THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Thursday, March 16, 1995 TAG: 9503160595
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY JON GLASS, STAFF WRITER
LENGTH: Long : 113 lines
Though they face dramatically different challenges, two Hampton Roads elementary schools - inner-city Bowling Park in Norfolk and suburban Bayside Accelerated in Virginia Beach - share a distinction: They are among the best in America at doing their jobs.
That's the verdict of a national panel of education experts who selected the two schools for Redbook magazine's annual best-in-the-nation list.
Bayside, with a student population that's 70 percent white from middle-class suburbs, was named the best elementary school in Virginia.
Bowling Park, which is nearly 100 percent black and draws heavily from nearby low-income public housing neighborhoods, was cited for overall excellence.
``The conventional wisdom that our public schools are failing is wrong,'' Redbook senior editor Harriet Lyons said in an interview Wednesday. ``These schools really are terrific, and they can be models for others to adapt their ideas.''
The success at Bayside and Bowling Park seems to lie in a philosophy that builds on strengths rather than dwelling on weaknesses.
At both schools, principals are hands-on administrators who hold high expectations. Teachers go the extra mile, often coming to school early or leaving late to give students individual attention.
Parents are nearly always in the schools and are welcome participants. The community is supportive. Innovation in the classroom is encouraged.
Those ingredients add up to motivated students who are made to feel good about themselves and coming to school - a recipe for success.
``Some people may not believe in hugging,'' said Bayside Principal Helen Moore, ``but my philosophy is, if a child wants and needs a hug, the child gets a hug.''
Moore launched a program called Personal Positive Power, in which students and employees are encouraged to write positive statements about individuals at the school. The comments are read daily over the intercom as part of the morning announcements.
``It's fantastic when you see children who may not always get recognition - they beam when they hear their name,'' Moore said.
Vicki Dray, a fifth-grade math and science teacher who has been at Bayside for 15 years, said the camaraderie among teachers creates a positive attitude.
``Everybody's out for the same thing - we all want the children to succeed,'' Dray said.
The school, Dray said, is big on students working in teams to solve problems and has developed teaching strategies that tap into the different learning styles of its 720 students.
Bayside fifth-grader Tara Porter, 10, said the teachers make school enjoyable. ``They'll help you if you don't understand,'' she said, ``even if it means they have to repeat all the directions.''
While only 3.2 percent of Bayside's students were identified last year as academically gifted, the school's overall performance on standardized tests was well above the national median. The statistics indicate, Moore said, that real learning is occurring.
``Children are working above their potential,'' Moore said. ``That's what we feel good about.''
At Bowling Park, 90 percent of the 560 students qualify for free or low-cost breakfasts and lunches, and most are being reared by single mothers, Principal Herman Clark said. Despite these economic disadvantages, which typically contribute to poor school performance, Clark's students consistently score above the national median on standardized tests in science, language arts, math and social studies.
``I stress to my staff the importance of teaching the whole child, that the child has another life that might be hindering his academic performance,'' Clark said.
``They treat them like their own children,'' said Elsie Mayo, the mother of a second-grader who often volunteers at the school before going to her afternoon job.
Clark has introduced other innovations that have placed his school on the cutting edge of public education, including educating boys and girls in separate classrooms and outfitting students in uniforms.
To help working parents, the school opens its doors to students at 7 a.m., more than two hours before classes begin, and runs an after-school program until 6 p.m.
Both schools have aggressive outreach programs to get parents involved, one of the most important factors of their success, the principals said. ILLUSTRATION: Color photos
TAMARA VONINSKI/Staff
Sheila Tillett, a teacher at Bowling Park Elementary in Norfolk,
plays checkers with students during an after-school program.
Bryan Martin, right, and Trevor Ives talk to Bayside Elementary
teacher Vicki Dray.
Graphic
CHOOSING THE BEST
Bayside elementary in Virginia Beach and Bowling Park in Norfolk
were among 142 elementary schools named best in the nation in the
April edition of Redbook magazine. A panel of education experts
picked from 481 nominations, judging the schools on the following
criteria:
Innovative curriculum that challenges kids and accommodates
different learning styles.
Caring and enthusiastic teachers who strive for excellence.
Hands-on learning, using games, role-playing and real-world
settings to develop skills.
A warm, nurturing environment that creates high expectations.
A dedicated principal who sets the tone for the school.
Technology integrated into the curriculum.
Concerned parents and community members who serve as tutors,
mentors, classroom aides and field trip guides.
by CNB