.com/2024/11/26/cpsd-learning-in-motion-rainier-elementary-schools-annual-culture-day/?
utm_source=TST-1396&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TST-All-Content-EE
https://thesubtimes.com/2024/10/12/beachwood-elementary-the-best-of-the-best-why-not-all-cpsd-schools/?
utm_source=TST-1336&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TST-All-Content-EE
https://thesubtimes.com/2024/04/26/cpsd-superschoolshoutout-hillside-elementary-school/?utm_source=TST-1105&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=TST-EE