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Thoreau Elementary School | Address: | 3870 Nakoma Road, Madison, WI 53711 |
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| Telephone: | (608) 204-6940 |
| Fax: | (608) 204-0519 |
| Principal: | Elizabeth Fritz |
| Thoreau Elementary School Web Site | |
| Handbook | en español | |
| Online Staff Directory | |
| Attendance Area Map | HS attendance area: West | |
| School Data Profile | |
| School Supply List | |
Enrollment Dates and Times- Recreation Program through Madison School & Community Recreation
- Foundation for Madison's Public Schools
Parent/Teacher Group President:
Louisa Medaris, 608-245-1456 and Sherri Stroebel, 608-310-9952
Parent Contact:
Laura Aguilar Omernik, 608-271-2228, bookslrii@yahoo.com
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Thoreau Elementary School is a child-centered school where staff, parents, students, and community members work together to create a model learning environment for all students and provide rigorous academic challenges based on thorough and continuous assessments of all students. Thoreau Elementary School seeks active family and community partnerships that enhance a secure and familiar small school atmosphere. |
Site Characteristics
Location
Thoreau Elementary School is a contemporary building tucked into a hillside of oak trees located on the westside of Madison.
Class Size
The enrollment for the 2009-2010 school year is expected to be about 400 students. We are planning for 20-21 classrooms. The SAGE (Student Achievement Guarantee in Education) grant from the state will keep kindergarten and first grade classes at 15 or fewer students and at 15 students or less in grades 2 and 3 for reading, language arts and mathematics.
Thoreau staff has been looking at ways to create stronger instructional teams to better meet the needs of our students and improve student achievement. Classroom teachers in grades 1-3 are paired with a support teacher and children are assigned to the instructional team for the entire day. The changes made at Thoreau will give us a lower student:teacher ratio for all classes during the school day.
Neighborhood Bus Service
Pick up for students begins at 7:50 a.m. For more information, contact the school office at 204-6940 or the transportation office at 663-5288.
Hot Lunch Program
Daily hot lunches are available for purchase, as well as a breakfast program served before school each day. Monthly menus are sent home with the oldest sibling at Thoreau. Monthly payments are made by check payable to Thoreau Elementary School. Free/reduced lunch application forms are available. Students have the option of bringing their lunch and purchasing milk.
After School Care
On site before and after school care for grades K-5 is available. Call After School at 276-9782 for more information.
Academic Programming
Achievement
Thoreau students participate in many forms of assessment during their elementary career. Testing occurs in the areas of reading, writing and math and the results are used by the teachers to guide their daily instruction. Test results also assist us in setting school improvement goals which are designed to increase student success in the areas of learning, engagement and relationships.
Technology
Computers are used to support and extend learning across the curriculum. Thoreau has a new, fully-equipped and networked computer lab which is used weekly during REACH (Reinforcement and Enrichment for All Children) time. Computers are also in classrooms and the Library Media Center (LMC). Students are taught word processing, simple spread sheets and databases. Some students have their own E-mail addresses; some access to Internet, scanners and "quick take" cameras.
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 may occur in the classroom, or in other settings. 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 in art, music and physical education provide regular instruction. Fifth grade students also have the opportunity to participate in the strings program. Parent groups offer foreign language and math before and after school.
Other Programs
Thoreau offers full day kindergarten, Reading Recovery, Special Education services, and English as a Second Language (ESL) programming. Support services are provided by the occupational/physical therapists, psychologist, nurse, social worker, speech/language clinician and instructional resource teacher.
School Climate
Safety Is Always A Priority
The playground has adult supervision 15 minutes before school and during all recesses. School safety patrols and city crossing guards assist children at busy intersections. Students who live more than 1.5 miles from school are provided free transportation on school buses. A nursing assistant is on site.
Thoreau has a school-wide behavior plan that provides all students with opportunities to increase their understanding of appropriate social interaction. The District-wide code of conduct is followed consistently and fairly.
Partnerships
Family Partnerships
The Parent Teacher Organization (PTO) is very active at Thoreau and meets monthly on Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. The dates and times will be posted in the monthly newsletter and website. The PTO works to provide a link between home, school, and the district. It supports academic programming by planning special events and fund raisers, advocating for our children and soliciting volunteers.
Community Partnerships
Our school benefits from the active volunteerism of many adults. This includes donated materials, financial support and time from many organizations including RSVP (Retired Senior Volunteer Program), Nakoma neighbors, Madison Symphony Orchestra, and Vogel Brothers Construction Company. The Americorps program enables Thoreau to have a volunteer coordinator. Contact the office (204-6940) for more information on volunteering at Thoreau.
Students participate in community service projects by visiting a nursing home, and making money and food donations to various Dane County organizations.
University Partnership
Thoreau Elementary School works closely with the University of Wisconsin-Madison in supporting teacher education through the Madison Professional Development School Partnership. This partnership with UW-Madison, Madison Teachers, Inc., and four Madison schools features on-site seminars and supervision for teacher education students (pre-service teachers) working on their elementary certification.
Components of the partnership include:
- Pre-service teachers are in the school for all four semesters of their teaching practice.
- Professional development opportunities, such as literacy courses, are offered for all staff.
- On-site supervision and seminars for the pre-service teachers include classroom staff participation to bridge theory and practice.
You Are Always Welcome At Thoreau Elementary School!
Thoreau is a wonderfully diverse learning community that provides inclusive schooling for all. Our staff is energetic, child-centered and provides a safe, supportive learning environment. We're committed to providing an excellent academic program within a culturally relevant curriculum. Students are active participants in the learning process.
School tours of our building are open to all. Please call the school office at (608) 204-6940 to schedule a time for your visit.
We encourage you to talk with parents of our students to learn more about our school. Please see the Principal/Parent information on this web site for current names and phone numbers.
For answers to any questions or to request materials such as curriculum standards, handbooks, lunch menus, newsletters, etc., call the office at 204-6940, or fax your request to 204-0519.
Quotes
"I have been so impressed by Thoreau's teachers - their dedication to all students and their sincere concern for my children's achievement."
-- Thoreau Parent"We think Thoreau is the best-kept secret in the Madison school system. It has wonderful teachers, excellent resources, an energetic student body . . . and it's the only school in town whose grounds include an oak forest!"
-- Thoreau Parent"Thoreau is a great school. I've been here for six years and I have never been bored."
-- Thoreau Student"To see so many fine, creative, energetic, dedicated teachers and staff in one place . . . it makes me so proud!"
-- Thoreau Parent
Remember, you're "At Home At Thoreau Elementary School!"
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