E.E. Miller Elementary Embraces Innovations in Learning
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E. E. Miller Elementary School might have started out as a traditional center of learning in 1991‚ but it didn’t take long for the school to transform into a model of outside-the-box thinking.
By 2000‚ the school had adopted a year-round calendar‚ which Principal Tonya Page says helps maintain retention rates and keeps children on task.
Shorter breaks mean less lag time in getting back to the business of learning.
“Within 15 minutes‚ you would think we’ve been in school a month‚” Page says. “They go right back to routines‚ and that consistency is very important.”
Over the years‚ the school has adopted other innovative programs and educational methods to enhance student experiences. Page stresses the fact that children have different learning styles.
“We are trying to offer a variety to meet the needs of every child‚” she says.
As the new school year began in July‚ E.E. Miller launched yet another innovation in education: a Spanish immersion program.
The new program starts with two kindergarten classes of 22 children. For their first three years of school‚ approx imately 90 percent of the instructional day is taught in Spanish. English is spoken only in art‚ music and other non-academic classes.
“By the end of second grade‚ the children are bilingual‚” Page says.
When the students advance to third grade‚ more English instruction is mixed in.
“By third grade‚ it may become more of a 60/40 model or a 50/50 model‚ so you’re adding English back in to prepare children for EOG (end of grade) testing‚” she continues.
Research on immersion programming shows that students perform as well or better on standardized testing as their English-only counterparts. “There’s nearly 40 years of research‚ and it shows that students score at or better on standardized testing than non-immersion students‚” Page says.
Data also confirms learning a different language utilizes parts of the brain not used when speaking your native tongue.
“You’re actually triggering a part of the brain that would not be challenged‚” Page says.
Equally important‚ she adds‚ is the exposure to a different culture.
“Looking into the future‚ you’re creating an adult that’s going to be open to different cultures and diversity‚” Page says. “You’re preparing kids to meet the challenges of a global society.”
Page says any new programming added at E.E. Miller reflects a dedication to offering top-notch education for all children. She says the school follows an educational philosophy summed up by the statement: “What I want for my child‚ I want for all children.”
“Let’s make them the best that they can be – that’s what I want for my children and what every parent wants for their child‚” Page says. “That’s the guiding force for everything I do.”
Story by Cindy Sanders
Photo by Ian Curcio
