October 2000 Alice Birney students encouraged to soar
By Sheldon J. Reber, Director of School and Community Relations
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A lice Birney students are very consistent when it comes to high achievement. The students scored so well on California's SAT-9 test that the school earned a ranking of 10 in the similar schools category of the Academic Performance Index (API) for 1998-1999. Teddie Lyons, Alice Birney principal, commented that based on 1999-2000 test scores, we can expect more great results from students. "Our expectation from the state was that we would improve eight points on this year's API, and it appears that we may have improved as much as 62 points." Marie Chappelle, fifth/sixth-grade teacher, thinks teaching test-taking skills is important. "We've talked with them about how important tests are and now they'll have to take the High School Exit Exam. You have to take a test to get a driver's license, you have to take a test to be a mechanic, test-taking is just a reality of life." Arlene Dorsch, a fifteen-year veteran teacher at Alice Birney, has some ideas on why students are so successful. Dorsch has taught kindergarten, first, and third-grades and is currently teaching an all-day kindergarten. "The teachers at our school let a child fly to their limits, and encourage them to do more no matter what their background is," stated Dorsch. Lyons agreed that all staff are part of Alice Birney's success. "They have high expectations for the achievement of all students. They do everything within their power, in terms of instruction, materials, support staff, and scheduling, to be sure the children achieve." Chappelle also has high praise for the staff. "It's a huge group effort to make this place work. And if there's a hole anyplace, we're not willing to let the kids fall through," she said. Both teachers agreed that Alice Birney School is also an innovative place to work. "Teddie lets us try new things. She's very open to any creative ideas that we have and just really lets us fly," said Dorsch. Alice Birney's staff has come up with many innovative ideas. One such idea is called a vertical cluster. Dorsch explained the positive attributes for both students and teachers. "It's a three-teacher group and we work together always using the same language, the same approach in writing*silly things like just having the same format in doing papers," Dorsch said. "For example, a second-grade teacher might mention 'I could go so much faster if the kids had greater ability in writing.' So I just started pushing writing a little bit more in kindergarten so that they have confidence and speed when they get to second-grade," continued Dorsch" Students in the vertical cluster get the benefit of learning a subject over three years. "Last year we emphasized geography to the point where all three classes studied different continents. The children were globally-aware so that when things happened in the news we were able to discuss the people, the continents, the problems, etc. We felt that articulating these subjects from kindergarten through second-grade would allow us to expand and increase vocabulary. This year we're going to move into studying oceans and then space. The children will carry that expansive knowledge with them as they move through the grades," Dorsch said. Dorsch also starts her kindergarteners learning how to use computers. "I introduce them to our computers right away so by the time they leave my class they are navigating a computer and have an extra advantage going into first grade." Alice Birney has always been a district leader in technology. 
"We have a vanguard team of technology experts that we started two years ago. Janet Lopez has worked with a small group of staff that go out and train other staff," mentions Lyons.During the school year, students will use networked, wireless computers. "We bought Apple iBooks with AirPorts so that teachers can utilize the laptops with small group instruction in the classroom or on the playground on a nice day," mentions Lyons This is the second year that an all-day kindergarten has been offered at Alice Birney. The class meets from 8:20 a.m. to 2:15 p.m. Dorsch mentions she had her doubts that young children would be able to make it through a longer day. "When we first started I was apprehensive. I thought it would be fatiguing for the children to be at school for so long. But as it turns out, when they're here their expectation is this is what it is." The benefits of an all-day kindergarten now seem clear to Dorsch. "The super thing is I'm able to give so much more individualized attention. I'm able to get more in depth in subjects. With reduced class-size and expanded day, I'm able to stop scholastic problems before they ever start. Sometimes people think our expectations in a kindergarten level are too much, however we have been of the philosophy that you offer it and if the child is developmentally ready to take it, then let them fly." The school's multicultural climate is seen as a big plus for students. Lyons states, "Our diverse student population is the future. If you look at California right now, there are more minority students than there are white students." The school will host its biannual Multicultural Faire this May. "The community is invited to taste food and watch dancers from all over the world. The staff works really hard and everyone really has a good time. During the last Faire we had Native American, Latino, Laotian, Hmong, Chinese, and Afghani cultures represented," mentions Lyons. Chappelle appreciates the school's cultural diversity. "You learn a lot about each other. You learn a lot about tolerance. When I taught primary grades I used to say 'None of us are white*this piece of paper is white*we're all shades of brown. We all have different eye color, our hair is different, we're tall, thin, fat, short, you name it. We all contribute to the richness that is the future.'"
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