We were "On the Prowl for Success" during the 2024-25 school year at Harold C. Johnson Elementary School! The year centered on academic gains and exciting opportunities for our students as we embraced personalized learning through technology integration. Our daily goal was to prepare our students for college and career readiness by providing rigorous, meaningful academic experiences. Our staff worked to prepare each child for a successful future by providing opportunities for creative and critical thinking. The staff grew professionally through training on LETRS, unpacking ELA standards, developing IRPs (individualized reading plans), student goal-setting, use of pre-and post- assessments, developing expressive language in the early childhood setting, the new ELA standards, and student-centered learning. We implemented WIN time; thirty-minutes of daily targeted intervention and enrichment in reading and math. Teachers used small group instruction and Edmentum Exact Path to craft specialized learning opportunities to meet individual student needs. Our students even won the district’s Exact Path Trophy Challenge for the second semester. Our teachers continued to increase phonemic awareness with Heggerty and Secret Stories. Our school-wide academic intervention and enrichment programs produced strong academic gains. We are proud of our students' growth, both academically and as individuals. Outside the traditional academic focus, Harold C. Johnson continued to offer various opportunities for the development of the whole child, such as: Boys & Girls Club, 4-H, Girl Scouts, Girls on the Run, Art Club, News Crew, and our Character Word of the Month Recognition/Awards. Our Student of the Month recognition program celebrated the accomplishments of over 185 students. Our students discovered the joy of reading through our Fall for Reading Celebration and the York School District One "Connected as Readers" Reading Challenge. Our testing pep rally encouraged students to try their best on state testing. We welcomed parents and families into our school through our Wake Up and Read, Fall for Reading, monthly grade-level music performances, Veterans Day celebration, Field Day, and awards day. Our school received a grant as the winner of the Dick and Tunky Riley Award for SIC Excellence. This grant funded a school readiness campaign with a readiness night, readiness packets, and a professional-quality school readiness video series. Through a strong partnership with our School Improvement Council, PTO, and community, our teachers were able to provide these opportunities, as well as countless others, with the intentional goal of helping students discover the joy of learning while promoting creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. We are very thankful for our school and community partners, as well as the support of our students’ families. Our mission in York School District One is "To Learn, Serve, and Give... as ONE." The development of each child requires a collaborative effort among and between school, family, and community. Thank you for all of your support as we encourage each of our students to continue "On the Prowl for Success"… in college and career readiness… and in life!
Crystal Sandifer, Principal
Alyssa Queen, Chairperson, School Improvement Council
