This week, we showed our #CPSDPride by giving a #SuperSchoolShoutout to to Oakbrook Elementary School paraeducator Silvija Holmquist and fifth grader Anaiah Ward.
Holmquist became a paraeducator after volunteering at Oakbrook as a parent and substitute teaching. She now works with students of all grade levels, including her two children in fifth and second grade, to support everyday activities, such as drop-off and pick-up, bus lines, lunch and recess support, and other needs that arise throughout the day.
“We’re the support system for students and teachers,” Holmquist said. “Teachers can’t give individual support to each student, so we’re the catch-all that helps make sure everyone is supported and things run smoothly.”
Oakbrook is unique because it is open concept, and everyone must work together. Holmquist is a lifelong learner and enjoys collaborating with others to keep growing in her own role. “We rely on each other, and we’re such a cohesive team,” she said. “Everyone has a role to help these kids thrive.”
Anaiah has attended Oakbrook since kindergarten and loves being a helper at her school. “I like to listen and follow directions,” she said. “I try to lead by example and like to participate in things like being a lunchroom helper.”
Anaiah is proud of the progress she has made academically this year and can’t wait to learn more. “I’ve grown so much in writing, and it helps me express my feelings,” she said. “You can see how descriptive I am when I write. Also, I’m proud of how I’ve grown in math, because if I was still in fourth grade, I wouldn’t know how to do any of this. Converting fractions to decimals and decimals to fractions is intense.”
In her free time, Anaiah enjoys playing badminton and art. She’s inspired by cute characters like Hello Kitty, and when she grows up, she hopes to become an artist who creates her own unique characters.
Go Eagles!
Oakbrook Elementary School
Summary:
Oakbrook Elementary School is a public elementary school in Lakewood, Washington, serving students from pre-kindergarten to 5th grade as part of the Clover Park School District. The school has a diverse student population, with fluctuating racial demographics in recent years.
Oakbrook Elementary’s academic performance has been mixed compared to district and state averages. While the school’s proficiency rates in English Language Arts and Math were higher than the Clover Park School District’s averages, they were lower than the state averages. However, Oakbrook’s 5th-grade students performed better than the district and state in ELA, and the school’s science proficiency rates were higher than both the district and state. Interestingly, Oakbrook’s Hispanic students have performed relatively well, ranking 191 out of 651 Washington elementary schools in ELA, while the school’s multi-racial students have struggled, ranking 175 out of 188.
Compared to nearby schools, Oakbrook Elementary’s academic performance is generally lower than that of Chambers Elementary and Sunset Primary in the University Place School District, but higher than some other nearby schools in the Clover Park School District, such as Idlewild Elementary, Park Lodge Elementary, and Dower Elementary. This variation in performance may be influenced by factors such as the school’s high percentage of students from low socioeconomic backgrounds and fluctuations in per-student spending and student-teacher ratios.
https://www.schooldigger.com/go/WA/schools/0141000265/school.aspx