Documents •
WASC Report 2020
← Chapter 4: Self-Study Analysis - Category C1
(Chapter IV: Self-Study Findings)
CATEGORY C: SUPPORT FOR STUDENT PERSONAL AND ACADEMIC GROWTH
C1. Student Connectedness
Students are connected to asystem of support services, activities, and opportunities at the school and within the community that meet the challenges of the curricular and co-curricular programs in order to achieve the school wide learner outcomes.
| Findings | Evidence |
|---|---|
| Maris Stella School demonstrates commitment to the school’s mission and core beliefs. It acknowledges each student as a unique creation of God and endeavors to provide each student with direction to fulfill the Lord’s will for his or her life. The school provides opportunities for students to develop knowledge, attitudes, and practices necessary for wellness and a healthy lifestyle. It offers a system of support services for its curricular and co-curricular programs that enhances student learning and allows students to explore and discover their full potential and talents. Curricular Programs include Educational Talent Search for Palauan students from 6th to 8th grade, Special Education, after school tutorial, Peer Tutoring, and “Study Buddies”. Summer School Program was offered for SY 2017- 2018 which aimed to enhance Math skills for interested incoming 2nd graders to 5th graders. For SY 2018-2019, Summer School Program included Reading, Math, First Aid Training, and Team Sports such as football, softball, basketball, and volleyball for interested 1st - 8th grade students. Co-curricular Programs for 1st-4th grade students include traditional dances such as Chuukese, Samoan, and Palauan dances; team sports such as dodge ball, football, softball, and swimming were offered as well. Co-curricular Programs for 5th-8th grade students included sewing, weaving, flower arrangement, gardening, music such as guitar and ukulele, coconut husking/grinding on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Parents and guardians came in to teach these skills. Written curriculum guides, Yearly Plans, and Daily Lesson Plans are current, functional, available, and used by teachers. The guides define the scope and sequence and objectives of the educational program. Some grade levels have class officers and daily leaders to empower responsibility and leadership among students. |
• School’s Vision/Mission Statement • Faculty Handbook • Student Handbook • Curriculum Guide for each subject area • Yearly Plans for each subject area • Daily Lesson Plans for each subject area • Palau Catholic Mission Schools Child Protection Policy • Some upper grades (5th-8th) have class officers • All grades have daily and weekly class leaders for prayer, clean-up, and group work • Summer School Program Class Schedule for SY 2017-2018 and SY 2018-2019 • Photos of Co-Curricular Events |
| In the classroom, teachers implement a wide array of teaching strategies appropriate to students’ learning styles. These strategies include differentiated instruction, games, projects (individual or group project), research, class presentation, cooperative learning, “Study Buddies”, Written or Oral Book Report, “Show and Tell”, singing, and dancing. Therefore, the students have an abundance of opportunities to demonstrate their potential and talents through a curriculum that stresses the attainment of the school’s expected school wide learning results. Students experience a variety of group learning settings (individual, small group, and large group). | • Curriculum guide for each subject area • Daily Lesson Plans for each subject area • Photos of classroom activities posted in the classroom |
| The school has a dean/guidance counselor. Administrators, teachers, and other staff also share responsibility for providing guidance and support to individual students. Though limited in teaching staff, the school follows procedures to identify and address students with special needs or refers families to appropriate services to meet those needs under the Ministry of Health’s School Health Program. Students who are observed to have special needs are referred by the homeroom teacher to the principal to notify parents or guardians about their academic needs. An IEP document is drawn up and the IEP team composed of parents/guardians and administrators reviews and confirms the need for special services. The school also offers after school tutoring to address different students’ needs at all grade levels. In addition, Palauan students from 6th to 8th grade may apply for Educational Talent Search Program. Weekly student folder/portfolio and Mid-Quarter Progress Reports are sent out to keep parents/guardians updated with their child’s class performance. These reports may result in meetings between the student, teacher, administration, and parents/guardians. The school also has a schoolwide Emergency Management Plan to follow. | • Referral forms Special Education/Counseling • Educational Talent Search registration form • Educational Talent Search Program Student Lists for SY 2016-2017, SY 2017-2018, SY 2018-2019, SY 2019-2020 • Educational Talent Search Program Activities • Photos of Educational Talent Search Field Trips/Activities SY 2016-2017, SY 2017-2018, and SY 2018-2019 • Student Disciplinary Form • Copy of School Emergency Management Plan • Mid-Quarter Progress Report form • IEP- Education Plan |
| The school provides access to student activities that are age, and developmentally appropriate to supplement the academic curriculum. Activities are selected to foster intellectual, cultural, and social growth as well as physical health and wellness. These activities enhance social interaction, leadership, career awareness, healthy recreation, self- discipline, self-confidence and development of student interests. Students are often involved in plays, presentations, contests, choir, altar servers, and science fairs that aid in self-esteem, give courage, and a feeling of success. In addition, we have extra-curricular activities such as sewing, weaving, flower arrangement, gardening, music (guitar and ukulele), coconut husking/grinding on Tuesdays and Thursdays for 5th to 8th grade students. Traditional dances such as Chuukese, Samoan, and Palauan dances and team sports such as dodge ball, football, softball, and swimming are offered to 1st to 4th grade students. All student activities are adequately supervised and are managed by school governance and leadership. Teachers, faculty and staff members, parents and guardians participate in student activities. The school recognizes student accomplishments and contributions in meaningful ways. The students are recognized monthly during General Assembly and quarterly in terms of academic performance, behavior, and perfect attendance. Groups of students representing all grade levels meet with their assigned faculty and staff members carrying out activities with a theme to promote unity, cooperation, sharing, and responsibility as a member of a larger school community. |
• Videos of school programs/activities • Photos of Science Fair, Catholic Schools Week (CSW), Thanksgiving, Advent, and Lenten Activities such as Stations of the Cross, Retreats, Community Service • Photos of Math Hero Speed Challenge • Photos of Extra-curricular activities • Photos of class field trips/activities • School Yearbook SY 2017-2018 • School Calendar SY 2016-2017, SY 2017-2018, and SY 2018-2019 • Circle of Life (COL) List for SY 2017- 2018 • Trophies/Certificates • Class Schedule SY 2014-2017 • Photos of Students- of- the Month |
| The school has a means of assessing Christian character and academic development as stated in the Student Handbook on a regular basis. Teachers for each grade level collaborate to decide for the Student-of-the Month which is recognized every first Monday of the month during General Assembly and End-of-the Year Awards based on academic and behavior grades. Quarterly Honor Roll and Perfect Attendance are posted regularly each quarter. Star of The Sea Award is given to an eighth grader who has shown superior growth and development in the understanding of Christian faith, intellectual achievement, and service to the school and wider community throughout eight years at Maris Stella with the majority approval of the teachers and the Principal. It has established procedures to inform parents of the student’s character, conduct, and academic performance during and at the end of a grading period. Students learn and perform at expected levels or interventions occur so that progress is made toward expected levels of performance. | • Student Handbook • Mid-Quarter Progress Report Form • Quarterly Report Card • Year-end Award Ceremony |
Achievements:s
- The school’s Christian identity is clearly articulated in the mission statement.
- Curriculum and instruction reflect the school’s mission.
- Community service programs reflect the school’s commitment to Christian values.
- Dedicated and committed faculty and staff members
- After school tutoring program
- Generous and supportive parents/guardian, stakeholders, and local government
- An increased awareness by many teachers of the variety of student learning styles
- A caring, esteem building, and concerned faculty and staff members with high expectations for students
- Teachers demonstrate creativity and initiative and use a variety of resources in the delivery of instructional programs.
- Each classroom is equipped with laptop, projector, and printer and is connected to Wi-Fi.
- Sewing, weaving, flower arrangement, gardening, music, coconut husking/grinding on Tuesdays and Thursdays were added as part of the extra-curricular activities for 5th -8th graders.
- School wide weekly folder/portfolio-uniform MQPR
- Teachers and students were trained and certified to assist with emergency situations.
- A uniform Mid-Quarter Progress Report Form for the whole school
- Increased participation of teachers in staff development that is sustained over time
- A more organized and systematic way of filing all school documents; safely maintained; archived created
- More resources and effective use of technology in the classroom to support student achievement
- A uniform Mid-Quarter Progress Report Form for the whole school has been developed and implemented
- Gardening is part of the extra-curricular activities or after school program
- The instructional staff has developed clearly articulated benchmarks for student performance that are linked to the academic standards and school wide learner outcomes.
- Students, faculty, and staff members to be trained to assist with emergency situations
Areas for Improvement:
- More student involvement during Parent Teacher Association meeting