 | Maude Bishop ElementaryPrograms |
Breakfast is Served
For the first couple of years, an average of 25 students participated in the breakfast program. Currently, the average daily count for breakfast is 100+. Breakfast is served daily from 8:00 a.m. until 8:25 a.m. Breakfast is served in the Bishop gym.
Bishop Houses the Gifted Program for the District
Bishop currently houses the elementary gifted program and services for the Topeka Public Schools district. Three classrooms are dedicated to the gifted program and services. An individualized program is designed for each learner. However,most gifted programing and services focus on computers/technology, science, and fine arts.
Identified K-5 gifted students from across the district arrive by bus at Bishop one day a week.
Gifted services and programming are offered to a specific grade level each day of the week.
Bishop is a School-Wide Title I School
Until the 2003-2004 school year, Bishop was not a Title I school. As a result, Bishop has lacked many financial resources and support staff that has been available to the other TPS schools.
Bishop has become a school wide project, Bishop's free and reduced lunch population has become 50% or higher.
Bishop was one of the first elementary schools in Topeka to complete a combined Title I/School Improvement plan. It is available for review upon request.
School Wide Discipline-Student/Teacher/Parent Contract
To have a school wide approach to discipline, the Bishop staff developed school wide rules, consequences, and procedures that are supported and have been implemented by all classroom teachers and support staff. The "5 UP" strategy for getting students full attention was included as part of the plan. The student also signs the contract.
Computer LabAn IBM networked computer lab holds twenty-six computer stations. The computer lab computers are all identical. Bishop teachers can sign up to utilize the computer lab throughout the week. Besides the lab, computers are housed in classrooms for student and teachers to use.
Teacher Collaboration is a Key to Bishop's Success
Bishop teachers meet regularly to discuss, analyze, and plan instruction. Both primary and intermediate team elect a leader and hold meetings on a weekly (Intermediate) and/or "as needed" basis (Primary). Many instructional, organizational, and student management decisions are made at team meetings. Team meetings are held in addition to weekly staff meetings.
Accelerated Reader
Accelerated Reader allows students to take tests over trade books that have been read and are available through the Bishop Library Media Center. Accelerated Reader is available for student use at certain computers in the building. AR is used to motivate students to read and assess comprehension of text.
"Everybody Wins" Lunchtime Reading Program
Bishop hosts the Everybody Wins lunchtime reading program for selected students. Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Topeka coordinate the program. They hire an on-site coordinator to find adult volunteer readers. Hill's Nutritional Pet Foods continues to support the program for Bishop. Student participants for the "Everybody Wins" program are recommended by Bishop teachers.
Academics
Bishop students are provided with many opportunities to learn about and discover the world around them. Through experiences with classroom teachers, support staff, volunteers, special programs and classroom speakers, students have a variety of opportunities to learn, study, comprehend and achieve.
The curriculum is broadbased and covers the six content areas at all elementary levels. Reading, mathematics, science, social studies, language arts, and writing are taught for mastery at the developmentally appropriate level. In addition, spelling is taught at levels one through five.
Other curriculum support areas provided for each student are physical education, music, and media services. Students receive at least one of these services weekly.
The curriculum is enhanced through various programs offered through the community and school district. Multicultural education is incorporated in all content areas at all grade levels. Instrumental bandand the string program is available to all students in grade five.
Many services are provided for special needs by the district. Students, parents, and staff have available a counselor, LPN, speech pathologist, psychologist, gifted facilitator, remedial reading teacher, and learning resource teacher. These services are provided on an as needed basis or when students qualify for special services.
Special activities in which students participate are quite diverse. Some of these activities include assemblies, musical programs, a math contest, and a spelling bee. These events are scheduled throughout the year by the Bishop staff.
GUIDANCE AND COUNSELING
The counselor at Bishop School consults with students, staff, parents and community agencies. Another responsibility is to coordinate referrals and academic testing. The guidance curriculum provides activities in the classroom that help students develop knowledge of self, life skills and goal setting.
LIBRARY/MEDIA CENTER
The Media Center program is designed to insure that students and staff of Bishop School are effective users of ideas and information. To carry out this program, a semi-flexible schedule is used. Every class has at least one weekly library period so each student may learn to select and check out materials, return materials, and receive instruction. The teachers and the media specialist plan which library skills are to be taught or which special lessons will be taught through the content areas.
LEARNING RESOURCES
The Learning Resource program serves individual students who qualify for additional support services in reading, written language, math and oral and expressive language. This support is provided in a pull-out, resource setting. One-on-one or small group instruction is provided in a highly individualized manner. Individual Educational Plans are implemented.
GENERAL MUSIC
The general music class at Bishop School has as its main emphasis - singing. Along with that emphasis comes movements, creativity, improvisation, rhythm, self-accompaniment, and listening. Music involves all content areas such as math, language, social studies and reading. Music is an individual or group experience by either actively making music or passively listening.
NURSE
The following services are provided by the LPN and school nurse at Bishop School:
- 1. Vision and Hearing screenings
- 2. Administer and supervise medications to students
- 3. Apply first aid to injuries
- 4. Take care of illnesses
- 5. Dental Health education to first grade
- 6. Set up growth and development for fifth grade
- 7. Organize and coordinate immunization clinic
- 8. Help with Kindergarten orientation
PHYSICAL EDUCATION
A wide variety of activities that expose all students to lifetime skills are provided in physical education classes. Team sports, individual sports and cooperative learning activities that require the entire class to work together are emphasized. Handicapped students participate in all activities. Many content areas taught in the regular classroom are included in the curriculum.
PSYCHOLOGICAL
The psychological support to Bishop School students provides counseling services as well as administration and interpretation of individual tests to help determine the needs of specific students. In addition, collaboration with teachers regarding learning styles, teaching strategies, and classroom management is provided. Other services include: providing parent education programs, staff development, and assistance in the development of goals and strategies for overall educational improvement as well as for individual students.
SPELLING BEE
The annual All-Kansas Spelling Bee and the Shawnee County Bee is held in the spring of each year and is sponsored by the Topeka Capital-Journal. Students from grades 4 to 8 are eligible to participate and each school is allowed to send one representative.
