Gompers Elementary School

This page is part of At Home In Madison and has information primarily for new families and Realtors.

Address:	1502 Wyoming Way, Madison, WI 53704
Telephone:	(608) 204-4520
Fax:	(608) 204-0413
Principal:	Carlettra Stanford
Handbook \| en español
Online Staff Directory
Attendance Area Map \| HS attendance area: East
School Data Profile
School Supply List

Click here for the Gompers Elementary School web site which has information primarily for current families and students.

Parent/Teacher Group President: Mollie Derwinski, 608-335-3769; molliederwinski@yahoo.com
Parent Contact: Mollie Derwinski, 608-335-3769; molliederwinski@yahoo.com

Students — Click Here!

The mission of Gompers School, a community where all children, families, and staff are valued and respected, is to provide a safe, inclusive, caring environment where all children learn, are self-reliant, and are prepared for future learning and social opportunities through a challenging, multicultural, technological curriculum.

Site Characteristics

Location

Gompers School is located on the far north side of Madison in a pleasant residential neighborhood. Our proximity to the Cherokee Marsh provides a great laboratory for study. We have the added benefit of sharing our building with Black Hawk Middle School.

Class Size

Classes can range from 17 at the K-1 level and 24-28 at the 3-5 level. The Language Arts/Math block at 2nd and 3rd grade receives teacher support to bring class size to about 15-18 during these 2½ hours daily.

Bus Service

A high percentage of our students walk to school. School bus service transports some students, depending on their location, at no cost to their families.

Hot Lunch Program and After School Care

Students have the option of ordering prepacked lunches or bringing their own cold lunches. Monthly options include pizza, tacos and burritos. Free or reduced price lunches are available to those meeting certain criteria. Elementary children may purchase milk, juice and pretzels from the kitchen. After school day care is provided on-site from dismissal to 5:45 p.m. by the YMCA. There is also a before school program, sponsored by the "Y," beginning at 7:00 a.m.

Academic Programming

Technology

Gompers's Computer Lab is equipped with 26 computers, as well as printers, LCD projector, and TV screen connection. Each class attends REACH (Reinforcement and Enrichment for All Children) class in the lab for half an hour per week. Every classroom has at least one computer. The LMC has additional workstations, printers, and a scanner. Teachers have an opportunity to utilize the computer lab with their classes when there are no scheduled REACH classes. The school and students have access to the Internet.

Talented and Gifted (TAG) Program

The goal of Talented and Gifted (TAG) programming is to make certain K-12 students consistently have learning opportunities that are challenging, systematic and continuous based on learning profile, readiness and student interest.

Student learning experiences include a broad range of opportunities that pushes a student to their next level of challenge and allows them to develop their talents. TAG programming occurs primarily in the classroom. TAG programming is determined by ongoing evaluation and assessment of individual student needs. Each school has TAG resource support for ongoing consultation.

Special Classes

Teacher specialists provide instruction in art, music, physical education, REACH (technology), and the LMC.

Other Programs

Gompers Elementary offers a cross categorical Special Education program and full-day Kindergarten. In addition, support services are provided by the psychologist, social worker, nurse, speech and language clinicians, occupational therapist and physical therapist. Gompers also has an English as a Second Language (ESL) teacher and ESL support for students.

School Climate

Safety Is Always A Priority

Adult supervision is provided on the playgrounds 15 minutes before school and during all recesses. School Safety Patrols are in place in front of school, both before and after school. A city crossing guard is stationed at busy intersections close to school in the mornings and after school. As a result of being located in the same building as Black Hawk Middle School, we are fortunate to have a nurse and/or nursing assistant in the Health Office every day.

Peaceful Problem Solving And Conflict Resolution

Training occurs in all grades. Teachers and support staff develop and promote lifelong skills for successfully handling conflicts. Activities include student groups for conflict resolution, managing anger, making and keeping friends, and using the peace table. Children are expected to make safe, kind, honest and respectful choices in their activities and interactions at school. Gompers participates in Corwin Kronenberg's behavior philosophy, often called "Above the Line, Below the Line," where students strive to have behavior that is always "Above the Line."

Partnerships

Family Partnerships

Parents play a vital role in the Gompers School family by contributing countless hours of volunteer time. Many parents give of their time each year in such areas as tutoring, classroom assistance, and helping on field trips.

GEPTO - Gompers Elementary Parent Teacher Organization meetings are held on the second Tuesday of the month. This group is very supportive and provides additional resources to our school through fundraisers and special events. GEPTO has assisted in the purchase of computers, software, camcorder, and supplies. They have also contributed funds for cultural arts programs, the patrol trips, the 5th grade party, reading backpacks, and other school-related activities.

Community Partnerships

Gompers also benefits from a partnership with the RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program). These volunteers help with tutoring in the classrooms and work in the LMC.

Every year, St. Peter's Catholic Church and Vogel Brothers donate boxes of notebooks, folders, pencils, crayons, and various other school supplies, and we have welcomed donations from other sources. Other community groups and individuals have also been generous in their donations.

You Are Always Welcome at Gompers Elementary School!

Students at Gompers Elementary have the opportunity to learn from teachers who are committed to excellence. The staff at Gompers continually addresses the needs of our changing community by incorporating standards and benchmarks, upgrading curriculum and implementing our School Improvement Plan using an integrated approach across all academic environments. Gompers teachers regularly complete professional advancement courses to help themselves prepare all our students to be the best they can be! We welcome the challenge to provide an academic program geared towards a diverse population where students, staff and parents are invited to be active participants in the teaching and learning process.

School Tours are available to all. We encourage anyone interested to call the school office for arrangements.

We encourage you to talk with parents of our students to learn more about our school. Please see the Principal/Parent Contact information on this web site for current names and phone numbers.

For answers to questions or requests for handbooks, lunch money, bus schedules, newsletters, etc., call the Gompers office 204-4520, or fax your request to 204-0413.

Quotes

"What I think makes Gompers special is that you have great friends. There are lots of nice people in this school. All the teachers are nice. The school is very safe."
-- Gompers Student

"One of the best things about Gompers is the teachers. I'm a senior in high school now and I still remember my 4th grade teacher - she was the first one I had who actually made me believe I was good in math. She really gave me self-confidence. I still see her when she comes to watch me perform in my Show Choir shows. I don't think I'll ever forget her."
-- Gompers Graduate

"The gifted, caring Gompers staff teamed with involved parents produces motivated students. Gompers is a mixture of the best of the old and the new. Our school is constantly incorporating new concepts, while maintaining high standards for the basic skills today's students need to have a successful future."
--Gompers Parent

"I think this school is really great because of the teachers and the kids. If there is a problem the teacher in charge will look at the problem in different ways, and if they can't settle it, then the people who have the problem will go to the Peace Table. Then they will say why they got mad and talk about how they can fix it."
-- Gompers Student

"As a nine-year RSVP volunteer, I give Gompers high marks. The halls have many displays of student artwork and compositions. I've attended spring and winter programs each year, and marvel at the enthusiasm of the students and the dedication of the principal, teachers, and staff. It's a great place."
-- Gompers RSVP Volunteer/grandmother

Remember, you're "At Home At Gompers Elementary School!"