Each year, the governing boards of California School districts prepare and distribute a School Accountability Report Card. The purpose of this report is to furnish and inform parents and interested community members information about the school's resources, its successes and areas of need.

This is Gazelle Elementary School's first attempt at creating a School Accountability Report Card. The passage of AB 572 in 1997 requires that schools connected to the internet must make information available on the internet and update it annually.

Gazelle Elementary School has an excellent staff, both classified and certified, that has created a consistent program for students. This report will show many aspects of the school and provide interested parties a profile of our school. If any additional information regarding the school is needed, please feel free to contact the school office.

Sincerely,

Abner Weed

Administrator

School Profiles

Gazelle Elementary School is rurally located in Gazelle, CA, Siskiyou County, between the communities of Yreka and Weed on Old Highway 99. Gazelle School has an enrollment of 56 students and is made up of three self-contained classrooms which house students in grades K-8th.

Gazelle Elementary School is a feeder school to Yreka High School. Historically Gazelle was a farming community, a rail station, and had a packing plant and mercantile which served a vast area. Today there are basically several ranches, a part-time cafe and a post office. Many families live in rentals. 20% of our students are inter district transfers. Ethnically the student population is 80% white, 15% Hispanic, 4% American Indian and 2% Black. 64%.6% of the student population receives free or reduced breakfasts/lunches.

Community / Parent Involvement

The Gazelle Elementary School has a well represented School Site Council (SIP). There function is to make recommendations for the spending of school-based program expenditures, and to do actual planning on enrichment programs. These enrichment programs have included; Educational Ski Program, choral music program, Adaptive Physical Education Program.

Parents of Gazelle Elementary School students also actively raise money each year to place in its sports fund account. This money is used for the purchase of sports uniforms. Fund raising events have included sponsoring a four-team basketball tournament, dessert social, etc.

The rural nature of our small community provides for unique relationship between the Gazelle Grange and the school. The school leases the Grange facility on an annual basis for its competitive athletic program, Christmas Program, etc. In addition, a school-release time Bible study takes place at the Grange. The Grange has been involved in providing monetary student incentives for attendance and scholastic achievement.

Because of the close proximity to College of the Siskiyous the school is able to take advantage of many of the available programs offered. Students form Gazelle have attended various theatrical performances, enrolled in the sport and art camps, and attend the summer GATE Academy.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Gazelle Elementary School is three fold:

1. to emphasize basic instruction in mathematics, reading, and writing with the belief that all students can learn and will be afforded that opportunity.

2. to utilize our available technology to expose all students to computer education;

3. to take advantage of our unique location in Northern California, with its varied and rich natural and human history, for enhancement of the basic school curriculum.

Student Achievement

Gazelle School uses a variety of methods to assess student achievement. This "multiple measures" approach includes: results from S.T.A.R. testing, classroom assessments and pre and post writing samples.

Results from the May 1998 administration of the STAR standardized test are shown below.

DATA FOR THE STAR NEEDS TO GO IN HERE

Data Summary

The above described results indicate

Estimated Expenditures Per Pupil

In the 97-98 school year, Gazelle Board of Trustees have capped K-3 class sizes at 20 students. Some classes have instructional aide time as well. Below, is a summary of Gazelle School's per pupil-teacher ratio over the past three years, as compared to the State's average:

Teacher Assignment

All teachers are assigned by the principal and are properly credentialed for the grade level taught.

Technology, Textbooks and Instructional Materials

Gazelle School places a high priority in providing students with current texts, adequate instructional materials and access to computers. Each student is provided with a text or appropriate material in each major curricular area. Purchase of textbooks is aligned with the State's seven-year Adoption Cycle. The county-wide Preview and Selection Committee recommendations are valued in the process. The 97-98 school year was the implementation year for our new reading series. In addition, the curriculum is supplemented by the computers and audio-visual materials. Each classroom currently has one computer outfitted with enough RAM and CD-ROM drives capable of accessing the internet.

Counseling and Support Services

The following counseling and support personnel are available to students and families. These services are provided by the Siskiyou County Superintendent of Schools:

Student Study Team (Teacher(s), Administrator, Specialist(s). Psychologist (as needed) School Nurse (bi-monthly visits) Itinerant Counselor (bi-monthly visits)

Substitute Teachers

Gazelle School is fortunate to have a supply of fully-qualified substitute teachers available in case of teacher absence.

School Facilities and Safety

Gazelle School is a safe, clean and well-maintained campus. A custodian attends to the routine cleaning of the school and conducts regular safety inspections. The school's Safety Plan is currently being created. Bus evacuation drills are conducted annually; fire drills, regularly. No toxic materials are stored on campus. Students are well-supervised before, during and after school. A formal check-out system is used by parents when taking a student off-campus. And, playground equipment and grounds comply with State regulations.

Deferred Maintenance projects are ongoing and help keep the school in a well maintained state.

Teacher Professional Growth

Opportunities for professional growth are determined on an individual bases and teachers are encouraged to participate.

Discipline and Climate for Learning

Gazelle School has an established Discipline Plan and Matrix.(Refer to Student / Parent Handbook.) The Discipline Plan and Matrix describes appropriate behavior and expectations as well as consequences for misconduct.

Efforts to provide a positive environment for young people include: field trips, , Student Store, 5th, 6th Grade Environmental Camp, 8th Grade Trip, graduation activities, trips to Patrick's Point and special assemblies. Three sport seasons (volleyball, basketball and track,) as well as cheer leading, are available to interested students.

Teacher Training and Curriculum

All employees of Gazelle School receive opportunity to update their knowledge by attending County, out-of-county and school-sponsored training. All staff is trained annually regarding HIV-AIDS, SSD's and other critical topics. Teachers have participated in specific training on: self-esteem enhancement, the writing process, reading / literacy training and technology applications. Decisions regarding the appropriateness of training are based on employee need, interest and soundness of practice.

Quality of Instruction and Leadership

The core instructional program provided to students K through 8 is described in the School Plan. In addition, District Adopted Content Standards have been established and are used school wide to guide the curriculum. Unique learning needs of students are addressed within the classroom or by our Resource Specialist Program . Annually the School Site Council distributes a survey of needs to parents. The data is collected and recommendations for changes are usually implemented. The leadership style at Gazelle School is participatory that is, many people are / may be involved in the decision-making process. Leadership includes: students, parents, volunteers, coaches, classified / certificated staff members, the administration and the Board of Trustees. Other bodies that are involved in the decision making process are:

• School Site Council (monthly meetings on the first Wed. of each month)
• Staff
• Student Study Team and I.E.P. meetings
• Eighth Grade Parent Meetings

Instructional Minutes

For further information about Gazelle School, please contact Mrs. Lori Saltors or Abner Weed at the School Office at (530) 435-2321.

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