Blue Ribbon School -  Kate Sullivan was selected as a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the US Department of Education in 1986 and 2001.   A Blue Ribbon School must meet and maintain high standards of excellence and equity in the areas of: Student Support, Parent and Community Involvement, Supportive and Positive School Culture, Challenging Programs and Curriculum, Best Teaching Practices, Academic Growth for all Children, Administrative Leadership, Ongoing Faculty Training, and Integrated Technology.

 1. State Testing

a.  ITBS (Iowa Test of Basic Skills): Each test level consists of a series of tests administered in content sections with each designed to measure specific skills. Test levels 5-8 are administered to students from kindergarten through second grade. School districts employ the series of tests in primary grades to gain information about classes and students for instructional planning, to supplement teacher observations regarding student abilities, and to establish a basis for subsequent annual evaluation of student progress. Sections for levels 5-8 include: Vocabulary, Word Analysis, Reading Comprehension, Listening, Language, and Mathematics.

b. FLKRS (Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screening): This is a statewide kindergarten screening used to assess the readiness of each child for kindergarten.

 c. WUR (Writes Upon Request): Students in grades 1-5 write a narrative or expository paper with topic prompts and a time limit.  Teachers score it using the same guidelines as the FCAT Writing Test.

d. FCAT (Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test):  A required standardized test that tests reading, writing, math, and science. Reading and Math are tested in grades 3-5; Writing is tested in 4th grade; and Science is tested in 5th grade.

e. FAIR (Florida Assessment in Reading): This is a Broad Screen/Progress Monitoring tool used in grades 3-5. It is a computer based, adaptive reading comprehension assessment designed to indicate the probability of success on the FCAT test.

2. Extra-Curricular Activities

a.     Science Fair:  A Science Fair Packet provides guidelines, sample topics, and procedures for following the scientific process to complete an individual or small group science project. Fourth and Fifth graders must complete a science project for a grade and/or entry in the Science Fair and other grades are encouraged to participate.  Parents are needed as volunteers, mentors and judges. 

b.     Kids Voting:  During major election years, children are given the opportunity to cast a vote in their parent's precinct.  The results are tallied and reported in the Tallahassee Democrat. Students learn about democracy through a combination of classroom activities, an authentic voting experience and family dialogue.

c.     Red Ribbon Week:  The third week in October is a national celebration of Drug Free Life Choices.  The older students participate in a drug free rally during special area time.  All students K-5 wear red ribbons.

d.     Field Day:  Classes and individuals participate in a variety of fun sport competitions against other classes of the same grade.  Parents serve as volunteers. The event is held during the school day in the spring.

e.      ORFF:  All students K-5 have the opportunity to learn to play the ORFF musical instruments during their special area time in music.

f. Strings - Fifth grade students have the opportunity to learn to play a variety of string musical instruments.

g.    Cool Crocs Math Club:  Students in grades 3-5 are eligible to participate. This after school club gives extra help and extra challenges in the area of mathematics. The goals of the club are to help foster positive student feelings about math and to increase math performance.

h. Math Mini Mu Competition: 4th and 5th grade students have an opportunity to participate in a math competition held for students throughout Leon County.

i.    Principal's Lunch:  One student from each class is chosen every month to eat lunch with the Principal and Assistant Principal.  The teachers choose students who have demonstrated excellent citizenship during the month or have shown great improvement in that area.

j.  Citizenship Recognition:  Every nine week period, the PTA provides a special treat to all the students who have earned an E in Citizenship and an E in Work/Study Habits on their report cards.

k. Mileage Club: This club is an opportunity for students in grades 3-5 to engage in walking for fitness prior to the school day.

l. Safety Patrol: 4th and 5th grade students are chosen by their teachers to patrol the hallways before school and help keep students safe.

3.  Curricular Activities

a. AR (Accelerated Reader Program):  This computer based program is part of our school-wide Reading Curriculum.  Students are tested to find their optimum reading range (Zone of Proximal Development or ZPD).  They read books within their reading range and take comprehension tests on the computer.  A goal is set for each student each nine week grading period. Students are working toward their personal reading goal.

b. Imagine It!:  (Leon County School Board choice) The reading and literature curriculum for grades K-5. 

c. Break Through to Literacy:  A reading program used in some kindergarten classes along with Imagine It.  Students read books as a class and bring home individual paper books to reinforce reading at home.

d. Special Area:  Special Area consists of music, art, physical education, guidance, health, and media. Other areas such as computer lab may be added to the special area rotation if needed because of more classes in a particular grade level.

e. Special Area Rotation Cycle:  The rotation schedule or cycle of each grade level is based on the number of units or classes on that grade level. (For example:  a five-day schedule for five classes or six-day schedule for six classes.)

f. WKSN News: Fifth grade students work with the Media Specialist to write and produce a live morning news program that is broadcast into classrooms in the morning.

g. Developmental Play or Physical Activity (commonly called Recess):  Recess is an important part of our curriculum.  This is time each day students have unstructured, but supervised play.

h. Agenda Book:  Third through fifth grade students are required to have Kate Sullivan's calendar and assignment book.

4.  Fund Raising

a. Skate World:  Skate World on Capital Circle NE donates a percentage of the proceeds to Kate Sullivan PTA for participating the second Tuesday night of each month.  Classes win prizes for raising the most money.

b. Fall Festival or Croctoberfest:  An evening festival with carnival type food, games, and activities suitable for elementary children.  Parent volunteers man booths from each class.  The event is usually held on a Friday night in October.  Tickets are sold in advance and at the entrance.

 c.  Silent Auction:  Classes donate gift baskets for parents and the community to bid on during the Fall Festival.

d.  Campbell's Labels and Box Tops for Education: Parents clip Campbell's labels and specially marked box tops and send them in to help Kate Sullivan raise money through these programs. 

 e. Book Fair: Scholastic Book Company displays their books and other related items for families to buy.  The school receives a percentage of the profits.  The Book Fair lasts 5-7 days during school hours and one evening during the same week.  Parents may purchase books for the teacher or classroom from a teacher wish list posted during Book Fair week. Kate Sullivan hosts two book fairs per year.

a.  PTA (Parent Teacher Association): Volunteer and fundraising activities for the enhancement of educational needs of students, teachers, and staff are supported through the efforts of the PTA.  All parents are encouraged to attend monthly meetings and may become members. 

b.  Site-Based Decision Making (SITE): SITE is a council consisting of teachers, parents, staff, and administration dealing with issues of school wide policy, procedures, and goals.  Parents may give input by submitting written concerns to the SITE committee.    

c.    School Advisory Council (SAC) SAC is a council of parents, teachers, staff, and community members.  SAC members determine the contents, budget and evaluation of the School Improvement Plan (SIP).  Members review school-wide data from surveys and testing as well as monitor the school's progress in meeting targeted goals.  Parents may attend monthly meetings and are encouraged to become members of the School Advisory Council.

a. Individual Education Plan (IEP): Students who might need an IEP have learning difficulties.  IEPs might also be written for students who require more challenging curriculum offerings or need special instructional methods.  IEPs must be reviewed every year to make sure they are appropriate to the student's needs.

b. EP (Educational Plan):  Students who qualify for the Gifted Program have an individual EP written for them based on individual needs.

c. DBAE (Discipline Based Art Education):  An approach to integrating art into all curriculum areas using art history, art criticism (talking about art), aesthetics (asking questions about art), and art production.

d. Exceptional Student Education (ESE): Eligible students with special learning needs have a right to special services.  Teachers and guidance counselors help families determine the student's eligibility and ensure services are provided.  Students may receive certain accommodations during the school day and on state assessments.

 e. KTEA (Kaufman Test of Educational Achievement): This test is designed to measure the school achievement of children enrolled in grades 1 - 12. It measures specific skills in the area of reading decoding and comprehension, mathematics applications and computation, writing and spelling.

AR = Accelerated Reader Program

DBAE = Discipline Based Art Education

ESE = Exceptional Student Education

ESL = English as a Second Language

ESOL + English for Speakers of Other Languages

FAIR = Florida Assessment in Reading

FCAT = Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test

FLKRS = Florida Kindergarten Readiness Screening

IEP = Individual Education Plan

ITBS = IOWA Test of Basic Skills

PTA = Parent Teacher Association

SAC = School Advisory Council

SIP = School Improvement Plan

SITE = Site-Based Decision Making Committee

WUR = Writes Upon Request

ZPD = Zone of Proximal Development