1. “Moving from Good to Great” State of the School
Torrance Elementary School
“A California Distinguished School”
“Moving from Good to Great” State of the School

2. INTRODUCTIONS: Mrs. Judy Chai, Fiscal Services Officer
Mrs. Katie Saavedra, PTA President
Mr.Todd Hays, School Site Council Chair

3. QZAB Bond has been put to work:
Show off!
QZAB Bond has been put to work:
56 new PC computers & 2 large size printers in Computer Lab.
Air conditioning unit in Computer Lab
Smartboard in every classroom
Elmo/LCD projector in every classroom
Netbooks for all teachers and staff
WiFi school-wide
Lightspeed in every classroom
PA System/Projector/Screen in Cafeteria

4. Still Showing Off… School Beautification: Native Garden Planted Trees
20 Trees West Playground
29 Trees East Playground
1 Tree in Preschool
1 Tree in Native Garden
Benches around campus
Mr. Navarro always keeps school looking clean and beautiful!

5. General Information Student enrollment is at 506
19 General Education Teachers
3 Learning Center Teachers
1 School Psychologist
1 Speech Pathologist
2 Reading Recovery Teachers
6 Intervention Teachers
5 Paraeducators
Torrance Elementary Staff Rocks!

6. Many Firsts: 2004 and 2005 Title I Achieving School
2004 CA Distinguished School
In 2006 Torrance El. reached 803 API passing the base State Dept sets for all school in California
In 2008 Torrance El. reached an API of 828 surpassing 4 other schools in TUSD.
“Providing our students a World Class Education!”

7. Highlights: In 2009 Torrance Elementary: Met API Growth Target (State)
Met AYP Target (Federal Government)
Maintained High 4th Grade STAR Writing Scores:
27% score 8; 48% score 6; 23% score 4; 0 score 0
4. Improved Science Scores in 5th Grade from 2008:
Adv. 5% to 26%
Prof. 39% to 46%
Basic 39% to 22%
Below Bas. 13% to 7%
FBB 4% to 0%

8. Continue Highlights: 5. More Students Scoring Advanced or Proficient:
Math 71%
English Language Arts (ELA) 63%
Great strides in ELA:
From 2003 to % points increase in ELA for Proficient and Advanced (from 46% to 63%).

9. RESULTS: New API for 2009 is 841!
Torrance El has become a model school in TUSD.
Hosted principal visitation to see what TE teachers doing “right”.
Principal Yepez will get dunked in the tank!

10. REASON FOR SUCCESS? Wonderful parent community!
Incredible and talented students!
Phenomenal teaching staff!

11. Our Amazing Teaching Staff!
Preppy and Kindergarten:
Mrs. Juanita Evans – Preppy
Mrs. Terry Bateman – Kindergarten
Mrs. Terri Brown – Kindergarten
Mrs. Dina Rothenberg - Kindergarten
First Grade:
Mrs. Donna Jones
Mrs. Kelly McGrath
Mrs. Cathy Opina

12. First/Second Combo:
Mrs. Joelle Bardos
Second Grade:
Mrs. Darlene Azzam
Mrs. Ann-Marie Frank

13. Third Grade:
Mrs. Suzie Campbell
Ms. Becky Kanehl
Mrs. Rocio Lopez
Mrs. Linda White

14. Fourth Grade:
Mrs. Connie Liu
Mrs. Ruby Sonandres
Fifth Grade:
Mrs. Anna-Marie Lesh New
Mrs. Lori Simonowski
Mrs. Chris Vitti

15. “Special” Education Team:
Mrs. Brooke Stewart – Learning Center
Ms. Kim Treacy – Learning Center New
Ms. Melissa Velez – Learning Center New
Mrs. Wendy Kellum – Psychologist
Mrs. Kathy Schryver-Stahly – Speech Pathologist
Reading Recovery Team:
Mrs. Janet Furutani
Mrs. Jules Hastings

16. Intervention Team: Mrs. Roberta Alvarez – Literacy Primary Grades
Mrs. Lynn Blackstad – Literacy Primary Grades
Mrs. Betty Gifford – Lang Arts/Math Upper Grades
Ms. Kristina Atia – Lang Arts/Math Upper Grades
Mrs. Karen Jackson – Lang Arts/Math Middle Grades
Mrs. Sharon Yu – Lang Arts/Math Middle Grades

17. PROGRAMS:
Flag Ceremony – Spirit Day (Wednesdays)
Honor Roll
Principal’s List
Eight is Great
Game Time
Track Meet
Attendance (Run w/ Mr. Yepez)
(96.51% Attendance – only 2 of 17 elementary schools in TUSD had better attendance)
And others…

18. Thank you for your support!
Home School Partnership
100% Parent Participation
100% PTA Membership

19. Back to School Schedule:
Classroom Visitation – Block A
7:10 – 7:30
Classroom Visitation – Block B
7:35 – 7:55
End of Back to School
8:00
We will make all call to announce the ending of Block A and beginning of Block B.
Have a great night and thank you for coming!