Powered By:

←

Teller Elementary School

Winter Principal Report

04/01/25, 9:01 AM

Dear Teller Families,

We hope everyone had a wonderful spring break. As we head into an academically demanding time of year, we want to provide a high-level overview of how our students are performing both academically and socially in the form of a winter principal report.

Unified Improvement Plan (UIP) Updates

As communicated in our fall principal report, every school in Colorado is required to have a Unified Improvement Plan (UIP), which outlines strategies to ensure all students are prepared for post-secondary education or a career.

We are thrilled to share that we have successfully met all three of our Unified Improvement Plan (UIP) goals! Through our collective efforts:

  • 90% of our teachers are now consistently using student data to inform instruction, ensuring every child receives targeted support.

  • Our commitment to Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) remains strong, with 95% of our staff implementing Second Step and complementary lessons on schedule, fostering a more emotionally aware and resilient student body.

  • Our focus on Culturally Responsive Education has resulted in 90% of our teachers creating safe and welcoming classrooms, as evidenced by classroom observations and student perception data.

These achievements are a testament to the dedication of our incredible staff and the supportive community that makes Teller a place where all students can thrive.

Academic Progress

At Teller, all K-5 students take a literacy assessment as part of the READ Act, helping us determine who is reading at or above grade level and how best to support those who need additional help. In addition, students take the STAR assessment monthly to track their reading progress. This data is reported to the state three times per year (fall, winter, and spring) and shared with families via Assessment Binders.

We are proud to report that 83.7% of our K-5 students are now reading at or above grade level—a significant increase from the fall!

Additionally, students recently completed the district’s interim assessments, which provide insight into academic growth and predict performance on the Colorado Measures of Academic Success (CMAS).

As you review the data below, it is important to note that students are assessed on material they have not yet fully learned, which provides us with a roadmap for future instruction.

Interim Data Review - Literacy (ELA)

  • 57.4% of 3rd-5th grade students are On-Track in Literacy.

    • 3rd Grade: 44%

    • 4th Grade: 54.3%

    • 5th Grade: 71%

Interim Data Review - Math

  • 69.6% of 3rd-5th grade students are On-Track in Math.

    • 3rd Grade: 79.7%

    • 4th Grade: 69.3%

    • 5th Grade: 62.7%

Interim Data Review - Science

  • 5th Grade: 81.2% of students are On-Track in Science.

Interim Data Review - Social Studies

  • 4th Grade: 51.7% On-Track in Social Studies.

Behavioral and Social-Emotional Health

Although we do not have updated BESS data to share due to the ongoing administration window, we are excited to highlight our Student Perception Survey results.

The Student Perception Survey allows students to reflect on their learning experience and assess their teachers’ ability to:

  • Facilitate Learning

  • Communicate High Expectations

  • Support Students

Survey results show that:

  • 91% of our students had an overall positive response.

  • 87% feel their teachers facilitate learning effectively.

  • 95% feel supported by their teachers.

  • 95% feel their teachers have high expectations for them.

This data speaks volumes about the dedication of our teachers and their impact on student success.

Student Math Survey

With the adoption of Illustrative Mathematics (IM) this year, Teller’s 2nd through 5th graders had the opportunity to share their thoughts about their math instruction.

Survey results show that:

  • 92.7% of students feel confident in solving math problems.

  • 89.3% believe they make valuable contributions in their math class.

These results affirm our commitment to providing high-quality, engaging math instruction that fosters confidence and collaboration.

Other Celebrations

  • Teller had a 93% participation rate in the Tu Voz/Your Voice survey! This survey helps us understand how students perceive their academic experience and social-emotional well-being. We look forward to reviewing the results soon

  • Teller has been named a model school for Illustrative Mathematics (IM) across the district! Teachers, building leaders, and content specialists have visited our classrooms weekly to observe our strong math instruction. Additionally, we had the honor of co-leading an IM professional development session for other principals during our March collaborative meeting.

  • Ms. Rosie and members of Teller’s Compassion Project (TCP) have been invited to share the program’s impact with DPS librarians and library paraprofessionals on April 18th.

  • Teller’s Collaborative School Committee (CSC) was invited to present at the District Accountability Committee (DAC) meeting to showcase what an effective CSC looks like. This opportunity highlights the commitment and teamwork of our school community in fostering a strong and inclusive educational environment.

  • Our students have been shining with PRIDE, earning an incredible 593 Tiger Eye awards! We are beyond proud of their hard work. You have to check out our main hallway—it's absolutely covered with photos of our amazing students! 

  • Teller’s Pantry Friends has exciting news! In November, they became a partner of Mission Ballroom’s Mission Row, allowing them to attend events and engage with concertgoers to promote their work. So far, they have participated in 14 events and raised approximately $2,000. In addition to fundraising, this partnership has helped them build valuable volunteer connections. The Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City-Denver Branch has expressed interest in directing members of its Community Involvement Program to support the pantry. Additionally, the Food Bank of the Rockies has launched a Community Connections program and is planning a visit to volunteer with us. Finally, the pantry has received generous private donations that will be used to ensure that essential household staples—such as eggs, milk, and butter—are consistently available to shoppers while funding lasts.

As we head into the final months of the school year, we want to extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Teller families for your unwavering support. Together, we continue to create an environment where all students thrive academically and socially.

Best,


Sabrina Bates, Principal
Jason Smartt, Assistant Principal

 

Download the App