Parkside Elementary is “The WOW School of the Century”. WOW stands for “Working on the Work”, a framework established by Dr. Philip Schlechty and the Center for Leadership and School Reform. Our WOW framework is about designing, creating, and inventing high quality, intellectually demanding work for ALL students. If we GIVE students quality work tasks to do, then they will in turn produce quality work products!
Our teachers are our leaders and designers of quality work, our students are our customers for quality (knowledge) work, and our parents and community members are our partners in the whole educational process. The key to our success is to authentically engage our students in a meaningful learning process, as well as engaging everyone else at every level in our learning organization. An organization, by the way, that has students at the TOP of our organizational chart!
We are proud that Parkside Elementary is an “A” school “, as measured by the state of Florida’s Accountability System, which is based solely on FCAT scores. But here at Parkside, we have a climate of high expectations for all of our students and are concerned with more than just achievement on the FCAT. We believe in educating the “Total Child”, which includes both critical AND creative thinking and the importance of “The Arts”. Creating an environment of inclusion is also important to all of us at Parkside. So is a Tone of Decency. Each individual is respected for the unique person they are and they and we believe that they will become.
This year, our 2011-2012 theme is “Passport to Your Dreams” so join us in learning and sharing our global cultures and diversity, exploring career possibilities, creating healthy lifestyles through exercise and nutrition, and receiving a high quality education.
This year's theme, "Passport to Your Dreams" is an opportunity for those of us who come in contact with your children on a daily basis to continue to provide the "things" they'll need to help turn those dreams into goals and, most importantly, turn those goals into reality. At Parkside those "things" go beyond the basic academics- we strive to educate the whole child with exposure to the arts, physical activities, and other "things" that will make your child a "well-rounded traveler" through life.
Our theme also provides us with the opportunity to emphasize the important role we and our students play in today's ever-increasing need to be aware of, and sensitive to, the various cultures, ethnic groups, etc. that make up our world. Throughout the school year there will be activities and events, both within the individual classrooms and school-wide, that will bring forth this emphasis.
You, as part of our Parkside family and through your support of our PTA, School Advisory Council, and School Advisory Forum, teachers and staff are needed to help your child make the most effective use of their, "Passport to Your Dreams."
