Dunbar Elementary School is an outgrowth of the Denverside School, which was organized in This small school continued to grow. In 1917, it consisted of five portable rooms and five teachers. Some rooms were moved to 19 th and Tudor Avenue, and the Dunbar that we know came into existence. It was named for the famous Black Poet, Paul Laurence Dunbar. Mr. Martin Van Lucas was the first principal. The building, a modern eight-room structure, was only partly occupied at first. It later received several additions. Four rooms were added in 1924 to the east end of the building. In 1925, four more rooms were added to the west end. The yearly increase of students made it necessary to open five additional rooms in the basement. Two rooms were added via portable structures when more room was required. The portables were replaced in 1955, with a six room structure, a six room annex and an all-purpose room were added on to the east end of the building. Dunbar School has a rich heritage and distinct traditions established during its existence. It has and continues to stress excellence in every aspect, and encourages outstanding, stellar achievement in its students. It earned a nickname for itself because of this. It has often been referred to as “The University”. The school has won honor and distinction in various fields through high achievement scores-nationally, statewide and locally. It has produced many top-notched administrators, supervisors, community leaders, and a multitude of well-rounded, productive citizens who have taken their place in society. Dunbar has a sense of school spirit and pride that continues to permeate the hearts and minds of those who hold it dear so much so that an alumni association was formed. There are 484 students currently enrolled at Paul Laurence Dunbar and it is one of five 1 st – 5 th grade elementary schools in East St. Louis, Illinois. The current administrators at Paul Laurence Dunbar Elementary School are Carlynda Coleman and DeKiethrich Lockett. The past 3-4 years have brought about a noticeable decline in student academic performance. During the school year, we merged with Lilly Freeman and became the only elementary school in the district that services six different housing projects. We welcomed the students with open arms and adopted the song “We Are One”. We feel several factors have impacted student performance – high mobility rate, increase in poverty, discipline, class size, lack of common planning time and the need for early intervention programs. Adjustments, changes, modifications, revisions and special efforts will be extended in our approach and curriculum to bring about improvement.

1 Principal1 Assistant Principal 4 Special Services Teachers 1 Instructional Coach1 Paraprofessional 1 School Improvement Specialist2 Auxiliary Aides 1 Reading Teacher2 Personal Care Aides 1 Speech Therapist2 School Clerks 1 Social Worker4 School Custodians 1 Attendance Officer4 Cafeteria Workers 1 Medical Technician 1 Computer Technician 1 Interventionist/Homeless Liaison 1 Spec. Services Supervisor 25 Regular Classroom Teachers

Total Number of Classrooms Grade Level Amount of Students 4First92 5Second113 4Third84 4Fourth84 4Fifth77 2Special Services34

changing roles: moving from teacher to learning manager, counselor or even learning resource or consultant; pressures to use new methodologies and technology when individuals do not feel fully competent to deliver them; Students changing to a teaching style they are not comfortable with; the design and delivery of a traditional curriculum may have to be adapted (teachers were required to master two new curriculums this year); evidence that learners have submitted their own work is an issue if independent learning is assessed; intrinsic motivation may not be enough to encourage learners to prioritize independent learning activities and may cause behavioral disruptions; Increased number of required assessments and observations from outside sources;

It Adds Flexibility *learners can work at their own pace, according to individual needs *learners are motivated because it focuses on their interests and learning style It Leads To Learner Autonomy *learners learn to learn; *they focus on the process of learning as well as the product; *learners develop appropriate learning strategies

It Extends and Enhances Classroom Learning *it reinforces what is learned in the classroom *it provides a good practice environment *it provides life-like or authentic communication activities; through group work and simulations It Encourages and Develops Key Transferable Skills * it promotes life skills including self-management and time management *it improves the skill of independent research and study *access to new technologies increase general computer literacy skills *collaborative work leads to the development of communication and interpersonal skills

TeacherGrade LevelRoom Number Ms. A. KaprosFirst Grade131 Ms. J. BlackmonFirst Grade129 Mrs. C. HunterFirst Grade130 Mrs. M. HowardFirst Grade125 Mrs. E. GoodwinPrimary Special Services121 Mrs. C. WeierSecond Grade103 Ms. D. BruceSecond Grade105 Ms. M. JenningsSecond Grade107 Mrs. R. HarriellSecond Grade108 Ms. C. CrawfordSecond Grade106 Mrs. J. CroffettIntermediate Resource Spec. Services102

TeacherGrade LevelRoom Number Ms. S. TolsonThird Grade210 Ms. R. HowardIntermediate Special Services211 Mr. J. PruettThird Grade212 Mrs. N. CarlisleThird Grade209 Mr. D. ChapmanThird Grade207 Mrs. T. DukeHearing Impaired208 Ms. K. AkinsFourth Grade215 Ms. W. WoolfolkFourth Grade217 Ms. Traci GardnerFourth Grade228 Mrs. E. SpellsFourth Grade223 Mrs. M. AppletonReading Specialist220

TeacherGrade LevelRoom Number Mrs. S. WilsonFifth Grade219 Mr. C. ThompsonFifth Grade221 Mrs. Mildred WashingtonFifth Grade229 Mrs. E. Holton~LovelessFifth Grade227 Mrs. T. BrownInstructional Coach206 Mrs. S. KeelerSchool Improvement Specialist206 Mr. V. PoindexterInstructional TutorLibrary Office